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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is a high-end option with a larger RAM and storage capacity, a more powerful Intel processor, and an Nvidia RTX GPU. It's better suited for demanding tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, and engineering, with a high screen resolution and color accuracy, but it is less portable and costlier. The MSI Bravo 15 is more affordable and offers decent performance for general use and gaming with a slightly larger screen, an AMD Ryzen processor, and an Nvidia RTX GPU. However, it has lower RAM and storage and may not handle intensive tasks as smoothly as the Surface Laptop. If portability and budget are major concerns, the MSI could be more appropriate, while the Surface is ideal for performance-intensive applications. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Good portability
- Very good speakers
- Very good keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Bravo 15
- The MSI Bravo 15 has no clear advantages over the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2.
Key differences
General Use
8.3
7.1
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
503.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
267.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
7.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.9/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is very good for general use, while the MSI Bravo 15 is good.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 excels in general use due to its higher RAM, faster CPU, superior screen quality with higher resolution and brightness, and better battery life, all contributing to a smoother and more versatile user experience. In contrast, the MSI Bravo 15, while serviceable, has less RAM and a lower quality display, affecting multitasking capabilities and visual experience, but it offers a larger screen and has excellent heat management, which could make it suitable for prolonged use scenarios where high performance is not the priority.
Gaming and AI
7.7
7.2
7.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 and MSI Bravo 15 are both good for gaming and AI, though the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is somewhat better.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 delivers strong 3D and gaming performance with its Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics and a screen refresh rate of 120Hz, while the MSI Bravo 15 also provides good gaming and 3D capabilities with the slightly less powerful Nvidia RTX 4050 GPU but offers a higher screen refresh rate of 144Hz which can present a smoother visual experience in fast-paced games.
Engineering and Design
8.7
7.2
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.0/10
7.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
64.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Bravo 15 is good.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 excels in engineering and design tasks due to its powerful Intel i7 processor, substantial 64 GB of RAM, and strong Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU, complemented by a high-quality screen that doubles as a drawing tablet.
Content Creation
8.4
7.1
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.0/10
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
64.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is very good for content creation, while the MSI Bravo 15 is good.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
8.2
6.8
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.0/10
64.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is very good for software development, while the MSI Bravo 15 is only fair.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Screen Quality
7.9
6.9
14.4in
SIZE
15.6in
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
503.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
267.0 nits
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has a better screen than the MSI Bravo 15 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 boasts a vivid display with a high resolution and brightness, making it excellent for general tasks like browsing and video streaming. Its screen also covers a wide color gamut, ensuring accurate color representation crucial for engineering and design work. However, its refresh rate isn't ideal for gaming or 3D applications, where smooth motion is key, so it falls short for those activities compared to laptops designed specifically for gaming.
Battery
8.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has 8 hours of battery life. The MSI Bravo 15 has 6 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Portability
Good
Fair
14.4in
SIZE
15.6in
4.4 lbs
WEIGHT
4.9 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has good portability, while the MSI Bravo 15 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5
6.7
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has very good build quality, while the MSI Bravo 15 has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$3,300
$862
$0
$1,000
$2,000
$3,000
$4,000
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has a price of $3,300 and the MSI Bravo 15 costs $862.
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How the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 and the MSI Bravo 15 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 | MSI Bravo 15 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$3,300 | $862 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2023 | February 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.7'' x 9.1'' x 0.86'' | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.98'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.41 lbs | 4.96 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.72" | 14.13" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.06" | 10.2" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-13700H | AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 64 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 58 Wh | 53.5 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14.4" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1600 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 503 nits | 267 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.5/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 6.8/10 | 6.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 6/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
Shopping
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2
See more
Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | March 2022
"The new Surface Laptop Studio with its foldable display is supposed to replace the old Surface Book and the overall impression is good after our review. The build quality and the materials are top-notch, the performance utilization of the two components is solid and the device does not show any major flaws in terms of display or speakers, either. The folding mechanism leaves a sold impression as well, but it remains to be seen how it will hold up over the years. The so-called presentation mode is also not ideal since it covers the whole keyboard."
MSI Bravo 15
See more
Dig into reviews and images
LaptopMedia
Nikolay Palaozov | July 2023
"Overall, the MSI Bravo 15 C7U is a great gaming device for the masses that isn’t too pricey. The capable hardware (for the price range), the 144Hz display, and the comfortable keyboard are one of the things that should attract buyers who don’t want to spend a fortune on a new gaming laptop."
Get a great deal on the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 or the MSI Bravo 15
About Microsoft
Microsoft is an American technology corporation. Microsoft is best known for their Windows operating system and Surface laptop series. The Surface Laptop is their standard notebook offering, while their Surface Go, Surface Pro, and Surface Studio are their 2-in-1/tablet offerings in order of increasing capability. Although Microsoft charges a premium price tag for their laptops, buyers can expect a well integrated and packaged device since Microsoft develops the Windows operating system.
About MSI
MSI, also known as Micro-Star International, is a Taiwanese technology corporation. MSI is known for their wide range of gaming devices. Their series include the entry-level Cyborg/Thin and Sword/Katana series, the mid-range Bravo/Delta and Crosshair/Pulse series, and their high-end Vector, Raider, Stealth, and Titan GT series. At every performance level, MSI offers a variety of devices with varying balances between performance, battery life, weight, and price, making them a solid option to consider at every price point.
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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