A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated March 21, 2024·
When considering the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 and the MSI Creator M14, if your budget is more flexible and you need top-notch performance for demanding tasks like 3D design or engineering software, the Surface Laptop Studio 2 is a more suitable choice; however, it is heavier and less portable. If you prioritize value and portability for everyday use or less intensive creative tasks, the MSI Creator M14 offers a more budget-friendly option with respectable performance and easier transport due to its lighter weight, but it may not handle high-end tasks as smoothly. Battery life also typically favors the Surface for longer work sessions away from a power source. 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 software development
- Very good overall build quality
- Good battery life
- Very good speakers
Advantages of the MSI Creator M14
- The MSI Creator M14 has no clear advantages over the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2.
Key differences
Screen Quality
7.9
7.5
14.4in
SIZE
14.0in
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
503.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
350.0 nits
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has a better screen than the MSI Creator M14 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2's high-resolution display with vivid color representation outshines the MSI Creator M14, providing a sharper image and more pleasant viewing experience. The Surface Laptop Studio 2, with its wider color gamut, caters well to engineering and design professionals who require accurate color reproduction for their work. However, for gaming and 3D tasks, both laptops fall short due to their lower refresh rates, which can detract from the smoothness and responsiveness of fast-paced visuals.
Battery
8.0 Hours
4.5 Hours
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has 8 hours of battery life. The MSI Creator M14 has 4.5 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.
Build Quality
8.5
7.8
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has very good build quality, while the MSI Creator M14 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$3,300
$1,500
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has a price of $3,300 and the MSI Creator M14 costs $1,500.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Laptop
Find your new laptop
Key similarities
General Use
8.3
8.0
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
503.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
350.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.5 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
7.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.8/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 and MSI Creator M14 are both very good for general use.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 offers a balance of a high-quality CPU, ample RAM, and a vivid screen, ensuring smooth performance for everyday tasks, while also providing the versatility of a convertible form factor for portability and convenient use on the go, though it may compromise on battery life slightly due to its high-powered components. On the other hand, the MSI Creator M14, with similar CPU and RAM capabilities tailored for general use, distinguishes itself with a focus on a clear screen and longer battery life, making it ideal for those who prioritize less frequent charging over the flexibility of a 2-in-1 design.
Gaming and AI
7.7
7.3
7.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.5/10
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.7/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 and MSI Creator M14 are both good for gaming and AI.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is equipped with a high-end GPU and a screen with a high refresh rate, making it suitable for smooth gameplay and detailed 3D work. On the other hand, the MSI Creator M14 also features a capable GPU and good screen quality, though its focus on content creation might give it a slight edge in display fidelity, balancing performance for both gaming and professional 3D tasks.
Engineering and Design
8.7
8.4
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
7.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.5/10
64.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 and MSI Creator M14 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 and the MSI Creator M14 both offer powerful CPUs and ample RAM, which are essential for demanding engineering tasks, along with high-quality GPUs that support complex 3D rendering and simulations. While the Surface Laptop has a high-resolution screen that benefits detailed design work, the MSI Creator is also noted for its vibrant display, and both have considerations for portability and comfortable keyboards, although their speakers and operating noise are less of a focus for professional use.
Content Creation
8.4
8.0
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
64.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 and MSI Creator M14 are both very good for content creation.
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
7.8
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
64.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 to be very good for software development, while the MSI Creator M14 is good.
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.
Portability
Good
Good
14.4in
SIZE
14.0in
4.4 lbs
WEIGHT
3.5 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The MSI Creator M14 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 and the MSI Creator M14 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 | MSI Creator M14 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$3,300 | $1,500 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2023 | March 1, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.7'' x 9.1'' x 0.86'' | 12.4'' x 9.2'' x 0.88'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.41 lbs | 3.53 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.72" | 12.39" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.06" | 9.19" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-13700H | Intel i7-13620H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 64 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 4.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 58 Wh | 53.5 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14.4" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1600 | 2880 x 1800 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 503 nits | 350 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.5/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 6.8/10 | 7.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
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."
Get a great deal on the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 or the MSI Creator M14
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Laptop guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 vs. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024)
VS
Compare Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 vs. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14
VS
Compare Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 vs. Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023)
VS
Compare MSI Creator M14 vs. ASUS TUF Gaming F15
VS
Compare MSI Creator M14 vs. ASUS TUF Dash 15
VS
Compare MSI Creator M14 vs. ASUS Zenbook Pro 17
VS
FAQs
FAQs about laptops
Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
124,995
Recommendations made
27,083
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.
Featured in
