When choosing between the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio and the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo, consider that the Surface Laptop usually offers more robust performance for tasks like 3D design or engineering software, but it comes at a higher price and is heavier, affecting portability. The MSI Prestige is lighter and more budget-friendly, making it easier to carry and a good fit for general use or business applications. However, its performance may not meet the demands of more intensive tasks like gaming or machine learning. Battery life also plays a role; if you need your laptop to last longer on a single charge, that could sway your decision. 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
Good for gaming and AI
Very good for software development
Very good overall build quality
Very good speakers
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo
Very good overall display quality
Very good portability
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.7/10
6.8/10
7.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is good for gaming and AI, while the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo is only fair.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 delivers superior gaming and 3D experiences largely due to its more powerful GPU and higher screen refresh rate, key factors for smooth and immersive visuals. While the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo offers adequate performance for less demanding games and 3D tasks, its GPU isn't as robust, and the screen refresh rate is lower, making it a less optimal choice for these specific needs, despite having a capable CPU and good screen quality.
Engineering and Design
8.7/10
8.0/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
7.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
64.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 and MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo are both very good for engineering and design, though the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is somewhat better.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 offers a high-performance CPU, ample RAM, and a dedicated GPU, which are crucial for demanding engineering tasks, along with a high-resolution screen that benefits design work; its build quality also ensures a comfortable keyboard and quieter operation. In contrast, the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo, while still delivering solid performance with a capable CPU and sufficient RAM, leans more towards portability and has a less powerful GPU, which might not handle intensive 3D tasks as well, and its screen, speakers, and keyboard are generally suitable for everyday use rather than specialized engineering tasks.
Screen Quality
7.9/10
8.2/10
14.4in
SIZE
13.0in
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
503.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
415.0 nits
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has a better screen than the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo for software development, and content creation, while the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo has a better screen for gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
For general use, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 and the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo offer sharp images and vibrant colors due to their high resolutions and bright displays, ensuring a pleasant browsing and multimedia experience. Engineers and designers will appreciate their wide color gamuts, providing accurate color representation critical for detailed work. However, their lower refresh rates make them less suitable for gaming and 3D applications, where smoother motion and faster screen updates are essential for an optimal experience.
Portability
Good
Very Good
14.4in
SIZE
13.0in
4.4 lbs
WEIGHT
3.5 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo has very good portability, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5/10
7.4/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has very good build quality, while the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$3,300
$1,280
$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 Prestige 13 AI Evo costs $1,280.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 and MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo are both very good for general use.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 offers a robust CPU, ample RAM, and a high-quality screen, making it well-suited for everyday tasks, and its unique form factor caters to portability and versatile use whereas, the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo, with its strong processing power and lightweight design, ensures smooth performance on the go and decent battery life, albeit with a focus on traditional laptop use over convertible versatility. Both laptops have their merits in storage capacity, comfortable keyboards, quality speakers, and are designed to keep operating noise and heat within comfortable levels for users.
Content Creation
8.4/10
8.1/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
64.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 and MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo 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
8.2/10
7.9/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
64.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 to be very good for software development, while the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo 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.
Battery
8.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has 8 hours of battery life. The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo has 8 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.
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How the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 and the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo compare to other laptops
"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 Prestige 13 AI Evo
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.
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.
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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.
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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.