When considering the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio and the MSI Prestige 14, think about how you'll use the device. If you need a high-performance machine with a versatile design for drawing or presenting, and you're okay with a higher price and a bit more weight, the Surface Laptop Studio could be a good fit. On the other hand, if you prefer something more affordable and lightweight for everyday tasks and basic professional use, the MSI Prestige 14 is a solid option, though it might not match the Surface's performance for heavy multitasking or creative work. Always balance your need for power, portability, and budget when making your choice. 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 engineering and design
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 14 AI Evo
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
1920 x 1200
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 14 AI Evo is only fair.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 offers a more powerful GPU and higher screen refresh rate, which are crucial for smooth gaming and 3D performance, whereas the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo, while having a decent CPU and screen quality, can't match the Surface in graphic-intensive tasks due to its less capable GPU and lower refresh rate. Consequently, for those prioritizing better gaming and 3D experiences, the Surface Laptop Studio 2 is the better fit, while the Prestige 14 AI Evo is better suited for less demanding applications.
Engineering and Design
8.7/10
7.8/10
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 is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo is good.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 stands out with a stronger CPU and GPU, more RAM, and a higher-quality screen, which are integral for demanding engineering tasks and design work where performance and detail are crucial. However, the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo offers greater portability and a quieter operation, making it a better fit for on-the-go usage without sacrificing adequate power for most engineering applications.
Screen Quality
7.9/10
7.8/10
14.4in
SIZE
14.0in
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
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 14 AI Evo for general use, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 boasts a display with high resolution and brightness, making it an excellent choice for general use and detailed work in engineering and design, which benefits from a wide color gamut for accurate color reproduction. However, its lower refresh rate limits its appeal for gaming and 3D applications, where smooth motion is crucial. The MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo offers a similarly impressive resolution and color performance for day-to-day and professional creative tasks, but like the Surface, falls short in gaming and 3D usability due to its standard refresh rate.
Portability
Good
Very Good
14.4in
SIZE
14.0in
4.4 lbs
WEIGHT
3.7 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The MSI Prestige 14 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 14 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
$1,300
$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 14 AI Evo costs $1,300.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 and MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo are both very good for general use.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 offers strong performance and high-quality screen essential for comfortable everyday tasks, along with a balance of good battery life and portability, although it tends to be pricier. The MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo, while more affordable and lightweight, also delivers on performance and screen quality, but may not match the Surface in terms of battery longevity and overall build quality.
Content Creation
8.4/10
8.0/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
64.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 and MSI Prestige 14 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
7.7/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
64.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
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 14 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 14 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 14 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 14 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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Joe Golden, Ph.D
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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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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.
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