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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated March 22, 2024·
If you prioritize a sleek design and a versatile screen that supports creative tasks like drawing or editing, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 may suit you better, as it often has a unique build quality with a form factor ideal for artists and casual use. On the other hand, if you lean towards heavy-duty tasks like gaming or 3D rendering, the MSI Stealth would likely serve you better with its focus on high-performance hardware, though this can result in a heavier and less portable device with potentially shorter battery life. 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 portability
Advantages of the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio
- Excellent for engineering and design
- Very good for gaming and AI
- Very good overall display quality
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.7
8.9
7.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.7/10
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is very good for gaming and AI, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is good.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 provides a capable GPU and high-refresh-rate screen suitable for gaming and 3D work, but the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio delivers superior graphics performance and an even smoother refresh rate, heavily favored by intense gaming and advanced 3D applications. While both have quality CPUs and screens, the MSI's top-tier GPU makes it the stronger choice for the most demanding visual tasks.
Screen Quality
7.9
8.4
14.4in
SIZE
18.0in
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
503.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 for gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
For general use, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2's screen delivers sharp images and vibrant colors at a high resolution and sufficient brightness, making it pleasant for everyday tasks like browsing and watching videos. Similarly, for engineering and design work, its screen covers a wide range of colors, necessary for accurate photo editing and graphic design. However, for gaming and 3D rendering, its lower refresh rate results in less fluid motion, which is less suitable for fast-paced visuals that benefit from smoother transitions.
Battery
8.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has 8 hours of battery life. The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio 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
18.0in
4.4 lbs
WEIGHT
6.1 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has good portability, while the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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Key similarities
General Use
8.3
8.4
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
503.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
7.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.0/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio and Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 are both very good for general use.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2, with its capable CPU and ample RAM, ensures smooth operation for everyday tasks, complemented by a high-quality screen and a form factor that balances portability with battery life. Meanwhile, the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio offers similar processing power and memory which is great for multitasking and demanding applications, accompanied by a premium screen, yet it's more cumbersome and might not have the same battery longevity, which could be a consideration for those who need to work on the go.
Engineering and Design
8.7
9.1
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
7.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.7/10
64.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio to be excellent for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is very good.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2, with its high-quality CPU, ample RAM, and good GPU, offers robust performance and a sharp screen suited for engineering tasks; however, its keyboard and speakers are of moderate quality. The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio steps up with even better CPU and GPU, more RAM enabling more demanding engineering and design work, and excellent screen quality, but trades off with being less portable and having more operating noise.
Content Creation
8.4
8.5
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
64.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio and Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 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
8.2
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
64.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio and Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 are both very good for software development.
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.
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 and MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio both have very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$2,900
$2,900
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has a price of $2,900 and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio costs $2,900.
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How the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 | MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$2,900 | $2,900 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2023 | March 1, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.7'' x 9.1'' x 0.86'' | 15.8'' x 11.4'' x 0.94'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.41 lbs | 6.15 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.72" | 15.75" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.06" | 11.4" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-13700H | Intel Core Ultra 9 185H | |
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 | 6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 58 Wh | 99.9 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14.4" | 18" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1600 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 240Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 503 nits | 305 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.5/10 | 6/10 | |
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 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2
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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 Stealth 18 AI Studio
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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