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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 comes with a higher price tag but offers superior performance suitable for intensive engineering tasks and a higher RAM for smooth multitasking. In contrast, the MSI Summit E16 Flip is less expensive and still provides adequate performance for general use and some 3D/machine learning tasks, plus it has a larger display. The Surface has a more powerful GPU, which is better for demanding graphics work, and its higher battery capacity suggests longer use between charges. With the MSI, you get more screen real estate for your work, which might be more comfortable for long sessions. If portability is important, consider that both laptops are similar in weight, but dimensions differ, with the Surface being a bit more compact and potentially easier to carry. 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
- Good for gaming and AI
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall build quality
- Very good speakers
- Very good keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Summit E16 Flip
- Very good overall display quality
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.7
6.8
7.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.6/10
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is good for gaming and AI, while the MSI Summit E16 Flip is only fair.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is equipped with a more powerful Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU and a 120hz screen refresh rate, making it suitable for gaming and 3D applications, but the MSI Summit E16 Flip, while having a slightly less powerful Nvidia RTX 3050 Ti GPU, offers a higher screen refresh rate of 165hz which may provide a smoother visual experience in fast-paced games.
Engineering and Design
8.7
7.7
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
7.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.6/10
64.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Summit E16 Flip is good.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 outshines the MSI Summit E16 Flip for engineering and design due to its more powerful CPU, double the RAM capacity, and a superior GPU which accelerates rendering and calculations. Although both have high-quality displays and touchscreens, the Surface Laptop Studio 2 also offers a higher peak brightness and contrast ratio, enhancing visual precision for design work, despite being slightly less portable and noisier under load.
Software Development
8.2
7.6
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
64.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is very good for software development, while the MSI Summit E16 Flip 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.
Screen Quality
7.9
8.0
14.4in
SIZE
16.0in
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
503.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
294.0 nits
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has a better screen than the MSI Summit E16 Flip for software development, and content creation, while the MSI Summit E16 Flip has a better screen for gaming and AI.
Both the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 and the MSI Summit E16 Flip have displays that offer high resolution and brightness, making them suitable for general tasks with clear and vibrant visuals. Their panels cover a wide range of colors, important for engineering and design work where color accuracy is critical. However, for gaming and 3D applications where smooth motion is key, their screens fall short due to lower refresh rates compared to specialized gaming laptops, resulting in less fluid on-screen action.
Build Quality
8.5
7.4
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has very good build quality, while the MSI Summit E16 Flip has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$2,900
$1,413
$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 $2,900 and the MSI Summit E16 Flip costs $1,413.
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Key similarities
General Use
8.3
7.9
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
503.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
294.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
7.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.6/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 to be very good for general use, while the MSI Summit E16 Flip is good.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2, with a high-quality screen, ample RAM, and a CPU suitable for heavy tasks, excels in general use, complemented by its unique flexible hinge for multiple modes and favorable keyboard and build quality. On the other hand, while the MSI Summit E16 Flip also boasts a high-quality display and competent CPU, its lighter weight, larger screen, and convertible design make it well-suited for general use and give it an edge in portability.
Content Creation
8.4
7.9
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
64.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 to be very good for content creation, while the MSI Summit E16 Flip 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.
Battery
8.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has 8 hours of battery life. The MSI Summit E16 Flip 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.
Portability
Good
Good
14.4in
SIZE
16.0in
4.4 lbs
WEIGHT
4.1 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The MSI Summit E16 Flip and Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 and the MSI Summit E16 Flip compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 | MSI Summit E16 Flip |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$2,900 | $1,413 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2023 | January 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.7'' x 9.1'' x 0.86'' | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.66'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.41 lbs | 4.19 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.72" | 14.09" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.06" | 10.18" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-13700H | Intel i7-1260P | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 64 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 58 Wh | 82 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14.4" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1600 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 503 nits | 294 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.5/10 | 7.7/10 | |
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 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 7.5/10 | |
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."
MSI Summit E16 Flip
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Sascha Mölck | October 2022
"The MSI Summit E16 Flip is a 2-in-1 laptop with pen, 16:10 display, and RTX 3050 Ti. The Summit E16 Flip is a 2-in-1 laptop from the business segment that primarily targets creative users. MSI combines a 16-inch touchscreen in the 16:10 format with a powerful midrange GPU. While the 2-in-1 laptop from MSI isn't meant for everybody, it should definitely attract some followers. The touchscreen display (2,560 x 1,600 pixels) covers the DCI-P3 color space. This is accompanied by stable viewing angles, a good color reproduction, short response times, and a good contrast level."
Get a great deal on the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 or the MSI Summit E16 Flip
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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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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