MSI Prestige 16 review

MSI Prestige 16

The MSI MSI Prestige 16 ranks as the #194 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 78. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #138-ranked features among 694 laptops. Consider the MSI Pulse 16 AI or MSI Summit A16 AI+, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.

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Key takeaways
The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo offers significant performance improvements, outpacing its predecessors by around 10-15%.
The MSI Prestige 16 boasts a sturdy aluminum chassis with impressive build quality and solid overall construction.
The MSI Prestige 16's QHD IPS display offers excellent productivity performance with a 440 nit brightness rating.
The MSI Prestige 16 boasts impressive features, including QHD display and fast Intel Killer Wi-Fi connectivity.

Is it Worth it?

The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo is a solid offering from Intel, with improvements in cooling, battery life, and performance. The new processor boasts 10-15% better performance than the previous generation and has leapfrogged AMD's offerings. However, its value proposition remains to be seen, especially at an estimated price of $1,600. While it excels in productivity tasks like photo editing and video playback, gamers might find it wanting due to integrated graphics limitations. Ultimately, the Prestige 16's worth depends on individual needs and priorities. If you're looking for a powerful machine for general use or light gaming, it's worth considering. But if you're a hardcore gamer, there may be better options available.

Build

The MSI Prestige 16 boasts an impressive build quality, with a sturdy aluminum chassis that exudes premium feel. The lid's matte finish is a welcome respite from the glossy display, while the interior features tenacious plastic clips that hold the components in place. A Phillips head screw design allows for easy access to the battery and internal components. Overall, the Prestige 16's build is solid, with attention paid to detail and construction quality that justifies its premium price tag. MSI Vector 16 HX might be a smarter choice, offering an upgraded build.

Display

The display on the MSI Prestige 16 is a notable feature. It boasts a QHD IPS 2K resolution with a 16:10 aspect ratio, making it suitable for productivity tasks. The screen's brightness reaches 440 nits, which can help overcome its reflective nature. However, this glossiness makes it challenging to use outdoors. The display also supports full P3 color gamut but falls short of Adobe RGB. Unfortunately, the non-touch and glossy design are a letdown. An optional 4K OLED variant is available, which may improve the overall display quality, particularly for photo editing or watching 4K videos. For an improved display, MSI Summit E16 AI Evo is worth considering.

Performance

The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo's performance is where it truly shines. The new processor from Intel brings significant improvements in cooling, battery life, and performance, outpacing the previous generation by around 10-15%. This laptop has also leapfrogged AMD again, despite some criticism of the comparison being imperfect due to wattage and core differences. Integrated graphics are a notable step up, making this laptop capable of playing titles at 1080p resolution without significant drops in performance. While not ideal for professional video editing, it's more than enough for casual gaming and creative tasks like photo editing or watching 4K videos. Overall, the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo's performance is a major selling point. You might want to check out MSI Summit E15, featuring an upgraded performance for a superior experience.

Battery and Charging

The battery life in the MSI Prestige 16 is impressive, with an estimated 99.9 hours of runtime. The charging speed is also noteworthy, allowing for a quick top-up on the go. A single charge can provide up to 10-12 hours of use, making it suitable for daily work and extended periods without a power outlet. Overall, the battery life and charging capabilities in the MSI Prestige 16 are a notable strength, providing users with peace of mind and flexibility.

Connectivity

The MSI Prestige 16 offers impressive connectivity options. It features Intel Killer Wi-Fi 7 with Bluetooth 5.4 onboard, providing fast and reliable wireless connections. Biometric authentication is also available through both fingerprint scanning and Windows Hello IR scanning. Additionally, the laptop boasts two M2 slots for expandable storage and a presence detection camera for convenient power saving. If you're after top-notch connectivity, consider MSI Sword 16 HX.

Features

The MSI Prestige 16 boasts impressive features, including a QHD IPS 2k display with 60Hz refresh rate and 440 nits brightness. It also has a soldered 32GB RAM, two M2 slots for storage expansion, and Intel Killer Wi-Fi 7 connectivity. Additionally, it comes with a fingerprint scanner, Windows Hello IR scanner, and presence detection camera. The laptop features a sturdy design with Phillips head screws, but its compact size may limit upgradability options. It’s worth checking out MSI Sword 16 HX, delivering remarkable features.

Support and Maintenance

The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo offers impressive specs, but its support and maintenance are worth noting. Soldered RAM and storage limit upgradability, while the single fan solution may be a concern for heavy users. Additionally, the laptop's glossy display can be prone to reflections, making it less suitable for outdoor use. Overall, these factors should be considered when deciding if this laptop is right for you.

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