MSI Prestige 13 Evo Review: Compact Powerhouse

MSI excels in the premium ultrabook arena with the Prestige 13 Evo. This compact laptop seamlessly fits into any professional’s workspace or bag. Its lightweight build, robust Intel Core processor, and diverse security options enhance its practicality. However, the elevated initial cost may deter some users.

MSI PRESTIGE 13 EVO: Quick Review

The MSI Prestige 13 Evo is a premium, ultralight laptop. It embodies the ideal ultrabook with its sleek design and impressive features.

Available in white or gunmetal gray, it offers a range of physical ports, a responsive trackpad, and robust security features.

Weighing just 0.99kg (2.18lbs), it competes with the LG Gram and is even lighter than the M2 MacBook Air. With a 13.3-inch display and a 1.7cm thickness, it’s incredibly portable. Plus, it boasts remarkable battery life, reducing the need to carry the AC adapter everywhere.

Compared to the Dell XPS 13, a top-tier laptop, the Prestige 13 Evo offers similar pricing and slightly better performance, making it a strong contender.

Powered by the 13th-gen Intel Core CPU, it handles light gaming, creative tasks, and productivity with ease.

Though its appearance is minimalistic compared to the XPS 13 Plus, the MSI laptop prioritizes functionality.

Critiques mostly revolve around the price point, starting at $1,499 (£1,399.99, about AU$2,350), which matches the XPS 13 Plus. The FHD+ display falls short compared to the Plus’s 3.5K OLED screen in terms of brightness and color richness.

Despite the display, the MSI Prestige 13 Evo impresses with its overall performance and design.

MSI PRESTIGE 13 EVO Review: PRICE & AVAILABILITY

• Cost: $1,499.99 / £1,399.99 / about AU$2,350
• Availability: Now in the US and UK (No official Australian release yet)

MSI’s pricing can be tricky, but I’ve clarified it for you. There’s one standard model available in the West, with a slight RAM difference between the UK and US versions. The UK model has 16GB DDR5, while the US version offers 32 GB.

Since MSI lacks direct storefronts in the US and UK, you can buy the Prestige 13 Evo from resellers like Amazon. In the UK, it’s a steal at £779.99 on Scan.co.uk. In the US, the 32GB version is currently $1,299.99 on Amazon.

Unfortunately, there’s no immediate availability in Australia, so importing is your only option.

Price Score: 4 / 5

MSI PRESTIGE 13 EVO: SPECS

Our review unit is UK-only, lacking the 32GB option available in the US. However, the UK and US models are otherwise identical.

• CPU: Intel Core i7-1360P
• GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
• RAM: 16GB / 32GB LPDDR5
• Storage: 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD
• Screen: 13.3-inch FHD+ (1920×1200), 16:10, IPS, non-touch
• Ports: 2x USB-C with Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB-A 3.2, 1x microSD, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x 3.5mm combo audio jack
• Wireless: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
• Camera: 1080p 30fps webcam, IR cam
• Weight: 0.99 kg (2.18 lbs)
• Dimensions: 29.9 x 21.0 x 1.7 cm

Specs Score: 4.5 / 5

MSI PRESTIGE 13 EVO: DESIGN

• Minimalist exterior
• Abundant ports and security features
• The display could be better

The MSI Prestige 13 Evo is straightforward in design. It boasts a sturdy screen hinge, elevating the keyboard when opened, and a sizable touchpad below.

Despite its plastic exterior, it doesn’t feel cheap, featuring robust rubber feet and minimal casing flex when pressed.

While the keyboard feels somewhat cramped, it should suit most users, offering good key travel and a responsive touchpad.

However, the display falls short of expectations, lacking the excellence expected at this price point. Although it performs decently, with adequate brightness and color reproduction, it lags behind competitors offering higher-resolution or superior OLED/AMOLED screens. Its 60Hz refresh rate and average contrast disappoint.

On the plus side, the thin screen bezels accommodate a 1080p webcam, a significant improvement over some competitors. The microphone array and dual speakers are also commendable.

The Prestige 13 Evo impresses with its variety of physical ports, including Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, USB-A, HDMI, microSD, and a 3.5mm audio jack. While an Ethernet port is absent, WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 ensure robust wireless connectivity.

Moreover, it excels in privacy and security features, featuring a fingerprint scanner, an IR camera for facial recognition, and dedicated buttons for webcam and microphone control, alongside a physical webcam shutter.

Design Score: 4.5 / 5

MSI PRESTIGE 13 EVO: PERFORMANCE

• Strong Intel Core i7-1360P
• Outperforms similar-spec rivals
• Suitable for light gaming

MSI PRESTIGE 13 EVO: LAPTOP BENCHMARKS

Here are the benchmark results for the MSI Prestige 13 Evo:

• 3DMark: Night Raid: 18,320; Fire Strike: 5,419; Time Spy: 1,772
• GeekBench 6: Single-core: 2,458; Multi-core: 9,643
• 25GB File Copy: 1,659MBps
• Handbrake 1.6: 10m 41s
• CrossMark: Overall: 1,665; Productivity: 1,617; Creativity: 1,746; Responsiveness: 1,577
• Sid Meier’s Civilization VI (1080p): High: 37.9fps; Low: 54.2fps
• Web Surfing (Battery Informant): 12 hrs 3 mins

The MSI Prestige 13 Evo, powered by the Intel Core i7-1360P, impresses with strong performance. It outperforms laptops with similar specs and handles light gaming well.

The processor delivers excellent single-core and solid multi-core performance in benchmarks. The SSD, while not the fastest, is speedy enough for smooth file handling.

The 32GB version in the US may benefit specific RAM-intensive tasks. However, it’s not suitable for high-end gaming or 4K video editing due to the lack of a dedicated graphics card.

Thermal performance is outstanding, with effective heat venting and minimal warming during testing.

Performance Score: 5 / 5

MSI PRESTIGE 13 EVO: BATTERY

• Solid battery life (over 10 hours of regular use)
• Compact charger
• Not best-in-class

The Prestige 13 Evo’s battery life is impressive, offering over 10 hours of everyday use. Windows 11’s battery-saver mode can further extend it.

However, more demanding tasks like playing videos at max brightness may drain the battery faster. It doesn’t quite match Apple’s MacBooks but is on par with the M1 MacBook Air.

The bundled AC adapter is compact, connecting via USB-C, but there’s also a proprietary power connector.

Battery Score: 4 / 5

SHOULD YOU BUY THE MSI PRESTIGE 13 EVO?

• Price: Competitive
• Specs: Well-rounded configuration
• Design: Functional and compact
• Performance: Strong all-rounder
• Battery: All-day life but lacks USB-C charging

Average Rating: 4.4 / 5

Buy it if:

• You seek solid Windows performance.
• You dislike the absence of USB-C ports.
• You prefer ultra-portability.

Don’t buy it if:

• You demand an exceptional display.
• You’re a gamer; lacks a dedicated GPU.

ALSO CONSIDER

MSI Prestige 13 Evo	Dell XPS 13 (2022)	Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 8
Price: $1,499.99 / £1,399.99 / about AU$2,350	Price: $1,049 / £1,004 / AU$2,299	Price: $1,399.99 / £1,440 / around AU$2,185
CPU: Intel Core i7-1360P	CPU: Intel Core i5-1230U	CPU: Intel Core i7-1360P
GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics	GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics	GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
RAM: 16GB / 32GB LPDDR5	RAM: 16GB LPDDR5	RAM: 16GB LPDDR5
Screen: 13.3-inch FHD+ (1920×1200), 16:10, IPS, non-touch	Screen: 13.4-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200), 60Hz, Non-Touch	Screen: 14-inch 2.8K (2880 x 1800) OLED, 60/90Hz, Touch
Storage: 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD	Storage: 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD	Storage: 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
Ports: 2x USB-C with Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB-A 3.2, 1x microSD, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x 3.5mm combi audio jack	Ports: 2x Thunderbolt 4 USB-C	Ports: 2x USB-C Thunderbolt 4.0, 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, 1x headphone / mic combo
Wireless: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3	Wireless: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2	Wireless: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.1
Camera: 1080p 30fps webcam, IR cam	Camera: 720p 30fps webcam	Camera: 1080P FHD RGB/IR Hybrid
Weight: 0.99 kg	Weight: 1.17 kg	Weight: 1.4 kg
Dimensions: 29.9 x 21.0 x 1.7 cm	Dimensions: 29.5 x 19.9 x 1.4 cm	Dimensions: 31.8 x 23.0 x 1.5 cm