MSI Prestige 16 AI EVO Review: Compact, Powerful, and AI-driven
Today, we’re delving into the MSI Prestige 16 AI EVO B1MG, a 16-inch laptop that strikes an impressive balance between portability and performance, all at an affordable price point.
In recent years, there has been a gradual shift towards larger laptops, with 16-inch displays becoming increasingly common. However, not all laptops in this size category offer the same level of performance, and the price-to-performance ratio may not always be favorable. This is where the MSI Prestige 16 AI EVO B1MG stands out—it manages to deliver outstanding processor performance, powerful integrated graphics, and long battery life, all packaged within a mid-range 16-inch laptop that weighs a mere 1.5kg.
MSI Prestige 16 AI EVO: Video Review
| Specs | MSI Prestige 16 AI EVO B1MG |
| Screen | 3840×2400 16:10 OLED 60Hz |
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H |
| Graphics | Intel Arc graphics |
| RAM | 32GB LPDDR5 6400MHz |
| Storage | 1TB NVMe SSD |
| Card reader | Full Size SD Card |
| Networking | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Camera | 1080p 60fps |
| OS | Windows 11 Home |
| Audio | 2 x Speakers 2W |
| Battery | 99.9 watt-hours |
| Connectivity | 2x Thunderbolt 4 / USB-C 4.0 with USB Power Delivery, Displayport Alternate Mode, |
| 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen2, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x 3.5mm combo audio, 1x SDcard reader | |
| AC Power adaptor | 100W [USB-C] |
| Dimensions | 14.11 x 10.02 x 0.75 inches |
| Weight | 1.5 kg / 3.31 pounds |
| Color | Stellar Gray |
MSI Prestige 16 AI EVO: Design
The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo embodies a sleek, minimalist aesthetic that exudes sophistication. The outer cover only has the MSI brand logo – it is also placed under the screen.
Crafted with a combination of aluminum and magnesium alloys, the build quality of the Prestige 16 AI Evo laptop is commendable. This innovative choice of materials not only improves durability, but also ensures a lightweight design, making the 16-inch laptop weigh around 1.5kg. The chassis exhibits solidity, particularly evident across the width of the palm rest and keyboard area. Minimal deflection is observed even under pressure, with only subtle flexing noticeable with significant force. Furthermore, the absence of creaks or rattles adds to the overall sense of robustness. The laptop’s screen can be tilted nearly 180 degrees, facilitated by two sturdy hinges, providing flexibility for various viewing angles. Although the glossy display lacks additional Gorilla Glass protection, it maintains a sleek appearance.
The full-size keyboard of the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo includes a dedicated numeric keypad, ensuring convenience for users accustomed to numerical input. Key dimensions are aptly proportioned, with standard layout facilitating easy adaptation. The keys offer satisfying tactile feedback with a comfortably deep keystroke, promoting efficient typing. Additionally, white backlighting enhances visibility in dimly lit environments.
Beneath the keyboard lies a generously sized touchpad, measuring 15 x 9 cm, seamlessly integrated with left and right click buttons. The smooth surface facilitates precise cursor control, with responsive gesture recognition software ensuring fluid navigation. Notably, the touchpad’s lower portion features a deeper stroke, contributing to the laptop’s ergonomic design.
Audio playback on the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo is delivered through two stereo speakers, each boasting 2 W of power. Strategically positioned on the front edges of the chassis, these speakers produce clear, resonant sound with minimal distortion even at maximum volume. However, the absence of dedicated woofers limits bass depth.
Despite its slim profile, the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo offers a commendable array of ports, enhancing connectivity options. Notably, most ports are conveniently located at the back, facilitating cable management when connecting peripherals. The left side houses a Kensington Lock, while the right side features a 3.5 mm audio jack, LED indicators, an SD memory card reader, and an RJ-45 network Ethernet port. On the back, users will find two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a full-size USB 3.2 Type-A Gen.2 port, and an HDMI 2.1 port capable of supporting high-resolution displays up to 4K 120 Hz or 8K 60 Hz.
Additionally, outlets from the cooling system are discreetly positioned at the back and left side of the laptop.
Display
The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo is equipped with a stunning 16-inch display, featuring a resolution of 3840 x 2400 pixels and a glossy coating that enhances image clarity and vibrancy. Notably, the aspect ratio of 16:10 deviates from the traditional 16:9, providing users with a broader canvas for productivity and multimedia consumption.
Using OLED technology, the display provides a wide range of colors, creating a true-to-life image.
The display delivers deep blacks and vibrant colors, increasing the overall richness and depth of the content displayed on the screen.
One of the standout features of this display is its impressive luminance capability, reaching approximately 400 nits. This high luminance level ensures comfortable visibility even in brightly lit environments or outdoors.
Performance
The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo has received a significant performance boost with the inclusion of the latest Intel Meteor Lake CPU, specifically the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H. This powerhouse processor boasts an impressive configuration, featuring 16 cores and 22 threads. Among these, there are six high-performance cores capable of reaching speeds up to 4.8 GHz, and ten efficiency cores clocked up to 3.5 GHz. Additionally, the CPU incorporates a built-in NPU (Neural Processing Unit), designed to offload AI tasks efficiently.
One of the most exciting enhancements of these new chips is the integration of Intel’s latest AR Graphics. With 128 execution units, these integrated GPUs promise up to twice the performance per watt compared to previous generations. This leap in graphics capability opens up new possibilities for both casual and demanding users, delivering enhanced visual experiences and improved efficiency.
Accompanying the powerful CPU and GPU is a generous 32 GB of LPDDR5 RAM clocked at 6400 MHz, ensuring smooth multitasking and responsiveness across various applications.
In terms of performance, the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo excels across a range of tasks, thanks to the formidable processing power of the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU. Whether it’s everyday computing, photo editing, or video production, users can expect seamless performance and enhanced efficiency. The inclusion of the NPU further enhances the device’s AI capabilities, promising improved performance in AI-driven applications.
Benchmark results showcase the impressive performance of the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo. In Geekbench 6, the laptop achieves commendable scores of 2,412 in single-core and 12,979 in multi-core performance, indicating a significant boost over previous generations.
Turning to GPU benchmarks, the integrated AR Graphics showcased their prowess in synthetic tests such as 3DMark KN Raid and Fire Strike. With scores of 29,8129 and 8,315 respectively, the AR Graphics outperform even dedicated GPUs such as the Radeon 780M GPU.
These benchmark results underscore the exceptional performance capabilities of the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo, powered by its cutting-edge hardware components and optimized system settings.
Games
Now let’s dive into some real-world gaming performance with the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo.
Starting off with Skyrim Special Edition, while it may be an older title, it still holds a special place in many gamers’ hearts. Running at 1080p on High settings, the game looks stunning on the Prestige 16 AI Evo. Monitoring performance through Afterburner reveals the impressive capabilities of the integrated AR Graphics, which occasionally clocks above 2000 MHz. With total CPU package power reaching up to 45 watts, the laptop handles the game smoothly, providing an immersive gaming experience.
Moving on to Doom Eternal, a more recent and demanding title, the Prestige 16 AI Evo continues to impress. Running at 1080p on Medium settings, the game maintains an average FPS of 82, surpassing the performance of older Intel XE integrated graphics and even some dedicated GPUs like the Radeon 780m IGPU and the Ryzen 7 7840 U.
GTA 5, another popular title known for its expansive open-world gameplay, performs admirably on the Prestige 16 AI Evo. At 1080p on Normal settings, the game achieves an average FPS of 89, demonstrating the laptop’s capability to handle modern gaming titles with ease. Once again, the CPU package power remains stable at around 45 watts, ensuring consistent performance throughout gameplay sessions.
However, when it comes to more demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077, the limitations of integrated graphics become apparent. Despite running at the same settings and wattage as comparable setups, such as the Ryzen 7 7840U with the 780M iGPU, the Prestige 16 AI Evo falls short with an average FPS of only 49. While this may not meet the expectations of hardcore gamers looking for ultra-smooth performance, it still provides a playable experience for casual gaming sessions.
The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo strikes a commendable balance between productivity and gaming performance. While it may not compete with dedicated gaming laptops, its integrated AR Graphics offer a significant improvement over previous generations of integrated graphics, making it suitable for casual gaming and providing a seamless transition between work and play.
Battery life
When it comes to battery life, the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo doesn’t disappoint, thanks to its sizable 99-watt-hour battery capacity.
For multimedia consumption, such as streaming Netflix in 4K resolution with the display set to 100% brightness, the Prestige 16 AI Evo delivers an impressive runtime of approximately 8 hours and 27 minutes. This duration, achieved under the balanced power profile, allows users to enjoy extended viewing sessions without worrying about running out of battery.
However, it’s important to note that transitioning to Performance mode or engaging in more resource-intensive tasks, such as gaming, will naturally result in higher power consumption. Under such conditions, the battery life is understandably reduced, with gaming sessions typically lasting around 2 and a half hours.
MSI Prestige 16 AI EVO: Conclusion
The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo represents a significant leap forward compared to its predecessors.
First and foremost, the laptop’s solid construction and understated yet elegant design make it a visually appealing choice. Despite its minimalist appearance, the Prestige 16 AI Evo stands out for its compactness, packing a spacious 16-inch screen into a remarkably lightweight chassis weighing just 1.5 kg. This exceptional mobility makes it a perfect companion for professionals and students who are constantly on the move.
Under the hood, the laptop boasts the formidable Core Ultra 7 155H processor from Intel’s latest 14th generation (Meteor Lake), delivering exceptional performance in both CPU and iGPU tasks. The integrated graphics outclass its predecessors and rival the most powerful AMD integrations, ensuring smooth multitasking and seamless multimedia experiences.
Moreover, the Prestige 16 AI Evo offers a range of cutting-edge features that enhance usability and convenience. The 16-inch UHD+ OLED display delivers stunning visuals with vibrant colors and deep blacks, elevating the viewing experience to new heights. Wi-Fi 7 supports future-proofing the laptop for upcoming networking standards, while the comfortable keyboard and large trackpad ensure effortless typing and navigation.
Another standout feature of the Prestige 16 AI Evo is its outstanding battery life, providing users with long hours of uninterrupted productivity or entertainment.
Security is also a top priority, with biometric authentication providing an extra layer of protection for sensitive data. The Tobii Aware system safeguards user privacy, while the MSI AI Engine intelligently adapts hardware settings based on user behavior, optimizing performance for specific tasks.
In summary, the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo excels on all fronts, offering a winning combination of portability, performance, and innovative features. Whether you’re a professional on the go or a student in need of a reliable workstation, this laptop delivers the power and versatility to meet your needs.
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