Laptop comparison: MSI Prestige A16 AI+ vs. MacBook Pro M4 Pro - Which business-focused powerhouse delivers quicker performance?
In the realm of high-performance laptops, two contenders have emerged as frontrunners: the MSI Prestige A16 AI+ and the MacBook Pro M4 Pro. Both offer unique features and strengths, making them attractive options for different users.
Performance and Battery Life
The MacBook Pro M4 Pro, powered by the Apple M4 Pro chip, delivers approximately 21% better multi-core CPU performance than the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo, as demonstrated in Cinebench R23 tests. This translates to stronger system and application performance. Moreover, the MacBook Pro M4 Pro maintains its high performance even on battery power, while the MSI’s performance may vary more on battery.
In terms of battery life, the MacBook Pro M4 Pro (16-inch) lasts an outstanding 20 hours and 46 minutes in the battery life test, just a couple hours short of doubling the MSI Prestige's time.
Display Quality
When it comes to display quality, the MacBook Pro M4 Pro boasts a higher screen refresh rate (120 Hz), greater max screen brightness (up to 1000 nits), and a sharper display (254 PPI), enhancing visual experience.
Ports and Design
The MSI Prestige A16 AI+ offers USB-A ports and sometimes higher refresh rates (up to 165 Hz on some models) and larger batteries. However, the MacBook Pro is thinner, lighter, and offers more USB-C ports.
Multimedia Performance
In multimedia benchmarks, the MSI Prestige A16 AI+ scored 437 points, about 40 points ahead of the M4 MacBook Pro in a specific 4K test, suggesting good media performance for MSI. However, the MacBook Pro still leads in overall CPU and sustained performance.
Temperature and Price
The MacBook Pro M4 Pro stays cooler than the MSI Prestige, with a temperature of 90.5 degrees Fahrenheit compared to 96.5 degrees Fahrenheit for the MSI Prestige. The MSI Prestige A16 AI+ is priced at $1,399, while the MacBook Pro M4 starts at $2,499.
A Note on Business Users
The exception is business users who are on a budget or just looking to save some money. The MSI Prestige A16 AI+ costs over $1,000 less than the base configuration of the MacBook Pro, which offers less RAM and storage.
In summary, for raw CPU multi-core performance, consistent battery power delivery, and display quality, the MacBook Pro M4 Pro is better. The MSI Prestige A16 AI+ offers some value in ports, possibly refresh rate, and multimedia handling. Your choice should also consider factors such as OS preference, software ecosystem, and portability.
For a direct comparison, more detailed specs per exact model may help, but based on recent benchmark summaries, the MacBook Pro M4 Pro leads in overall performance.
| Feature | MSI Prestige A16 AI+ | MacBook Pro M4 Pro (14-Core) | |-------------------------------|------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------| | CPU Multi-core Performance | Good, but about 21% lower than MacBook | Higher by ~21% in Cinebench R23 | | Performance on Battery | May drop under battery power | Maintains performance on battery | | Screen Refresh Rate | 60-165 Hz depending on model | 120 Hz | | Max Screen Brightness (nits) | 450-500 | 1000 | | Display Sharpness (PPI) | 189-224 | 254 | | Ports (USB-A / USB-C) | Has USB-A, fewer USB-C | More USB-C, no USB-A | | Weight & Portability | Heavier than MacBook Pro | Thinner, lighter | | Multimedia Performance | Strong in 4K multimedia tests | Slightly lower in some multimedia tests |
[1] Tom's Hardware
[2] AnandTech
[3] Notebookcheck
[4] PCMag
- The MSI Prestige A16 AI+ delivers multi-core CPU performance that is about 21% lower than the MacBook Pro M4 Pro, as proven in Cinebench R23 tests.
- The MSI Prestige A16 AI+'s performance may fluctuate more on battery power, while the MacBook Pro M4 Pro maintains its high performance even when using battery.
- In the battery life test, the MacBook Pro M4 Pro (16-inch) recorded an impressive 20 hours and 46 minutes, nearly doubling the MSI Prestige's time.
- The MacBook Pro M4 Pro's display features a 120 Hz screen refresh rate, higher max screen brightness (up to 1000 nits), and a sharper display (254 PPI), enhancing visual experience.
- The MSI Prestige A16 AI+ offers USB-A ports, higher refresh rates on some models (up to 165 Hz), and larger batteries compared to the MacBook Pro, which offers more USB-C ports and a thinner, lighter design.
- In a 4K multimedia test, the MSI Prestige A16 AI+ scored 437 points, which is about 40 points higher than the MacBook Pro M4 Pro, indicating good media performance for the MSI.
- However, the MacBook Pro still leads in overall CPU and sustained performance compared to the MSI Prestige A16 AI+.
- The MacBook Pro M4 Pro stays cooler than the MSI Prestige, registering a temperature of 90.5 degrees Fahrenheit compared to 96.5 degrees Fahrenheit for the MSI Prestige.
- Business users on a budget or seeking to save money might consider the MSI Prestige A16 AI+, priced at $1,399, as it offers less cost than the base configuration of the MacBook Pro, which provides less RAM and storage.
