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MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+: Two-minute review
The MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+ is a convertible laptop designed specifically for business users and includes a stylus that unlocks its full creative potential. It presents a stylish appearance with its dark grey finish and minimalist aesthetic, making it an appealing choice for those on the move due to its ultra-thin chassis and soft, curved edges.
Build quality is commendable, with premium materials throughout. The hinge design, while perhaps incongruous, provides a smooth and seamless action for transitioning between laptop and tablet modes. This ranks the MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+ among the best in the 2-in-1 laptop category.
The included Nano Pen, designed to fit snugly beneath the laptop for wireless charging, is compact and well-made. However, removing and stowing it can be a bit tricky, as its magnets often encourage incorrect orientation.
Despite its small size, the Flip AI+ is equipped with four USB ports (two type-C and two type-A), an HDMI port, and a headset jack. However, a notable omission is the absence of an SD card reader, which could have added to its productivity-focused features.
Featuring an Intel Core Ultra 7 355 processor and 32GB of RAM, my review unit excelled at handling both productivity tasks and entertainment. Surprisingly, it even managed to run AAA games at playable frame rates, although the lack of a dedicated GPU was noticeable during benchmark tests in applications like Adobe Premiere.
(Image credit: Future)
- MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+ (14-inch 1TB) at Currys for £1,449
However, under moderate workloads, the laptop does generate a fair amount of noise, and some warmth can be felt towards the rear, especially around the keyboard. While the temperatures remain manageable, they are noticeable.
The OLED display of the Flip AI+ is sharp and detailed, although it lacks the brightness of some of the best gamer’s monitors available. Reflections and fingerprints can be an issue at times. However, the touchscreen performs admirably, particularly when paired with the Nano Pen, making for a precise and responsive input experience.
MSI Center S serves as the utility app for the Flip AI+, offering system information, performance management, and the ability to customize the Action Touchpad. My experience required a manual update for the app to function correctly, despite having automatic updates enabled.
The touchpad’s default controls operate smoothly but can trigger unintentionally, leading to moments of frustration. On a more positive note, typing on the Flip AI+ proves to be efficient; the keys possess a tactile response despite being slightly demanding, occasionally resulting in missed presses.
Battery life stands out as a highlight of the Flip AI+, with over 30 hours of continuous video playback during testing, making it ideal for users constantly on the go. As quick to charge as it is enduring in capacity, it’s an asset for anyone requiring portability.
While priced on the higher end, the Flip AI+ offers strong value, given its premium design and hardware specifications. Although several cheaper 2-in-1 options exist, they don’t quite match the comprehensive offerings of the Flip AI+.
MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+ review: Price & availability
(Image credit: Future)
- $1,699.99 / £1,349.99 / AU$$2,999
- Available now
- Good value for the spec
The MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+ is currently priced at $1,699.99 / £1,349.99 / AU$$2,999. It is available for purchase, with various Intel Core Ultra processors depending on the region. In Australia, a configuration with a larger 2TB SSD is also available.
For those seeking a more budget-friendly convertible, the HP Pavilion x360 14 makes a compelling choice, albeit with a less powerful spec and a separate stylus. The Acer Chromebook Spin 312 also offers a highly competitive price, making it suitable for users prioritizing Chrome OS functionalities, despite lacking Windows versatility.
MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+ review: specs
Price | $1,699.99 / £1,349.99 / AU$$2,999 |
CPU | US: Intel Core Ultra X7 358H (1.5GHz, 16 cores) |
GPU | Intel Graphics (integrated) |
RAM | 32GB LPDDR5x |
Storage | 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD |
Display | 14-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200), OLED, 16:10, Touchscreen, 100% DCI-P3 (Typical), Low Blue Light & Flicker-free certified by SGS, MSI Nano Pen support |
Ports and Connectivity | 2x USB-A (3.2 Gen2), 2x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort, PD 3.0), 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x combo audio; Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0 |
Battery | 81Wh |
Dimensions | 12.4 x 8.7 x 0.6 inches (316 x 222 x 14mm) |
Weight | 3lbs / 1.37kg |
MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+ review: Design
(Image credit: Future)
- Thin and premium design
- Plenty of USB ports
- Discreet Nano Pen storage
MSI has crafted the Flip AI+ into a stylish laptop. Its steely grey finish and minimalistic design provide an elegance not often seen in laptops. Remarkably thin and free from unnecessary bulges, it’s a comfortable device to carry and use, thanks to its rounded edges and thin bezel surrounding the display.
Every material used in the construction of the Flip AI+ feels high-end, especially around the keyboard and touchpad, echoing the best standards set by leading competitors like MacBook. While the hinge design might detract slightly from the aesthetically pleasing transitions, they allow for easy conversions between modes.
The Nano Pen is compact enough to mirror the laptop’s design while charging wirelessly and stowing discreetly under the unit’s front edge. However, removing it requires a slight tilt, and re-inserting it can be awkward due to its magnets wanting to orient incorrectly.
Equipped with essential ports, the Flip AI+ features multiple USB-A and USB-C connections, HDMI, and a 3.5mm audio jack—fairly generous options for a compact device. However, the lack of an SD card reader can be a limiting factor for those in productivity-focused fields.
MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+ review: Performance
(Image credit: Future)
- Impressive general performance
- Loud under load
- Action Touchpad misfire issue
In my benchmarking tests, the Flip AI+ impressed with its overall performance, handling various productivity tasks, light gaming, and streaming with ease. It managed to run even graphically demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077—though without a dedicated GPU, the visual experience could be subpar compared to high-end gaming laptops.
Although it performed admirably in many areas, creative tasks, especially video editing, fell short. Adobe Premiere’s benchmark posed challenges, resulting in repeated failures during tests.
Another notable aspect is the cooling system. The Flip AI+ generates fan noise under load and maintains comfortable temperatures, though users may feel warmth on the keyboard surfaces during intensive tasks.
While its 1920 x 1200 OLED display delivers excellent clarity and color contrast, it isn’t the brightest option on the market. Users may notice reflections and fingerprints more easily than desired, highlighting the importance of screen cleanliness for optimal viewing.
The touchscreen capabilities are not only beneficial for casual navigation but work exceptionally well with the Nano Pen, which enhances the creative and productivity aspects of the laptop, even as its slender design complicates the use of the pen’s buttons.
Functionality extends to the Action Touchpad, which attempts to streamline quick commands. However, my experience was hindered by various bugs, leading to frustration in its usability.
Typing experience remains relatively pleasant, offering sufficient shortcuts; however, the keys did feel slightly heavy for quick touch typists. Although backlighting is provided, the absence of a number pad or dedicated navigation cluster prevented it from achieving the ideal functionality for productivity enthusiasts.
MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+ review: Battery life
(Image credit: Future)
- Phenomenal endurance
- Quick to charge
The battery life of the Flip AI+ stands amongst the best in its category. It managed an impressive duration topping 30 hours during video playback tests, making it a powerful companion for anyone needing extended operational time. Additionally, the Flip AI+ recharges rapidly—taking about two hours from zero to full.
Should I buy the MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+?
Scorecard
Category | Notes | Rating |
Value | Aside from the lack of a dedicated GPU, the Flip AI+ offers a lot for the money. | 4 / 5 |
Design | Super-thin and with a premium construction, the Flip AI+ ticks all the right boxes in terms of design. Port selection is also reasonable, given the compact form factor. | 4.5 / 5 |
Performance | The Flip AI+ offers great all-round performance, although the absence of a dedicated GPU might disappoint creatives. The touchscreen and Nano Pen are both great, but the Action Touchpad can frustrate. | 4 / 5 |
Battery Life | Pretty much unbeatable. It has a video playback time of over 30 hours, and it’s quick to charge, too. | 5 / 5 |
Final Score | The MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+ is a very competent, convertible laptop that represents good value when you consider its build and performance. Only a few minor gripes hold it back from a full-throated recommendation. | 4 / 5 |
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MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+ review: Also consider
How I tested the MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+
(Image credit: Future)
- Tested for several days
- Ran our series of benchmarks
I thoroughly tested the MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+ for several days, utilizing it in various scenarios from browsing and productivity tasks to streaming and gaming. My assessment included running benchmark tests to evaluate all aspects of performance and conducting battery life tests by playing a movie on continual loop until the device was fully depleted.
For those interested in finding further insights or perspectives, additional details can be sought at the original source Here.
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