Expert’s Rating
Pros
- Spectacular battery life
- Attractive and sturdy design
- Plenty of RAM and solid-state storage for the value
Cons
- Cramped keyboard and touchpad
- IPS touchscreen’s picture high quality doesn’t stand out
- Lackluster CPU and GPU efficiency
Our Verdict
The MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo doesn’t rating excessive marks in efficiency benchmarks, nevertheless it does obtain very good battery life.
Price When Reviewed
This worth will present the geolocated pricing textual content for product undefined
Best Pricing Today
Price When Reviewed
$1,599
Best Prices Today: MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo
$1379.99
$1596.57
The MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo is a 13-inch Windows 2-in-1, which is a part of a uncommon breed. Though as soon as thought of the way forward for Windows, 2-in-1’s have gone out of trend and lots of firms have turned consideration in the direction of larger 14-inch laptops. That has penalties for the Summit 13 AI+ Evo’s efficiency, however some will forgive its modest benchmark scores as soon as they see its battery life.
MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo: Specs and options
The MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo’s specs are in the direction of the excessive finish of what’s typical for a thin-and-light Windows machine. That’s not due to the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V chip, which is discovered in lots of gadgets, however as an alternative due to the reminiscence and solid-state storage, which weigh in at 32GB and 2TB, respectively.
It’s actually attainable to search out 13-inch gadgets with this a lot RAM and storage (or extra!), nevertheless it’s not widespread and better-equipped laptops are often rather more costly.
- Model quantity: A2VMTG-017US
- CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 258V
- Memory: 32GB LPDDR5x
- Graphics/GPU: Intel Arc 140V
- NPU: Intel AI Boost as much as 47 TOPS (Int8)
- Display: 13.3-inch 1920×1200 60Hz IPS Touchscreen
- Storage: 2TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD
- Webcam: 1080p 30fps digital camera with bodily privateness shutter, twin array microphone
- Connectivity: 2x Thunderbolt 4 / USB-C 4 with Power Delivery and DisplayPort, 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, HDMI 2.1, 3.5mm combo audio jack
- Networking: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
- Biometrics: Fingerprint reader
- Battery capability: 70 watt-hours
- Dimensions: 11.82 x 8.75 x 0.64 inches
- Weight: 2.98 kilos
- Other options: MSI Pen 2 energetic stylus
- Operating System: Windows 11 Pro
- Price: $1,599 MSRP
The MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo is available in two flavors: 012US and 017US. I reviewed the marginally costlier 017US mannequin. The two variants are largely the identical, as the one distinction is the solid-state drive, which is upgraded from 1TB to 2TB within the 017US mannequin. That improve provides $100 to the value.
The MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo is a thin-and-light 13-inch 2-in-1 with a horny design and nice battery life. These traits will enchantment to buyers who don’t want a high-performance PC however do need excellent battery life that will enable use over a number of days while not having a cost.
MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo: Design and construct high quality
IDG / Matthew Smith
The MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo makes a great first impression. Clad in black with gold accents, it strikes a particular and opulent profile. I believe the gold accents gained’t be to everybody’s style, however I like them, and so they set the laptop computer aside from its friends.
Material high quality is a spotlight, too. The laptop computer is clad in stiff aluminum that holds as much as tough dealing with. There’s minimal flex when opening or closing the laptop computer or when choosing it up from one facet or nook. This is typical for small, premium 2-in-1s just like the Summit 13 AI+ Evo, nevertheless it’s nonetheless good to see.
And, sure, the Summit 13 AI+ Evo is a 2-in-1, although you could possibly be forgiven for lacking that. The design’s sharp edges and features don’t scream “use me as a tablet!” and make it uncomfortable to carry in case you selected to do this. The Summit ships with the MSI Pen 2 (which usually retails for $100).
The Summit 13 AI+ Evo’s design will enchantment to individuals who journey mild. It weighs simply 2.98 kilos, measures 0.64 inches thick, and is lower than a foot extensive. This is much like most opponents although some, like the Qualcomm-powered Dell XPS 13 and Asus Zenbook 14 OLED, are even smaller.
MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo: Keyboard, trackpad
IDG / Matthew Smith
I by no means felt comfy utilizing the MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo’s keyboard. The format is appropriate however opts for big areas between keys which, as a result of laptop computer’s small measurement, means many keys are smaller than normal.
All of this makes for a cramped expertise. It’s workable, and particular person key really feel is sweet, however a Dell XPS 13 or Surface Laptop 13 will really feel extra spacious.
The Summit’s touchpad is small, too, measuring just below 5 inches extensive and a tad greater than 2 inches deep. It’s among the many smallest touchpads I’ve used prior to now 12 months, and it’s noticeably cramped when attempting to execute Windows multi-touch gestures (like vertical scroll or pinch-to-minimize).
MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo: Display, audio
IDG / Matthew Smith
The MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo ships with a 1920×1200 IPS-LCD touchscreen. It seems to be good, nevertheless it’s removed from one of the best show accessible from a laptop computer or 2-in-1 on this worth vary.
You can anticipate vibrant, vivid shade, however the restricted distinction ratio of IPS-LCD panels could make the show look washed-out compared to opponents with an OLED panel. The dreaded “IPS glow” — a hazy grey sheen over darker scenes — is noticeable when viewing the show in a darkish or dim room.
The IPS show is a touchscreen. It’s responsive and clean. But, like most touchscreens, it opts for a shiny show end. Glare could make the show tough to see outside or close to vibrant lights.
Motion readability is mediocre, too, because the Summit’s show has a refresh fee that by no means exceeds 60Hz. That’s disappointing, as many opponents (particularly these with an OLED panel) have a refresh fee of 90Hz or 120Hz.
A pair of downward-firing audio system present the laptop computer’s audio. They can attain spectacular volumes, however they lack bass, which suggests music, films, video games, and different leisure will sound harsh and tinny at increased volumes. Even so, I believe the audio is barely above common for a small 2-in-1 and fantastic for leisure at decrease volumes.
MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo: Webcam, microphone, biometrics
MSI ships the Summit 13 AI+ Evo with a 1080p webcam that appears moderately sharp and vibrant (for a webcam). However, many opponents now provide a 1440p webcam, which seems to be even sharper. Still, it’s a fantastic digital camera, and adequate for Zoom calls.
The identical is true of the microphone array. Nothing about it stands out, nevertheless it gives good audio seize and does an affordable job of canceling background noise.
Biometric login is out there by way of each Windows Hello facial recognition and a fingerprint reader under the keyboard on the right-hand facet. I want facial recognition, however each choices work nicely.
MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo: Connectivity
IDG / Matthew Smith
The MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo’s connectivity is proscribed and targeted on trendy ports.
It has two Thunderbolt 4 ports. Both help Power Delivery and DisplayPort, which suggests each can be utilized to cost the laptop computer and/or connect with a monitor. The ports additionally present USB-C.
These are joined by a single USB-A port, HDMI 2.1, and a 3.5mm audio jack. A wired Ethernet port just isn’t included (although that’s typical for skinny laptops and 2-in-1s in 2025).
That’s not a number of ports, so the MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo will should be paired with a hub or dock if you wish to join a number of displays and USB peripherals without delay.
Also, all of the USB ports are on the left flank. You’ll be fantastic in case your dock would usually sit to the left of the 2-in-1 however, if it sits to the correct, cable administration is finicky.
MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo: Performance
The MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo is constructed for portability greater than efficiency. It has an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V inside with 4 efficiency cores and 4 environment friendly cores (a complete of eight cores). As normal, that is paired with Intel Arc 140V built-in graphics. The mannequin I reviewed additionally had 32GB of reminiscence and 2TB of solid-state storage.
That’s a number of reminiscence and storage. But the processor’s restricted core depend and the skinny profile maintain efficiency again.
IDG / Matthew Smith
PCMark 10 is a holistic take a look at of CPU, GPU, and storage efficiency. The MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo will get off to a tough begin with a mixed rating of 6,734. Scores of round 7,000 or extra are widespread, so the MSI lags the pack.
However, it’s notable that the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon, one other thin-and-light 13-inch laptop computer, barely beats the MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo, whereas the 14-inch laptops steam forward. As you’ll see, that’s a development throughout all of the benchmarks.
IDG / Matthew Smith
Cinebench 2024 is a demanding multi-threaded processor benchmark. It additionally presents x86 and Arm-native variants, so I can carry a Snapdragon-powered laptop computer (the Asus ProArtwork PZ13) in for comparability.
The MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo struggles to face out. Though it defeats the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon, it in any other case didn’t beat the opponents in its worth bracket.
IDG / Matthew Smith
Our Handbrake take a look at is a closely multi-threaded, long-duration take a look at that transcodes a 2-hour-long film. It serves as a gauge of efficiency over longer and extra demanding workloads.
The MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo struggles as soon as once more. Though it carried out higher than the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (which is notable, because the Carbon is over $500 costlier), the MSI in any other case falls means behind aggressive techniques.
IDG / Matthew Smith
Next up is 3DMark Night Raid, a 3D graphics take a look at. This take a look at has x86 and Arm-native variations, so I’m as soon as once more capable of carry a Qualcomm-powered system into the graph.
Intel’s Arc 140V graphics are fairly succesful and depart Qualcomm’s Adreno within the mud. However, the Summit 13 AI+ Evo delivers modest efficiency for a laptop computer with Arc 140V graphics, defeating solely the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon.
Unfortunately, the MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo’s general benchmark efficiency falls behind many equally priced opponents. I consider this comes all the way down to the laptop computer’s efficiency tuning and measurement. There’s no dishonest physics, and the MSI’s compact design (which, as you’ll quickly see, is stuffed filled with battery) leaves much less room for cooling the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V.
MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo: Battery life
A big 70 watt-hour battery sits contained in the MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo. The battery’s measurement is a bonus towards the competitors, as many 13-inch alternate options present a battery within the 50 to 60 watt-hour vary.
IDG / Matthew Smith
The MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo delivered over 21 hours of battery life in our commonplace battery take a look at, which loops a 4K file of the quick movie Tears of Steel.
As the graph exhibits, many gadgets on this class can attain about 18 to 20 hours of battery life—however the Summit 13 AI+ Evo stands out even amongst this robust competitors. It’s an important choose if battery life is essential to you.
The Summit’s endurance is the upside to lots of its compromises. The Summit has a big battery and Core Ultra 7 258V, although not the quickest in multi-core exams, is economical about its energy use. On high of that, the Summit’s 1200p IPS-LCD show with 60Hz refresh fee is an effective selection for battery life. That’s as a result of increased resolutions, increased refresh charges, and OLED panel expertise all draw a bit of additional energy.
The take a look at outcomes had been backed up by my subjective expertise. I used the 2-in-1 for a number of espresso store journeys and located that spending a pair hours away from an influence outlet shaved simply 10 % off the battery. That’s wonderful efficiency for a real-world use case.
When it does come time to cost the Summit, you’ll achieve this with a compact 65-watt energy brick that connects to both of the 2-in-1’s Thunderbolt ports. The machine’s low energy necessities imply it’s straightforward to energy with a variety of energy adapters. Even USB-C chargers that ship quite a bit much less energy, like a 45-watt adapter, can slowly cost the laptop computer as long as it’s not working demanding software program.
MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo: Conclusion
The MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo is a thin-and-light 13-inch 2-in-1 with a horny design and nice battery life. These traits will enchantment to buyers who don’t want a high-performance PC however do need excellent battery life that will enable use over a number of days while not having a cost.
The Summit 13 AI+ Evo’s lackluster efficiency is actually a draw back and it makes the laptop computer more durable to advocate, as 14-inch opponents usually ship a greater steadiness of portability and efficiency.
If battery life is your primary precedence, although, the Summit 13 AI+ Evo ought to be in your record.