We've still got good memories of the hot pink MSI Prestige of yesteryear. The new variant, the Prestige 14 AI Evo C1MG is a very different beast. It's much larger, much more powerful and has much better battery life.
The subdued aesthetic now aligns more with its focus on business users. Despite its understated appearance, the laptop feels premium and durable, catering to professionals who need reliability on the go.
Inside, the bright, 14-inch, Full HD, IPS display is a standout feature. It offers a matte finish that reduces glare and reflections and ensures usability in various lighting conditions, including outside. It produces vibrant colours and good contrast, though its 144Hz refresh rate (and sluggish pixel response time) mean it's not suited to fast-and-frantic gaming.
The keyboard provides a comfortable typing experience, with three levels of backlighting enhancing usability in low-light settings. The compact arrow key layout might require some personal adjustment, but overall, the keyboard is well-designed for productivity. The touchpad is smooth and accurate.
Security features include a Full HD webcam with a privacy shutter, an IR camera for Windows Hello and a fingerprint reader. The Tobii Experience app adds a layer of security by blurring the screen when users look away or someone peers over their shoulder.
Performance
Powered by Intel’s Core Ultra 5 125H processor (Meteor Lake) and supported by 16GB of DDR5 RAM, the Prestige performs well for business applications. It handles office tasks with ease, as evidenced by its above-average scores in PCMark 10. Its HyperThreading technology also means it's better at media rendering compared to newer, Lunar Lake laptops.
Gaming is not its strength. While it manages casual and low-end gaming, demanding titles struggle, even with reduced settings. Integrated Intel Arc graphics provide some ability for low-end casual and competitive games, but this isn’t a machine built for gamers.
Portability and Battery Life
At 1.73kg, the Prestige 14 AI Evo C1MG is heavier than other 14-inch ultraportables. However, this weight is justified by its 90Wh battery, which delivers exceptional longevity. In testing, the battery lasted over 24 hours in our PCMark 10 Modern Office benchmark. This and its heavily tested durability credentials, make it a reliable travel companion.
Value and Availability
Priced at $1,899 and discounted to $1,299 during sales, the Prestige offers remarkable value for a business laptop with these specifications. Its price-performance ratio outshines many competitors, making it an attractive option for professionals seeking affordability without sacrificing quality.
Conclusion
The MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo C1MG excels in areas such as battery life, design and productivity features. It’s not the most compact ultraportable, nor is it ideal for gaming, but it remains a great-value choice for business users. With its current pricing, it’s an outstanding value proposition for any form of worker and -for now - it's our new Number 1 laptop.
Read the full, MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo C1MG Review, here.
