MSI recently updated its creator-focused Prestige series laptops with 12th generation Intel Core processors. The flagship Prestige 15 brings powerhouse performance in a slim and portable chassis. But how does it stack up for creative professionals and multimedia power users? Read this comprehensive review to find out.
Overview and Specifications
The Prestige 15 A12UD launched in April 2022. It packs premium hardware for demanding creative workloads:
- 12th Gen Intel Core i7-1280P processor
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU
- 16GB LPDDR5 RAM, upgradable to 32GB
- 512GB PCIe Gen 4 SSD storage
- 15.6" IPS display with 4K or 1080p resolution options
Dimensions: 356.8 x 233.7 x 18.9 mm
Weight: 1.65 kg
Design and Build Quality
The Prestige 15 features an elegant and minimalist design in either Carbon Gray or Urban Silver colors. The exterior chassis comprises aluminum alloy, giving it a rigid yet lightweight build. Diamond-cut edges lend sophistication to the subtle design.
Despite its slim profile, the laptop feels very solid with no flex. MSI claims MIL-STD-810G durability certification for withstand bumps and accidental drops. However, there’s no Gorilla Glass protection on the 15.6” display.
At just 1.65kg, the Prestige 15 offers excellent portability for on-the-go creators. The Ergo-lift hinges allow opening the lid up to 180 degrees – handy when using the touchscreen or stylus.
Keyboard and trackpad
The keyboard offers a comfortable typing experience with decent key travel and RGB backlighting. Shortcut keys for microphone mute, webcam on/off, Airplane mode etc. are handy additions. However, the smaller arrow keys and cramped Del/Home cluster take some getting used to.
The glass touchpad performs smooth and accurate tracking but clicks feel a bit stiff especially towards the top. It incorporates a fingerprint reader for quick biometric login.
Display
Two display options are offered – 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) and FHD (1920 x 1080).
The 4K Adobe RGB display has excellent color accuracy with 100% sRGB and 91% AdobeRGB coverage. It’s a touchscreen, supports stylus input, and hits 500 nits peak brightness. The 1080p display has lower 72% NTSC coverage but is still satisfactory for creative tasks. Both panels have 16:9 aspect ratio with thin bezels all round.
Performance
With cutting edge 12th generation Intel silicon and RTX graphics, the MSI Prestige 15 delivers swift productivity and creation horsepower in a slim chassis.
Processor
The Core i7-1280P processor based on Intel’s Alder Lake architecture has exceptional multicore performance thanks to 6 Performance cores and 8 Efficient cores. These hybrid cores adapt to workload demands for optimal efficiency.
This makes the Prestige 15 tear through demanding creative tasks like 4K/8K video editing, 3D modeling/rendering, programming, simulation etc. Nvidia’s Studio Drivers also ensure application stability and performance. Competing laptops with H-series chips can run hotter and louder under load.
Graphics
The RTX 3050 Ti GPU has fast Ray Tracing and AI capabilities for cutting edge content creation workflows. It handles GPU-accelerated tasks in creative apps with aplomb. Casual gaming at 1080p Medium settings is also playable.
While the GPU isn’t upgradeable, the thermals are well tuned for sustained performance even under demanding loads. Shared thermal pads also help lower SSD temperatures compared to competing laptops.
RAM and Storage
16GB of fast LPDDR5 RAM keeps multitasking smooth, while the 512GB NVMe SSD offers rapid bootups and loading. Two M.2 SSD slots allow flexible storage expansion when needed.
Battery Life
Powering the pixel-dense 4K display does take a toll, bringing down battery life to about 6 hours of mixed usage. With the FHD screen, runtimes shoot up to 10 hours thanks to the energy-sipping 12th Gen processor.
The compact 65W USB-C power adapter juices up the battery quickly with around 80% charging in an hour. It can also be charged via Thunderbolt 4 ports to maximize uptime.
Connectivity
Despite the thin chassis, the Prestige 15 incorporates a wide range of physical connectivity:
- 2x Thunderbolt 4 ports – for power delivery, 40Gbps transfers, external GPUs
- 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A
- 1x MicroSD card reader
- 1x HDMI 2.1 video output
- 3.5mm headphone jack
Wireless capabilities include Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2. The FHD webcam has better low light performance compared to predecessors but still only 720p resolution. IR cameras enable quick face unlock login.
Who is the Prestige 15 Best Suited For?
The MSI Prestige 15 A12UD brings workstation-class performance to creative professionals in a slim and portable package. It works well for:
- Content creators – Video/photo editing, digital illustration etc.
- Programmers, developers – Coding, compiling, simulation workloads
- Business users – Statistical modeling, data analysis, multitasking
- Students – Architectural modeling, engineering apps, research
- Light gaming – Casual and indie titles, AAA games at lowered settings
Battery life takes a hit with the power-hungry 4K display. For maximal portability, the FHD screen option balances performance and runtimes.
Comparison With Competing Laptops
The Prestige 15 packs better specs and at 7% lower cost compared to the Dell XPS 15. GPU performance lags behind gaming laptops like ASUS Zephyrus G14. Battery runtimes also fall short of the excellent MacBook Pro 16.
For best value, the MSI offers superior price-to-performance ratio keeping creators productive on the go or at home.
| Specs | MSI Prestige 15 | Dell XPS 15 | ASUS Zephyrus G14 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | i7-1280P | i7-12700H | Ryzen 9 6900HS |
| GPU | RTX 3050 Ti | RTX 3050 Ti | RTX 3060 |
| RAM | 16GB | 16GB | 16GB |
| Screen | 15.6′′ 4K | 15.6′′ 3.5K OLED | 14′′ WQXGA 16:10 |
| Battery (FHD) | 10 hours | 8 hours | 10 hours |
| Weight | 1.65 kg | 1.84 kg | 1.65 kg |
| Price | $1300 | $1400 | $1750 |
Where To Get The Best Deals
The MSI Prestige 15 A12UD is available from $1300 at major US retailers:
- Amazon – Periodic discounts and coupons available
- B&H Store – Tax-free pricing in most states
- Newegg – combo deals with accessories
- Best Buy – Price match guarantee
Conclusion
The MSI Prestige 15 A12UD impresses with its slim and premium design housing 12th Gen Intel flagship laptop hardware. Exceptional performance for creative work, respectable battery life, and abundant connectivity make it a compelling choice for professionals on the go.
There are a few drawbacks like middling webcam and speakers. But keeping creators productive with sustained performance in a portable package is where the Prestige 15 shines. For those seeking workstation-class power to create on the move, MSI’s latest Prestige 15 warrants serious consideration.
