MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo 🔥 Elegance and a surprising 15h battery life

The MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo is a 13-inch 2-in-1 convertible running Windows, a rare category these days. Once considered the future of Windows, manufacturers now prefer 14-inch laptops. This impacts its performance, but many will forgive its modest ratings when they discover its battery life. 😊

MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo: specifications and features ✨

The MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo's specs are at the top end of the spectrum for a lightweight Windows PC. Not only because of the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, but primarily because of its 32GB of LPDDR5x RAM and 2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, something that's rare in 13-inch devices.

• Model number: A2VMTG-017US
• Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7 258V
• Memory: 32 GB LPDDR5x
• Graphics/GPU: Intel Arc 140V
• NPU: Intel AI Boost up to 47 TOPS (Int8)
• Display: 13.3″ 1920×1200 60Hz IPS touchscreen
• Storage: 2TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD
• Webcam: 1080p 30fps with privacy shutter and dual microphone
• Connectivity: 2× Thunderbolt 4 / USB-C 4 (PD and DisplayPort), 1× USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, HDMI 2.1, 3.5 mm combo jack
• Network: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
• Biometrics: fingerprint reader
• Battery: 70 Wh 🔋
• Dimensions: 11.82 × 8.75 × 0.64 inches
• Weight: 2.98 lbs
• Others: MSI Pen 2 stylus 🖊️
• Operating system: Windows 11 Pro
• Price: USD 1,599 MSRP

The MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo comes in two versions: the 012US and 017US. I reviewed the more expensive version (017US), which upgrades from a 1TB SSD to a 2TB SSD for just $100 more.

MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo: design and build quality 🏗️

The Summit 13 AI+ Evo impresses at first glance: its black casing with gold accents gives it a luxurious and distinctive profile. While it won't be to everyone's taste, these touches make all the difference. 💎

The construction is solid: a rigid aluminum chassis that stands up well to daily use without any annoying flex when opened or held by an edge. Exactly what we expect from a premium 2-in-1.

And yes, even though it's convertible, its angular lines don't exactly encourage tablet use. It's comfortable in laptop mode, but less practical in tablet form. It comes with the MSI Pen 2 stylus, which usually costs $100. 🖋️

At less than 3 pounds and 0.64 inches thick, it's ideal for traveling light. While there are more compact options, its design combines lightness and durability.

MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo: keyboard and touchpad ⌨️

The Summit's keyboard is functional, but the keys are very close together due to its small footprint, creating a somewhat cramped experience. It's not uncomfortable, but compared to a Dell XPS 13 or Surface Laptop 13, it feels cramped. 😅

The touchpad is also compact (<5 inches wide), and sits right at the bottom edge for multi-touch gestures without hitting the edges.

MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo: Display and Audio 📺🔊

The 1920x1200 IPS touchscreen looks good, but its limited contrast and IPS glow in dark rooms leave it behind competing OLED panels. 🌗

It is sensitive and soft to the touch, although the glossy finish can be too reflective outdoors or in bright light.

A refresh rate of just 60Hz isn't going to impress gamers or those who enjoy smooth video; many devices today offer 90Hz or higher. 🎮

Audio is provided by lower-firing directional speakers: loud, but with little bass, which can sound tinny at high volumes. Still, it's acceptable for casual multimedia.

MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo: webcam, microphone, and biometrics 🎥🔒

The 1080p webcam has good sharpness and color, although some competitors already offer 1440p. It's still sufficient for Zoom video calls.

The dual microphone does a decent job of capturing voices and suppressing ambient noise, but it doesn't stand out.

Biometrics include facial recognition with Windows Hello and a fingerprint reader under the keyboard. Both work seamlessly and offer quick access. 👍

MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo: connectivity 🔌

Connectivity is modern but limited: two Thunderbolt 4 ports (with PD and DisplayPort), a USB-A 3.2, HDMI 2.1, and a 3.5mm jack. It doesn't include Ethernet, which is common on ultralights. 🖧

If you need multiple peripherals or monitors, you'll need a hub or dock, preferably located on the left, where all the ports are.

MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo: performance ⚙️

This convertible focuses more on portability than power, with an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V (4 performance cores + 4 efficiency cores) and integrated Intel Arc 140V. The revised unit adds 32GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD.

In PCMark 10, it scored 6,734 points, falling below the ~7,000 average achieved by many laptops in its range. 👎

In Handbrake, it performs poorly compared to similarly priced laptops, though it outperforms the ThinkPad X1 Carbon, which costs $500 more. 🏁

It also fails to excel in Cinebench 2024, barely beating the X1 Carbon. Its cooling and form factor are limitations. 🌡️

In 3DMark Night Raid, the Arc 140V graphics card shines against Qualcomm, but the Summit remains in a mid-to-low performance category. 🎮

MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo: battery 🔋

Its 70Wh battery is larger than most 13″ models, which typically hover around 50–60Wh.

In our standard test (loop of a 4K video of Tears of Steel), exceeded 21 hours, standing out from many competitors (18–20 h). Perfect for long days without an outlet. ☕️💼

In real-world use, I only got about 10 % of charge out of it after a couple of hours in a coffee shop. Excellent battery life. ⏳

Charging is simple with its 65W power adapter through any of the Thunderbolt ports, and even 45W USB-C chargers work for slow charging if you're not running demanding tasks. ⚡️

MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo: conclusion 🏁

He MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo is a 2-in-1 13″ slim with an elegant design and outstanding battery life. Ideal for those who value battery life over raw performance.

Its modest performance is its weak point, and it is difficult to recommend it over 14″ laptops that better balance power and portability.

If battery life is your priority, the Summit 13 AI+ Evo should be on your list. 😉