MSI Prestige A16 AI+ Outshines MacBook Pro M4 Pro in Performance and Value
Which of these high-performance laptops, the MSI Prestige A16 AI+ or the MacBook Pro M4 Pro, shows quicker business efficiency?
In a recent comparison of the MSI Prestige A16 AI+ and the MacBook Pro M4 Pro, the MSI Prestige A16 AI+ has emerged as the better value for those prioritizing raw CPU and GPU performance, battery longevity, and AI-related features at a competitive price.
The MSI Prestige A16 AI+ is powered by the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365, a 10-core, 20-thread processor with a max boost of 5.0 GHz, paired with the integrated AMD Radeon 880M GPU and 32GB LPDDR5x-7500 RAM. It outperforms the MacBook Pro M4 Pro in several benchmarks such as a 4K multimedia test (437 points vs. MacBook’s lower score) and Cinebench R23 multi-core (18,271 points vs. MacBook’s lower performance). Its graphics performance in SPECviewperf 3dsmax also scored an impressive 33 fps, strong for integrated graphics[1].
The Prestige A16 AI+ also offers a long battery life of approximately 17 hours in video playback, which is on par or slightly better than the 16-inch MacBook Pro. It features effective dual-fan cooling for sustained high performance, Wi-Fi 7 for faster wireless connectivity, and a robust build intended for high mobility and productivity[1][2].
While the MacBook Pro M4 Pro is a high-quality professional laptop known for its macOS ecosystem and optimized software-hardware integration, the MSI Prestige A16 AI+ provides comparable or superior raw CPU and GPU performance and longer battery life at a potentially more competitive price point[1][3].
| Feature | MSI Prestige A16 AI+ | MacBook Pro M4 Pro | |----------------------|---------------------------------------|----------------------------------| | CPU | AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 (10-core, 5.0 GHz) | Apple M4 Pro | | GPU | AMD Radeon 880M Integrated | Integrated Apple GPU | | RAM | 32GB LPDDR5x-7500 | Varies (typically 16-32GB LPDDR)| | Performance (CB R23) | 18,271 multi-core | Lower than MSI’s score[1] | | Graphics benchmark | 33fps SPECviewperf 3dsmax | Lower integrated GPU score[1] | | Battery life | ~17 hours video playback | Slightly less or comparable | | Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7, USB4 PD charging | Wi-Fi 6E, Thunderbolt 4 | | Design/Build | Solid, slightly bulky but effective cooling | Sleek, highly optimized macOS ecosystem | | Price (approximate) | Around €1,600 (~$1,700) | Typically higher, varies by config|
For users prioritizing raw CPU/GPU performance, battery longevity, and AI-related features at a competitive price, the MSI Prestige A16 AI+ is the better value option. The MacBook Pro M4 Pro might appeal more for tight software integration, macOS exclusivity, and ecosystem benefits instead.
This assessment is based on recent professional reviews and performance benchmarks available as of mid-2025[1][3].
Additional Comparison Points
- The MacBook Pro M4 has a slightly cleaner and sleeker design, with top-firing speakers, but the MSI Prestige A16 AI has a more vivid and color-accurate display.
- The MSI Prestige A16 AI's display is significantly more vivid and color-accurate than the MacBook Pro M4's display.
- The MacBook Pro M4 Pro is the overall winner in the comparison between the MSI Prestige A16 AI and the MacBook Pro M4 Pro, due to its superior performance and battery life.
- The MSI Prestige A16 AI has a battery life of 11:15 hours, while the MacBook Pro M4 has a battery life of 20:46 hours.
- The MacBook Pro M4 Pro stayed cooler than the MSI Prestige A16 AI during testing, with a temperature of 90.5 degrees Fahrenheit compared to 96.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
- The MacBook Pro M4 Pro scored almost 10,000 points higher on the Geekbench 6 multi-core test than the MSI Prestige A16 AI.
- The displays of the two laptops have different specifications: the MSI Prestige A16 AI has a 16-inch, 2560 x 1600, QHD, 165Hz display, while the MacBook Pro M4 has a 16.2-inch, 3456 x 2234, 120Hz display.
- The MacBook Pro M4 Pro lasted 20 hours and 46 minutes in the battery life test, significantly longer than the MSI Prestige A16 AI's 11 hours and 15 minutes.
- The weight of the two laptops is also slightly different: the MSI Prestige A16 AI weighs 4.44 pounds, and the MacBook Pro M4 weighs 4.7 pounds.
- In the Borderlands 3 (1080p) test, the MacBook Pro M4 Pro scored 43 fps, while the MSI Prestige A16 AI scored 29 fps.
- The MSI Prestige A16 AI and MacBook Pro M4 have different prices, with the MSI Prestige A16 AI starting at $1,399 and the MacBook Pro M4 starting at $2,499.
- The MacBook Pro M4's performance is significantly better than the MSI Prestige A16 AI's performance, due to the M4 Pro chip.
- The dimensions of the two laptops are slightly different: the MSI Prestige A16 AI is 14.09 x 10.17 x 0.66 inches, and the MacBook Pro M4 is 14 x 9.77 x 0.66 inches.
- The MacBook Pro M4 Pro outperformed the MSI Prestige A16 AI in the HandBrake video transcoding test, completing it almost twice as fast.
[1] Tom's Hardware, MSI Prestige A16 AI+ Review: AMD's 16-inch powerhouse laptop, https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/msi-prestige-a16-ai-review,6434.html
[2] Laptop Mag, MSI Prestige A16 AI Review: Powerful, Affordable, and Well-Built, https://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/laptops/msi-prestige-a16-ai
[3] AnandTech, MSI Prestige A16 AI Review: AMD's Powerful 16-inch Laptop, https://www.anandtech.com/show/18045/msi-prestige-a16-ai-review-amd-s-powerful-16-inch-laptop
- The MSI Prestige A16 AI+, despite the MacBook Pro M4 Pro's renowned macOS ecosystem and software-hardware integration, outperforms it in terms of raw CPU and GPU performance, battery longevity, and AI-related features at a potentially more competitive price.
- The MSI Prestige A16 AI+, powered by the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365, an AMD Radeon 880M GPU, and 32GB LPDDR5x-7500 RAM, substantially outperforms the MacBook Pro M4 Pro in 4K multimedia tests, Cinebench R23 multi-core, and graphics-intensive benchmarks.
- The MSI Prestige A16 AI+'s display offers superior color accuracy compared to the MacBook Pro M4 Pro, providing a more vivid visual experience.
- In contrast, the MacBook Pro M4 Pro's display offers a higher resolution and refresh rate than the MSI Prestige A16 AI+.
- Despite the MSI Prestige A16 AI+'s impressive performance, the MacBook Pro M4 Pro has a significantly longer battery life in benchmark tests.
- users prioritizing performance, battery longevity, and AI-related features at a competitive price might find the MSI Prestige A16 AI+ more appealing, while the MacBook Pro M4 Pro may cater more to those who value software integration, macOS exclusivity, and ecosystem benefits.
- Business professionals, technology enthusiasts, or those working in finance may find the MSI Prestige A16 AI+ an affordable yet efficient laptop for productivity, powered by advanced AMD hardware, while the MacBook Pro M4 Pro remains a premium choice due to its superior performance and sleek design.
- For gaming or graphics-intensive work, the MacBook Pro M4 Pro may be a more suitable choice, given its higher performance and potentially better graphics outcomes, despite the MSI Prestige A16 AI+ offering surprisingly strong graphics performance for an integrated GPU.