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A 2-in-1 laptop computer could appear to be the final word gadget for individuals who need portability and flexibility with out giving up an excessive amount of energy. You get the ultraportability of an ultraportable from light-weight builds measuring beneath 1 inch thick. When you do not want an old-school bodily keyboard, you’ll be able to swap to pill mode, and with touchscreen and stylus choices, artistic work appears extra attainable, too.
However issues with battery life, warmth administration, sturdiness, and audio high quality usually include that oh-so-versatile method. The MSI E13 Flip Evo is not fully resistant to all these points, nevertheless it evolves the story round convertibles that insist on being beneath an inch thick.
Hailing from MSI’s business- and productivity-focused Summit collection of machines, the E13 (there’s additionally a 16-inch E16 with Nvidia RTX choices) begins at a $1,300 MSRP and goes as much as $1,900. (We have noticed it for $1,800.) With its light-weight, trim aluminum construct, shiny accents, and devoted pen, the machine is a transparent rival for premium ultraportables like Dell’s XPS line and Microsoft’s Floor choices.
Specs at a look: MSI Summit E13 Flip Evo
Worst
Greatest
As reviewed
Display
13.4-inch 1920 x 1200 60Hz IPS-level touchscreen
OS
Home windows 10
Home windows 10 Professional
CPU
Intel Core i7-1195G7
Intel Core i7-1185G7
RAM
16GB LPDDR4X-4267
32GB LPDDR4X-4267
Storage
512GB NVMe PCIe SSD
1TB NVMe PCIe SSD
GPU
Intel Iris Xe (built-in)
Networking
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
Ports
2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C), 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB-A), 1x microSD card reader, 1x 3.5 mm headphone/mic jack
Dimension
11.82 x 8.75 x 0.59 inches (300.23 x 222.25 x 14.99 mm)
Weight
2.98 lbs (1.35 kg)
Battery
70 Whr
Guarantee
1 12 months
Value (MSRP)
$1,500
$1,900
Different perks
USB-C to USB-A adapter, MSI Pen, sleeve, black or white end
MSI’s 13-incher nonetheless has its flaws, like an uncomfortable keyboard that fails to maintain up and limitations in audio high quality. However its means to get probably the most from its eleventh Gen Intel CPU in addition to its built-in Iris Xe graphics (with out turning into unbearably sizzling) makes it a worthy rival amongst 2-in-1 units. And a handsome construct with a taller and brighter-than-average display make the competitors much more intense.
Nice appears, nice port choice
MSI’s E13 Flip Evo proves {that a} black laptop computer does not must look boring. Within the Ink Black hue, it carries a matte black end accented by what MSI describes as “rose gold” (in particular person, the accents seem extra like copper). The copper-ish shade is a delicate distinction for the getting older rose-gold development, nevertheless it makes the machine look barely extra uncommon. These accents are reflective (however much less so than the slanted MSI emblem on the lid) for that prim and correct really feel.
Commercial
The two-in-1’s complete physique is made out of a block of CNC-milled aluminum. Mildly chamfered sides on the higher left and proper corners method HP Spectre territory with out crossing the road. I carried this ultraportable round quite a bit throughout my time with it, and it picked up fingerprints, however I’ve seen a lot worse, particularly with black laptops. You’ll be able to choose to get the machine in Pure White, too.Enlarge / The PC comes with a skinny sleeve and USB-C-to-USB-A adapter.Scharon Harding
Weighing simply 2.98 kilos (1.35 kg) and measuring 0.59-inch (1.5 cm) thick, the machine simply match into varied duties with pill and tented modes, and the latter withstood my most aggressive makes use of of the touchscreen. For comparability, Dell’s XPS 13 2-in-1 is equally mild and skinny (2.9 kilos, 0.56-inch thick, or 1.32 kg and 1.4 cm), whereas Microsoft’s Floor Laptop computer Studio convertible is notably heavier and barely thicker and (4 kilos [1.81 kg] with an i7 CPU, just like the E13 I am reviewing has, 0.75-inch [1.91 cm] thick).Enlarge / A 2-in-1 is just as dependable as its hinge. Scharon Harding
Nonetheless, the E13 Flip Evo feels surprisingly dense and sturdy. The skinny lid does have some flex when compelled however is way from flimsy. The all-important (and rose-gold-accented) hinges are hearty and dependable. Whenever you flip the display backward, the 2 hinge items rotate again barely. I might additionally really feel some motion internally within the deck portion. Most significantly, the laptop computer was dependable when flipped right into a pill or arched up like a tent.Enlarge / 0.56 inch thick.Scharon Harding
The deck’s frosted end appears tougher to scratch than cheaper, plastic options, and it feels good on the wrist (if a bit sharp close to the sting). MSI claims military-grade sturdiness from its MIL-STD-810G certification (PDF), which requires testing beneath excessive temperatures, humidity, shock, low- and high-pressure altitude, and different parameters. Topping off the deck is a FIDO 2-backed fingerprint reader. Its deck location is not as snazzy or intuitive as these on the ability button, nevertheless it does not take up area on the touchpad, both.
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