MSI Summit E16 AI Studio 16" A1VETG-036US Ink Black 2024

This is the only 2-in-1 we've seen with a real dedicated GPU, and it comes with a massive 32GB of RAM. The display is a gorgeous, color-accurate 165Hz panel that's a real standout. Just know that the CPU is a bit of a slouch, and you're buying into a very niche machine with almost no user track record.

Let's be real about the Core Ultra 7-155H. In our database, it's a middle-of-the-pack performer at best, falling behind most dedicated workstations. You'll feel that if you're doing heavy CPU renders or massive code compiles. The real story here is the dedicated RTX 4050 with 6GB of VRAM. It's a solid mid-range GPU, ranking in the 77th percentile, which is impressive for a 2-in-1. This isn't a gaming laptop, but it will handle light gaming and GPU-accelerated creative work in apps like Blender or Premiere Pro without breaking a sweat. The 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM is a huge asset, putting it among the best-equipped laptops for memory-heavy tasks like large photo edits or running multiple virtual machines.

The 16-inch 2560x1600 display is a joy. A 165Hz refresh rate on a creator-focused 2-in-1 feels like a flex, and the 100% DCI-P3 color gamut means your work will look accurate. The 82Wh battery is decent on paper, but pushing all those pixels at a high refresh rate with a discrete GPU will drain it faster than an ultrabook with integrated graphics. Keep the charger in your bag.

This MSI sits in a strange no-man's-land between several strong competitors. The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 will absolutely smoke it in gaming and CPU performance with a much stronger processor, but you lose the 2-in-1 touchscreen and the larger 16-inch display. The Apple MacBook Pro M5 is in a different universe for CPU and GPU efficiency, and its build quality is legendary, but you're locked into macOS and can't flip the screen around. The HP OMEN Transcend 14 is a closer gaming-focused rival, but again, no 2-in-1 hinge. The MSI's only real superpower is that hinge combined with a real video card. If you don't need to use it as a tablet for sheet music or sketching, almost any other laptop at this price will give you more raw speed.

Pricing on this model is all over the map, with a staggering $41,591 spread between vendors. We've seen it listed from $1,399 all the way up to an absurd $42,990. At the low end, you're getting a unique machine with a dedicated GPU and 32GB of RAM for a pretty reasonable price. At the high end, someone is dreaming. If you're buying, hunt for the deal around that $1,399 mark from Newegg, where it's been spotted with fast shipping. Paying anything close to the upper range would be a massive mistake when you could get a far more powerful workstation for that kind of money.

The MSI Summit AI A1VETG-036US is a bit of an oddball in the best way. It packs 32GB of RAM, which lands in the 91st percentile for laptops in our database, and pairs it with a dedicated RTX 4050. That's a combo you just don't see in a 2-in-1 touchscreen machine, and it's the main reason the one verified owner we've heard from is so happy with it. The 16-inch 2560x1600 IPS display is also a standout, hitting the 88th percentile with a smooth 165Hz refresh rate and full DCI-P3 color coverage. If you're a creator who also wants to flip the screen around for sheet music or a quick gaming session, this thing is built for that niche.

But the numbers also tell a story of compromise. The Intel Core Ultra 7-155H CPU sits at a mediocre 37th percentile, which means raw processor grunt is not this laptop's strong suit. That's reflected in its weakest area score, a 41.4 out of 100 for AI and LLM tasks. It's also not very compact for a portable 2-in-1, ranking in the 16th percentile. You're trading some CPU power and portability for that unique GPU and RAM combo, and for the right person, that's a trade worth making.

Skip this if you don't absolutely need the 2-in-1 form factor. The CPU is a real weak spot, ranking in the bottom half of our database, which makes this a poor choice for heavy computational work like code compilation or 3D rendering. If you just want a powerful laptop for gaming or creative work, a traditional clamshell like the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 or a MacBook Pro will give you far more speed and a better build for the same money. The low social proof and unanswered customer questions are also a red flag if you value a well-documented product with a strong community behind it.

The MSI Summit AI A1VETG-036US is a niche masterpiece that will deeply satisfy a very specific user. If you are a musician reading sheet music, a digital artist who needs a real GPU for rendering, or someone who wants a 2-in-1 that can actually game a little, this is practically your only option and it does the job well. The 32GB of RAM and gorgeous display are the cherries on top. For everyone else, the middling CPU performance and bulky design are real drawbacks. The tiny number of user reviews also means we're taking a bit of a leap of faith on long-term reliability. Find it at the right price, and it's a gem. Pay too much, and it's a trap.