MSI just made the most beautiful laptop I’ve ever seen — here’s why the Prestige 13 AI+ Ukiyo-e Edition took my breath away

MSI Prestige 13 AI+ Ukiyo-e Edition
(Image credit: Future)

With nearly 20 years under my belt as a tech journalist, I’ve become pretty jaded to design gimmicks in laptops. It’s going to take more than a painted lid to get me to fall in love with a laptop — at least that’s what I thought before I laid my eyes on MSI’s new Prestige 13 AI+ Ukiyo-e Edition at Computex 2025.

At first, the crush felt purely skin deep. The use of Ukiyo-e master Katsushika Hokusai’s “Great Wave off Kanagawa” artwork for the lid is an eye catching choice to say the least.

But there’s levels to this. Part of the company’s Artisan Collection, it’s a collaboration with Japanese lacquerware company OKADAYA that runs deep into the aesthetic — I’m talking authentic traditional handcrafted lacquerware on each of these using pure gold leaf powder.

MSI Prestige 13 AI+ Ukiyo-e Edition specs

Swipe to scroll horizontally

CPU

Up to Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 processor 288V

RAM

Up to 32GB LPDDR5x-8533 Memory on Package

Storage

1 x NVMe M.2 SSD by PCIe Gen4

Display

13.3" 2.8K (2880 x 1800), 16:10, 100% DCI-P3 (Typical), VESA DisplayHDR™ True Black 500, OLED panel

Ports

2x Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A, microSD card reader, HDMI 2.1

Battery size

75Whr

Dimensions

11.8 x 8.3 x 0.7 inches

Weight

2.2 pounds

Waves of innovation

MSI Prestige 13 AI+ Ukiyo-e Edition

(Image credit: Future)

So you’re getting all the same feature set that made us really enjoy the OG Prestige 13 AI+ Evo a few months ago. That Intel Core Ultra 9 makes it truly sing, the LPDDR5 RAM directly on the chip delivers zippy fast multitasking and that 2.8K OLED display is a feast for the eyes. Oh, and don’t forget that surprising stunner in the 5MP webcam.

But the true statement piece here has to be that one-of-a-kind laptop artwork crafted with 8 layers of lacquer painting. Every layer is added on by hand, and the adhesive is applied as a base for the gold powder that really stands out within the waves, the MSI logo and the artist’s signature.

MSI Prestige 13 AI+ Ukiyo-e Edition

(Image credit: Future)

Cap it all off with the subtle details like golden text on the ports, the piano gloss finish atop the keyboard with gold lettering, and the fact that there will only be 1,000 of these made (laser engraved with a unique number to let you know which one you got), and not only does this look like a work of art, it feels like a work of art and has the exclusivity of a work of art.

Feeling the ripples of each lacquer layer is a simply irresistible activity for pretty much the entire time I went hands-on with this thing. Pretty on the eyes and in the hands.

But how much will it cost?

MSI Prestige 13 AI+ Ukiyo-e Edition

(Image credit: Future)

Yes, this is a question I’m just as terrified of as you are. With how complex the handcrafting process is, the amount of tech crammed into such a thin and light system and all the things you get in the bundle, this is not going to be cheap.

We’ve already seen MSI do something similar with the Titan 18 HX Dragon Norse Myth edition, and while I don’t expect this Prestige 13 to be $7,000, it’s going to come with a premium. That’s a little heartbreaking, given just how mesmerizing this Ukiyo-e Edition is from all angles.

That sleek utilitarian build with ultra portability in mind blends with the uber-premium lacquerware art atop the lid to make this almost feel like you’re working on a work of art.

More from Tom's Guide

Category
Arrow
Arrow
Back to Laptops
Brand
Arrow
Processor
Arrow
RAM
Arrow
Storage Size
Arrow
Screen Size
Arrow
Colour
Arrow
Condition
Arrow
Storage Type
Arrow
Price
Arrow
Any Price
Showing 10 of 101 deals
Filters
Arrow
Show more
Jason England
Managing Editor — Computing

Jason brings a decade of tech and gaming journalism experience to his role as a Managing Editor of Computing at Tom's Guide. He has previously written for Laptop Mag, Tom's Hardware, Kotaku, Stuff and BBC Science Focus. In his spare time, you'll find Jason looking for good dogs to pet or thinking about eating pizza if he isn't already.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.