How to open MSI Prestige 13 AI+ Evo A2VM – disassembly and upgrade options


    Step 1: Opening the MSI Prestige 13 AI+ Evo A2VM

    1. Power off the laptop and place it on a stable, static-free surface.
    2. Undo the seven Phillips-head screws securing the bottom plate.
    3. Using a lever tool, pop the two areas behind the hinges to create an initial gap.
    4. Pry the top edges and the rear of the bottom panel with a thin plastic tool.
    5. Finish by prying the sides and the front, then carefully lift the bottom plate away from the chassis.

    More info: The bottom panel design keeps internal components secure and minimizes flex, which is important for an ultra-light laptop like this.


    Battery Removal and Replacement

    1. This model uses a 75Wh battery.
    2. To detach it, pop the front of the battery connector and gently push it toward the SSD slot.
    3. Undo the two Phillips-head screws securing the battery, then lift it away from the base.
    4. The battery provides up to approximately 17 hours of video playback on a single charge.


    Memory Upgrade

    1. The RAM is soldered to the motherboard, which is typical for thin Copilot+ PCs.
    2. However, you can configure this laptop with up to 32GB of LPDDR5x-8533 MHz memory in dual-channel mode, offering solid multitasking performance for most users.

    Storage Upgrade

    1. There is a single M.2 slot compatible with 2280 Gen 4 NVMe SSDs.
    2. A thermal pad beneath the SSD slot helps manage temperatures during heavy disk activity.

    Hint: Don’t forget to check out our Top M.2 SSDs Performance Rankings for insights on the best storage options available.

    You can buy Gen 4 NVMe SSDs here: Buy from Amazon.com.au (#CommissionsEarned)


    Wireless Module

    1. The Wi-Fi 7 card is soldered to the motherboard, making upgrades impossible.


    Cooling System Overview

    1. The cooling solution consists of a decently sized single fan, one heat pipe, a heat sink, and a heat spreader. While modest, it should be adequate for the laptop’s efficient Copilot+ platform.

    MSI Prestige 13 AI+ Evo (A2VMx) in-depth review

    The MSI Prestige 13 AI+ Evo A2VM is not just a Copilot+ PC for AI tasks. Despite its super light chassis, this small device is a multipurpose machine that is suitable even for entry-level gaming. Lunar Lake CPU is hidden under the hood alongside the potent Intel Arc Graphics 140V which scored 62FPS in Gears 5 on Medium details. The connectivity is the latest and greatest Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 5.4 and you also get a pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports. Considering the processor platform and the size of this laptop, perhaps you already guessed that the upgradability is as limited as it gets.The defaul[...]

    Pros

    • Good overall performance for a tiny 13-inch machine
    • Up to 32GB LPDDR5x
    • Infinite contrast ratio + wide viewing angles (SDC41A8)
    • 100% DCI-P3 coverage + accurate color with our "Design and Office" profile (SDC41A8)
    • ~ 400 nits of max brightness in SDR and 618 nits in HDR mode (SDC41A8)
    • 2880x1800p resolution (SDC41A8)
    • Relatively good keyboard
    • Smooth and accurate touchpad
    • Solid magnesium-aluminum chassis
    • The Core Ultra 7 258V maintains a 2.74 GHz / 3.21 GHz P and LP-E core clock in long loads
    • The MSI Center offers plenty of customizations
    • 2x Thunderbolt 4s
    • MicroSD Card reader
    • 5MP IR Web camera
    • Fingerprint reader (option)
    • dTPM 2.0, fTPM 2.0, Lock Slot, privacy shutter
    • The fan isn't too intrusive in "Extreme Performance" mode
    • Fast SSD (Micron 2500 MTFDKBA1T0QG)
    • 75Wh battery that lasts for around 17 hours of videos on a single charge
    • Intel Evo-certified laptop
    • Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 5.4
    • Light and thin (0.99 kg / 16.9 mm)
    • Great iGPU performance
    • The "Balanced" preset offers almost the same clocks as the "Extreme Performance" mode but the noise is lower with the former

    Cons

    • Pricey
    • Limited upgradability
    • The lid wobbles during typing
    • PWM usage (SDC41A8)

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