Today at Computex, MSI announced a slew of new AI-ready gaming and content creation laptops. They’re powered by the latest Intel Core Ultra (codenamed “Lunar Lake”) and AMD Ryzen AI 300 processors, which are more power efficient, resulting in laptops with better battery life and thinner builds. When it comes to the war on chips, the NPUs (aka neural processing units) inside Qualcomm’s new Arm-based Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus processors have been taking the news circuit by storm, as it can deliver 45 TOPS of AI computing power. That’s impressive, but MSI’s new AI laptops, which contain both AMD and Intel processors, offer more than 100 combined TOPS of power. Pop off, sis.
Speaking of NPUs and AI features, Microsoft has been pushing its Copilot+ PCs with gusto and for good reason, too. These laptops use the NPU to bring you seamless AI experiences. Heck, they even work offline! Microsoft’s Recall feature, for example, takes snapshots of whatever you’re doing on your PC, which a locally run AI can use to answer practical, personal questions like “What is that movie Katherine from work recommended last week?” and bring you back to the item in question.
I could go on and on about AI, but I’m going to stop it right there. Let’s see what MSI’s bringing to the table this year.
Further reading: Best gaming laptops 2024: What to look for and highest-rated models
Laptops, laptops, and more laptops!
AMD offerings
AMD’s Ryzen AI 300 Series processors have new architecture, which is called XDNA 2. According to MSI, this new architecture delivers up to “three times the performance compared to previous products.” You can run generative AI or large language models directly on the laptops.
MSI Stealth A16 AI+
The MSI Stealth A16 AI+ gaming laptop is packing a lot of power in a relatively lightweight package. It features an AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU (top-tier configuration), an RGB backlit keyboard with a Copilot key, a massive 99.9 watt-hour battery, and a decent array of port selections. Connectivity options include one audio combo jack, two USB 3.2 Type-A, one USB-C, one RJ45, one HDMI, and one Kensington lock. Plus, thanks to the magnesium alloy chassis, it weighs just 4.62 pounds, which is lighter than most gaming laptops. For context, most gaming laptops tip the scales at six pounds or more.
MSI Summit A16 AI+
The MSI Summit A16 AI+ laptop is both versatile and powerful, and seems like it could be a fine choice for content creators. You can flip the screen around and use it like a tablet or prop it up like a tent for watching YouTube or sharing information with others. Inside you’ll find an AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 processor, AMD Radeon graphics, 32GB of RAM (maximum), and 1TB of SSD storage. The 16-inch 1600p display is also touch-enabled and has a 165Hz refresh rate, which should result in smooth-looking visuals.
MSI Prestige A16 AI
The MSI Prestige A16 AI laptop is near identical to the MSI Summit A16 AI+ as far as hardware goes. You’re getting an AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 processor, 32GB of RAM (maximum), AMD Radeon graphics, and 2TB of SSD storage (maximum). However, the Prestige is a little lighter at 4.18 pounds. Other features include a white backlit keyboard with a Copilot key, an 82 watt-hour battery, and a physical webcam shutter.
Intel offerings
The latest Intel Core Ultra processor (codenamed “Lunar Lake”) is capable of generating “more than 100 TOPS of AI performance,” according to MSI. When it’s paired with a laptop that has Nvidia graphics, it’s capable of offering up to 542 TOPS, apparently!
MSI Prestige 13 AI+ Evo
The MSI Prestige 13 AI+ Evo has the smallest display of the Prestige models, but it’s also the lightest at 2.20 pounds. You can easily toss this laptop in a bag and take it anywhere with you. Shoulder ache? Who is she? It also has an Intel Ultra Core processor, a 13.3-inch 2880×1800 OLED display, and a 75 watt-hour battery. Other neat features include Wi-Fi 7, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a white backlit keyboard with a Copilot key.
MSI Prestige 14 AI+ Evo
The MSI Prestige 14 AI+ Evo is rocking an Intel Core Ultra processor, 32GB of RAM (maximum), and a 14-inch 2880×1800 OLED display. The taller 16:10 aspect ratio makes it easier to scroll through longer web pages, too. Similar to the other versions of the Prestige, this model also comes with a white backlit keyboard as well as Wi-FI 7 and a physical privacy shutter for the webcam.
MSI Prestige 16 AI+ Evo
The MSI Prestige 16 AI+ Evo is a powerful, lightweight laptop with a big screen. It comes with an Intel Core Ultra processor, 32GB of RAM (maximum), and a 16-inch OLED display with 100 percent DCI-P3 support, which creators will especially appreciate. It also has Wi-Fi 7, a colossal 99.9 watt-hour battery, and a white backlit keyboard with the aforementioned Copilot key and 1.7mm of travel. It only weighs just 3.30 pounds, which is surprising given the giant battery and the 16-inch display.
MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo
The MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo is a powerful convertible laptop. It’s powered by an Intel Core Ultra processor and it has up to 32GB of RAM and 2TB of SSD storage. That’s plenty of power for office work, editing photos, everyday activities, and so much more. The 13.3-inch display is lovely, too. It has an aspect ratio of 16:10 and it covers 100 percent sRGB, which means you can expect to see a pretty colorful picture.
Special edition laptops
MSI also announced three special edition laptops, which is good news if you like luxury cars and the Capcom game Monster Hunter. It’s not my cup of tea, but the Monster Hunter edition of the MSI Crosshair 16 HX does look pretty rad with its dragon carving on the lid. Read on to learn more details.
MSI Stealth 16 Mercedes-AMG Motorsport
The MSI Stealth 16 Mercedes-AMG Motorsport (say that five times fast) is equipped with the latest Intel Core Ultra processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, up to 96GB (!!!) of RAM, a giant 99.9 watt-hour battery, and Wi-Fi 7. The design is kind of comical, too. The power button is meant to look like the ignition button in a car. Is it cool? I guess, if you’re into that sort of thing.
MSI Stealth 18 Mercedes-AMG Motorsport
The MSI Stealth 18 Mercedes-AMG Motorsport is the bigger sibling of the 16-inch model. You’ll find, again, the latest Intel Core Ultra processor as well as an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 GPU. This machine will basically chew through anything you toss at it. The 18-inch display has a 3840×2400 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, so game play should look fluid.
MSI Crosshair 16 HX (Monster Hunter edition)
The MSI Crosshair 16 HX sports an Intel Core i7 14700HX CPU and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU. In other words, this laptop should have no problem whizzing through most modern games. The 16-inch 1600p display also has an ultra-fast refresh rate of 240Hz–ideal for those who play first-person-shooters or faster-paced titles in which every second counts.
Price and availability
Intel
- MSI Summit E13 AI Evo: $1,299
- MSI Summit E13 AI Evo: $1,499
- MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo: $1,399
- MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo: $1,199
AMD
- MSI Stealth A16 AI+ (RTX 4070, GDDR6 8GB): $1,999
- MSI Summit A16 AI+ (AMD Radeon Graphics): $1,699
- MSI Prestige A16 AI+ (AMD Radeon Graphics): $1,599
No word yet on the pricing and availability of the special edition laptops, but when I get that information, I’ll be sure to update this article accordingly. MSI also didn’t confirm the availability of the laptops, so I reached out to a representative and hope to hear back soon.
