Dominating the scene for Premiere Pro users, this powerful MSI laptop now reins supreme (until its successor takes the throne).
MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio: A Powerful Laptop for Creatives and Gamers
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is a gaming laptop that stands out for its restrained design and compact size, making it a compelling option for video editors and 3D artists.
The laptop's build quality is impressive, with a magnesium-aluminium alloy frame that ensures sturdiness and prevents bendiness. Weighing 2.89kg and measuring 400 x 290 x 20mm, the Stealth 18 is portable enough for on-the-go creative work.
The Stealth 18's screen is another highlight, boasting a brightness of 715 nits, making it ideal for working in well-lit environments. The 18-inch mini-LED screen offers a resolution of 3840x2400, a refresh rate of 120Hz, and a color gamut of 97% DCI-P3, ensuring excellent color accuracy.
Under the hood, the Stealth 18 is equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU, Intel AI Boost NPU, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 graphics, 64GB DDR5-6400 memory, and a 2TB SSD. This powerful setup allows the Stealth 18 to excel in AI applications, outperforming all 16-inch laptops tested in Topaz Video AI.
However, the Stealth 18 may fall behind slightly in build quality and overall performance for its price against some of its competitors. Notable alternatives include the Razer Blade 16, Asus ROG Zephyrus G16, HP Omen Max 16, and Alienware x16 R2. These laptops typically feature powerful processors, discrete GPUs, and high-quality displays, making them suitable for demanding video editing tasks.
The Stealth 18 comes with a range of ports, including 2x Thunderbolt 4, 2x USB 3.2 Type-A, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x SD Express, and wireless connectivity of Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4. It also features a full-size HDMI 2.1 port for connecting to an external screen.
While the Stealth 18 performs exceptionally well in Adobe Premiere Pro, matching the performance of the M4 Max chip in the Mac Studio, it is not recommended for those who need a portable laptop or prefer a Mac. The laptop's battery life is semi-useful, offering 2.5 hours of playback on a looping video with the screen at 50%.
The Stealth 18 is priced at £3,799 in the UK and $3,999.99 in the US, making it an expensive investment. However, for ambitious creative professionals and daily computing tasks, the Stealth 18 is a powerful laptop that can handle demanding workloads with ease. It comes with Windows 11 Pro, allowing the use of HyperV virtual machines and BitLocker drive encryption.
In conclusion, the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is a powerful laptop suitable for video editors, 3D artists, and gamers. While it may not be the most portable option, its impressive performance and color-accurate display make it a compelling choice for those seeking a high-performance laptop outside of the Apple ecosystem.
- The 3D artists and video editors working on the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio will appreciate the logo on the laptop's exterior, symbolizing its strong association with creative applications.
- For the UI and UX designers who use Adobe's gadgets like Photoshop, the Stealth 18's hardware can handle the demanding tasks with ease, ensuring a smooth workflow.
- The Stealth 18's screen, with its high resolution and color gamut of 97% DCI-P3, can be considered a proud showcase of art for its artist users, allowing them to create visually stunning pieces.
- In the world of technology, the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio stands out as a creative marvel, showcasing its 120Hz refresh rate and mini-LED screen through a technologically advanced artistic layout.
- Despite falling behind in some areas when compared to similar laptops, the Stealth 18's build quality still qualifies it as a 3D-friendly gadget, with its magnesium-aluminum alloy frame and sturdy design.
- Whether editing videos, creating 3D models, or designing user interfaces, the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio can accommodate a wide range of creative tasks, making it a versatile art companion in the realm of technology.