CES 2024: MSI Unveils New 18-Inch Laptops, AI-Powered Notebooks With Intel Core Ultra Processors, and Claw Gaming Handheld

MSI is one of the most well-known brands globally when it comes to gaming notebooks. Most laptops from the brand are touted to have powerful processors coupled with high-end GPUs to provide an unrivaled gaming performance. In 2024, MSI wants to continue the same trend by providing consumers with solid hardware — and as a result — has unveiled several new products at CES. These include ginormous powerhouses in the form of 18-inch laptops, portable notebooks on the other end of the spectrum that prioritize battery life, and an attractive handheld console — the Claw.

Most gaming laptops generally top out at 16 or 17 inches. But, MSI has gone the extra mile (or inch) to provide an even more immersive experience with the latest Titan, Raider, and Stealth 18 laptops. All three laptops have top-of-the-line internals but cater to specific audiences.

If you’re keen on getting a work machine that can easily fit into most backpacks, MSI has you covered there as well. The new Prestige series of AI laptops are powered by the Intel Core Ultra platform — providing plenty of horsepower while keeping endurance in check — all in a sleek form factor.

So, let’s delve deeper into each of the products so you can decipher which of them is the best for you.

MSI Titan 18 HX, Raider 18 HX, and Stealth 18 AI Studio

On paper, an 18-inch display may not seem as significant a jump compared to 17-inch panels. But a quick look at any of the three MSI notebooks and you’ll instantly see how immersive they are in real life. Even an extra inch of screen real estate makes a world of difference when you’re gaming.

It’s not just about the display though. The large form factor provides plenty of room to fit in high-end components and that’s exactly what MSI has done here.

Solid performance

Both the Titan 18 HX and Raider 18 HX are equipped with the latest Intel 14th-generation Core i9 processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40 Series graphics. This results in stellar performance when playing AAA titles — especially when combined with the new industry-leading vapor chamber cooler thermal solution. As per MSI, this is the biggest vapor chamber cooling solution currently present in the market.

That’s not the only industry-first achievement with the Titan 18 HX. MSI OverBoost Ultra delivers 270W of total power on the Titan 18 HX, while the Raider 18 HX provides an impressive 250W full total power. While the Titan and Raider are performance-oriented, the Stealth 18 AI Studio — as the name suggests — relies on the AI capabilities of the Intel Core Ultra chipset to provide reliable day-to-day performance in a slim form factor.

Despite having a huge 18-inch screen, the Stealth 18 is easy to carry in your backpack. This makes it a great option for students, content creators, and working professionals who also want to game occasionally.

Attractive I/O

The primary reason why all the 18-inch machines don’t feel that much bigger than a 17-inch laptop is the new borderless display design. MSI has cut down on bezels drastically to reduce the overall footprint of the laptops and it shows in the design. It’s not just about the bezels. You get an option to pick a 4K 120Hz mini LED display with HDR support. Talk about an immersive gaming experience!

Apart from the display, the rest of the laptop is also well-rounded. So, it’s not like MSI is pushing this series purely based on just the performance. For starters, you get a Cherry-MX mechanical keyboard to type on.

The magnesium-aluminum alloy gives the laptops a premium look and feel while ensuring the chassis is sturdy. Moreover, you get expansion slots for both RAM and SSD storage so you’re not limited to the config you pick.

MSI Claw Handheld Gaming Console

It’s the season of handheld gaming consoles as we’ve seen with the Steam Deck and the Asus ROG Ally. Of course, MSI wasn’t going to be left behind for too long. The brand has hit right back at the competition with the Claw. While the concept is similar to other handheld consoles in the market, there are a few differentiating factors that set it apart.

For starters, the MSI Claw is powered by the new Intel Core Ultra processor featuring Intel XeSS technology. This significantly enhances the FPS and ensures smooth and immersive gameplay even on AAA titles.

The Claw is also equipped with MSI Cooler Boost Hyperflow thermal technology. Additionally, the intra-flow thermal design redirects the airflow to cool the internal component quickly — resulting in better sustained performance.

Another standout feature of the MSI Claw is its large 53Wh battery. Couple this with the fact that the Intel Core Ultra chip is power-efficient and what you’re getting is a handheld that’s both powerful and efficient. You can enjoy powerful gaming for up to two hours at a stretch — even under a full workload. Additional features include a 7-inch IPS panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, up to 16GB RAM, and the ability to play both Windows-based and Android games.

MSI Prestige: Thin and Light With a Dash of Power and AI

For those who do not want to carry a full-fledged gaming powerhouse with them — MSI has you covered with the Prestige series. There are three variants of the Prestige series that MSI unveiled at CES 2024 — Prestige 13 AI, Prestige 14 AI, and Prestige 16 AI. If you want an ultra-portable laptop, the Prestige 13 is obviously the way to go. However, the Prestige 16 is the one that caught our eye.

That’s mainly because the MSI Prestige 16 AI — despite being a large 16-inch machine — weighs in at just 1.5KG. This is thanks in large to the magnesium-aluminum alloy. The laptop also has a large 99.9Wh battery which lasts for up to 19 hours — thanks to the efficiency of the Intel Core Ultra processors. If you want to shed some more kilos, the Prestige 13 only weighs in at 990g! Yes, that’s under a kilo!

Despite the thin and light form factor, you can get the Prestige series with Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 40 series Laptop GPUs. Thanks to this, we can easily recommend the MSI Prestige series to content creators and video editors as well.

It’s the Age of AI

All the Prestige series of laptops — along with a few other notebooks from MSI feature some new AI features that can ease your workflow. All the new AI features have been made possible thanks to the dedicated NPU on the Intel Core Ultra chips.

Some of these features include a generative AI that can create an image based on a text prompt, a noise-cancellation algorithm that can be useful during video calls, and an AI engine that automatically optimizes the performance of the laptop after learning one’s usage patterns. All of these features are quite helpful in day-to-day life and enhance the overall user experience.

Another cool feature is MSI’s auto-framing from the webcam during video calls. If you keep moving around during a call, the software automatically zooms into your face and frames you accordingly.

There’s also an AI background removal tool that clips out whatever is behind you. It’s also worth noting that all of these AI features work completely on device without an active network connection. This makes it all the more impressive.

Powerful Laptops for Everyone

MSI has ensured it caters to every segment of the market with its powerful laptops. The Vector HX, Crosshair HX, and Pulse AI notebooks cater to hardcore gamers who want the power of a high-performance GPU along with extra bits like fancy RGB lighting.

Then there are the Sword HX, Cyborg, and Thin 15 models that have unique traits like a translucent rear design or 24-zone backlighting for the keyboard — all while offering solid performance at their cores.

If you’re not a gamer, MSI has also refreshed its series of laptops for content creators. You can now choose from a lineup consisting of the Creator Z17 HX Studio, Creator 16 AI Studio, Creator M14, and Creator M16 HX. These laptops have unique features like a 16:10 OLED display or a lightweight chassis for portability. Regardless of your use case, MSI has a laptop for everyone with one common notion — stellar performance. And if you’re all about gaming on the move, the MSI Claw is the one to watch out for!