MSI Stealth 18 Mercedes AMG Motorsport Gaming Laptop (9S7-183121-073) Review
Table of Contents
Introduction
The MSI Stealth 18 Mercedes AMG Motorsport Gaming Laptop is a powerhouse of a machine, designed for gamers and creators who demand the best performance. This sleek, black beast boasts a 18-inch UHD+ 120Hz display, an Intel Core Ultra9-185H processor, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 graphics card. But does it live up to the hype? I put it through its paces to find out.
Features
The MSI Stealth 18 is packed with features that cater to gamers and creators alike:
- 18-inch UHD+ 120Hz Mini LED HDR 1000 Display: The display is a stunner, offering exceptional clarity, vibrancy, and responsiveness. Whether you’re gaming or editing photos and videos, the visuals are truly breathtaking.
- Intel Core Ultra9-185H Processor: The heart of the Stealth 18, this processor delivers lightning-fast performance for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and 3D rendering.
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Graphics Card: The RTX 4080 graphics card ensures smooth and immersive gaming experiences at high frame rates and resolutions. It also powers creative workflows, allowing for real-time ray tracing and AI-accelerated video editing.
- 32GB DDR5 RAM: This generous amount of RAM ensures seamless multitasking and smooth performance, even when running multiple demanding applications simultaneously.
- 2TB NVMe SSD: The SSD provides fast boot times and blazing-fast load speeds for games and applications, reducing waiting time and maximizing productivity.
- Killer Wi-Fi 7: Enjoy lag-free online gaming and super-fast file transfers with the latest Wi-Fi 7 technology.
- SteelSeries Per-Key RGB Keyboard: The keyboard offers a comfortable typing experience with customizable RGB backlighting to personalize your setup.
- Nahimic 3 Audio: Immerse yourself in realistic and detailed audio with Nahimic 3 technology, enhancing your gaming and multimedia experience.
Performance
The MSI Stealth 18 delivers exceptional performance across the board. I tested it with a range of demanding games and applications, and it consistently impressed me with its speed and responsiveness.
Gaming: I ran games like Cyberpunk 2077, Horizon Zero Dawn, and Elden Ring on high settings at 1440p resolution. The laptop handled them with ease, delivering smooth frame rates and stunning visuals. The RTX 4080 graphics card truly shines in demanding games, offering a significant performance advantage over previous generations.
Creative Workflows: I also tested the Stealth 18 for video editing, 3D modeling, and photo editing. The processor and graphics card combined with the ample RAM provided smooth and efficient performance, allowing me to work on large projects without any lag or slowdowns.
Battery Life: While the Stealth 18 is a powerful machine, battery life is a tradeoff. Expect to get around 4-5 hours of moderate usage with the screen brightness at a moderate level. For demanding tasks like gaming or 3D rendering, the battery life will be significantly shorter.
Pros & Cons
Here’s a summary of the pros and cons of the MSI Stealth 18:
Pros:
- Exceptional performance with the Intel Core Ultra9-185H processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 graphics card.
- Stunning 18-inch UHD+ 120Hz Mini LED HDR 1000 display with vibrant colors and high refresh rate.
- Ample 32GB DDR5 RAM for smooth multitasking and demanding applications.
- Fast 2TB NVMe SSD for quick boot times and load speeds.
- Killer Wi-Fi 7 for lag-free online gaming and fast file transfers.
- Comfortable SteelSeries per-key RGB keyboard with customizable backlighting.
- Nahimic 3 audio for immersive and detailed sound.
Cons:
- Relatively short battery life, especially during demanding tasks.
- Can be quite heavy and bulky, making it less portable than other gaming laptops.
- High price point compared to other gaming laptops.
Final Verdict
The MSI Stealth 18 Mercedes AMG Motorsport Gaming Laptop is an exceptional machine that delivers top-notch performance for demanding tasks like gaming and creative workflows. The stunning display, powerful hardware, and impressive features make it a compelling choice for gamers and creators who want the best of the best. However, its high price point and relatively short battery life may be a concern for some users.
Overall, if you’re looking for a powerful and versatile gaming laptop with an exceptional display, the MSI Stealth 18 is a great option. But if you need a more portable and budget-friendly laptop, there are other excellent options available on the market.
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home |
| Manufacturer Number | Stealth 18 Mercedes-AMG Motorsport |
| Product Condition | New |
| CPU | Intel® Core™ Ultra9-185H |
| CPU Speed | 3.8 – 5.1 GHz |
| Chipset | – |
| Graphics | NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4080 Laptop GPU |
| Video Memory | 12GB GDDR6 |
| Memory | 32GB DDR5 5600MHz |
| LAN | Killer Gb LAN (Up to 2.5G) |
| Wireless LAN | Intel® Killer™ Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | BT 5.4 |
| Audio | Nahimic 3 / Hi-Res Audio |
| Video Port | 1 x HDMI™ 2.1 (8K @ 60Hz / 4K @ 120Hz) |
| USB Ports | 1 x Type-C (USB3.2 Gen2 / DP) |
| 1 x Type-C (USB / DP / Thunderbolt™ 4) with PD3.1 charging | |
| 2 x Type-A USB3.2 Gen2 | |
| Audio Port | 1 x Mic-in/Headphone-out Combo Jack |
| TYPE-C PORT | 1 x Type-C (USB3.2 Gen2 / DP) |
| 1 x Type-C (USB / DP / Thunderbolt™ 4) with PD charging | |
| SSD HDD | 1 x 2TB NVMe SSD Gen4x4 |
| Optical Drive | – |
| Card Reader | 1 x SD Express Card Reader |
| Webcam | IR FHD type (30fps @ 1080p) with HDR |
| 3D Noise Reduction+ (3DNR+) | |
| VR Ready | Yes |
| Keyboard | Per-Key RGB Gaming Keyboard by SteelSeries with Copilot Key |
| Speaker | 2 x 2W Speaker |
| 4 x 2W Woofer | |
| AC Power Adapter | 280W |
| Battery Pack | 4 cell (99.9Whr) |
| Screen Size | 18″ UHD+ (3840×2400) 120Hz Mini LED HDR 1000 100% DCI-P3 |
| Resolution | 3840×2400 (16:10) |
| Color | Midnight Black |