MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio
MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
GENERAL USE: Very Good—8.4/10
GAMING/AI: Excellent—9.1/10
ENG/DESIGN: Excellent—9.0/10
SOFTWARE DEV: Very Good—8.3/10
CONTENT CREATION: Very Good—8.5/10
PORTABILITY: Fair—6.0/10
BATTERY: Good—7.0/10
OVERALL SCREEN QUALITY: Very Good—8.2/10
OVERALL PERFORMANCE: Excellent—9.4/10
SIZE: 18"
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is a high-end laptop designed for power users with very good general, 3D/machine learning, and engineering performance. It comes with a large storage capacity and ample RAM for demanding tasks. Equipped with the Intel Core Ultra 9 and Nvidia RTX 4080 GPU, it's well-suited for intensive gaming as well. The large 18-inch IPS display offers a high refresh rate and excellent screen color performance but isn't a touchscreen. It's quite heavy and thick, which impacts its portability, and while the battery life is average, it may not last a full day of intense use. It's equipped with a variety of modern ports including Thunderbolt 4 and USB-C, some of which support charging. The laptop features a backlit keyboard with a number pad, a fingerprint reader, and other premium features but lacks facial recognition. It's designed to handle engineering tasks, 3D rendering, and machine learning efficiently, making it a versatile choice for professionals and creators. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Evaluation
Pros
- High-end Nvidia RTX 4080 GPU
- Robust Intel Core Ultra 9 processor
- Large 18-inch display with high refresh
- Comprehensive port selection with Thunderbolt
- 32 GB RAM, great for multitasking
Cons
- Relatively short battery life
- Heavier, less portable design
- No touchscreen functionality
- Considerable fan noise under load
Ratings by Category
Gaming & AI:4.7
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio excels in gaming and 3D due to its powerful Nvidia RTX 4080 graphics card that delivers excellent visual performance, and it has a high screen refresh rate of 240Hz which ensures smooth motion in fast-paced games and scenes.
Engineering & Design:4.7
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is equipped with a high-end CPU and a considerable amount of RAM, facilitating speedy processing ideal for demanding engineering software, while the impressive GPU ensures smooth graphics rendering. Its screen offers high resolution and excellent color accuracy, which is crucial for detailed design work and accurate color representation.
Content Creation:4.6
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, and video editing work.
In addition to a strong emphasis on overall performance, this score also places very high importance on screen quality. Heat management, storage, keyboard and speaker quality are also incorporated, with fan noise rounding out this score.
Keyboard Quality:4.6
The Keyboard Quality score is based on the PerfectRec experts’ assessment of tactile feedback, typing comfort, keyboard reliability and typing noise.
General Use:4.5
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is considered very good for general use due to its powerful CPU and abundant RAM which ensure smooth performance for most tasks, along with an impressive screen that boasts high resolution, good brightness, and comprehensive color coverage. However, its relatively heavier weight and moderate battery life may limit its appeal for those requiring high portability or all-day usage without access to power.
Software Development:4.5
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software development.
In addition to a strong emphasis on overall performance, this score also places very high importance on screen quality. Heat management, storage, keyboard and speaker quality are also incorporated, with fan noise rounding out this score.
General Use Screen Quality:4.5
The general use screen score is based on the screen technology, contrast ratio, resolution, brightness, color gamut and color accuracy. This score does not take into account specialized display features for specific use cases, such as high refresh rate for gaming.
Build Quality:4.4
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, chassis rigidity, and overall reliability. Our assessment of build quality includes many details that are difficult to quantify. Our laptop experts use their best judgment to produce the final score.
Operating Noise:4.2
PerfectRec’s Operating Noise Score is based on fan noise measurements. Laptops with a fanless design, such as Macbooks, receive the maximum score.
Battery Life:4.0
PerfectRec’s Battery Life rating is based on hours of battery life in typical usage scenarios.
Portability:3.0
PerfectRec’s portability rating takes into account the volume and thickness of the laptop as well as its weight.
Full Specs
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
| Price | $2,900 | ||
Release Date | March 1, 2024 | ||
Overall Dimensions | 15.8'' x 11.4'' x 0.94'' | ||
Weight | 6.15 lbs | ||
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | Intel Core Ultra 9 185H | ||
Graphics | RTX 4080 (150 W) | ||
Mux Switch / Advanced Optimus | Yes | ||
RAM | 32 GB | ||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | ||
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | 6 Hours | ||
Battery Capacity | 99.9 Wh | ||
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | 18" | ||
Display Technology | IPS | ||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | ||
Refresh Rate | 240Hz | ||
Display Brightness | 305 nits | ||
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score  | 8/10 | ||
Portability Score | 6/10 | ||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | ||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | ||
Keyboard Lighting Color | RGB | ||
Warranty Period | 1 year | ||
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | 8.5/10 | ||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | ||
Webcam | 1080p | ||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | ||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | ||
Number Pad | Yes | ||
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | 2 | ||
USB-C ports | 2 | ||
USB-C Charging | Yes | ||
Display Outputs | 3 | ||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | ||
Comparison charts
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Laptop guides you may be interested in
Compare MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio to similarly priced alternatives
Compare MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio vs. Acer Nitro 5 17
VS
Compare MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio vs. Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023)
VS
Compare MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio vs. ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 16 (2024)
VS
Compare MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio vs. Apple MacBook Pro 14 (Late 2023)
VS
Compare MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio vs. MSI GE66 Raider
VS
Compare MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio vs. Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Late 2023)
VS
FAQs
Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
55,695
Recommendations made
12,068
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Nick Landia, Ph.D
Chief Data Scientist
Nick is a machine learning expert with a Ph.D in recommendation systems from the University of Warwick.
Aaron Koller, Ph.D
Head of Product
Aaron is a product leader and recommendation enthusiast with a Ph.D in philosophy from Syracuse University.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.
Featured in
