When choosing between laptops like the Lenovo Slim Pro 9i and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio, consider how much you value performance versus cost and portability. The Lenovo is usually less expensive and more portable, making it a solid choice for everyday tasks and light work. However, if you require a laptop for more intensive tasks such as 3D modeling, machine learning, or gaming, the MSI, with its higher price, delivers better performance suitable for these demanding applications, but it's less portable and may have a shorter battery life. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Lenovo Slim Pro 9i
Best in class overall display quality
Good portability
Advantages of the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio
Excellent for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.6/10
8.9/10
6.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.7/10
3072 x 1920
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
8.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is very good for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo Slim Pro 9i is good.
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i offers solid gaming and 3D capabilities with a dependable GPU and high-quality screen, but for those seeking top-tier gaming and 3D performance, the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio stands out with a superior GPU that delivers smoother visuals and a higher screen refresh rate for more fluid motion. While both laptops have competent CPUs and screens, the GPU and refresh rate on the MSI make it a better fit for the most demanding gaming and 3D tasks.
Screen Quality
9.6/10
8.4/10
14.5in
SIZE
18.0in
3072 x 1920
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
618.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i has a better screen than the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
For general use, where panel type, resolution, and brightness are key factors, the Lenovo Slim Pro 9i excels with a high-quality display offering sharp images and brightness that enhances visibility. When it comes to engineering and design, the Lenovo still leads thanks to a wide color gamut that ensures accurate color reproduction which is essential for detailed work. However, for 3D applications and gaming, where high refresh rates are crucial for smooth motion, both the Lenovo and MSI laptops fall short, limiting their effectiveness for fast-paced visuals and rendering.
Portability
Good
Fair
14.5in
SIZE
18.0in
3.7 lbs
WEIGHT
6.1 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i has good portability, while the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,500
$2,900
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i has a price of $1,500 and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio costs $2,900.
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i and MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio are both very good for general use.
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i, with its high-quality CPU and RAM, ensures smooth performance for everyday tasks, while its superior screen, portability, and long battery life make it an excellent choice for users who prioritize mobility and all-day usage. In contrast, the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio also offers a top-notch CPU and ample RAM that handle demanding applications, along with a high-quality screen, but it trades some portability and battery life for more robust storage options and a focus on content creation where sound and precision input are also key.
Engineering and Design
8.9/10
9.1/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
6.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.7/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio to be excellent for engineering and design, while the Lenovo Slim Pro 9i is very good.
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i, with strong CPU, ample RAM, and a high-quality GPU, provides solid performance for engineering and design tasks, along with a high-quality screen for detailed visuals, albeit it may not be as powerful as some alternatives. The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio, on the other hand, packs top-tier components giving it an edge in the most demanding engineering applications, but it is heavier and may produce more noise under load, which could affect its portability and comfort in quiet environments.
Content Creation
8.5/10
8.5/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
3072 x 1920
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i and MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio are both very good for content creation.
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, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
8.3/10
8.2/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
3072 x 1920
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i and MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio are both very good for software development.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Battery
6.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i has 6 hours of battery life. The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has 6 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Build Quality
8.0/10
8.0/10
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i and MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio both have very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Lenovo Slim Pro 9i and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio compare to other laptops
"The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i is an impressive laptop with a brilliant Mini-LED display, a powerful 100-watt version of Nvidia RTX 4050 graphics, and excellent connectivity. Having run the Cinebench benchmark again, we were impressed with the CPU performance. That makes the Slim Pro 9i is an easy recommendation, especially for those who care about GPU and CPU performance. It’s also a fantastic choice if you frequently view HDR movies and games on your laptop."
Get a great deal on the Lenovo Slim Pro 9i or the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio
About Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company, and one of the largest personal computer vendor. They are well known for a variety of technology products, including laptops. Their consumer series include their entry level IdeaPad and LOQ series and mid-to-high-end Yoga and Legion series. On the business-oriented side, their series include their entry-level ThinkBook series and mid-to-high-end ThinkPad series. Lenovo laptops offer strong performance for reasonable prices, and are often on sale.
About MSI
MSI, also known as Micro-Star International, is a Taiwanese technology corporation. MSI is known for their wide range of gaming devices. Their series include the entry-level Cyborg/Thin and Sword/Katana series, the mid-range Bravo/Delta and Crosshair/Pulse series, and their high-end Vector, Raider, Stealth, and Titan GT series. At every performance level, MSI offers a variety of devices with varying balances between performance, battery life, weight, and price, making them a solid option to consider at every price point.
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
127,995
Recommendations made
27,733
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.
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.