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Updated June 22, 2024·
The MSI Raider 18 HX is a powerhouse for intensive tasks like gaming, 3D rendering, and machine learning, thanks to its top-tier Nvidia RTX 4080 GPU and high-refresh-rate Mini LED display, making it a top choice for performance-demanding users. However, its larger size and weight make it less portable, and the battery life is shorter compared to the Stealth 17. On the other hand, the MSI Stealth 17 offers a more balanced approach with a slim design and longer battery life, making it more suitable for general use and on-the-go productivity. It also boasts an Nvidia RTX 4090 GPU, which provides excellent performance for creative work and gaming, though its screen, while still high quality, isn't as advanced as the Raider's. If you prioritize ultimate performance and don't mind a bulkier device, the Raider is the way to go. If you need a balance of performance and portability with a better battery life, the Stealth 17 is the better choice. 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 MSI Raider 18 HX
- Best in class for engineering and design
- Excellent for content creation
- Excellent overall display quality
- Good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Stealth 17
- Best in class speakers
- Excellent keyboard
Key differences
Screen Quality
9.4
8.6
18.0in
SIZE
17.3in
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
1000.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
384.0 nits
The MSI Raider 18 HX has a better screen than the MSI Stealth 17 for general use, engineering and design, software development, and content creation, while the MSI Stealth 17 has a better screen for gaming and AI.
PerfectRec’s screen quality scores take into account various important factors that are relevant for different use cases.
Battery
9.0 Hours
5.5 Hours
The MSI Raider 18 HX has 9 hours of battery life. The MSI Stealth 17 has 5.5 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.
Portability
Poor
Fair
18.0in
SIZE
17.3in
7.9 lbs
WEIGHT
6.1 lbs
1.2in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The MSI Stealth 17 has only fair portability, while the MSI Raider 18 HX has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$3,999
$4,480
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The MSI Raider 18 HX has a price of $3,999 and the MSI Stealth 17 costs $4,480.
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Key similarities
General Use
8.8
8.7
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
1000.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
384.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.5 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
5.0/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.4/10
The MSI Raider 18 HX and MSI Stealth 17 are both very good for general use.
PerfectRec’s General Use Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for general productivity, web browsing, streaming, video calls, and running a wide variety of apps and programs.
Gaming and AI
9.0
9.1
9.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.7/10
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
8.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.0/10
The MSI Stealth 17 and MSI Raider 18 HX are both excellent for gaming and AI.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Engineering and Design
9.6
9.4
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.5/10
9.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.7/10
32.0 GB
RAM
64.0 GB
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Raider 18 HX to be best in class for engineering and design, while the MSI Stealth 17 is excellent.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Content Creation
9.1
8.8
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.5/10
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
32.0 GB
RAM
64.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Raider 18 HX to be excellent for content creation, while the MSI Stealth 17 is very good.
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
8.8
8.5
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.5/10
32.0 GB
RAM
64.0 GB
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The MSI Raider 18 HX and MSI Stealth 17 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.
Build Quality
7.4
7.8
The MSI Stealth 17 and MSI Raider 18 HX both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the MSI Raider 18 HX and the MSI Stealth 17 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| MSI Raider 18 HX | MSI Stealth 17 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$3,999 | $4,480 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2024 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 15.9'' x 12.1'' x 1.26'' | 15.7'' x 11.2'' x 0.79'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.94 lbs | 6.17 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 15.91" | 15.65" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 12.09" | 11.16" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i9-14900HX | Intel i9-13900H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 32 GB | 64 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 4 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 2048 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9 Hours | 5.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 99.9 Wh | 99.9 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 18" | 17.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | Mini LED | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2400 | 2560 x 1440 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 240Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 1000 nits | 384 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 5.1/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7/10 | 9/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 3 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
MSI Stealth 17
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Mario Petzold | April 2023
"The MSI Stealth 17 Studio is a laptop with a quiet RTX 4080 for almost every occasion. The MSI Stealth 17 Studio is equally capable of high-level media processing and playing current games. It remains pleasantly quiet, even if a few percentage points of power have had to be sacrificed in the process. But, it is not quite perfect: To some extent, the Stealth 17 is well thought out. It packs tons of graphics power and high-end components in a slim case. The laptop's cooling system can be set such that, noise-wise, it doesn't even reach low volume. However, small flaws cloud otherwise exceptionally positive impressions."
Get a great deal on the MSI Raider 18 HX or the MSI Stealth 17
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.
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