At CES 2024 this week, Taiwanese electronics manufacturer MSI announced several updates across its lineup of Stealth, Raider, Cyborg and Titan gaming laptops. Headlining the refresh is the integration of the latest Intel and NVIDIA silicon enabling even faster gaming performance. More interesting however are the new 16:10 aspect ratio displays which should provide more vertical space, and the AI software features which seem a bit gimmicky.

The new flagship MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio A1V manages to balance portability and power with its slim 18-inch chassis weighing just 2.9kg. Configurable with up to Intel’s Core Ultra 9 processor 185H, NVIDIA RTX 4090 graphics, 4K Mini LED display, and large haptic feedback trackpad, MSI claims it’s the ultimate thin and light gaming machine. Pricing starts at $3,299.

For gamers desiring more aggressive aesthetics, the Raider 18 HX A14V brings extreme specs starting with its distinctive front lighting strip. Despite matching the Titan 18’s weight at 3.6kg, the $2,499 Raider skips the dual power brick design enabling easier transport. Gamers can equip it with up to a 14th Gen Intel Core i9-14900HX CPU, RTX 4090 GPU, and blisteringly-fast 18-inch QHD 16:10 (2560 x 1600) 240Hz display.

The diminutive 3.5 pound Cyborg 14 also receives the see-through top panel treatment, offering gamers a literal window into its internals. Although limited to 13th Gen Intel processors, its 14-inch 1920×1200 144Hz display coupled with RTX 4060 graphics makes it an attractive ultraportable gaming solution at just $1,099.

All three models also introduce MSI’s new AI software promising to automatically switch between saved profiles optimizing system performance for different use cases be it gaming, content creation, or office work. Large on-screen notifications also indicate when profiles change. While handy in theory, it remains to be seen just how much this AI assistant improves real-world usage.

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In any case, MSI’s latest gaming laptops continue the company’s MO of stuffing powerful components into relatively portable chassis. The move to 16:10 displays is also welcome bringing extra vertical space.