The best MSI laptops in 2023

The best MSI laptops reach out across a wider range of markets than you might expect. While most know MSI for supplying some of the best gaming laptops around, it’s also developed some formidable workstations and creation-class laptops.

The similarities between MSI’s dragon shield logo and that of supercar manufacturers Lamborghini and Ferrari are likely no coincidence. MSI laptops are known for their impressively powerful components and fantastic performance. With the arrival of Intel’s 13th Gen CPUs and Nvidia GeForce RTX 40-Series graphics, we expect the level of power and performance in MSI laptops to do nothing but increase.

Buying any laptop can quickly become an overwhelming experience. Thanks to MSI’s often confusing naming conventions, this task isn’t made any easier. With that in mind, we at Laptop Mag have compiled a list of our favorite MSI laptops that suit a variety of needs and budgets. From high-end ray-tracing powerhouses to business 2-in-1s, there’s something for everyone to check out in our shortlist of the best MSI laptops.

Quick List

Best Overall

MSI makes some of the best gaming laptops around, and if you’re looking for a laptop that dominates with its sheer brute force then you’re going to want to take note of the aptly named Raider GE78 HX. Powered by a godly Intel Core i9-13950HX with 32GB of RAM and 2TB of NVMe SSD storage the Raider is already something to behold.

However, add to this awesome array an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 GPU with 12GB of VRAM and you have a machine with enough power to laser engrave your name across the surface of the moon — the one around Neptune.

For every Yin, there is a Yang, and the Raider’s incredible power comes alongside an equally formidable price tag of $3,000. That price might convert impressively well into performance but it’s still a huge amount of cash to part with.

Thankfully, that’s the price of the MSI Raider GE78 HX at one of its most stacked configurations, and you can shave a fair amount off this gargantuan figure by pulling back on some of its more outlandishly powerful components.

See our full MSI Raider GE78 HX (13VH-070US) review. 

Best All-Around MSI Laptop

The MSI Stealth 14 Studio is a portable powerhouse that pairs punchy performance with a polished presentation. This 14-inch content creator companion is packed from core to case with some top-tier components with one or two crux points standing in the way of an otherwise incredible showing.

The design of the Stealth 14 Studio alone lets you know you’re in for something special with its profile looking similar to that of a Superyacht. However, looks are only half the magic here with the laptop being powered by a mighty 13th Gen Intel Core i7-13700H processor with Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 graphics, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB of rapid NVMe SSD storage on hand. Top this with a dazzling QHD+, 240Hz 14-inch display and you have an awesome machine that runs as good as it looks.

The Stealth 14 Studio’s biggest downside is its battery life, however, if you’re looking for something portable enough to carry between workspaces, and you’re not too fussed about toiling away on the commute between the two, then MSI’s laptop makes for a solid desktop companion.

See our full MSI Stealth 14 Studio review. 

best MSI gaming laptop

Titan by name, titan by nature. The MSI Titan GT77 HX is a monster in many aspects power, performance, size, weight, and price. This desktop replacement is a 17-inch behemoth tricked out with enough high-spec components to generate enough power to stun-lock Godzilla. If ultimate performance is what you’re looking for, your search is over.

Nothing but the most top-tier tech is featured in the Titan GT77, its ferocious Intel Core i9-13980 HX processor delivers unrivaled power and is backed up by 64GB of RAM and dual 1TB SSDs.  When it comes to graphics, expect nothing but the best visuals possible from its Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 GPU.

The list of premium specs continues through to the Titan’s dazzling 17.3-inch, 4K, Mini LED display. Not only does this panel deliver an incredible range of colors, but fantastic HDR1000 compatible contrasts and a rip-roaring 144Hz refresh rate also. 

The overall experience is one of sheer adrenaline-pumping performance that few gaming laptops can best — probably because of the whopping price tag a machine like this commands.

See our full MSI Titan GT77 HX (2023) review. 

Best MSI Workstation laptop

A solidly performing laptop can get just about anything done — just about anything. When you need a machine to perform responsively and rapidly when editing high-resolution media, compiling large amounts of code, or dense and detailed rendering what you really need is a solid workstation laptop — and the MSI Creator Z16P is about as solid as they come.

Under its hood, the Creator Z16P sports a powerful 12th Gen Intel Core i9-12900H processor, 64GB of RAM, 2TB of rapid SSD storage, and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080Ti graphics with 12GB of VRAM in tow. The combination of these powerful components results in phenomenal performance across the board, setting up the Creator Z16P as a fantastic companion for content creators and power users of all disciplines.

It’s customary that powerhouse workstations that pack this much punch are paired with an equally potent price tag and the Z16P is no exception, with its performance coming at a substantial premium.

The configuration we’ve described costs $4,299, and even lower configurations start at $2,899. However, in terms of price-to-performance, the Creator Z16P is up there with the best of them and is the ideal solution to just about every computing conundrum.

See our full MSI Creator Z16P review. 

Best 13-inch MSI laptop

Telling you about MSI's fantastic gaming laptops is akin to preaching to the choir. It's easy to see that MSI's bread and butter is made in delivering incredibly powerful machines with impressive graphical prowess. However, you might be caught off guard to know that MSI is also a big time player in the business market.

The MSI Prestige 13  Evo (A13M) is an absolute workhorse of a machine, packing serious performance and power inside of a relatively unassuming chassis. This 13-inch laptop is a delight for business and all-around use with it's 13th Gen Intel Core i7 processor backed up by 32GB of RAM, 1TB of SSD storage and Intel Iris Xe graphics.

Its Intel Evo certification is well earned, with MSI's laptop proving itself to be a dependable asset in terms of performance and power. The Prestige 13 also features an awesome 12-hour battery life, solid thermal management, and a comfortable, clicky keyboard that feels great to to get to grips with.

See our full MSI Prestige 13 Evo A13M review.

Best budget MSI gaming laptop

The balancing act of delivering a powerful machine at a price that won’t burn holes in your pockets is one that not too many manufacturers manage to pull off, however, MSI has somehow managed to deliver amazing gaming and productivity performance at just $1,599.

For that price, you get a powerful 13th Gen Intel Core i7 CPU with 16GB of RAM, 1TB of SSD storage, and staggering Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics. That combination of components and cost is enough to drive anybody to the buy now button, but to be fair, MSI’s laptop is by no means flawless.

Gaming laptops are a peculiar breed, and the MSI Katana 15 is further evidence of that claim. For every good thing you can list about a gaming laptop, you’re equally as likely to encounter something bad.

For the Katana 15, this comes in the form of a pretty lackluster display with middling brightness, and the seemingly unbreakable curse of the abysmal gaming laptop battery life. That being said, these issues aren’t something that can’t be overcome.

Poor battery life? Don’t expect to play on the go. Weak display? Invest in an external monitor. While these only sidestep the Katana’s actual flaws, they are sidesteps that still leave you with a powerful machine for gaming that can be the heart of any decent battle station.

See our full MSI Katana 15 review. 

Best MSI gaming laptop for refresh rate

The MSI Vector GP76 is outfitted with a blazing Intel Core i9-12800HK processor, a smoldering Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti GPU, and 32GB of RAM to deliver absolutely scorching performance. The only problem is that it also delivers incredible thigh searing heat.

MSI's laptop burns rubber, and just about anything else you place it on due to its incredible power, speed, and performance. Even its 17.3-inch 1080p display is fast enough to shoot flames from its exhaust, with a wild 360Hz refresh rate that promises one of the smoothest viewing experiences on a modern laptop.

The Vector GP76 takes MSI racecar level notions of performance literally, it's loud and it runs hot, but it's otherwise a wild ride and a dream to take for a spin. MSI's laptop might have its faults, but it's by no means a big screen burnout. In fact, it makes for a solid desktop companion to those looking for a pack-away powerhouse.

See our full MSI Vector GP76 review.

Best 15-inch MSI gaming laptop

MSI has been involved in some pretty interesting partnerships over time, their latest is with motorsports legends Mercedes-AMG on the MSI Stealth 16 Mercedes-AMG Motorsport.

However, we’ve also been lucky enough to see MSI team with game publisher Ubisoft to develop the incredible Crosshair 15 Rainbow Six Extraction Edition — a 15.6-inch gaming laptop with a unique style and impressive gaming potential.

The Crosshair 15 is outfitted with a solid 12th Gen Intel Core i7-12700H CPU, 16GB of RAM, 1TB of SSD storage, and ray-tracing capable graphics in the form of an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 GPU with 8GB of VRAM. The Crosshair’s QHD display is also highly responsive and buttery smooth thanks to a speedy 165Hz refresh rate, ensuring every frame of gameplay is captured accurately.

Its design is unlikely to win everyone over, but even with its yellow accents, gradients, and Rainbow Six: Extraction references, the MSI Crosshair 15 is a solid machine that is capable of some serious gaming.

See our full MSI Crosshair 15 Rainbow Six Extraction Edition review. 

Best 17-inch MSI gaming laptop

MSI has a solid reputation for delivering groundbreaking gaming laptops, and with the MSI GE76 Raider, that reputation has never been safer. Lift away the GE76 Raider’s stunning anodized aluminum chassis and what you’re left looking at is the current dream team of gaming laptop components.

No matter where you look under the hood, be it the new 12th Gen Alder Lake Intel CPU, the mighty Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti, or the blazingly fast dual 2TB NVMe Gen 4 SSDs, they all have one thing in common: incredible performance.

The MSI GE76 Raider is a shining example of what a flagship laptop can be. It tore through our benchmark tests at a full sprint without breaking a sweat. Then, when we pitted it up against some of gaming’s most demanding titles, it maintained that winning pace and left the premium gaming laptop averages in the dust.

The Raider’s impressive speed didn’t end there, as breakneck refresh rates of up to 360Hz ensured no single frame of action would be missed across the incredibly sharp 17.3-inch display. The Raider is a genuine desktop replacement, offering immense performance across the board.

See our full MSI GE76 Raider review.

Best 14-inch MSI laptop