Powerful new MSI laptop dominates Premiere Pro editing, maintaining throne until successor arrives.
The MSI Stealth 18, a high-performance laptop, has made a significant impact in the world of video editing and gaming.
This laptop boasts a full-size HDMI 2.1 port, allowing for seamless connection to external screens for an expanded view during editing or gaming sessions. The screen itself is almost big enough to be useful, displaying email or chat apps with ease.
The MSI Stealth 18 is a compact powerhouse, with dimensions of 400 x 290 x 20mm and a weight of 2.89kg. Under the hood, it houses an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU, Intel AI Boost NPU, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 graphics, 64GB DDR5-6400 memory, 2TB SSD storage, and an 18-inch mini-LED screen with a resolution of 3840x2400, a refresh rate of 120Hz, and a color gamut of 97% DCI-P3.
The screen on the MSI Stealth 18 is very bright and has a high resolution, making it suitable for creative work. It boasts a brightness of 715 nits and a size of 18 inches. The color response hits 100% of sRGB, 91% of Adobe RGB, and 97% of DCI-P3, ensuring vibrant and accurate colors.
The MSI Stealth 18 comes with Windows 11 Pro installed, which allows the use of HyperV virtual machines and BitLocker drive encryption. It also offers a good array of ports, including two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB 3.2 Type-A ports, one HDMI 2.1 port, one SD Express port, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 5.4 for wireless connectivity.
Performance-wise, the MSI Stealth 18 scores a perfect 5/5. In Adobe Premiere Pro, it trades blows with the M4 Max chip in the Mac Studio, demonstrating exceptional performance in video editing. In the Cinebench 2024 multicore rendering test, only Apple chips (M4 Max, M4 Pro, and M3 Max) beat the Core Ultra 9 in the Stealth 18.
However, the MSI Stealth 18 is an expensive machine, priced at £3,799 in the UK and $3,999.99 in the US. It also has a semi-useful battery life of 2.5 hours, playing a looping video with the screen at 50%.
Despite its high price and moderate battery life, the MSI Stealth 18 is a powerful addition to the list of the best laptops for video editing. It is suitable for video editors and gamers, as well as 3D artists on the move. However, due to its size and operating system, it may not be the most portable option or the best choice for those who need a Mac.
- The MSI Stealth 18's screen is designed for creative work, making it a suitable tool for artists working in UI/UX, art, or graphic design.
- The laptop's high resolution and vibrant, accurate colors, as well as its support for Adobe RGB and DCI-P3, make it an ideal device for creating logos, layouts, and other designs.
- The MSI Stealth 18's performance in Adobe Premiere Pro, combined with its mini-LED screen and high-end components, make it a top contender for sports-related video editing.
- With its Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 color gamut, the MSI Stealth 18 can create lifelike visuals that align well with the technology and sports industries.
- While the MSI Stealth 18 has a limited battery life, its impressive performance and 18-inch screen would appeal to 3D artists who need a mobile workstation for creating 3D models or animations.
- Creatives who prioritize performance over mobility would find the MSI Stealth 18 a worthy investment, especially considering its ability to run Photoshop and other graphic design software seamlessly.
- Overall, the MSI Stealth 18 represents a unique blend of technology, creativity, and lifestyle, catering to individuals who demand high-performance tools for their video editing, gaming, or 3D art needs.
