Power, speed, and endurance hold the key to dominating the gaming field but where some prefer a stealthy, frills-free approach, others like to announce their presence in style. The MSI Titan 18 HX straddles the line in-between, with a dual-tone design adding a bit of flair to its solid body, but not ostentatious enough to be an immediate head-turner.
It’s an apt precursor to its true potential – sleek, quiet, and deadly. A top-of-the-line flagship device, the 18-inch powerhouse comes armed with the latest generation of hardware upgrades, including a 14th Gen Intel Core i9 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU. Throw software advancements into the mix, and immersion is kicked up a notch.
Take, for instance, DLSS 3 and full ray tracing, which work together to unleash lifelike virtual worlds and incredible detail. Performance won’t be compromised either, with NVIDIA Max-Q, an advanced suite of AI-powered technologies, and NVIDIA Reflex offering system optimisation, as well as low latency and fast response times, respectively. G-SYNC, meanwhile, promises smoother video and gaming performance by reducing screen tearing and artifacts.
What all of this translates to is a breezy, enjoyable time with GPU-intensive titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition, Starfield, Baldur’s Gate 3, Alan Wake 2, and more. It’s heavy lifting done right, aided by MSI Overboost Ultra technology – which maximises combined CPU and GPU performance for extreme workloads – and a vapour cooler chamber to keep things cool.
Then, there’s the matter of aesthetics. The MSI Titan 18 HX packs a punch in both hardware and visuals, sporting the world’s first 18-inch 4K mini LED 120Hz display that offers lively colours, rich contrast, and crisp, fluid delivery. A 1,000-nit maximum brightness means it’s able to handle gaming anywhere as well, be it indoors, outdoors, or under direct sunlight.
Elsewhere, a seamless RGB haptic touchpad brings a dash of personality to the machine. The first-of-its-kind feature blends in effortlessly with the lower slab of the laptop, only making its presence known through various keyboard-syncing lighting effects that can be changed in the SteelSeries app. Similar to the workings of per-key customisation, it allows users to personalise all five zones individually, either with preset options or free-and-easy match-ups.
The touchpad is far from the only new addition, however. Apart from a shiny RGB design of its dragon logo, the MSI Titan 18 HX also boasts a 3D base stand for enhanced airflow, alongside some nifty AI tools. The MSI AI Engine, for instance, detects user scenarios and automatically adjusts hardware settings to deliver the best work or play experience. Additionally, apps can be added to the list and launch in their preferred modes, which will be shown in the bottom right corner.
Meanwhile, AI Artist leverages on Generative AI capabilities to generate images without the need for Internet connection. Users will be able to train their own module, insert plugins, and create visuals with shorter prompts, as well as export files with different layers, offering more efficient editing on Adobe Photoshop.
Rounding out the combination of substance and style is the Cherry MX Ultra Low Profile mechanical keyboard. Designed for tactile feedback and precise key switch actuation, it proves handy for competitive gaming and fast-paced titles, sprucing up the experience with per-key customisation.
At S$9,099, the MSI Titan 18 HX is the closest one can get to gaming nirvana. From performance to visual prowess, the well-rounded powerhouse gets everything down to a tee, breezing through the demands of each category. The climb to the top is never easy, but this uncaged beast shows how it’s done – and with style, to boot.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
Natalie
