MSI has announced its new lineup of gaming laptops for 2026, with a total of 9 models available. There’s something for everyone, although all of them exclusively feature Intel Core Ultra 200HX Plus processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series dedicated graphics.
The most notable aspect is found in their Raider 16 Max HX (B2WJ / B2WI) models. These are the high-end models that boast a Cooler Boost Trinity+ with Intra Flow cooling system. This system uses 3 fans, 6 copper heat pipes, and 5 air vents to allow for up to 300W of combined power between the CPU and GPU. The company offers a quick-access panel to expand RAM and SSD storage, rear ports to improve cable management, all while promising noise levels below 50 dBA during gameplay. Let’s take a closer look at these machines.
The Raider 16 Max HX (B2WJ / B2WI) and Raider 16 HX (B2WI / B2WH) are MSI’s Most Powerful Gaming Laptops for 2026
The MSI Raider 16 Max HX gaming laptops are the company’s top-tier models for 2026. These machines feature a 16-inch OLED panel with a Quad HD+ resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels at 240 Hz. They are powered by either an Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus or a Core Ultra 9 275HX. For graphics, respectively, we’re looking at an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop with 24GB of GDDR7 memory or a 16GB GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop. They offer up to 128GB of DDR5 RAM, two M.2 slots (1x PCIe 5.0 + PCIe 4.0), 2x Thunderbolt 4 / USB4, 3x USB 3.2 Gen2, HDMI 2.1, an SD Express reader, 2.5 Gbps Ethernet, Wi-Fi 7, an FHD IR webcam, a 91.8 Wh battery, a SteelSeries keyboard with per-key RGB, and a 400W charger.
Below these are the MSI Raider 16 HX (non-Max). The display maintains the same specifications but replaces the OLED technology with IPS. For the CPU, you can choose between an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, Core Ultra 7 255HX, and 251HX. For graphics, you have the GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop or an RTX 5070 Ti Laptop with 12GB of memory. Connectivity, and battery remain the same, but the adapter is 280W due to less demanding hardware.
Below, we have the Crosshair 16 Max HX (and non-Max) models, more focused on a slim design
These laptops feature a chassis with a thickness of 21.9 mm and up to 200W of combined power with the CPU and GPU, representing a 17.6% increase over the previous generation. These laptops are equipped with 2 fans, 5 copper heat pipes, and 4 air vents. The Crosshair 16 Max HX models utilize a 16-inch OLED panel with a Quad HD+ resolution at 165 Hz, powered by Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, Core Ultra 9 275HX, or Core Ultra 7 251HX CPUs. For graphics, it’s the GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop. RAM and SSD configurations remain the same. In terms of connectivity, it ‘only’ has 1x Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 port, along with a USB-C 3.2, 3x USB 3.2 Gen2, HDMI 2.1, 2.5 Gbps Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6E, an 80 Wh battery, and a 240W charger.
The Crosshair 16 HX (non-Max) models become more affordable by replacing the OLED panel with IPS, but increasing the refresh rate to 240 Hz. They also feature more affordable processors like the 14th Gen Intel Core i9-14900HX or Core i7-14650HX, along with RTX 5070 Laptop 8 GB, RTX 5060 Laptop 8 GB, or RTX 5050 Laptop 8 GB graphics. They can be paired with up to 96 GB of RAM and lose Thunderbolt 4 for dual USB-C 3.2 ports.
MSI Titan 18 HX (A2WJ), Raider 18 Max HX (A2WJ / A2WI), and Stealth 18 HX / Stealth 18 HX AI for those who want a large screen
The MSI Titan 18 HX (A2WJ) boasts an 18-inch Mini-LED panel with an Ultra HD+ resolution of 3840 x 2400 pixels at 240 Hz and 1,000 nits. It uses an Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus processor with a GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop 24 GB GDDR7. It offers space for 4 M.2 SSDs (1x PCIe 5.0 + 3x PCIe 4.0), a Cherry mechanical keyboard, 2x Thunderbolt 5, the most advanced connectivity, a 6-speaker audio system, a 99.9 Wh battery, and a 400W charger.
The Raider 18 Max HX offers the same panel but at 120 Hz. It maintains the same hardware, connectivity, and battery. In addition to half the refresh rate, it allows for 2 SSDs, and there’s a more affordable option with an RTX 5080. The Raider 18 HX (non-Max) allows for more affordable hardware choices (Core Ultra 9 275HX + RTX 5070 Ti Laptop). Both models offer the same battery, 6 speakers, and fingerprint reader. The more affordable model includes a 280W charger. Essentially, the Raider 18 Max HX is like the top-tier model (Raider 16 Max HX) but in an 18-inch version. They include the same hardware as those models but with the 18-inch Mini-LED UHD+ panel, a 99.9 Wh battery, and the 6-speaker system.
The Stealth 18 HX / Stealth 18 HX AI are the latest models featuring an 18-inch Mini-LED UHD+ panel. They can be configured with either an Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus or Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU. For graphics, we’re looking at an RTX 5080 Laptop 16 GB or RTX 5070 Ti Laptop 12 GB. It offers space for a single SSD, but at least maintains the same battery, speakers, 2x Thunderbolt 5, and comes with a 280W charger.
Cyborg 15 Max / 15 are the most affordable options in MSI’s 2026 gaming laptops
These laptops support up to 130W of total combined power and feature a cooling system with 2 fans and 3 heat pipes. The Cyborg 15 Max (C2WG) offers a 15.6-inch IPS panel with a Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels at 144 Hz. In terms of hardware, it uses an Intel Core 7 240H + RTX 5070 Laptop 8 GB GDDR7. It supports up to 96 GB of RAM, up to 2x PCIe 4.0 SSDs, 1x USB-C Gen2, 3x USB 3, 1 Gbps Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6E, a 60 Wh battery, and a 180W charger.
The MSI Cyborg 15 (C2WF / C2WE) scales down the configuration to Intel Core 7 240H or Core 5 210H processors. For graphics, it goes down to a GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop 8 GB or RTX 5050 Laptop 8 GB. It only supports a single PCIe 4.0 SSD and includes a 150W charger.
