The MSI Raider 18 HX laptop is proving to be an absolute powerhouse. Whether for content creation or high-performance gaming, it delivers blazingly fast performance. However, before making a purchase, there are a few aspects to consider, which will be discussed in this article.
Design and Build Quality: Massive and Powerful
The MSI Raider 18 HX is a massive laptop. To provide a sense of scale, it has been compared to a MSI Cyborg 15. It comes with a 330W charger—not excessively large, but still necessary due to its relatively short battery life. Carrying the charger is essential, adding to the overall weight.
Despite its size, the laptop is quite portable compared to desktop systems, especially considering the performance it delivers. The build quality is premium, with a metal lid that feels sturdy. The keyboard deck is plastic but does not feel cheap—likely a design choice to improve cooling during extended use. The bottom panel combines plastic, rubber, and metal, featuring a metal mesh for airflow and thick rubber feet for stability.
It has red plastic accents on the grill, and the MSI dragon logo on the lid lights up. It is customizable via pre-installed software.
Keyboard and Trackpad
The keyboard features a SteelSeries design with a number pad, decent key travel, and well-sized keys. The trackpad is smooth to use and play around with.
The laptop features per-key RGB customization and a front light strip, both of which are adjustable via MSI Center. It also includes a fingerprint scanner that works well and supports Windows Hello for added security.
Ports and Connectivity
The MSI 18HX offers a great selection of ports:
- 2x Thunderbolt 4 (one supports power delivery up to 140W)
- 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2
- 1x SD card reader
- 1x HDMI 2.1 (supports 8K at 60Hz or 4K at 120Hz)
- Charging port and Kensington lock
The layout is well thought out, with frequently used ports on the sides and less frequently used ones (like the charging and Ethernet ports) at the rear for better cable management.
Display
The laptop boasts an impressive 18-inch 4K Mini LED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 3840×2400 resolution in a 16:10 aspect ratio. This makes it an excellent choice for content creators and casual gamers who value vibrant visuals and sharp details. That said, while the 120Hz refresh rate and response time may not match the ultra-fast performance of OLED panels tailored for competitive FPS gaming, they still provide a smooth and immersive experience that will satisfy most gamers.
Another aspect to consider with the MSI Raider 18HX is its slight blooming or “halo effect”, which appears around bright objects on dark backgrounds. This is unlikely to be a dealbreaker for most users, as the display still delivers a high-quality viewing experience overall.
Audio Quality
The speakers perform well for a laptop of this size, though there’s room for even better audio quality. For those who prioritize superb sound, external speakers or headphones can further enhance the experience
Performance Benchmarks
Here are some benchmark results:
- PC Mark: 9,001 Score
- Cinebench R23: 2,148 (single-core) and 31,769 (multi-core)
- CPU-Z: 873.5 (single-thread) and 14,158.4 (multi-thread)
- 7-Zip: 173,655 MIPS
These scores show that the MSI 18HX competes well with high-end desktop setups, making it an excellent choice for intensive tasks.
Gaming Performance
We tested the laptop in several popular triple-A games, and here are the gaming test results:
| Game | Settings | Average FPS |
|---|---|---|
| Black Myth Wukong | Very High Settings | 65 to 80 FPS |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | Ultra Settings Ray Tracing: Ultra Settings | 130+ FPS 110 to 120+ FPS |
| Monster Hunter Wilds | Ultra Settings Ultra, Ray Tracing High | 57 to 60 FPS 55 to 60 FPS with occasional drop to 30 FPS and below |
For the best gaming experience, ensure:
- Plug the power while using.
- Extreme Performance mode is selected in MSI Center
- Fan speed is maximized (for stable FPS)
- Windows power settings are set to ‘Best Performance’
Enabling the cooler boost mode improves the frame rate stability. The laptop does get loud under heavy load, but that is expected from such powerful hardware.
Battery Life
The Raider 18 HX is designed with performance in mind, offering 3-4 hours of battery life for everyday tasks like web browsing and light work unplugged. For intensive gaming or content creation, it drains the battery faster due to its powerful hardware that ensures top-tier performance, staying plugged in allows you to push its capabilities to the maximum without interruption.
With the MSI Center’s AI engine, users can optimize performance and battery life based on workload, ensuring efficient power management tailored to different scenarios.
Check out our full video review here:
Final Verdict
The MSI Raider 18 HX is a powerhouse designed for users who demand desktop-level performance in a portable form. Built with premium materials, it offers top-tier performance for gaming and content creation, paired with a stunning Mini LED display and extensive connectivity options. Its customizable RGB lighting adds a touch of personality, making it a great choice for gamers and professionals alike. While its heavy build and large power brick may impact portability, and the 120Hz refresh rate might not satisfy competitive gamers, the Raider 18 HX still delivers an exceptional experience. Some trade-offs, like blooming on the Mini LED display and average battery life, are overshadowed by its outstanding performance and build quality, making it ideal for those who prioritize raw power over mobility.
Limited-Time MSI Promo: Discounts & Freebies on the Raider 18 HX
The Raider 18 HX is currently included in MSI’s ongoing laptop promo, which started last February and will run until the end of March.
- Get it for as low as P175,995 with a P4,000 discount
- Bundled freebies worth P13,500, including a gaming backpack, mousepad, gaming mouse, headset, and lucky figure keychains.
- Additional promo vouchers amounting to P2,400
For more details, visit the official promo page: MSI V-Day 2025 Promotion
