MSI’s new content creation laptops are all-in on AI

MSI Creator laptops CES 2024
Pictured: MSI Creator Laptops
// MSI wants content creators to get clever.
Fergus Halliday
Jan 09, 2024
Icon Time To Read3 min read

Published on January 09, 2024

MSI is adding new models and AI features to its roster of PCs aimed at on-the-go content creators.

“These additions provide creators with a wider selection, catering to diverse preferences and requirements in the content creation space,” the company said.

The new lineup consists of four models in all. The MSI Creator Z17 HX Studio is the first cab off the rank. It’s biggest claim to fame is that it features a new vapour chamber that promises to the hardware here to reach heights that are unmatched by the rest of the range when it comes to performance. Add to that a 17-inch screen with QHD+ resolution and spec configurations that go up an Intel Core i9 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070, it’s clearly the biggest and best content creation machine that MSI has to offer here.

That said, one thing that it doesn’t have is an OLED screen backed by a Mini-LED backlight. If that’s something you want, you’ll have to look at the new Creator 16 AI Studio. The 16-inch OLED display found here doesn’t skimp on specs, with UHD+ resolution plus 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut support. Under the hood, the Creator 16 AI Studio is powered by Intel’s new Core Ultra 9 processors and comes kitted out with up to 64GB of DDR5 RAM plus your choice of either an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 or 4090. It’s no slouches when it comes to ports and features either, with two USB-C ports, a quad-speaker audio system, a backlit keyboard, HDMI 2.1 output and more. Despite the laundry list of inclusions (and a 99Whr battery) the whole thing weighs just under 2g.

By contrast, the MSI Creator M14 and Creator M16 HX fill some of the gaps between these two high-end options. Rather than an OLED screen, the latter opts for a 16-inch IPS one clocked at 240Hz. Like the Creator Z16 HX, it runs on up to an Intel Core i9 processor paired with up to 64GB of DDR5 RAM and up to a 4070 series Nvidia GPU. It’s the alternative for those who don’t mind skimping on some of the perks and premium features seen in the two laptops mentioned above but want the same kind of high-performance parts.

Meanwhile, the MSI Creator M14 is aimed at content creators who are willing to sacrifice even more of that performance in exchange for a smaller and more compact form factor. This laptop is built around a 14-inch 2.8K IPS display with 100% DCI-P3 colour. Under the hood, it runs on Intel’s Core i7-13620H processor, up to 64GB of RAM and either an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 or 4050 GPU. 

Model
CPU
Display
Graphics
Storage
RAM
Weight
MSI Creator Z17 HXUp to Intel Core i9 14900HX17-inch QHD+ IPS 165Hz, 100% DCI-P3Up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU1 x NVMe M.2 SSD (Gen5)DDR5, up to 64GB2.49 Kg
MSI Creator 16 AI StudioIntel Core Ultra 9 185H16-inch UHD+ OLED, 120Hz 100% DCI-P3, VESA DisplayHDR 1000 CertifiedUp to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU2 x NVMe M.2 SSD (Gen4)DDR5, up to 64GB1.99 Kg
MSI Creator M14Intel Core i7-13620H14-inch, 2.8K IPS, 100% DCI-P3Up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU1 x NVMe M.2 SSD (Gen4)DDR5, up to 64GB1.6 Kg
MSI Creator M16 HXUp to Intel Core i9 14900HX16-inch QHD+ IPS, 240Hz, 100% DCI-P3Up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU1 x NVMe M.2 SSD (Gen5) + 1 x NVMe M.2 SSD (Gen4)DDR5, up to 64GB2.25 Kg
MSI Pulse 17 AIUp to Intel Core Ultra 9 185H17-inch QHD+ IPS, 240Hz, 100% DCI-P3Up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU2 x NVMe M.2 SSD (Gen4)DDR5, 2 slots, up to 64GB2.8 Kg
MSI Pulse 16 AI Up to Intel Core Ultra 9 185H "16-inch QHD+ IPS, 240Hz, 100% DCI-P3" Up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU 2 x NVMe M.2 SSD (Gen4) "DDR5, 2 slots, up to 64GB" 2.5 Kg

Of course, the hardware here is only half the story. Since MSI’s latest lot of content creation laptops come equipped with Intel’s new Core processors, they all feature a built-in neural processing unit (NPU) that's designed to handle AI-adjacent workloads. According to Intel, its Core Ultra processors offers a 70% improvement in generative AI performance versus previous Intel processors. To make use of those gains, MSI’s new machines come armed with a suite of new generative AI features that cover everything from performance optimisation to noise cancellation and content creation.

For example, there’s a native offline text-to-image service called AI Artist. According to MSI, this more native approach eliminates both the network latency and data leakage risks of other platforms, while “offering additional features like image-to-image, image-to-text, and exporting layered PSD files for Photoshop editing, greatly boosting productivity for content creators.”

MSI's executive vice president for its notebook business unit Eric Kuo framed the move as a natural response to the broader AI moment in the tech world.

“We are excited to delve into AI, especially with how prevalent it is today,” he said.

“MSI strives to stay ahead of the curve, and with our new AI-powered laptops, we are further establishing ourselves as a brand heeding our customers’ needs," he added.
Intel Michelle Johnston at CES 2024 with MSI AI laptop

Australian pricing and availability for the above laptops are to be determined but expect to see them roll out locally over the first six months of 2024. An MSI spokesperson recommended those keen to pick one up should keep an eye on the official website.

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Fergus Halliday
Written by
Fergus Halliday is a journalist and editor for Reviews.org. He’s written about technology, telecommunications, gaming and more for over a decade. He got his start writing in high school and began his full-time career as the Editor of PC World Australia. Fergus has made the MCV 30 Under 30 list, been a finalist for seven categories at the IT Journalism Awards and won Most Controversial Writer at the 2022 Consensus Awards. He has been published in Gizmodo, Kotaku, GamesHub, Press Start, Screen Rant, Superjump, Nestegg and more.

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