MSI Raider GE67 HX Gaming Laptop Review, Specs and Features

The MSI Raider GE67 HX is unquestionably one of the most expensive gaming laptop, which is intriguing yet also places significant responsibilities on the manufacturer. The price of the laptop under review this time is remarkably high. It would equate to the cost of a well-equipped Intel latest generation i9 processor desktop, complete with an RTX 4090 video card, 32 GB of RAM, a 2 TB NVMe SSD, and there would still be a thousand dollars remaining for the acquisition of a quality monitor and peripherals.

At the same time, we have to admit that the MSI Raider GE67 HX demonstrates remarkable power in comparison to other laptops observed. As is customary for gaming devices, there are RGB lights and fully adjustable keyboard lighting, alongside a truly impressive yet somewhat noisy cooler.

MSI Raider GE67 HX Pros and Cons

The fully equipped MSI Raider GE67 HX has arrived. Here is everything that the manufacturer offers on its website. Of course, users also have the option of installing up to 64 GB of RAM and expanding the storage capacity with another NVMe SSD-type memory.

MSI Raider GE67 HX Specs and Features

Performance of MSI Raider GE67 HX

It must be acknowledged that in the realm of performance, the MSI Raider GE67 HX undeniably reigns supreme on our charts. Defeating this gaming laptop proves to be an arduous task, given its utilization of a 12th generation Core i9 processor alongside a GeForce RTX 3080 Ti video card and rapid memory. It’s important to note that the MSI Raider GE67 HX features a 1440p screen, which naturally impacts frames per second when gaming at the optimal resolution

The in-game performance tests further indicate that gaming at 1440p resolution with Ultra settings renders an enjoyable experience. The games were assessed at Ultra settings. The MSI Center enables the transition of the MSI Raider GE67 HX into a full power mode, utilizing solely the RTX 3080 Ti video card. A simple computer restart is all that’s needed to bask in its full power.

Performance Test

In the Passmark Performance Test 9.0 evaluation, this laptop attained an exceptionally high score of 9786 points, substantially surpassing the performance levels of the newly released and recently assessed ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 with 6074.9 points. Additionally, it outperformed previously examined models such as the ASUS ROG Strix G (4653.7 points) and ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (5056 points). Previously, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme held the top score among the computers we had evaluated, with 7809.2 points. However, this record has now been surpassed.

In terms of heat management, it’s worth noting that the MSI Raider GE67 HX experiences heating and reaches the 100-degree threshold when the processor performance is dialed back. However, this occurrence is limited to the most demanding performance tests. Additionally, it should be mentioned that the surrounding temperature stood at approximately 26 degrees Celsius, compared to the winter tests conducted at around 20 degrees Celsius at room temperature. The gaming laptop is equipped with relatively quiet fans, although they are still relatively loud in comparison to their desktop counterparts.

Appearance and Structure

Given that we are discussing a $3,499 computer, I will permit myself to be more critical of certain aspects of the MSI Raider GE67 HX. This is especially relevant in contexts where it would be challenging to find fault with gaming laptops half the price. In my opinion, considering such a price point, a laptop should exhibit flawless refinement; however, regrettably, this is not always the situation.

MSI Raider GE67 HX in Structure and Appearance

I’d like to mention that the MSI Raider GE67 HX employs conventional materials – the lid and the area around the keyboard are crafted from metal (likely an aluminum alloy), while the lower portion is constructed from relatively lightweight plastic. The weight of 2.38 kg is quite substantial for a laptop, and you can sense that carrying the device open around a corner might lead your fingers to uncomfortably press into the plastic underside. The second downside is the massive 329 W charger, which weighs 1.43 kg; lugging around this entirety in your bag on a daily basis is likely to be unappealing.

The quantity of ports is satisfactory, or even quite impressive. There are three full-size USB 3.2 ports and two Type-C ports, with the rear port featuring Thunderbolt 4 compatibility. Additionally, there is an SD card reader and HDMI 2.1 port. The placement of the ports is sensible, although it could have been advantageous to relocate a USB port to the rear of the computer. The speakers are reasonably good but not exceptional. You’ve certainly encountered superior speakers in gaming laptops of this size.

RGB lighting is present for the keyboard, and there’s also a broad inset on the front where the lights are also situated. Additional lighting isn’t visible on the sides or back, nor is there any illumination for the logo on the cover.

Keyboard And Touchpad

A delightful surprise is the keyboard, engineered by SteelSeries, featuring individually customizable RGB lighting for each key. This lighting can be personalized using either the MSI Center or SteelSeries GG app. The keyboard carries a distinct gaming aesthetic, highlighted by the generously sized left Shift and Ctrl keys. Positioned to the right of the Space key, the Fn key is thoughtfully placed to avoid disrupting gaming experiences. The only improvement would have been replacing the Delete button with the Power button, as often seen on numerous office laptops.

Things take a perplexing turn with the touchpad; it’s small in size and operates in a manner that could be described as, perhaps, unpleasant. It’s unlikely that anyone would consider placing such an unattractive touchpad in a $3,499 gaming laptop. Additionally, the touchpad seems to exhibit a slight indentation in the lower left corner.

Screen of MSI Raider GE67 HX

The MSI Raider GE67 HX features a 15.6-inch OLED screen with a 240Hz refresh rate and a 1440p resolution. The screen is simply astounding; there’s really nothing more to add. Measurements from other sources (our screen color calibrator isn’t optimized for OLED) suggest a brightness of approximately 370cd/m², which isn’t ideal, but the OLED contrast compensates for it. To the naked eye, this 370 cd/m² OLED brightness may appear as vibrant as a 450 cd/m² IPS panel. The screen is glossy, yet it doesn’t cause any disruption in daily use, thanks once again to the prowess of OLED technology.

I must express that given the price, a 16:10 aspect ratio screen would have been expected, providing a display close to 16 inches. The 16:9 aspect ratio is gradually beginning to feel like a throwback to older times.

Software

Regarding software, the MSI Raider GE67 HX is fairly well-equipped; there are no bundled antivirus purchase offers. It comes with the MSI Center, SteelSeries GG, and another SteelSeries app that enables sound customization.

The MSI Center will handle the majority of tasks, including customizable RGB lighting and performance optimization. Overall, you won’t come across intrusive adware on this laptop, and MSI’s installed programs for laptop management are coherent and not cumbersome, in contrast to a few other manufacturers.

Battery

It’s worth noting here that the returned MSI Raider GE67 HX was likely extensively used before, which could have affected the battery capacity. The manufacturer boasts a battery capacity of 99.9 Wh, which is the maximum allowed for air travel.

The observations reveal that without a reliable charger on a daily basis, sustained use is limited. The MSI Raider GE67 HX achieved a runtime of approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes in their preferred PCMark 10 Office battery test, lagging significantly behind other high-performance gaming laptops, which often exhibit battery durations of three, four, or even 5 hours. It is worth highlighting that the 240 Hz OLED screen also contributes to this outcome.

The MSI Raider GE67 HX should likely be regarded as a potential replacement for a desktop computer. Engaging in extended gaming sessions on a plane without connecting to a power source would be challenging.

MSI Raider GE67 HX Review Conclusion

The MSI Raider GE67 HX aims to position itself as a viable desktop replacement, and it successfully achieves this with unexpected agility in terms of performance. The laptop provides ample power and performs commendably, if not admirably, particularly when viewed as a high-performance gaming laptop. Ideally, when used at home, elevating the MSI Raider GE67 HX slightly off the tabletop could yield cooler and quieter operation.

A significant advantage is presented by the 240 Hz OLED screen featuring a 1440p resolution. It’s hard to argue that laptops require anything less vibrant. The inclusion of the trendy 16:10 aspect ratio would have been appreciated. The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16, as previously mentioned, showcased a 16:10 screen alongside a 1440p+ resolution, offering heightened convenience for daily tasks.

Among the drawbacks, attention should be drawn to the underwhelming touchpad and instances where the build quality doesn’t precisely align with the considerable price tag of the MSI Raider GE67 HX. Additionally, the provided power supply raises some questions, as other reviews have indicated that gaming laptops with identical specifications receive an equally potent yet noticeably smaller power supply.