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One other month, one other “AI” laptop computer. This time, it is the MSI Status A16 AI+.MSI has been relentless in its pursuit of the perfect AI laptop computer to attraction to individuals on the lookout for good graphic design laptops, releasing three totally different fashions up to now 18 months alone. I’ve reviewed a variety of them, from the ultra-portable Status 13 AI+ Evo that lacked energy to the balanced Status 14 AI and the surprisingly succesful Status 16 AI.These three critiques present that the world of AI laptops remains to be very a lot hit or miss. For those who’re critically into AI picture era, are working AI-powered results in video modifying, or want a finely tuned machine for 3D rendering, then you definately’re more likely to come up quick. Most of the time, devoted artistic workflows will nonetheless profit from devoted machines.So, can the brand new MSI Status A16 AI+ lastly buck the pattern and ship on its promise? Let’s discover out.MSI Status A16 AI+ (1TB Silver) at Amazon for £1,148.31Key specificationsSwipe to scroll horizontallySpecs as testedCPU:AMD Ryzen™ AI 9 365NPU:50 NPU TOPS (73 complete AI TOPS)Graphics:AMD Radeon™ 880MMemory:32GB LPDDR5Storage:1TBScreen measurement:16 inchesScreen kind:IPS-LevelResolution:QHD+(2560×1600)Refresh charge:165 HzColour gamut:100% DCI-P3Brightness:400 nitsPorts:2x USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, microSD card reader, audio combo jackWireless connectivity:Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth v5.4Dimensions:358 x 258.55 x 16.9 -17.35 mmWeight:1.9 kg
(Picture credit score: Future / Paul Hatton)Design, construct and show• Fashionable aesthetic with tapered edge • IPS-panel 100% DCI-P3 and 16:10 ratio displayThe MSI Status A16 AI+ makes a robust first impression with its minimalist silver aluminium chassis, which exudes a modern {and professional} aesthetic. The bottom panel consists of a variety of design touches that try to scale back any sense of bulk and clunkiness that’s typically related to 16-inch laptops. These embody a tapered edge, a recessed keyboard panel, and a hinge that drops the show right down to desk degree.The laptop computer’s 16-inch IPS panel may not be as superior as an OLED different, nevertheless it’s nonetheless fairly vivid and vibrant. Utilizing it to edit photographs and movies was a pleasure, even in a light-filled room. It additionally delivers a formidable degree of color accuracy in addition to excessive ranges of distinction. Moreover, the 16:10 facet ratio gives worthwhile vertical display screen actual property, which is superb for video timelines and doc modifying.Every day design information, critiques, how-tos and extra, as picked by the editors.The show additionally contains the skilled DCI-P3 color area with 100% protection. This will probably be enough for many customers desirous to profit from HDR content material, but when your work requires a good broader vary of colors, then you definately’ll want a show that helps both Adobe RGB or Rec. 2020.The keyboard is comparatively snug, though the dimensions of the keys and distance of journey between keys is a bit more than I’d have preferred for an optimum expertise. The trackpad is central to the keyboard, which I like. Nonetheless, for any activity requiring precision, similar to graphic design or detailed video modifying, a devoted mouse stays a necessity. The bottom panel additionally features a fingerprint reader to the aspect, which permits for a fast and simple login.Weighing in at 1.9 kg (4.2 lbs), the laptop computer is unquestionably on the lighter finish of the spectrum for 16-inch laptops. This makes it straightforward to pop in your bag and carry it with you wherever you go. Provided that it may deal with some further weight, I believe MSI may have bulked out the show panel to make it much less versatile. I need my laptops to be as sturdy as attainable, and despite the fact that the bottom is tremendous sturdy, the show panel wants extra work.By way of exterior ports, MSI has opted for a fairly easy providing with two USB-Cs, a USB-A, an HDMI, a microSD card reader, and an audio combo jack. For creatives, probably the most worthwhile function is the 2 Thunderbolt 4-enabled USB-C ports. These not solely present quick 40Gbps information switch speeds for shortly shifting massive video and picture recordsdata but additionally help Energy Supply 3.0, permitting you to cost the laptop computer and join high-resolution exterior shows concurrently.Design rating: 4/5
(Picture credit score: Future / Paul Hatton)Options• Supercharged efficiency due to AI smarts• An IPS show designed with creatives in mindThe MSI Status A16 AI+ is designed with a number of options particularly focused at artistic professionals and content material creators. These options deal with efficiency, show high quality, and AI-powered instruments.1. AI-powered performanceTo start with, the laptop computer is supplied with a strong AMD Ryzen AI 9 processor, which features a Neural Processing Unit (NPU). Extra on how this performs within the devoted efficiency part.The MSI AI Engine will routinely detect what you are doing (content material creation, work, leisure, and so forth.) and modify the {hardware} settings for optimum efficiency. I appreciated this, particularly once I was flipping between Photoshop, Premiere Professional, SolidWorks, and different functions.Moreover, the laptop computer gives entry to Copilot+, Reside Captions, Cocreator, and Recall. These mixed present a set of instruments which is able to increase and improve your productiveness (for those who use them properly). Integration into devoted artistic workflows remains to be missing, however for those who embrace what’s there already, then you definately’ll discover some efficiency advantages.2. QHD+ DisplayMost of this was lined within the above design part, nevertheless it’s value stating that the show is particularly arrange for artistic professionals. The 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, 16-inch QHD+ decision (2560 x 1600), and 165Hz refresh charge discover their advantages throughout rendering, animation, video modifying, and workplace functions. I discovered utilizing the show an absolute pleasure, regardless of whether or not I used to be shopping the online, performing some phrase processing, or getting knee-deep in video modifying.3. ConnectivityUSB Kind-C with Thunderbolt 4 compatibility and a MicroSD card reader will assist creatives to switch recordsdata shortly and effectively. I liked how shortly I used to be capable of transfer recordsdata onto the machine, regardless of whether or not I used to be coping with MB or GB. It is a machine that may deal with massive recordsdata with ease.Function rating: 4/5
(Picture credit score: Future / Paul Hatton)Benchmark scoresWe check each one in every of our laptops utilizing the identical benchmarking software program suite to offer you a radical overview of its suitability for creatives of all disciplines and ranges. This contains:• Geekbench: Checks the CPU for single-core and multi-core energy, and the GPU for the system’s potential for gaming, picture processing, or video modifying. Geekbench AI assessments the CPU and GPU on quite a lot of AI-powered and AI-boosted duties.• Cinebench: Checks the CPU and GPU’s skill to run Cinema 4D and Redshift.• UL Procyon: Makes use of UL Options’ Procyon software program suite to check the system’s skill for AI picture era in Secure Diffusion, its Microsoft Workplace efficiency and its battery life in a looping video check.• Topaz Video AI: We use Topaz Video AI to check the system’s skill to upscale video and convert video to slow-motion.• PugetBench for Creators: We use the PugetBench for Creators benchmarking suite to check the system’s skill to run a number of key duties in Photoshop and Adobe Premiere Professional, in addition to its efficiency when encoding/transcoding video.• ON1 Resize AI: Checks the system’s skill to resize 5 photographs to 200% in a batch course of. We take the full time taken to resize the photographs and divide by 5.Swipe to scroll horizontallyHeader Cell – Column 0 Header Cell – Column 1 MSI Status A16 AI+GEEKBENCH 6CPU Single-core:Row 0 – Cell 2 Row 1 – Cell 0 CPU Multi-core:Row 1 – Cell 2 Row 2 – Cell 0 GPU OpenCL:Row 2 – Cell 2 CINEBENCH 2024CPU single-core:Row 3 – Cell 2 Row 4 – Cell 0 CPU multi-core:Row 4 – Cell 2 Row 5 – Cell 0 GPU:Row 5 – Cell 2 UL PROCYONAI Picture Technology (Secure Diffusion 1.5)Row 6 – Cell 2 Row 7 – Cell 0 Workplace Productiveness Benchmark:Row 7 – Cell 2 Row 8 – Cell 0 Battery Life Benchmark:Row 8 – Cell 2 TOPAZ VIDEO AIEnhancement:Row 9 – Cell 2 Row 10 – Cell 0 Slowmo:Row 10 – Cell 2 Row 11 – Cell 0 Mixed:Row 11 – Cell 2 ON1 RESIZE200% resize time:Row 12 – Cell 2 PUGETBENCH for PHOTOSHOPOverall:Row 13 – Cell 2 Row 14 – Cell 0 Common:Row 14 – Cell 2 Row 15 – Cell 0 Filter:Row 15 – Cell 2 PUGETBENCH for DAVINCI RESOLVEOverall:Row 16 – Cell 2 Row 17 – Cell 0 GPU Results:Row 17 – Cell 2 Row 18 – Cell 0 Fusion rating:Row 18 – Cell 2 Row 19 – Cell 0 AI rating:Row 19 – Cell 2 Row 20 – Cell 0 H.264 encoding:Row 20 – Cell 2
(Picture credit score: Future / Paul Hatton)Efficiency• Sturdy efficiency when utilizing Adobe Photoshop• The shortage of a discrete GPU means artistic professionals will struggleOne of the present points that I’ve with AI laptops is that they promise a lot and pitch themselves as the answer to all issues. The promoting makes them sound like their AI expertise will offer you prompt outcomes, regardless of the applying and workflow. Possibly I am overstating it, nevertheless it actually appears like that to me.That is why I used to be left pleasantly shocked by the Status A16 AI+. The shortage of a discrete GPU was problematic for 3D rendering and color grading, however the CPU and built-in GPU really did a fantastic job in Photoshop and Premiere Professional. The truth that it was capable of deal with advanced video compositions and layered results was not what I anticipated.Alongside picture and video modifying, I additionally spent loads of time shopping the online, watching movies, and finishing up general-purpose workplace work. The laptop computer served up a responsive and snappy expertise on this space, which additional contributed to the laptop computer’s spectacular efficiency.I used to be additionally impressed by the laptop computer’s skill to carry out throughout a broad vary of functions. I believe this was partially due to the MSI AI Engine that was adjusting {hardware} settings behind the scenes. It actually does excel on this position, as demonstrated by its Geekbench scores. With an inexpensive multi-core rating, this laptop computer is sweet at multi-threading, however to not the diploma of one thing just like the ASUS ProArt P16 (2025).The laptop computer’s battery life, nevertheless, proved to be a major limitation, lasting a comparatively quick eight hours. Which means you may both have to consign it to a everlasting desk setup or be comfortable carrying the charger round with you. I assumed I may overcome this by utilising a light-weight third-party charger, however the obvious lack of wattage meant that the system slowed to a complete standstill. By means of comparability, you may get comparable battery efficiency on the ASUS V16 and Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1.With all this thought of, the Status A16 AI+ is a high-performing laptop computer for many sorts of artistic functions. Take into accout, although, that for those who want a laptop computer for extra demanding graphics functions, you may need a gadget with a discrete GPU.Efficiency rating: 4/5
(Picture credit score: Future / Paul Hatton)Value The MSI Status A16 AI+ is a mid-range to high-end laptop computer that prices $1,399/£1,499, though there are sometimes limited-time offers round that carry the worth down significantly. For those who’d favor an OLED show with the next decision (UHD+ 3840×2400) then a mannequin with that spec can be accessible.By way of comparability, you may also just like the Lenovo Yoga Professional 9i Gen 9, though it’s going to set you again a minimum of £1,635. If you would like one thing a bit extra center of the highway, then the Dell XPS 16 is a good different, particularly for those who’re eager on customising your personal machine.Worth rating: 4/5Who is it for?• Content material creators who do not want a discrete GPUHopefully it goes with out saying, however for those who’re into 3D modelling, animation, rendering, high-resolution video modifying, and color grading, then you definately’ll want a laptop computer with a discrete GPU. For those who’re creating different sorts of content material, performing low-demand artistic duties, or needing a laptop computer that may increase your productiveness, then the MSI Status A16 AI+ is properly value a glance.Swipe to scroll horizontallyMSI Status A16 AI+ rating cardAttributesNotesRatingDesign:A contemporary aesthetic with a vivid IPS show. Additionally good for portability.4/5Features:AI-powered efficiency takes centre stage, and at instances it delivers, however not at all times.4/5Performance:Nice for many artistic initiatives, however the lack of a discrete GPU will probably be an issue for some.4/5Value:A comparatively inexpensive laptop computer, however consider it does not have a discrete GPU.4/5
(Picture credit score: Future / Paul Hatton)Purchase it if…You worth AI-accelerated performanceYou need a vivid and correct displayYou want glorious portabilityDon’t purchase it if…You want a discrete GPUYou’re solely going to be internet browsingAlso contemplate
Apple MacBook Air 15-inch
An ultra-thin and light-weight laptop computer that boasts an extremely high-performing processor. For those who’re open to an Apple laptop computer over and above a Home windows one, then the MacBook Air ought to positively be in your shortlist.
ProsPlenty of powerEnormous battery lifeThin and lightConsPriceyLimited display screen connectionNo Thunderbolt 4
Costing solely barely extra, the PX13 is a artistic powerhouse that not like the all-out P16 will not require a second mortgage.
ProsGPU and NPUCompact 2-in-1 convenienceOLED screenConsDisplay solely 60 HzFinicky touchpadBattery life may very well be higher
This Core i5-powered 2-in-1 is cheaper, nevertheless it’s much less graphically succesful too. Good battery life, although, thoughts.
Pros2-in-1 functionality is nice for drawingAffordable value pointBig, sharp screenConsCumbersome in pill modeSlow app startup
MSI Status A16 AI+: Value Comparability
