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A critique of the MSI Stealth 14 Studio A13V: High-level functionality in an incredibly small, portable package
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio A13V delivers impressive performance in an unexpectedly small package. Additionally, it includes a QHD+ 14-inch, 240Hz screen, one of the most rapid in a laptop.
Advantages: – Impressive 14-inch display with 240Hz refresh rate – Top-notch performance without compromise – High-quality, finely adjusted speakers – Attractive design despite its high performance – Convenient to use for everyday tasks due to its portability
Downsides:- Lacks an SD Card- Mediocre battery life- 720p camera is underwhelming for its cost- Heat regulation could be improved
Cost: Rs 1,75,890/- Score: 4 out of 5
MSI is often a cut above the rest when discussing gaming laptops. The pair of MSI Titan GT77s we reviewed in the previous two years are unquestionably the top gaming laptops, regardless of cost. Nonetheless, just like any other producer, MSI also finds it challenging to create a comprehensive gaming laptop that is also easily portable. This is, of course, unless you opt for their Stealth series.
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio A13V, as implied by its name, isn't exclusively designed for intense gamers, but also for dedicated content creators who need high performance wherever they are. This sleek and fashionable laptop not only has an attractive appearance but also packs a punch in terms of power, making it an ideal choice for both home and office use. In addition, it provides an excellent platform for producing content such as videos or art, and it serves equally well for gaming activities.
The smart combo of the Intel Core i7 13700H and NVIDIA's RTX 4060 laptop GPU makes this a high-performing powerhouse that easily outshines its rivals. Additionally, it boasts a stylish QHD+ IPS display with a refresh rate of 240Hz.
In conclusion, the MSI Stealth 14 Studio is, at its core, a gaming laptop, and it comes with some of the typical disadvantages associated with high-performance laptops. But does this in any way diminish the appeal of this powerful machine? Let's discover.
Review of MSI Stealth 14 Studio A13V: Structure and Appearance. The MSI Stealth 14 Studio has a straightforward design that I find quite appealing. It's a gaming laptop with a basic look that I really like. Personally, I'm not too fond of excessive RGB lighting on my laptop. If you have preferences similar to mine, you'll likely enjoy the subtle elegance of the MSI Stealth 14 Studio.
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio boasts an elegant look, highlighted by a white cover that has the MSI dragon symbol on a magnesium-aluminium alloy frame. The laptop's base is also white, with the inside showcasing a stunning semi-gloss black. Upon lifting the cover, the black Chiclet-type keys with white lettering and individual RGB illumination become noticeable.
The layout and RGB configuration aren't overly flashy or suggestive of gaming, which means it can be used in more formal environments without drawing too much attention. However, there are still subtle elements of RGB lighting scattered around, but MSI has managed to find an appropriate equilibrium.
The rear part of the laptop, specifically around the screen hinges, features a black grill designed for heat dissipation and RGB lighting, symbolizing it as a Stealth 14. You can also see delicate shades of pink and blue RGB lights at the back corners. MSI named this the Afterburner Lighting, and it's built into the back grill. The grill also displays the word "Stealth," made visible by the RGB lights. Despite the irony, this is a clever design element that confirms the device's gaming capabilities.
In terms of construction robustness, the Stealth 14 Studio is incredibly sturdy, akin to a military tank. Its dimensions are 12.4 x 9.69 x 0.75 inches and it weighs approximately 1.7 kg, making it a compact and lightweight model. This is largely due to its magnesium-aluminium alloy frame.
The metallic construction lends a lightweight quality to it, ensuring it's easy to transport in a laptop bag without it being a burden. Its stylish appearance with a contrasting outside and inside design catches the eye, regardless if you're working in a coffee shop or moving around.
The Stealth 14 comes equipped with a variety of ports and interfaces that can cater to the needs of many users. On its right side, it features a 3.5mm combo audio jack, a USB Type-A port, and a Thunderbolt 4 port. Meanwhile, the left side houses a USB Type-C port, an HDMI 2.1 port, and an AC power port. To ensure proper ventilation, there are air vents on both sides. Despite these features, it lacks a card slot or a MicroSD Card slot, which might be a drawback for gamers and content creators.
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio A13V Review: Keyboard and Trackpad
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio A13V features a rather small keyboard due to its chic design, which is predictable given its dimensions. Freshly unpacked, the keyboard's RGB illumination is defaulted to Disco Mode, which some users may find overly flashy or unsettling. However, users have the flexibility to customize the per-key RGB backlighting to their preference using the provided SteelSeries GG software. This program simplifies the task of creating and managing tailored profiles and allows for a smooth transition of your setup's ambiance during gaming and streaming sessions.
Regarding the keyboard, the keys are of a good size and are evenly distributed, providing somewhat pleasing feedback with responsive key switches. Although it might require some adjustment, typing becomes a delight once you become familiar with it. Sadly, there's evident keyboard flex, which diminishes the high-end feel of the laptop. Furthermore, the standard colour setting of the RGB lighting appears somewhat inelegant — it seems a bit too gaudy and inexpensive. Moreover, MSI could have opted for somewhat brighter RGB lights for the keys, with less intense colours.
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio A13V, primarily intended as a gaming laptop, impresses with its fairly large touchpad. Situated on the left to facilitate easy typing, this arrangement provides additional room on the right. The touchpad ensures accurate tracking and sensitivity, making it straightforward and precise to operate. While it's appropriate for regular tasks, gamers may prefer to use an external mouse to alleviate any minor issues with the touchpad.
Review of MSI Stealth 14 Studio A13V: Webcam and speakers
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio's webcam doesn't quite live up to expectations. Its performance is middling at best and falls short when compared to other Windows laptops in the same price bracket. This is largely due to its 720p/30FPS webcam offering. The picture quality leaves much to be desired, considering the cost of the laptop. Even in well-lit settings, the image can be grainy. It's just about sufficient for video calls, as long as the lighting is decent.
On the plus side, it comes with a privacy cover, providing assurance against unintentional activation during video chats. The microphone configuration, fortunately, produces crisp and evenly distributed sound.
In terms of sound, the four-speaker system fine-tuned by Dynaudio improves the total audio experience. The MSI Stealth 14 Studio is compatible with SteelSeries' Nahimic audio software, which provides features akin to DTS-X audio and Dolby Atmos. Users have the ability to modify spatial audio and presets according to their liking, with choices such as Music, Movie, Communication, and Gaming presets. The Smart Profile feature auto-adjusts the audio based on particular tasks, offering more personalization options.
Ultimately, the speakers deliver a full-bodied sound with impressive depth, robust bass, and satisfactory treble, offering an even output. They can reach high volumes without any distortion, comfortably permeating a room without the necessity to increase the volume to its maximum.
Our evaluation of the MSI Stealth 14 Studio A13V reveals that its 14-inch screen feels bigger than it really is, courtesy of its 16:10 aspect ratio. The display features a clear, QHD+ resolution of 2560X1600. Even though it might not match the clarity offered by 4K panels seen in top-tier workstation laptops, it still provides sufficient sharpness for mobile tasks and stationary media projects, particularly gaming.
When it comes to gaming, what makes the display truly unique is its amazing 240Hz refresh rate. Currently, there are not many gaming laptops in the market that provide such high refresh rates. This high refresh rate guarantees that the visuals on the MSI Stealth 14 Studio are seamless, with no tearing or any other imperfections. Honestly, playing a high-speed game, like Valorant, feels extremely fluid and provides an outstanding experience.
While this is an IPS screen, it doesn't deliver the intense blacks and vibrant colours that some displays do. However, the colour quality is still satisfactory for watching your top streaming shows. This can be attributed to the display's complete coverage of the DCI-P3 colour range, guaranteeing precise and bright colours across the board. Even though it lacks HDR or Dolby Vision support, the screen's clarity and precision are praiseworthy.
The peak brightness of nearly 450 nits ensures outstanding visibility indoors. Even outside, the screen stays clear and highly visible when the brightness is turned up to its maximum, preventing the need for me to squint in direct sunlight.
The visibility from different perspectives is quite impressive, as the colors generally maintain their brightness even from unusual angles. The laptop also comes with MSI True Color, providing users the ability to adjust and set the display according to their liking. It offers around seven different modes to select from, along with extra settings for more precise customization.
The screen possesses significant capability and requires your fine adjustments for optimal use. Once you've achieved this, both media viewing and gaming become highly pleasurable activities. Although it's quite precise, lively, and suitable for a majority of professional content editing tasks, including color grading your videos and color correcting your images, it's necessary to properly configure and calibrate the display.
Review of MSI Stealth 14 Studio A13V: Performance
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio A13V is powered by a 13th Generation Intel Core i7-13700H Processor that can accelerate up to a speed of 5 GHz. It consists of 6 Performance cores and 8 Efficiency cores, making a total of 14 cores and 24M Cache. When combined with its 16GB DDR5 RAM operating at 5200 MT/s in a dual-channel setup, the laptop offers remarkable performance.
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU, which runs at a speed of 2250Mhz and comes with 8GB GDDR6 Memory and a 128-bit bus, is responsible for managing the graphics. This setup guarantees high-performance levels from the Stealth 14 Studio, particularly when you take into account its cost.
The i7-13700H processor stands out in numerous artificial benchmarks, achieving a perfect equilibrium between demanding tasks and regular applications. It particularly shines in single-threaded performances due to its maximum boost clock reaching up to 5GHz.
Though benchmark scores provide some understanding, actual usage gives a more comprehensive view. In terms of gaming, the Stealth 14 Studio delivers an impressive performance, making it one of the top options within its cost bracket. Various tests were carried out in Discrete Graphics Mode, with all the power and performance settings turned up to their maximum levels. Games operated fluidly at a resolution of 1920×1200 and the top available settings, consistently offering superior frame rates with no noticeable stuttering or major decreases.
We carried out gaming experiments using games such as Forza Horizon 5, GTA 5, Control, F1 2022, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Valorant and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. The outcomes aligned with our initial synthetic benchmarks. The tests were executed in performance mode and the laptop was connected to power during the time.
In Shadow of The Tomb Raider, we recorded an average frame rate of 133. Similarly, Forza Horizon 5 had an average of 139 frames per second. Grand Theft Auto 5 consistently ran at an average of 160 frames per second. Even in F1 2022, the average frame rate remained at 122. High-speed multiplayer games like CS: GO and Valorant displayed an average of 315 fps and 280 fps, respectively.
Taking into account the powerful hardware of the Stealth 14 Studio, these results are truly noteworthy. Users can attain even better frame rates without sacrificing much of the visual quality by making minor adjustments to settings, like choosing high over ultra graphics or turning off antialiasing.
Discussing the thermal management of the MSI Stealth 14 Studio, it's comparable to any top-tier gaming laptop equipped with high-powered components. The keyboard, particularly in the upper area, tends to heat up during intense gaming sessions and benchmark tests. However, the Stealth 14 Studio features a smartly designed ventilation system.
On both sides of the frame, there are two exhaust ports, and a third one is situated at the rear, beyond the hinge. For air intake, there's a sizable vent beneath the laptop. In addition, the MSI Stealth 14 Studio A13V employs a Vapor Chamber that greatly enhances the cooling process.
Additionally, the MSI Centre gives you the option to select various performance levels and fan speeds. In our synthetic and gaming tests, we maximized the fan speed with the Cooler Boost mode, maintaining the temperatures within expected limits for the Intel i7 13700H & RTX 4060 package. The fans can be noisy, but it won't be a problem if you're using headphones.
Overall, the Stealth 14 Studio is an incredibly powerful device that performs as such. It boasts a significant amount of power and provides a standout performance, especially when you take into account the size of the laptop.
Review of MSI Stealth 14 Studio A13V: Battery PerformanceThe MSI Stealth 14 Studio A13V is equipped with a 72W 4-cell battery and a substantial 240W charger. Considering that it's a gaming laptop with a dedicated GPU and an extremely quick CPU, its battery life is pretty good. This is primarily due to its ability to manage GPU usage and swap between Intel's built-in GPU and the RTX 4060, if permitted. However, if you solely use the discrete graphics, the battery lifespan drastically decreases.
In a typical workday involving a substantial amount of writing, slight photo editing, extensive internet browsing, and considerable content viewing on YouTube and Netflix, we were able to use the device for approximately 4-5 hours with the screen brightness set at around 60%, which was quite satisfactory. When we repeated the same tests and usage patterns, but this time solely using discrete graphics, we observed that the battery life barely exceeded 3 hours.
Fortunately, the package includes a 240W charger, ensuring that the device can be kept powered consistently without trouble. Nevertheless, remember that it requires more than an hour for the charger to fully power the laptop from a completely drained battery.
Review Conclusion for MSI Stealth 14 Studio A13V: The MSI Stealth 14 Studio A13V masterfully combines high performance, easy portability, and efficient productivity.
Despite its strengths in various aspects, there are a few significant missing features. We genuinely wished for enhanced HDR support and an improved webcam would have been appreciated. Additionally, the absence of an SD card slot is quite peculiar for a laptop designed for content creators who depend on such functionalities. Nonetheless, the remarkable performance of the laptop makes up for most of these deficiencies.
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio A13V, as per our testing, is highly adequate for both gamers and mobile content creators. We didn't witness any frame drops or screen disruptions, nor encountered any problems while navigating through 4K timelines during video editing. Throughout our evaluation, we didn't find ourselves wishing for more processing capability.
This laptop distinguishes itself with its remarkable performance in a genuinely mobile size. While an enhanced battery longevity and superior heat control would be appreciated, the undeniable strength provided by the Intel i7 13700H processor and NVIDIA RTX 4060 graphics card cannot be ignored.
Indeed, there are alternatives that may be marginally superior and less expensive, particularly if you're open to a bigger screen than 14 inches. However, if you're after a 14-inch display with a 240Hz refresh rate and a resolution exceeding 1080P, and one that comes with all the power you could ever require, the MSI Stealth 14 Studio A13V is your best bet.
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