With how much power top-end components output heat, it’s hard to imagine a thin choice for a mobile version. Well with some limitations to them compared to desktop versions that is more feasible, but even then a slim choice of a powerful gaming laptop is less likely. But we review the MSI Stealth 17 Studio A13V to find how viable it is as a strong choice of portable performance.
- CPU: Intel Core i9-13900H
- GPU: GeForce RTX 4080 12GB
- RAM: 32GB (2×16) DDR5
- Storage: 2TB NVMe SSD
- Max Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Resolution: 3840 x 2160
- Screen Size: 17.3″
- Panel Type: Mini LED
The MSI Stealth 17 Studio A13V combines power and compactness, to give a powerful machine that’s that bit easier to lug around and use wherever you are. But with a 17″ size it’s still quite the sight to behold making it a strong multitasking machine. With a huge keyboard with even a compact numpad and arrows, it gives you a wide utilization of it. Although with the compact cooling, the now RTX 4080 and i9 inside do lose out on some of the performance they would otherwise have. But the 4K MiniLED 144Hz display does let you enjoy exceptional graphics on the laptop without an extra it is a solid standalone machine if you can afford it.
- Excellent screen resolution and technology for great accuracy
- Very slim for the hardware it sports
- Great performance while being able to keep relatively quiet
- Incredible soundscape setup with a range of speakers
- Plenty of fast storage and memory capacity
- Easy access to expansion options
- Plenty of control of the hardware through software
- Comes with a load of pre-installed software, including anti-virus that can be seen as bloatware
- Weak hinges that cause a lot of screen wobble
- Rather expensive for an RTX 4080 laptop
- Lots of heat dissipation and the space between the keyboard and screen gets extremely hot
Pricing
The MSI Stealth 17 Studio A13V we tested is the UK version (A13VH-018UK), which does differ from what’s available in the US (A13VH-053US). Our model features the 4K 144Hz panel with mini LED and HDR 1000. In comparison, the US version is a 1440p panel with a 240Hz display instead.
What that comes to is that the 4K UK version comes in at £3,099 on Amazon (~$3,874 with 20% tax, $3,100 without), whilst the US version is available for $2,999.89. That is for the RTX 4080 gaming laptop, 32GB of RAM, and the i9-13900H and a varied display from the two options.
Front and foremost of the Stealth is to be just that, thin and inconspicuous which it does achieve
Design
Front and foremost of the Stealth is to be just that, thin and inconspicuous which it does achieve. Cutting down on the RGB and thickness of cooling capacity, it blends in more as something a bit more office-like. Although the heft of the 17-inch laptop is still likely to draw some eyes and it’s not all that light coming in at 2.8kg the 20.8mm thickness makes it a bit more manageable than when compared to the MSI Raider I reviewed on our sister site.
Other than that, the heft does provide a strong opening experience as you’re able to lift it with one finger as the weight keeps it seated. The display is angled at the bottom edges to give it a fiercer look that also sits slightly ahead of the edge vents possibly keeping it from heating too much.
The keyboard is a lot more standard for a laptop, nothing too fancy but is compact for the numpad particularly which features a second enter. Even a medium-sized set of arrow keys and plenty of fn buttons and functions to take advantage of. But to be fair there is a lot of chassis space to take advantage of as it doesn’t extend right to the edge either.
MSI Stealth 17 Studio A13V right ports, source PCGuide
MSI Stealth 17 Studio A13V semi closed, source PCGuide
MSI Stealth 17 Studio A13V touchpad, source PCGuide
MSI Stealth 17 Studio A13V underside, source PCGuide
MSI Stealth 17 Studio A13V webcam, source PCGuide
MSI Stealth 17 Studio A13V front closed, source PCGuide
MSI Stealth 17 Studio A13V back ports, source PCGuide
MSI Stealth 17 Studio A13V back semi closed, source PCGuide
MSI Stealth 17 Studio A13V box, source PCGuide
MSI Stealth 17 Studio A13V in front of box, source PCGuide
MSI Stealth 17 Studio A13V logo display, source PCGuide
MSI Stealth 17 Studio A13V left ports, source PCGuide
With the thinner chassis, there’s not too much flex when you’re typing, making it a worthy choice for typing out essays on it, and there’s no bending in the laptop either that might cause some issues being carried around. This likely comes from the compact cooling system that keeps things simple with the 7 shared heat pipes for the CPU and GPU, combined with the two dense fans spewing out all the air from the chassis.
Now for the connectivity options, you do have a lot on offer. It doesn’t skimp out on providing a good range of choices for your peripherals or power. It features two USB-C connectors, one 3.2 gen, and the other Thunderbolt 4 that enables PD charging as well, although not capable of reaching the AC adapter power in that regard. Along with that two types of A 3.2 USBs, one SD card reaching, an HDMI 2.1, and an RJ45 port. As well as MSI proprietary power connector that delivers 240W to the 99.9 Whr battery.
Performance
When it comes to the hard work done by the laptop, it is capable of plenty of performance behind it. Although of course, it falls far behind what the standalone graphics cards achieve it is still capable of a strong performance for a compact system. Once again the laptop utilizes a MUX switch so you can switch between a hybrid of the GPU and CPU graphics computation, which doesn’t always make sense for pure gaming performance.
MSI Stealth 17 Studio A13V Cinebench 2024 benchmark, source PCGuide
MSI Stealth 17 Studio A13V blender benchmark, source PCGuide
MSI Stealth 17 Studio A13V 3DMark benchmark, source PCGuide
In these performance benchmarks, we can see how the 4080 Laptop compares to the rest. As we saw in our RTX 4080 review, the performance doesn’t reach those levels, rather it compares closely to the RTX 4070 we also tested. But that is to be expected of the compact versions which still have a lot to offer and perform well.
the 4K MiniLED 144Hz display does let you enjoy exceptional graphics on the laptop
Across Cinebench, 3DMark, and Blender there is plenty of power available for any rendering, high-level processing, and gaming on the go. Keeping rather quiet while doing so and without much heat felt on the parts that matter. Of course, there was plenty of it being spewed out from the vents but the keyboard is certainly a safe zone. But just behind it under the screen, there is a lot of build-up there that is very hot to the touch.
MSI Stealth 17 Studio A13V setup, source PCGuide
MSI Stealth 17 Studio A13V editing, source PCGuide
MSI Stealth 17 Studio A13V logo, source PCGuide
Conclusion
Overall the MSI Stealth 17 Studio A13V-018UK is a great compact laptop choice for those wanting a combination of gaming and productivity without being so out there about it. Although there might be some hindrances to performance, it still is a mighty choice for an all-round choice. Especially with the size meaning it doesn’t skimp out on any features such as still offering a wide range of connectors and specs available to it.
That extends to the screen as well on the highest-level model, as with the 4K MiniLED and even fast refresh rate, it might need some help to achieve that, but utilizing the latest hardware does give it a hand when it needs. Such as the ability to use DLSS 3 and boosts that make it a much longer-term choice as well. But certainly, the stealthy choice is a strong contender for blended usage.
MSI Stealth 17 Studio A13V-018UK
CPU
Intel Core i9-13900H
GPU
GeForce RTX 4080 12GB
RAM
32GB (2×16) DDR5
Storage
2TB NVMe SSD
Max Refresh Rate
144Hz
Resolution
3840 x 2160
Screen Size
17.3″
Panel Type
Mini LED
