At CES 2026, MSI has refreshed its gaming laptop lineup with a clear focus on raw performance, better thermals, and smarter design choices. The updated portfolio spans three popular series — Raider, Stealth, and Crosshair — each targeting a different type of gamer while sharing common upgrades such as next-generation processors, NVIDIA RTX 50-series GPUs, faster memory, and redesigned cooling solutions.
From desktop-class gaming machines to slim yet powerful laptops, MSI’s 2026 lineup reflects the company’s push to balance performance, efficiency, and usability.
The Raider 16 series sits at the top of MSI’s gaming lineup for 2026 and is built for gamers who prioritize sustained power over portability. The range includes three models — Raider 16 Max HX, Raider 16 HX, and Raider A16 HX — all sharing the same 16-inch chassis but offering different CPU and GPU configurations.
Intel-based Raider models are powered by Core Ultra 200HX processors, delivering high multi-core performance for gaming and demanding workloads. GPU options scale up to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU on the Raider 16 Max HX, while the Raider 16 HX tops out at the RTX 5080.
Both models support up to 128GB of memory, making them suitable not just for gaming but also for content creation and professional workloads. Storage support includes a mix of PCIe Gen5 and Gen4 SSDs, ensuring extremely fast load times.
For users who prefer AMD, the Raider A16 HX features the Ryzen 9 9955HX processor and can also be configured with up to an RTX 5090 Laptop GPU. Memory support goes up to 96GB, offering ample headroom for heavy multitasking.
The Raider 16 series offers premium display options, including a 16-inch QHD+ OLED panel with a 240Hz refresh rate, full DCI-P3 color coverage, and DisplayHDR True Black 1000 certification. IPS alternatives are also available.
Across the lineup, MSI includes Wi-Fi 7, HDMI 2.1, high-speed USB ports, Dynaudio-tuned speakers, and a 90Wh battery, reinforcing that the Raider series is designed for maximum performance rather than ultra-light mobility.
The MSI Stealth 16 AI+ is the sleekest model in MSI’s CES 2026 lineup and targets gamers who want high-end performance in a slim design. Measuring just 16.6mm thick and weighing under 2kg, it delivers significantly more power than its predecessor thanks to an updated cooling system that provides 20W more GPU headroom.
This balance of performance and portability earned the Stealth 16 AI+ a CES Innovation Award in the Computer Hardware and Components category.
The laptop can be configured with up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 386H processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU, placing it among the most powerful thin gaming laptops available.
Its 16-inch QHD+ OLED display features a 240Hz refresh rate, 100% DCI-P3 color coverage, and VESA DisplayHDR True Black 600 certification, making it ideal for both gaming and creative work.
The Stealth 16 AI+ includes dual memory slots supporting up to 128GB of DDR5-7200 RAM and two M.2 SSD slots for storage expansion. Connectivity options are comprehensive, with dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI 2.1 with 8K output support, USB-A ports, and Gigabit Ethernet.
Wireless features include Intel Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. The laptop also comes with a 4-zone RGB keyboard, a dedicated Copilot key, quad speakers enhanced by Nahimic audio, and a 90Whr battery.
MSI has also refreshed its Crosshair lineup, offering strong gaming performance at a more accessible tier. The 2026 series includes the Crosshair 16 Max HX and Crosshair 16 HX, both built around 16-inch QHD+ displays.
The Crosshair 16 Max HX is powered by Intel Core Ultra 200HX Series processors and supports up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU. Display options include an optional OLED panel with a 165Hz refresh rate, full DCI-P3 coverage, and DisplayHDR True Black 500 certification.
It supports up to 128GB of DDR5 RAM across two slots and features dual M.2 SSD slots with PCIe Gen5 x4 and Gen4 x4 support.
The Crosshair 16 HX uses the Intel Core i9-14900HX processor and offers the same RTX 5070 GPU option. It comes with a 240Hz IPS-level display, supports up to 96GB of DDR5 memory, and weighs around 2.3kg, making it slightly lighter than the Max HX variant.
Both models feature a 4-zone RGB keyboard and benefit from MSI’s redesigned port layout, with HDMI and Ethernet ports moved to the rear for cleaner cable management.
MSI’s CES 2026 gaming laptop lineup shows a clear focus on refinement rather than radical change. The Raider series continues to push desktop-level performance, the Stealth 16 AI+ proves that thin laptops can still be extremely powerful, and the Crosshair models strike a solid balance between performance and practicality.
With next-generation CPUs, RTX 50-series GPUs, faster memory, OLED display options, and improved cooling across the board, MSI’s new gaming laptops are well-positioned to meet the needs of competitive gamers, creators, and power users alike in 2026.
Via: (Source), Images Credits: MSI
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