Msi Prestige 16 B1mg Laptop Review: From Core I7 Xe To Core Ultra 7 Arc

The 16-inch MSI Status 16 AI B1MG is among the first laptops out there with 14th gen Core Extremely Meteor Lake CPU choices. It succeeds the older 15.6-inch Status 15 with each made over internals and externals for a brand spanking new person revel in. The MSI Status circle of relatives is composed of higher midrange laptops in between the lower-end Trendy circle of relatives and higher-end Summit circle of relatives.

Our configuration in assessment is a retail unit for $1400 USD with the Core Extremely 7 155H CPU, built-in Arc 8 graphics, 1600p IPS show, 32 GB LPDDR5-6400 MHz RAM, and a pair of TB NVMe SSD. Upper-end SKUs with the Core Extremely 9 185H, GeForce RTX 4060 or 4070 graphics, Arc 370M graphics, and 4K (2400p) OLED also are to be had.

Competition to the Status 16 come with different thin-and-light multimedia or content material writer laptops just like the Dell XPS collection, Asus VivoBook Professional 16,  LG Gram 16 2-in-1, or the Lenovo Yoga Professional 9i 16.

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The steel chassis is less assailable and sturdier than what you’ll to find on a more economical MSI Trendy or Asus VivoBook collection. Making use of force at the keyboard middle, for instance, would slightly warp the outside. The lid is relatively extra liable to twisting and injury particularly because it lacks Gorilla Glass reinforcement. Making use of force at the middle of the outer lid would warp its floor greater than we wish to see. On this case, possible choices just like the HP Spectre or Razer Blade are a lot more potent although they’re heavier.

The squarer 16:10 facet ratio offers the Status 16 a bigger footprint than the outgoing Status 15. Then again, it makes up the adaptation with each a thinner profile and lighter weight. In reality, the Status 16 is among the lightest 16-inch multimedia laptops rivaling the LG Gram 16 2-in-1. We think SKUs with discrete graphics to be a little bit heavier, alternatively.

Not like on maximum different Ultrabooks, ports at the Status 16 are concentrated alongside the rear as a substitute of the edges. This design manner permits for higher air flow alongside the edges albeit at the price of poorer port accessibility. Recurrently used ports like HDMI, USB-C, or even USB-A are all alongside the rear which is probably not superb for many customers.

When in comparison to the Status 15, the Status 16 has swapped out one USB-A port for an RJ-45 port. The 2 Thunderbolt 4 ports stay intact for SKUs with best built-in graphics. If configured with discrete graphics, best one of the vital two USB-C ports are Thunderbolt suitable.

The built-in SD card reader has been upgraded for far sooner speeds. Moving 1 GB of images from our UHS-II check card to desktop would take just below 6 seconds in comparison to 12+ seconds at the Status 15.

The Status 16 is among the first laptops to send with the Killer BE1750W WLAN module for Wi-Fi 7 compatibility. Wi-Fi 7 routers aren’t but broadly to be had, alternatively, and so the inclusion of Wi-Fi 7 in this day and age is extra about future-proofing than any fast advantages. We however skilled no connectivity problems when paired to our Wi-Fi 6E check router.

A 2 MP webcam with IR and bodily privateness shutter come usual. Possible choices just like the HP Spectre have already begun transport with larger answer 5 MP sensors.

The ground panel pops off relatively simply after casting off the 8 Phillips screws. Remember that a manufacturing facility seal decal will have to be damaged with the intention to get admission to the internals.

As soon as inside of, house owners could have get admission to to 2 M.2 2280 PCIe4 x4 NVMe SSD slots whilst the RAM and WLAN modules are all soldered. When compared, all of those modules are detachable at the older Status 15 design.

Observe the massive empty area reserved for SKUs with discrete graphics. The fashion comes supplied with extra warmth pipes, an extra fan, and rearranged M.2 SSDs if configured with a devoted GPU.

There aren’t any extras within the field past the AC adapter and forms. The standard one-year restricted guaranty applies if bought in the United States.

The keyboard has been made over to incorporate an built-in numpad. In a different way, key comments feels the similar as at the Status 15 for the same typing revel in regardless of the structure adjustments. We nonetheless to find key go back and forth to be noticeably shallower than the keys on MSI gaming laptops or the competing HP Spectre collection. They are now not overly comfortable or uncomfortable, however having less assailable or sharper comments on each and every press would not harm, both.

The clickpad is now a lot higher (15 x 9 cm) to deal with the awkwardly slender dimensions of the clickpad at the older Status 15 design. Traction is clean and dependable with out a sticking even if gliding at slower speeds.

Comments when clicking is best moderate if now not a little bit at the spongy facet. Urgent down calls for a large number of drive from the finger and so movements can get tiring with out an exterior mouse.

The Status 16 is the primary in our database to come back with the AU Optronics B160QAN03.R. This shiny and shiny IPS panel is of very top quality with complete DCI-P3 colours and no graininess problems by any means. Then again, the gradual black-white reaction occasions, loss of adaptive sync, and modest 60 Hz refresh charge make it more healthy for graphics modifying than gaming.

A moment show possibility is to be had with OLED and the next local answer. Neither panel helps touchscreen capability.

The show does now not come pre-calibrated which is a disgrace since all SKUs give a boost to DCI-P3 colours. Colour temperature is overly cool for rather prime moderate grayscale and colour DeltaE values of seven.3 and 5.8, respectively. Calibrating the panel ourselves would drop those moderate values right down to <2 each and every. Our calibrated ICM profile is to be had to obtain above free of charge.

The super-glossy display screen might give a contribution to a sharper image, however it additionally contributes to over the top glare underneath maximum utilization situations particularly if outdoor. The Mini-LED display screen of the MacBook Professional 16 is set 30 % brighter than our MSI for normally higher visibility if underneath shiny ambient lighting fixtures.

We set Home windows to Efficiency mode and MSI Middle to Excessive Efficiency mode previous to operating the benchmarks underneath. House owners must transform conversant in MSI Middle as it’s the hub for MSI-specific updates and contours.

CPU functionality is a large jump over ultimate era Core U and Core P choices. Our Core Extremely 7 155H holds a relaxed 20 to twenty-five % lead over the Core i7-1360P and AMD’s quickest Zen 4 U-series possibility the Ryzen 7 7840U.

Customers anticipating noticeable good points over thirteenth gen Core H choices might nonetheless be disillusioned. For instance, uncooked single- and multi-thread functionality falls a little bit in need of the Core i7-13700H. The largest differentiators between thirteenth and 14th gen Core H as a substitute relate to the enhanced iGPU and AI acceleration of the more recent choices.

A better-end Core Extremely 9 185H SKU could also be to be had for the Status 16, however we don’t be expecting it to accomplish a lot sooner than our Core Extremely 7 155H configuration as each CPUs elevate the very same selection of cores with best slight variations in clock charges.

PCMark effects are related to multimedia laptops with midrange discrete graphics just like the Asus VivoBook Professional 16. Then again, the importance of the ratings is questionable because the numbers are tough to without delay examine between laptops with iGPUs and dGPUs.

The quick 6400 MHz gadget RAM is value citing particularly since iGPU functionality is carefully tied to RAM functionality.

LatencyMon unearths simply minor DPC problems when opening more than one browser tabs of our homepage. 4K video playback at 60 FPS is just about absolute best with only one dropped body recorded all over a 60-second check video.

Our unit comes supplied with a 2 TB Samsung PM9A1 which is among the quickest consumer-grade PCIe4 x4 NVMe SSDs to be had and an improve from the Micron 3400 on our older Status 15. The power is in a position to care for speeds of ~7100 MB/s even if stressed out which is spectacular taking into consideration the thinness of the chassis.

After a stagnant previous few years, Intel has after all made over its built-in GPU to be extra aggressive in opposition to the competing Radeon 680M and 780M collection. 3DMark effects pit our Arc 8 forward of the Radeon 780M by way of about 20 % and even as much as 50 % on DX12 supported titles. Customers upgrading from the typical Iris Xe 96 EUs must be expecting a uncooked functionality spice up of about 1.5x to 2x. It isn’t fairly on the stage of a GeForce RTX 3050 Ti, however ratings are no doubt inching nearer to a GeForce RTX 2050.

Enabling Cooler Spice up does now not seem to noticeably affect functionality in step with our Hearth Strike effects desk above. Operating on Balanced mode would affect CPU functionality simply reasonably whilst Battery mode would scale back functionality extra considerably by way of about 15 %.

Actual-world functionality when operating video games is superb with effects that rival the GeForce 3050 Ti in ultimate yr’s Status 15 as hinted at by way of the bogus benchmark effects above. A long way Cry 5 and F1 22, for instance, carry out inside of simply 5 to fifteen % of the Status 15. Remember that the GeForce GPU within the Status 15 would showcase noteworthy throttling problems that impacted its functionality a great deal; nearly all of different GeForce RTX 3050 Ti laptops, just like the Asus Vivobook Professional 16X, would nonetheless run video games considerably sooner than our built-in Arc 8.

General functionality is however constantly higher than the Radeon 780M throughout all examined video games by way of about 5 to twenty %. A couple of DX12 video games, reminiscent of Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands and F1 22, would even run as much as 50 to 60 % higher at the new Intel GPU.

Fan noise is quieter than the Status 15 when operating decrease a lot whilst the other is right when operating larger a lot. When surfing or video streaming, for instance, fan noise has a tendency to vary between 26 and 37 dB(A) in comparison to 31 to 42 dB(A) at the older fashion. Operating difficult a lot like Witcher 3 would build up fan noise to 46 dB(A) and even as much as 53 dB(A) if Cooler Spice up is lively. The mid 40 dB(A) vary is somewhat loud for a computer operating best on built-in graphics.

We think fan noise on SKUs with discrete graphics to act otherwise than what we skilled on our iGPU check unit.

Floor temperatures are hotter at the left part of the computer than the appropriate because of the location of the CPU and cooling answer inside of. The recent spot close to the Area key can succeed in as much as 50 C when operating difficult a lot which is analogous to the new spot on ultimate yr’s Status 15 with the devoted GeForce RTX GPU. The WASD keys can really feel somewhat heat when gaming because of this, however the palm rests and arrow keys would stay a lot cooler. Status laptops are normally hotter than the common Ultrabook underneath load because of their compact designs and the Status 16 is not any exception.

CPU bundle energy would spice up to as prime as 110 W, 2.8 GHz, and 96 C for simply a few seconds when beginning Prime95 rigidity ahead of temporarily falling and stabilizing at 2.2 GHz, 44 W, and 83 C. This vary is hotter than moderate for an Ultrabook however it’s another way conventional of a Status fashion. The Acer Swift Edge SFE16 with the Ryzen 7 7840U, for instance, would stabilize at a cooler 64 C whilst the Core H-powered Lenovo Slender Professional 9i 16IRP8 would stabilize at 77 C each and every underneath equivalent stipulations.

Operating with Cooler Spice up lively does now not seem to affect functionality. For instance, the CPU would stabilize at 85 C when operating Witcher 3 with Cooler Spice up off as opposed to 77 C with Cooler Spice up on whilst GPU clock charges would stay unchanged. Until if core temperatures are a priority, then Cooler Spice up mode is normally now not wanted for optimum functionality. This remark aligns with our reviews on many different MSI laptops that characteristic Cooler Spice up.

Energy intake can also be as little as 3 W when idling which is among the lowest of any 16-inch Intel computer we’ve got examined. The very low flooring is most likely chargeable for the extra-long battery lifestyles within the subsequent phase underneath.

At the turn facet of items, intake seems to be more than maximum different U-series laptops when operating extra difficult a lot. Operating 3DMark 06 or video games, for instance, would eat between 60 W to 70 W in comparison to 40 W to 55 W at the MSI Status 15, LG Gram 16 2-in-1, Acer Swift Edge SFE16, or the Core H-powered Schenker Imaginative and prescient 14 underneath equivalent stipulations. This additionally holds true when the CPU is totally stressed out with Prime95. However, performance-per-watt remains to be in prefer of the more recent 14th gen CPU and so the upper energy intake is not essentially an obstacle.

We are in a position to report a most draw of 105 W from the small (~7.5 x 7.5 x 3 cm) 100 W USB-C AC adapter when the CPU is at one hundred pc usage. This charge is best brief because of restricted Turbo Spice up possible and so it has a tendency to stabilize at round 70 W when operating heavy a lot. Observe that SKUs with discrete RTX 4060 or 4070 graphics include a bigger 140 W USB-C AC adapter as a substitute.

Battery capability has higher from 80 Wh at the Status 15 to 99 Wh on our Status 16. Mix this with the potency of the brand new 14th gen Intel CPU and you’ll get extraordinarily lengthy runtimes of virtually 18.5 hours of real-world WLAN surfing. This is among the longest-lasting Home windows laptops we’ve got examined with effects that rival the MacBook collection.

Charging from empty to complete capability takes about 90 mins.

14th gen Intel must end up to be an enormous boon to Ultrabooks just like the MSI Status 16. Whilst uncooked CPU functionality is not that a lot more than the former era, the good points in built-in graphics functionality and battery lifestyles are arguably simply as necessary for the Ultrabook class. Intel Arc 8 has effectively ousted the AMD Radeon 780M by way of notable margins to the purpose the place maximum informal players and photograph editors must be happy by way of its functionality.

A couple of sides of the fashion can also be stepped forward upon. Originally, the loss of prime refresh charge or touchscreen choices approach possible choices just like the HP Spectre or Asus Vivobook nonetheless have some benefits. Secondly, ghosting may be very noticeable at the IPS configuration to the purpose the place even informal players may well be stricken by way of its results. The OLED SKU might subsequently be profitable regardless of the inevitable hit to battery lifestyles. And finally, the upper iGPU functionality comes at the price of larger energy intake and louder fan noise than maximum different U-series Ultrabooks when operating GPU-intensive duties.

Scholars specifically will love the lengthy battery lifestyles, sharp DCI-P3 show, and big choice of graphics choices of the Status 16 to be a profitable selection to the MacBook Professional.

The transportable design, colourful display screen, lengthy battery lifestyles, speedy built-in graphics and speedy SD card reader are key highlights of the Status 16. Customers will need to exploit those strengths to take advantage of out of the MSI fashion.

The MSI Status 16 with 14th gen CPU is now broadly to be had on Amazon with OLED for $1650 USD or Perfect Purchase with discrete Arc A370M graphics for $1400.