The MSI Titan 18, priced at $5,699.99, stands out in the gaming laptop market for its top-of-the-line specifications yet raises questions about value for money. Notably, there are other gaming laptops available that offer nearly the same performance for approximately half the price. The Titan 18 boasts an 18-inch Mini LED display with a resolution of 3840 x 2400 and a variable refresh rate of up to 120Hz, though its contrast does not match OLED screens. It features a mechanical keyboard made by SteelSeries with Cherry switches, which is noted for its tactile feedback but can be quite loud.
In terms of hardware, the Titan is equipped with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 GPU and Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX CPU, accompanied by 64GB of RAM and 6TB of SSD storage across multiple drives. It offers extensive connectivity options, including multiple USB-A ports and Thunderbolt 5, yet its design, while efficient for cooling, is heavy at 7.94 pounds (3.6 kg) and even more so with the 400W power adapter.
The laptop’s battery struggle stands out—only managing around 2.5 hours of low-intensity tasks, such as browsing or document work, and significantly less during gaming. While its gaming performance, especially at high settings, impresses, the price point presents challenges due to the proximity in performance with cheaper models equipped with RTX 5080 graphics cards.
To summarize, the MSI Titan 18 represents a powerful but costly option in the gaming laptop category. Is its high cost justified when comparable performance can be found in less expensive alternatives?
Source: https://www.theverge.com/tech/806052/msi-titan-18-ai-rtx-5090-gaming-laptop-review