I recently had the chance to experience the MSI Stealth 16 Mercedes AMG Edition Gaming Laptop, and it’s safe to say it left a lasting impression. Perhaps too lasting.
For someone who’s been immersed in the world of PC gaming and building since before the GeForce era, encountering tech this refined is a double-edged sword. The allure of upgrading becomes almost unbearable, threatening to disrupt any semblance of budgetary discipline. My apprehension began the moment the AMG edition laptop’s box arrived. The packaging itself was a statement – sophisticated, meticulously designed, and undeniably premium. The words “Luxury gaming experience” emblazoned on the front gave me pause.
Often, such pronouncements are a prelude to disappointment, but in this instance, it was entirely accurate. Typically, 16-inch gaming laptops are bulky, cumbersome, and aesthetically overstated without genuine purpose. The Stealth 16 defies this stereotype. It embodies clean aesthetics, subtle yet customizable lighting, and a refined selenite grey finish. It’s the closest representation of an elegant, minimalist gaming PC in laptop form I’ve encountered.
Does it feature RGB lighting? Yes.
Will it overwhelm you with excessive brightness? Absolutely not. Will it draw attention? Undoubtedly. The laptop opens effortlessly with a single finger, a small detail, but indicative of the overall build quality and attention to detail.
The AMG logo is subtly embossed on the front grill, a mark of its prestigious collaboration.
Upon opening, the per-key RGB keyboard is revealed, offering a surprisingly comfortable typing experience for a laptop, along with a generously sized trackpad.
Immersive Visuals and Performance
However, the true revelation, and perhaps my second source of regret, is the stunning 16-inch OLED display. Accustomed to a 13-inch MacBook for daily work, the expansive 16-inch screen felt enormous. The OLED technology delivers vibrant colors and exceptionally deep blacks. Testing the laptop with “Starfield,” with its vast cosmic environments, was particularly impressive. The transitions from the absolute blackness of space to the brilliance of stars were breathtaking.
While my personal monitor is adequate, space on that display is rendered as a dark grey, not the true void black achieved by the Stealth 16’s OLED. Playing the latest “Call of Duty” was similarly transformed, with enemies emerging from deep shadows and explosions illuminating the night with remarkable realism.
No Mercedes AMG-branded laptop experience would be complete without indulging in racing games. Loading up “Forza Horizon 5,” I selected my preferred Mercedes vehicle (though not an AMG model in my virtual garage) and raced through a digital Mexico. The “Start Engine” button, a unique touch, adds a surprising element of immersion when launching games.
From sun-drenched beaches to lush rainforests, the vibrant and diverse landscapes showcased the screen’s capabilities beautifully. Powered by a 13th Gen Intel Core i9 processor and an Nvidia RTX 4070, performance was never a concern, even at high settings. Gaming at 4K was seamless; I simply launched a game and played, without any need for performance tweaking.
Effortless Portability and Versatility
I even took the laptop on trips, from Penang to Desaru, intending to game by the beach. The experience was, frankly, too easy. Weighing just 1.9kg, this 16-inch gaming laptop is remarkably light. Slipping it into my bag for flights and car journeys was effortless. Carrying it to and from work, involving an hour of walking daily, was surprisingly manageable.
A Powerhouse for Work and Play
However, the Stealth 16’s versatility extends beyond gaming.
Its understated design allows it to blend seamlessly into professional environments. While its aesthetics drew admiring glances from my video team colleagues, it also highlighted its capabilities as a workstation. With 32GB of DDR5 RAM, it surpasses typical gaming laptop specifications, making it ideal for demanding tasks like video editing and content creation.
The 4K OLED screen is equally beneficial for work, rendering text and video with exceptional clarity.
The 16:10 aspect ratio provides more vertical screen real estate, enhancing productivity for document work and video timelines. The comprehensive port selection further emphasizes its professional capabilities:
- 1 x 3.5mm audio port
- 1 x USB A
- 2 x USB C (3.2)
- 1 x Ethernet port
- 1 x HDMI port
- 1 x Micro SD card slot
One colleague even subtly inquired about claiming the laptop for the company pool after this review – a testament to its desirability.
A Game-Changer
In conclusion, the MSI Stealth 16 Mercedes AMG Edition laptop has undeniably spoiled me.
My current laptop screen feels cramped, and gaming on my LCD monitor now lacks the same visual impact. Even the Stealth 16’s keyboard, on which this entire article was written, has set a new standard, making my own laptop keys feel unresponsive. It seems the only solution is to start saving.
The MSI Stealth 16 Mercedes AMG is exclusively available at Harvey Norman.
This sponsored article by MSI has indeed elevated the author’s expectations for both gaming and work laptops, and potentially triggered an upgrade impulse.
Top image via Mothership
