8Bit/Digi

Micro-Star International (MSI) kicked-off the new year by revealing several new gaming laptops, PC’s and monitors at CES 2020. During the week, industry professionals and the media got a chance to demo these new products during a special session. 

During my time at the MSI showroom (located at the Sands Expo) I got the chance to learn more about the latest gaming rigs. I also got the chance to demo them by playing some of the biggest titles of 2019.

GE66 Raider and GS66 Stealth

Speaking with Johnathen Wu, I got the chance to learn more about the GE66 Raider and GS66 Stealth (the latest gaming laptop). Both are powered with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics card along with a 99.9WHR  battery and the Intel Core i10 processor. They also have three fans with the blade being 0.1 mill (the smallest in the industry). In regards to their storage capability, both use SSD that can be interchangeable. 

In regards to its customization, gamers could either purchase them with a standard frame or a custom frame. The options available are a sci-fi design, sports car red and more.

The major difference is that the one is designed more for performance while the other is designed to be more quiet in its performance. That is why the GE66 Raider uses the Cooler Boost 5 while the GS66 Stealth uses Cooler Boost Trinity +. 

In regards to its gaming performance, I got the chance to demo the GE66 Raider during a game of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. I’m very awful using a laptop mouse in a shooter but thankfully I was playing the single-player campaign. Its overall performance is what one would expect from the MSI brand. 

No official release date has been given but the aim is sometime during Q3 2020. 

Optix MAG 342CQR 

MSI was showcasing what it presents as the ideal monitor for PC gamers, the Optix MAG 342 CQR. This curved screen monitor has a 1000mm radius while supporting over a 1 billion colors and a 144Hz refresh rate. As an added bonus, it could display the power and performance of your gaming PC on the left corner. I should note that it did an amazing job of presenting a more detailed display of Monster Hunter: World.

Creator 17 

Taking a break from PC gaming, MSI had a laptop designed for content creators. While having the same standards as other MSI laptops, this one is more built for those who work in a creative space. The Creator 17 is powered by the Intel Core i9 processor and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics card. It’s set to launch sometime in the first half of 2020.

Final Thoughts

If 2020 is the year that you want to purchase a new gaming laptop then look into either the GE66 Raider and GS66 Stealth. If you want to upgrade your gaming rig then wait for the Optix MAG 342CQR. The point is, CES 2020 once again allowed MSI to showcase their solid reputation.

This special report is part of 8Bit/Digi‘s coverage of the Consumer Electronics Show 2020. If you attended the event, please share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Disclaimer: CES provided me with press credentials for the week.