MSI Crosshair A18 HX (A8Wx) Model 2
£2,163
Buy on Amazon · £2,163About this laptop
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MSI Crosshair A18 HX Series Review
Build Quality
The MSI Crosshair A18 HX series boasts a robust design, emphasizing durability and performance. Its construction is tailored for gaming, with a focus on heat management through an advanced cooling system featuring two fans and six heat pipes. This design helps maintain optimal performance during intense gaming sessions [1] Newegg MSI CROSSHAIR A18 Gaming Laptop - 18.0" 240 Hz - AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX - GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU - 32GB DDR5 Memory DDR5 5600 - 1TB SSD - Windows 11 Home (Crosshair A18 HX A8WGKG) - Newegg.com
Display
The laptop features an 18" QHD+ (2560x1600) IPS display with a 240Hz refresh rate, providing fluid motion and vibrant colors. This makes it ideal for gaming and content creation, as it covers 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, ensuring accurate color reproduction [2] Amazon.com Amazon.com: msi Crosshair 18 HX AI 18" 2560x1600 240Hz Display Gaming Laptop, Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX (24 Cores, 2.1-5.4 GHz), NVIDIA RTX 5070 8GB GDDR7, 32GB RAM, 1TB NVMe SSD, Windows 11 Home : Electronics
Performance
Powered by either the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX or Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processors, the Crosshair A18 HX delivers exceptional performance for gaming and multitasking. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 graphics card enhances gaming experiences with ray tracing and AI capabilities, making it suitable for demanding applications [3] Newegg MSI CROSSHAIR A18 Gaming Laptop - 18.0" 240 Hz - AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX - GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU - 32GB DDR5 Memory DDR5 5600 - 1TB SSD - Windows 11 Home (Crosshair A18 HX A8WGKG) - Newegg.com Amazon.com Amazon.com: msi Crosshair 18 HX AI 18" 2560x1600 240Hz Display Gaming Laptop, Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX (24 Cores, 2.1-5.4 GHz), NVIDIA RTX 5070 8GB GDDR7, 32GB RAM, 1TB NVMe SSD, Windows 11 Home : Electronics
Keyboard and Trackpad
The laptop features a SteelSeries 24-zone RGB keyboard designed for gamers, with anti-ghosting technology and a comfortable key travel of 1.7mm. However, user opinions on the keyboard's feel vary, with some praising its responsiveness while others find it less satisfactory [5] Newegg MSI CROSSHAIR A18 Gaming Laptop - 18.0" 240 Hz - AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX - GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU - 32GB DDR5 Memory DDR5 5600 - 1TB SSD - Windows 11 Home (Crosshair A18 HX A8WGKG) - Newegg.com
Thermals and Noise
MSI's Cooler Boost technology is integrated into the design, which helps manage thermals effectively. The dual-fan system and heat pipe configuration work together to keep temperatures in check during heavy usage, although some users may notice fan noise under load [6] Newegg MSI CROSSHAIR A18 Gaming Laptop - 18.0" 240 Hz - AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX - GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU - 32GB DDR5 Memory DDR5 5600 - 1TB SSD - Windows 11 Home (Crosshair A18 HX A8WGKG) - Newegg.com
Battery Life
The Crosshair A18 HX is equipped with a 90Whr battery, which provides decent battery life for a gaming laptop. However, heavy gaming sessions will likely require the laptop to be plugged in to maintain performance [7] Amazon.com Amazon.com: msi Crosshair 18 HX AI 18" 2560x1600 240Hz Display Gaming Laptop, Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX (24 Cores, 2.1-5.4 GHz), NVIDIA RTX 5070 8GB GDDR7, 32GB RAM, 1TB NVMe SSD, Windows 11 Home : Electronics
Audio
The laptop features premium Dynaudio speakers, which deliver rich sound quality. The inclusion of Hi-Resolution Audio support enhances the audio experience, making it suitable for both gaming and media consumption [8] Amazon.com Amazon.com: msi Crosshair 18 HX AI 18" 2560x1600 240Hz Display Gaming Laptop, Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX (24 Cores, 2.1-5.4 GHz), NVIDIA RTX 5070 8GB GDDR7, 32GB RAM, 1TB NVMe SSD, Windows 11 Home : Electronics
Webcam and Connectivity
A 720p HD webcam with a privacy shutter is included, enhancing security during video calls. The laptop also offers a comprehensive range of ports, including HDMI 2.1, multiple USB-A 3.2 Gen1 ports, and Thunderbolt 4, ensuring versatile connectivity options for users [9] Amazon.com Amazon.com: msi Crosshair 18 HX AI 18" 2560x1600 240Hz Display Gaming Laptop, Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX (24 Cores, 2.1-5.4 GHz), NVIDIA RTX 5070 8GB GDDR7, 32GB RAM, 1TB NVMe SSD, Windows 11 Home : Electronics
Conclusion
The MSI Crosshair A18 HX series is a formidable choice for gamers and content creators looking for high performance and immersive experiences. While it excels in many areas, potential buyers should consider the mixed feedback on the keyboard and the laptop's weight when making their decision [10] Newegg MSI CROSSHAIR A18 Gaming Laptop - 18.0" 240 Hz - AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX - GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU - 32GB DDR5 Memory DDR5 5600 - 1TB SSD - Windows 11 Home (Crosshair A18 HX A8WGKG) - Newegg.com Amazon.com Amazon.com: msi Crosshair 18 HX AI 18" 2560x1600 240Hz Display Gaming Laptop, Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX (24 Cores, 2.1-5.4 GHz), NVIDIA RTX 5070 8GB GDDR7, 32GB RAM, 1TB NVMe SSD, Windows 11 Home : Electronics