GoKawiilMSI Raider 16 Max HX 4 / 5 Very good pros and cons Pros Exceptional performance
Easy to upgrade
Strong speakers Cons Expensive
Average battery View now at Micro Center
Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.
Often, when I begin reviewing a new gaming laptop, I get lost in the experience. I'm a big gamer, and there have been many times when I've fired up one of these machines outside of work simply because I enjoy playing my favorite titles on them. My budget desktop can't compare. I had that experience over the past few weeks while testing the MSI Raider 16 Max HX, one of the company's latest flagship models.
Also: Best VPN services 2026: Expert tested and recommended
What makes this laptop particularly interesting is the meaningful hardware improvements. It still suffers from some of the same drawbacks common to its category, but the Raider 16 does a commendable job at minimizing those issues while providing the experience gamers expect.
Smarter design
To me, it seems like MSI has taken inspiration from recent design trends. Over the past few years, I've noticed manufacturers shifting toward slimmer gaming laptops. The stereotypical bulky design is slowly becoming a thing of the past. The Raider 16 measures 14.29 x 10.62 x 0.86 inches and weighs 5.73 pounds. For comparison, the older Raider GE68 HX measures 14.97 x 11.73 x 1.09 inches and weighs 6.06 pounds.
... continue reading