Features
The Sword 16 stands out from the crowd with its polished lid, MSI Dragon logo and a keyboard with 24-zone RGB backlighting. The Scrabble Tile keyboard is comfortable, features full-sized arrow keys, a number pad, and plenty of shortcuts.
However, the trackpad feels slightly cheap, with rattly buttons that produce a hollow click. Similarly, the speakers, though loud and reasonably clear, lack bass and sound somewhat tinny — something headset users won’t mind.
The 16-inch IPS display has a resolution of 1,920 x 1,200 and a 144Hz refresh rate, offering smooth visuals for games. The screen supports 100 per cent of the DCI-P3 colour gamut, making it a viable option for creative tasks, though muted colours and limited contrast may deter professional creators.
Connectivity
The laptop includes a solid set of ports: three USB-A, one USB-C, HDMI 2.1, Gigabit Ethernet, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Wireless connectivity is handled by Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
Performance
Powered by an Intel Core i7-13700HX processor, 16GB DDR5 RAM and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070, the Sword 16 delivers capable gaming performance. In the general-computing PCMark 10 benchmark, it scored 8,071, placing it near premium gaming laptops.
In 3DMark tests, it achieved 11,468 in Time Spy (average 68.1fps) and 12,584 in Fire Strike Extreme (61.3fps), ensuring smooth gameplay for AAA titles with minimal tweaking. Real-world tests like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 showed strong results, with frame rates averaging 96fps at default settings.
MSI’s CoolerBoost 5 technology effectively keeps temperatures in check, with fans generating less intrusive noise compared to rivals.
Portability
The laptop weighs 2.44kg, and the thin power brick adds 738g. Battery life is impressive for a gaming laptop: lasting over nine hours in office tasks.
Build quality is decent, with a sturdy chassis and hinges, though the lid shows slight flex under pressure.
Price and Verdict
Priced at $2,150, the Sword 16 is a strong contender in the lower-mid-range gaming laptop category. While the speakers and trackpad can't disguise its budget nature, its performance, design and features outweigh these drawbacks. For gamers seeking value without sacrificing capability, this Sword is - once again - well worth considering. What's more, if you're quick, you can find it (and more) in MSI's massive holiday sale.
Overall Score: 4.4/5
