MSI Stealth 15M A11SDK-080FR — Review: Features, Specs

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1. Overview & Positioning

The MSI Stealth 15M (A11SDK-080FR variant) is a 15.6-inch laptop that bridges the gap between a high-end ultrabook and a gaming machine. It’s marketed primarily as a “thin & light” gaming notebook but given its spec-sheet it also carries serious performance credentials that make it interesting for business, creative professionals, or mobile power users. According to listings: the model comes with an Intel Core i7-1185G7 (11th Gen) processor and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti Max-Q graphics card.

Although it carries "gaming" branding, from a business perspective the benefits are: high performance CPU, discrete graphics for GPU-assisted workloads (if needed), a 15.6″ display giving good screen real-estate, and a relatively portable weight (~1.69 kg) for the class. It means you could use it for productivity, analysis, light creative work, presentations, or even GPU-accelerated modelling/design.

That said, there are trade-offs: battery life may be less than ultra-thin business laptops, some business features (like enterprise manageability, ultra-ruggedness, or long service life) may be less emphasised compared to dedicated business-class devices. So it's best suited for professionals who need more than “office only” performance, but still want portability.

2. Key Specifications & Features

Here are the practical details and highlights from the spec sheets:

  • Processor: Intel Core i7-1185G7 (11th Gen, 4 cores / 8 threads, boost up to ~4.8 GHz)

  • Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti Max-Q (6 GB GDDR6) + integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics.

  • Memory / Storage: Common configuration for this variant: 16 GB DDR4 RAM, 1 TB SSD NVMe.

  • Display: 15.6″ Full HD (1920×1080) with 144 Hz refresh rate (IPS) panel.

  • Connectivity: WiFi-6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.x. Several ports including USB-C (Thunderbolt 4 in some spec) and HDMI.

  • Weight / Dimensions: Approx 1.69 kg (~3.73 lbs) for this model. Depth ~248 mm, width ~358.3mm.

  • Battery: 52 Wh typical capacity in some listings.

  • Other Features: Good build quality for thin gaming laptop, typically backlit keyboard, dedicated GPU cooling, good portability for the class.

  • Slots / Expandability: Some spec sheets show dual RAM slots (2 x SODIMM) and at least one M.2 SSD slot.

3. Performance & Real-World Use

Productivity & Business Tasks

With the i7-1185G7 quad-core and the RTX/GTX discrete GPU, this machine offers strong performance for typical business productivity: spreadsheets, databases, multitasking, remote meetings, virtual machines, etc. The fast SSD ensures quick boot-up and responsiveness. For professionals who may need occasional heavier workloads (video editing, animation, design, data visualisation) the discrete GPU gives headroom beyond standard business laptops.

Read more:Acer Aspire 3 A314-35-C560 — Features, Specs, Performance & Business Use

Graphics / Creative Work

For creative workflows like photo editing, light video editing, 3D modelling or CAD (within the 1660 Ti’s limits), the laptop is capable. The 144 Hz panel improves responsiveness, which helps for design review and visual work. For heavier professional workloads (e.g., high-end 3D rendering, VR, large datasets) it may still lag compared to workstation class machines, but it’s significantly more capable than standard business ultrabooks.

Portability & Form Factor

At ~1.69 kg and with a 15.6″ screen, it hits a sweet-spot: more screen than a 14″ but still reasonably portable for mobile professionals. If you travel, the size is moderate; the chassis suggests business mobility is plausible. The trade-off is battery life: thinner/flatter gaming notebooks or convertible business laptops often sacrifice battery time compared to ultra-light clamshell business machines. Indeed some reviews of similar models note “battery life is only average”.

Thermal & Noise Considerations

Given the performance components (GTX 1660 Ti Max-Q + i7) in a thin chassis, expect higher thermal loads and possibly fan noise under heavy workloads. For business office usage (document editing, browser, meetings) it may behave quietly; under heavy GPU/CPU load the fans may ramp up. For desk use or hot climates (like Indonesia) ensure good ventilation.

Upgradability & Future Proofing

Specs show dual RAM slots (often 2x8GB) and an M.2 SSD slot, which allows future upgrades (e.g., increase to 32 or 64 GB RAM, add larger SSD) — good for longer lifespan. Note though that battery and GPU are non-user upgradeable. For businesses planning a 3- to 5-year lifecycle this is a plus.

4. Business Use & Deployment Fit

Where It Fits Very Well

  • A mobile professional / consultant who needs strong performance on the go (meetings, travel) and occasional heavier workloads (data analysis, visuals), as well as portability.

  • Hybrid remote/dock usage: At home or office, docked or on-the-go, the 15.6″ screen and discrete GPU make it flexible.

  • Creators or knowledge workers who do more than just Word/Excel — for example designers, analysts, programmers with GPU-accelerated workloads.

  • Presentation / client work: The strong specs, display refresh rate and GPU make the laptop good for client demos, editing on the move, etc.

Where It May Be Less Ideal

  • If your primary need is standard business tasks (email, Office suite, light browsing) and you favour battery life, ultra-light weight (<1.3 kg) and enterprise serviceability over GPU power — then a dedicated business ultrabook might make more sense.

  • If you need enterprise-grade manageability features (vPro, enterprise docking with legacy ports, advanced security/BIOS features) you should check whether this specific model offers them. Gaming laptops often skimp on long-term serviceability or on enterprise-grade warranty/support.

  • In very high security / regulated industries (banking, government) you may prefer a business-class laptop with certified security features, longer warranty, better reseal/repairability.

  • If battery life is critical (all-day mobile usage without docking) you may find battery performance moderate compared to business-optimized models.

5. Strengths & Weaknesses — Summary

Strengths:

  • Strong performance especially for a 15.6″ portable laptop: i7 + GTX 1660 Ti Max-Q.

  • Good for more than just basic tasks: desktops apps, creative work, maybe some light gaming or GPU-enabled workflows.

  • 144 Hz display enhances fluidity in everyday use (scrolling, animations) and helps in visuals/presentation tasks.

  • Reasonable portability for a 15.6″ unit (~1.69 kg) and good storage/memory configuration.

  • Good upgrade potential (RAM, SSD).

  • WiFi6, modern ports (USB-C/Thunderbolt) support modern connectivity.

Weaknesses:

  • Battery life likely lower than lean business ultrabooks; you may need to carry charger/dock for mobility.

  • Slightly heavier/larger than ultra-light business laptops (so less convenient for frequent flying).

  • May lack some enterprise features (vPro, long service warranty, advanced manageability) typical of business‐grade devices.

  • Under heavy load may produce heat/noise which can matter in quiet office or meeting rooms.

  • For purely office productivity use the GPU/specs may be “overkill” (i.e., you may pay for performance you don’t need).

6. Deployment Tips & Recommendations

  • Choose the right configuration: If you’ll use GPU acceleration (design, editing, modelling) then the GTX 1660 Ti version is justified. If your usage is purely office/internet/email, you might consider a lighter build without discrete GPU for better battery life.

  • Memory & storage: Ensure at least 16 GB RAM (for multi‐tasking) and sufficient SSD (512 GB or 1 TB) depending on your file sizes. The 1 TB variant is very good.

  • Portability considerations: For travel, carry the power adapter and ideally plan for docking at office/home. Ensure you have a good cooling/dock setup.

  • Battery & use policy: For remote/hybrid workers, tweak power settings (e.g., switch GPU off when not needed) to extend battery life.

  • Security & management: Install enterprise security software, enable BIOS password, BitLocker, disable gaming bloatware if deploying in business. Check if the model supports TPM 2.0, manageability (MSI Center, etc).

  • Cooling and environment: Since a powerful GPU is inside a thin chassis, ensure the laptop has good ventilation, and avoid placing on soft surfaces, especially in warm climates.

  • Lifecycle planning: Given the upgradeability and performance headroom, this device can serve 3-5 years easily for many users. Budget for initial cost, but spread over lifecycle it may yield strong value.

  • User expectations: Train users that while the laptop is strong, it still needs charging, and in quiet meeting rooms the fan/heat might be more audible under heavy loads.

7. Final Verdict

The MSI Stealth 15M A11SDK-080FR is a very capable machine that offers a lot more than the typical business laptop. If your business workflow includes demanding applications (visualisation, large spreadsheets, light creative work, remote presentations, GPU-assisted tasks), this device is an excellent fit. For the typical user running Office 365 and web apps, it may be more power (and cost) than strictly needed — but if you value performance and flexibility it's a strong choice.

In summary:

  • ✅ Choose it if you are a mobile or hybrid professional, creative or power user who needs strong specs in a relatively portable form.

  • ⚠ Consider more business-focused ultrabook if your usage is basic (email, Office, browsing) and your priorities are battery life, ultra portability and enterprise manageability.

MSI Stealth 15M A11SDK-080FR Driver

MSI STEALTH 15M A11SDK-080FR DRIVERS FOR WINDOWS 10 64 BIT

GRAPHICS / VGA

Intel Graphic Driver
Version: 27.20.100.8439
Release date: 2020-09-09
File name: vga_win64_27.20.100.8439%20(WW34)_0x187498cb.zip
File size: 365.49 MB

NVIDIA Graphic Driver
Version: 451.83
Release date: 2020-09-24
File name: vga_Win10_x64_HDA(451.83)_27.21.14.5183(MS-1562)_0xde8966ac.zip
File size: 504.48 MB

AUDIO / SOUND

Realtek Audio Driver
Version: 6.0.9013.1
Release date: 2020-09-25
File name: ad_9013_WHQL_SVID_1462(26125)ISST_4426_OED_6.0.9013.1_0xeb4a88e4.zip
File size: 579.75 MB

Nahimic Driver
Version: 1.3.5.0
Release date: 2020-09-23
File name: ap_Nahimic3RestoreExe-APO4-SWCv1.3.5.0-EXTv1.2.6.64620.exe_1.3.5.0_0x9925a904.zip
File size: 6.53 MB

CHIPSET

Intel Chipset Driver
Version: 10.1.18460.8229
Release date: 2020-09-09
File name: cs_chipset-10.1.18460.8229-public-mup_10.1.18460.8229%20(WW32,34)_0x1e4378be.zip
File size: 3.44 MB

Intel Gaussian and Neural Accelerator Driver
Version: 2.0.0.1047
Release date: 2020-09-21
File name: gna_gna_win10_02.00.00.1047_x64_19041_20200804_2.0.0.1047_0xb889238b.zip
File size: 0.05 MB

Intel Management Engine Driver
Version: 2031.15.0.1743
Release date: 2020-09-23
File name: me_MEI_2031.15.0.1743_0x16fca96d.zip
File size: 0.27 MB

Intel Dynamic Tuning Driver
Version: 8.7.10400.15556
Release date: 2020-09-23
File name: dptf_8.7.10400.15556_8.7.10400.15556(no%20ICSS)_0xd066e680.zip
File size: 7.15 MB

THUNDERBOLT

Intel Thunderbolt Driver
Version: 1.41.987.0
Release date: 2020-09-09
File name: imsm_tbt_dch_sw_rev75_1.41.987.0%20(Rev%2075)_0xe63e85f8.zip
File size: 181.15 MB

MOUSE, KEYBOARD AND INPUT DEVICES

Intel Serial IO Driver
Version: 30.100.2031.2
Release date: 2020-09-09
File name: Serial%20IO_tp_serialio_30.100.2031.2_pv_tgl-lp_20h1_30.100.2031.2%20_0x2a8b5fae.zip
File size: 2.67 MB

STORAGE

Realtek Card Reader Driver
Version: 10.0.19041.21335
Release date: 2020-09-09
File name: cr_RtsPer_10.0.19041.21335_RS519H220H1_WHQL_20200529(20552)_10.0.19041.21335_0xee6ddc2c.zip
File size: 14.41 MB

WIRELESS LAN WLAN WIFI NETWORK

Intel Wireless LAN Driver
Version: 21.110.1.1
Release date: 2020-09-23
File name: wl_Drivers_phwfw01690_21.110.1.1_0x5d92f537.zip
File size: 23.09 MB

BLUETOOTH

Intel BlueTooth Driver
Version: 21.110.0.3
Release date: 2020-09-23
File name: bt_bt-phbtw12144_21.110.0.3g_21.110.0.3_0x45cd90c8.zip
File size: 95.67 MB

SOFTWARE AND UTILITY

MSI App Player
Version: 4.200.0.6306
Release date: 2020-09-04
File name: ap_MSI_App_Player_4.200.0.6306_amd64_native_4.200.0.6306_0x940140a0.zip
File size: 496.95 MB

Nvidia GeForce Experience
Version: 3.20.3.63
Release date: 2020-08-28
File name: ap_P124823R_WIN32UX_3.20.3.63(WHQL)_0x3c9c32e1.zip
File size: 234.41 MB

BIOS

BIOS E1562IMS.107
Version: E1562IMS.107
Release date: 2020-10-19
File name: E1562IMS.107.zip
File size: 8.4 MB

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