How to open MSI Summit A16 AI+ (A3HMx) – disassembly and upgrade options

LaptopMedia.com Guides How to open MSI Summit A16 AI+ (A3HMx) – disassembly and upgrade options

From: Dimitar Stalev 02 July 2025 / 21:47 0

#CommissionsEarned

MSI Summit A16 AI+

Processor: AMD Ryzen AI 9 365
VideoCard: AMD Radeon 880M
RAM: 32GB RAM
STORAGE: 1000GB SSD

Detailed review

MSI Summit A16 AI+

Processor: AMD Ryzen AI 9 365
VideoCard: AMD Radeon 880M
RAM: 32GB RAM
STORAGE: 2000GB SSD

Detailed review

MSI Summit A16 AI+

Processor: AMD Ryzen AI 9 365
VideoCard: AMD Radeon 880M
RAM: 32GB RAM
STORAGE: 1000GB SSD

Detailed review

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Step 1: Opening the MSI Summit A16 AI+ (A3HMx)

Power off the laptop and place it on a static-free surface.
Undo the seven Phillips-head screws securing the bottom panel. Note that the screws have rubber caps on top, which you need to gently unglue before unscrewing.
Insert a thin plastic pry tool at the top edges near the hinges and begin popping the panel upwards.
Continue prying along the sides and front edges of the laptop. Leave the back for last, then carefully lift away the bottom panel.

Step 2: Battery Removal

Identify the large 82Wh battery spanning the lower part of the chassis.
Carefully pull the battery connector towards the battery to detach it from the motherboard.
Undo the four Phillips-head screws that secure the battery, then lift the battery out of the laptop.

More info: The 82Wh battery offers excellent endurance, providing around 12 hours of video playback.

Memory Information

The memory is soldered to the motherboard, typical for thin 2-in-1 devices like this Copilot+ notebook.
All models come equipped with 32GB of LPDDR5x-7500MHz RAM in dual-channel mode, which should be more than sufficient for most users.

Storage Upgrade

Locate the single M.2 slot, compatible with 2280 Gen 4 SSDs.
Remove the installed drive if upgrading, then insert your new SSD into the slot at an angle, securing it with the screw provided.
A thermal pad beneath the NVMe helps to dissipate heat during operation.

Hint: Don’t forget to check out our Top M.2 SSDs Performance Rankings for insights on the best storage options available.

You can buy Gen 4 NVMe SSDs here: Buy from Amazon.com (#CommissionsEarned)

Wireless Card Replacement

The Wi-Fi 7 card is housed in a replaceable M.2 slot, allowing you to upgrade your wireless module if needed in the future.

Cooling System Overview

The thermal system includes two fans and a pair of heat pipes.
It features a large heat sink for effective heat dissipation along with two heat spreaders covering key components.

More info: With accessible storage, replaceable Wi-Fi, and straightforward disassembly, the MSI Summit A16 AI+ balances thin design with decent upgradability.

MSI Summit A16 AI+ (A3HMx) in-depth review

The MSI Summit A16 AI+ (A3HMx) is another big 2-in-1 laptop, and it'll be interesting to see how it performs against the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 16 2-in-1 (Gen 9, 16AHP9). The latter isn't that costly but offers less powerful hardware. The MSI machine is powered by the Strix Point Zen 5 AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 processor. This means that the iGPU is the Radeon 880M. It's pretty potent, though, especially for an integrated solution. It scores 67 FPS in Gears 5 on Medium details, which isn't bad at all. The memory is soldered, but the Wi-Fi 7 card isn't. You get just one slot for Gen 4 SSD. All that sounds p[...]

Read the full review

Pros

Great overall performance for a 2-in-1 machine
Up to 32GB LPDDR5x
Infinite contrast ratio + wide viewing angles (AUO28B2)
100% sRGB and 99% DCI-P3 coverage + accurate color with our "Design and Office" profile (AUO28B2)
~ 500 nits of max brightness (AUO28B2)
1600p resolution (AUO28B2)
Comfortable keyboard
Smooth and accurate touchpad
Solid metal chassis
The Ryzen AI 9 365 maintains a 3.47 GHz / 2.65 GHz P and E core clock in long loads
The MSI Center S offers plenty of customizations
2x USB4s
MicroSD Card reader
IR Web Camera
Fingerprint reader
dTPM 2.0 + privacy shutter
The fans aren't too intrusive in "Extreme Performance" mode
Fast SSD (Micron 3500)
82Wh battery that lasts for around 12 hours of videos on a single charge
Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 5.4
Great iGPU performance
The "Balanced" preset offers lower noise and 2.80 / 2.00 GHz P and E core clocks
The 360-degree hinge supports clamshell, stand, tent, and tablet modes