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


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

    1. Power off the laptop and place it on a static-free surface.
    2. 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.
    3. Insert a thin plastic pry tool at the top edges near the hinges and begin popping the panel upwards.
    4. 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

    1. Identify the large 82Wh battery spanning the lower part of the chassis.
    2. Carefully pull the battery connector towards the battery to detach it from the motherboard.
    3. 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

    1. The memory is soldered to the motherboard, typical for thin 2-in-1 devices like this Copilot+ notebook.
    2. 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

    1. Locate the single M.2 slot, compatible with 2280 Gen 4 SSDs.
    2. Remove the installed drive if upgrading, then insert your new SSD into the slot at an angle, securing it with the screw provided.
    3. 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

    1. 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

    1. The thermal system includes two fans and a pair of heat pipes.
    2. 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[...]

    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

    Cons

    • High price
    • Limited upgradability
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