MSI Raider A18 HX: getting to know the ports and connectors
40 Gbps USB with Power Delivery, the card reader, a Kensington lock slot: the full port layout around the machine's edges.
The right side: audio and fast USB
The combo audio jack (3.5mm) takes headphones, a microphone, or a headset. The USB 40 Gbps (USB-C) port does far more than fast transfers: it supports DisplayPort output to an external screen, and — more importantly — charging the laptop, up to 140 W via Power Delivery when the machine is on, a 15–140 W range when it's off, and portable charging output capped at 5V/3A on AC power (5V/1.5A on battery alone). A second USB-A 10 Gbps port rounds things out for regular peripherals.
The left side: physical security and storage
The Kensington lock slot lets you physically secure the laptop with a cable lock — genuinely useful when working in public. A USB-A 5 Gbps port and a memory card reader sit alongside the air vents, which should never be blocked.
The back: network and fixed-cable video
The power connector, the HDMI port, and the RJ-45 network port (up to 2500 Mbps depending on configuration) are on the back — convenient for a stationary setup with permanent cables.
The bottom: ventilation and internal storage
Air vents, stereo speakers (with a woofer on some configurations), and the M.2 PCIe SSD slot occupy the underside.