First of all, the game was release for the Macintosh, which back then had great graphics support due to its popularity with graphic designers and artists.
Since then, hardware support for the Windows platform has taken off and along with it hardware based 3D acceleration. PC games have some of the best graphics out there nowadays.
The original MYST video game was created by the Miller brothers, and if you want to see some cool artwork, check out Robyn Miller's website.
I remember my mom got me Myst when I was in like 4th or 5th grade. I wasn't too big on it because it focuses more on puzzles than the action. Now that I have "matured" I use that term loosely, I wouldn't mind going back and giving it another shot.
Will it run on your current laptop?