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Updated March 22, 2024·
When deciding between the Acer Predator Helios 16 and the MSI Creator M14, consider your primary activities. The Acer Predator is designed for gaming with high-performance graphics and processing power, making it suitable for gaming, 3D work, and intensive tasks but it is heavier and may have shorter battery life. The MSI Creator, on the other hand, is tailored for creators with a focus on color accuracy and portability for tasks like photo and video editing; it's lighter and might offer better battery life, but may not handle gaming as well as the Predator. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Acer Predator Helios 16
- Very good for gaming and AI
- Very good overall display quality
- Good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Creator M14
- Good portability
- Very good keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
8.5
7.3
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.5/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.7/10
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is very good for gaming and AI, while the MSI Creator M14 is good.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is equipped with a high-end GPU and a high screen refresh rate, making it very suitable for gaming and 3D tasks that demand smooth visuals and fast response times. The MSI Creator M14, while also having a capable GPU and a decent refresh rate, focuses more on creators with its emphasis on screen quality and a powerful CPU, balancing performance for gaming and creative work.
Screen Quality
8.8
7.5
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
498.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
350.0 nits
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has a better screen than the MSI Creator M14 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, and content creation.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 likely boasts a high-resolution display with excellent brightness and a panel type that provides crisp, clear images, which is why it's very good for general use and engineering but falls short for gaming and 3D where refresh rate is key. The MSI Creator M14 might offer similar benefits in resolution and brightness with a decent panel type, making it good for everyday tasks and precise enough for engineering graphics, yet it doesn't quite match up for gaming due to an inferior refresh rate. Both laptops would benefit from wide color gamuts for engineering and design, ensuring accurate color reproduction, but the reduced focus on high refresh rates necessary for smooth gaming experiences results in them being less suited for 3D applications.
Battery
6.5 Hours
4.5 Hours
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has 6.5 hours of battery life. The MSI Creator M14 has 4.5 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Portability
Fair
Good
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
3.5 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The MSI Creator M14 has good portability, while the Acer Predator Helios 16 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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Key similarities
General Use
8.0
8.0
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
498.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
350.0 nits
6.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.5 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
6.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.8/10
The Acer Predator Helios 16 and MSI Creator M14 are both very good for general use.
The Acer Predator Helios 16, with its powerful CPU and ample RAM, excels in high-performance tasks and vivid screen quality, making it ideal for demanding applications and immersive viewing, but it's less portable with shorter battery life. The MSI Creator M14 offers a balance with adequate processing power and memory for everyday tasks, better portability due to its lighter design, and longer battery life, though it might not handle intensive workloads as effectively as the Acer.
Engineering and Design
8.7
8.4
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Acer Predator Helios 16 and MSI Creator M14 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is equipped with a high-performance CPU, ample RAM, and a dedicated GPU, which is critical for handling engineering software and rendering tasks, and it boasts a vivid screen that's beneficial for design precision. However, the portability is lesser and the fans may get loud under heavy use, while the MSI Creator M14, although also delivering strong CPU and GPU performance suitable for engineering and creative work, has a more portable design and a high-quality keyboard that might be quieter and easier to transport.
Content Creation
8.2
8.0
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Acer Predator Helios 16 and MSI Creator M14 are both very good for content creation.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
7.9
7.8
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Acer Predator Helios 16 and MSI Creator M14 are both good for software development.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Build Quality
7.4
7.8
The MSI Creator M14 and Acer Predator Helios 16 both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,599
$1,500
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has a price of $1,599 and the MSI Creator M14 costs $1,500.
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How the Acer Predator Helios 16 and the MSI Creator M14 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Predator Helios 16 | MSI Creator M14 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,599 | $1,500 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2023 | March 1, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.2'' x 10.9'' x 1'' | 12.4'' x 9.2'' x 0.88'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.73 lbs | 3.53 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.15" | 12.39" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.88" | 9.19" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-13700HX | Intel i7-13620H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.5 Hours | 4.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | 53.5 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 2880 x 1800 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 240Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 498 nits | 350 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.4/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 7.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 3 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
Shopping
Acer Predator Helios 16
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Dig into reviews and images
IGN
Samuel Horti | June 2023
"The Predator Helios 16 stacks up well against its closest competition in benchmark comparisons. The Acer Predator Helios 16 isn't perfect. It's bulky, its lid feels flimsy and some of its keys are just too damned small – but none of its problems are fatal, and it shines where it counts. The powerful graphics and processor combo are spot on for this price point, the fans stop it getting hot under pressure, and the display is as good as you’ll find under $2,500. It's simply one of the best laptops to play demanding games on."
Get a great deal on the Acer Predator Helios 16 or the MSI Creator M14
About Acer
Acer is a prominent Taiwanese electronics brand which makes a wide range of laptops, with multiple product lines catering to personal use, gaming, and business use. They are renowned for having exceptional value for money, as they frequently offer good specifications at a lower price than other manufacturers.
About MSI
MSI, also known as Micro-Star International, is a Taiwanese technology corporation. MSI is known for their wide range of gaming devices. Their series include the entry-level Cyborg/Thin and Sword/Katana series, the mid-range Bravo/Delta and Crosshair/Pulse series, and their high-end Vector, Raider, Stealth, and Titan GT series. At every performance level, MSI offers a variety of devices with varying balances between performance, battery life, weight, and price, making them a solid option to consider at every price point.
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