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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is equipped with a more powerful GPU suitable for intensive gaming and offers high screen refresh rates, which can be beneficial for fast-paced gaming and smooth visuals. It also features hardware ray tracing and DLSS, enhancing gaming and creative applications. However, it is slightly heavier and has shorter battery life compared to the MSI Creator Z16P. On the other hand, the MSI Creator Z16P includes a touchscreen, a higher quality webcam, speakers, and slightly better build quality. It's also lighter, making it more portable, but it has a less powerful GPU and a lower screen refresh rate. If performance in gaming and 3D tasks is your priority, the Acer might be the better choice, whereas if you value portability, touch capability, and better multimedia features, the MSI would be more suitable. 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 general use
- Very good for gaming and AI
- Very good for content creation
- Good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Creator Z16P
- Very good overall build quality
- Good portability
- Very good speakers
- Very good keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
8.5
7.6
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.4/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
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 Z16P is good.
The Acer Predator Helios 16, equipped with an Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU and a screen refresh rate of 240Hz, offers superior gaming and 3D performance, whereas the MSI Creator Z16P's Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti and 165Hz refresh rate provide good capabilities for similar tasks but with slightly less graphical power and smoothness in fast-action scenarios. Despite both having quality IPS screens and high resolution, the higher refresh rate and more advanced GPU in the Acer model make it particularly advantageous for high-frame-rate gaming and intensive 3D work.
Screen Quality
8.8
8.3
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
498.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
394.0 nits
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has a better screen than the MSI Creator Z16P for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the Acer Predator Helios 16 and the MSI Creator Z16P provide sharp images and bright displays due to their high-resolution panels, which enhances everyday activities like browsing and video streaming. Both screens excel in engineering and design tasks because they cover a wide range of colors, ensuring accurate and consistent color representation which is crucial for these professionals. However, when it comes to gaming and 3D work, their lower refresh rates may make the displays less responsive, resulting in a less smooth experience during fast-paced action and rendering.
Battery
6.5 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has 6.5 hours of battery life. The MSI Creator Z16P has 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
16.0in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
5.2 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The MSI Creator Z16P has good portability, while the Acer Predator Helios 16 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.4
8.0
The MSI Creator Z16P has very good build quality, while the Acer Predator Helios 16 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,599
$1,300
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has a price of $1,599 and the MSI Creator Z16P costs $1,300.
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Key similarities
General Use
8.0
7.8
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
498.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
394.0 nits
6.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.0 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
6.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.2/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Acer Predator Helios 16 to be very good for general use, while the MSI Creator Z16P is good.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 offers a powerful CPU and dedicated graphics ideal for a range of tasks, and its high-quality screen with good brightness and color coverage makes it suitable for both productivity and entertainment. In comparison, the MSI Creator Z16P also provides strong performance with a top-end CPU, ample RAM, and an excellent screen that supports touch interaction, but it trades off some battery life and has less efficient heat management compared to the Acer.
Engineering and Design
8.7
8.3
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Acer Predator Helios 16 and MSI Creator Z16P are both very good for engineering and design.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 and MSI Creator Z16P both boast powerful CPUs and GPUs, ample RAM, and high-quality screens, essential for demanding engineering software and intricate design work. While the Acer favors gamers with its robust cooling system reducing operating noise, the MSI caters to creators with its color-accurate display and superior keyboard, though both are less portable due to their performance-focused build.
Content Creation
8.2
7.9
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Acer Predator Helios 16 to be very good for content creation, while the MSI Creator Z16P is good.
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
7.6
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Acer Predator Helios 16 and MSI Creator Z16P 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.
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How the Acer Predator Helios 16 and the MSI Creator Z16P compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Predator Helios 16 | MSI Creator Z16P |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,599 | $1,300 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2023 | June 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.2'' x 10.9'' x 1'' | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.75'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.73 lbs | 5.27 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.15" | 14.13" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.88" | 10.18" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-13700HX | Intel i9-12900H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 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 | 5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | 90 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 240Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 498 nits | 394 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.4/10 | 7.2/10 | |
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 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 3 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
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."
MSI Creator Z16P
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Mario Petzold | June 2022
"There's almost nothing left to be desired with the MSI Z16P. The creator laptop offers enormous performance resources for image editing, video editing, rendering, and more. All this is presented on a precalibrated, adequately sized, and high-resolution display. Its color space, refresh rate, and panel technology are also perfectly suited for a device that specializes in video reproduction and editing."
Get a great deal on the Acer Predator Helios 16 or the MSI Creator Z16P
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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