A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Acer Predator Helios 300 is less expensive and offers solid gaming performance with its RTX 3060 graphics, but it has a standard resolution display and a shorter battery life. On the other hand, the MSI Creator Z16P is somewhat pricier but features a more robust RTX 3070 Ti graphics card and a high-resolution touchscreen, which is more suitable for creative professionals. The MSI also boasts better battery life. If you prioritize gaming and affordability, the Acer might suit you well, whereas if you favor creative tasks and a higher quality screen, the MSI is the better choice. Both are mid-range prices but the MSI carries a slightly higher cost for the additional features. 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 300
- The Acer Predator Helios 300 has no clear advantages over the MSI Creator Z16P.
Advantages of the MSI Creator Z16P
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Good portability
- Very good speakers
- Very good keyboard
Key differences
Engineering and Design
7.6
8.3
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
6.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Creator Z16P is very good for engineering and design, while the Acer Predator Helios 300 is good.
The Acer Predator Helios 300 offers solid CPU, RAM, and GPU specs suitable for engineering and design, while maintaining reasonable portability, but it may not match the superior screen quality and higher-end components of the MSI Creator Z16P, which are very good for such tasks despite the laptop being less portable and potentially noisier during operation.
Content Creation
7.3
7.9
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Creator Z16P and Acer Predator Helios 300 are both good for content creation, though the MSI Creator Z16P is somewhat better.
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
7.1
7.6
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The MSI Creator Z16P and Acer Predator Helios 300 are both good for software development, though the MSI Creator Z16P is somewhat better.
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.
Screen Quality
7.3
8.3
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
294.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
394.0 nits
The MSI Creator Z16P has a better screen than the Acer Predator Helios 300 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Acer Predator Helios 300 may have an optimal balance of resolution, panel type, and brightness that suits day-to-day tasks and is consistently sharp for detailed engineering graphics, but its lower refresh rate is less ideal for fast-paced 3D applications where smooth motion is key. Conversely, the MSI Creator Z16P boasts superior color accuracy and wider color gamuts, making it exceptional for precision tasks in design and engineering, but, like the Acer, it lacks the high refresh rate sought after by gamers for seamless 3D rendering. Both laptops, while strong in display qualities for professional and casual use, may fall short for gaming enthusiasts who prioritize fluid visuals over color fidelity.
Battery
3.5 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Acer Predator Helios 300 has 3.5 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.
Build Quality
7.4
8.0
The MSI Creator Z16P has very good build quality, while the Acer Predator Helios 300 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,204
$1,300
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
$2,000
The Acer Predator Helios 300 has a price of $1,204 and the MSI Creator Z16P costs $1,300.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.4
7.8
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
294.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
394.0 nits
3.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.0 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
6.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.2/10
The MSI Creator Z16P and Acer Predator Helios 300 are both good for general use.
The Acer Predator Helios 300 and MSI Creator Z16P both offer robust CPU performance and ample RAM, which is very important for general use, ensuring smooth multitasking and fast operation. However, the MSI Creator Z16P boasts a higher-resolution, touch-enabled screen with superior color coverage, and longer battery life, making it a premium choice for those prioritizing screen quality and usage time away from a power source, while the Acer Predator Helios 300 is more budget-friendly but less portable and with a lower screen quality.
Gaming and AI
7.2
7.6
6.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.4/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.7/10
The MSI Creator Z16P and Acer Predator Helios 300 are both good for gaming and AI.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Portability
Fair
Good
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
5.5 lbs
WEIGHT
5.2 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.7in
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Creator Z16P to have good portability, while the Acer Predator Helios 300 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Acer Predator Helios 300 and the MSI Creator Z16P compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Predator Helios 300 | MSI Creator Z16P |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,204 | $1,300 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2021 | June 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.3'' x 10'' x 0.9'' | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.75'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.51 lbs | 5.27 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.3" | 14.13" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10" | 10.18" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-11800H | Intel i9-12900H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 3.5 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 59 Wh | 90 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 294 nits | 394 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.9/10 | 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 | 720p | 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 | 1 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
Acer Predator Helios 300
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Christian Hintze | November 2022
"The Acer Predator Helios 300 review is an overclocked gaming laptop with a good display. The Predator is large, heavy, and loud, but also offers plenty of performance according to gamers. An overclocked gaming laptop - or its user - also has to struggle with the usual disadvantages we mentioned above. On the other hand, overclocking is optional, and those who like it quieter and can live with a few less frames per second can also switch to the significantly more moderate Standard mode. Then the Helios 300 won't be any louder than the competitors."
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 300 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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