If you prioritize high-end gaming and can handle a heavier laptop, the ASUS ROG Strix may serve you better, though it costs more and might not be as convenient to carry around. On the other hand, if your work involves creative tasks like video editing or 3D design, the MSI Creator Z16P offers a balance of performance and portability, possibly with a more color-accurate screen, which could be beneficial for those types of tasks. Both laptops should handle general use effortlessly, but for extended use away from a power source, consider the one with the better battery life. 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 ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024)
Very good for general use
Excellent for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Good battery life
Best in class speakers
Advantages of the MSI Creator Z16P
Very good overall build quality
Good portability
Key differences
General Use
8.7/10
7.8/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
422.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
394.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
5.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.2/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) is very good for general use, while the MSI Creator Z16P is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18, with its high-performance CPU and ample RAM, provides smooth multitasking and gaming capabilities alongside a quality screen but sacrifices portability and has shorter battery life. In contrast, the MSI Creator Z16P, while still offering good performance and a high-quality display for creative work, strikes a better balance with decent portability and longer battery life, making it more suited for on-the-go use.
Gaming and AI
8.7/10
7.6/10
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
7.2/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.7/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) is very good for gaming and AI, while the MSI Creator Z16P is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 is equipped with a top-tier GPU and a high screen refresh rate, making it an exceptional choice for gaming and 3D-intensive tasks, offering smooth visuals and superior gameplay performance. Meanwhile, the MSI Creator Z16P, while also boasting a strong GPU and good screen quality, has a lower refresh rate, making it slightly less optimal for high-end gaming but still a capable machine for creative work and general gaming.
Engineering and Design
9.2/10
8.3/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.4/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) is excellent for engineering and design, while the MSI Creator Z16P is very good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 packs a more powerful CPU, GPU, and typically more RAM suited for demanding engineering tasks and design software, along with a high-quality screen that professionals require for detailed work. In contrast, the MSI Creator Z16P, while still providing robust processing power and a quality display, trades off some performance for better portability and a superior keyboard and speakers, appealing to users who also prioritize comfort and multimedia experience.
Content Creation
8.8/10
7.9/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) is 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
8.5/10
7.6/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) is very good for software development, while the MSI Creator Z16P is good.
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
8.7/10
8.3/10
18.0in
SIZE
16.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
422.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
394.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has a better screen than the MSI Creator Z16P for general use, gaming and AI, software development, and content creation.
For general use, both the ASUS ROG Strix G18 and the MSI Creator Z16P have displays with high resolution and brightness, providing clear and vivid images that enhance the viewing experience for everyday tasks and media consumption. With regards to engineering and design, these laptops offer wide color gamuts, ensuring accurate color representation that's crucial for professionals who require precise color detailing in their work. However, when it comes to gaming and 3D applications, their lower refresh rates may not deliver the smoothest visuals desired by gamers or professionals working with fast-moving graphics, where higher refresh rates can provide a more fluid and responsive experience.
Battery
8.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has 8 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
Poor
Good
18.0in
SIZE
16.0in
6.6 lbs
WEIGHT
5.2 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The MSI Creator Z16P has good portability, while the ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$2,203
$1,300
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) has a price of $2,203 and the MSI Creator Z16P costs $1,300.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Creator Z16P to have very good build quality, while the ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) and the MSI Creator Z16P compare to other laptops
"With the ROG Strix G18, Asus has made an almost consistently good debut in the still quite new 18-inch laptop segment. The base unit case shows a few signs of weakness in the area of stability and is something which has an effect on the perceived quality of the input devices (the chassis tends to rattle a bit). Nevertheless, thanks to generous port features (incl. Thunderbolt 4), a striking design, and extensive lighting (keyboard, LED strip on the front), gamers get a fitting gaming platform."
"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 ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) or the MSI Creator Z16P
About ASUS
ASUS, a Taiwanese electronics brand, is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. The majority of their laptops are targeted towards personal use or gaming. Their most popular product lines include the budget-friendly VivoBook, more premium ZenBook, and their TUF and ROG gaming laptops, the latter of which has a reputation for excellent gaming performance.
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.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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