A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 and MSI Creator Z16P are similarly priced and both target power users, but they have some differences. The ASUS features a higher performance graphics card, which makes it more suitable for intensive gaming and 3D or machine learning applications. It also has a higher screen refresh rate, beneficial for fast-motion content. However, the MSI offers a touchscreen, better suited for digital artists or users preferring a more hands-on approach. The MSI laptop's operating system is Windows 11 Pro, offering features for professional use over the Windows 11 Home in the ASUS. Both have similar portability, but the ASUS is slightly lighter which can be a factor if you often carry your laptop around. Battery life is approximately the same. Consider the ASUS if gaming or high-end graphics work is a priority, while the MSI may appeal more to creative professionals prioritizing a touchscreen and a professional operating system. 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 Zephyrus M16
- Very good for gaming and AI
- Very good for content creation
- Excellent overall display quality
- Best in class speakers
Advantages of the MSI Creator Z16P
- 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
6.2/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.7/10
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 is very good for gaming and AI, while the MSI Creator Z16P is good.
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 is equipped with an Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU and a high screen refresh rate of 240Hz, making it excellent for gaming and 3D applications where smooth visuals are crucial. In contrast, while the MSI Creator Z16P also has a strong Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti GPU, its screen refresh rate is 165Hz, which is lower but still quite capable, and it might be more suitable for content creators who can benefit from its touchscreen display.
Screen Quality
9.0
8.3
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
627.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
394.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 has a better screen than the MSI Creator Z16P for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, and content creation.
For general use, both the ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 and the MSI Creator Z16P offer high-resolution displays with bright, vibrant panels that provide clear and crisp images. Their wide color gamuts ensure that they excel in engineering and design tasks by accurately representing a broad array of colors, which is crucial for detailed and color-critical work. However, their lower refresh rates make them less ideal for gaming and 3D applications, where smoother motion and quicker screen updates are key to an optimal experience.
Cost
$2,059
$1,300
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 has a price of $2,059 and the MSI Creator Z16P costs $1,300.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Laptop
Find your new laptop
Key similarities
General Use
7.9
7.8
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
627.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
394.0 nits
4.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.0 Hours
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
7.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.2/10
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 and MSI Creator Z16P are both good for general use.
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 features a top-tier CPU and ample RAM making it fast and responsive for everyday tasks, while its large, high-refresh-rate screen provides excellent image quality and fluid visuals, important for both work and entertainment. The MSI Creator Z16P, also with a robust CPU and plenty of RAM, adds a touchscreen and has slightly better speakers and a keyboard, enhancing interactive tasks and general comfort, but it is heavier and its active cooling is not as effective, which may affect long-term performance in demanding use.
Engineering and Design
8.8
8.3
9.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 and MSI Creator Z16P are both very good for engineering and design.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Content Creation
8.2
7.9
9.5/10
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 ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 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
7.7
7.6
9.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 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.
Battery
4.5 Hours
5.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 has 4.5 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
Good
Good
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
4.6 lbs
WEIGHT
5.2 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 and MSI Creator Z16P both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 and MSI Creator Z16P both have very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 and the MSI Creator Z16P compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 | MSI Creator Z16P |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$2,059 | $1,300 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2023 | June 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14'' x 9.7'' x 0.83'' | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.75'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.63 lbs | 5.27 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 13.98" | 14.13" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.69" | 10.18" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i9-13900H | 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 | 4.5 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 | 627 nits | 394 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.3/10 | 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 | 6.3/10 | 7.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 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
ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16
See more
Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Christian Hintze | March 2023
"The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 is not yet as optimised as its predecessor. Compared to the previous gen, performance and efficiency have improved significantly. What's more, the wonderful, Mini-LED Nebula display is a contender for the main highlight and almost manages to put the CPU and GPU in the shade. We already found its predecessor to be a well-rounded and well-optimised gaming machine. Generally, but not unequivocally, that also applies to the new Asus M16. Similar to most of the current, new laptops, we are dealing with a double generational leap in terms of the CPU and GPU. However, this change doesn't always run smoothly."
MSI Creator Z16P
See more
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 ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Laptop guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 vs. ASUS TUF Gaming A15
VS
Compare ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 vs. Gigabyte Aero 17
VS
Compare ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 vs. ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024)
VS
Compare MSI Creator Z16P vs. Acer Nitro 5 15
VS
Compare MSI Creator Z16P vs. Lenovo Legion 5 Pro
VS
Compare MSI Creator Z16P vs. ASUS ROG Flow X16
VS
FAQs
FAQs about laptops
Why trust us
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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
100,995
Recommendations made
21,883
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.
Featured in
