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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a higher-resolution touchscreen display, better color accuracy, and a more premium build, the MSI Creator Z16P is targeted towards content creators and offers these features along with a powerful graphics card suitable for 3D work and gaming. However, it is heavier and more expensive, with a shorter battery life. On the other hand, the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is less expensive, offers good gaming performance, and has longer battery life, making it more suitable for general use and gaming. It lacks the touchscreen and the build quality of the MSI but is more portable. 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 TUF Gaming A16
- Very good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Creator Z16P
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Very good speakers
- Very good keyboard
Key differences
Engineering and Design
7.7
8.3
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
7.7/10
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 ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is good.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16, equipped with a mid-range AMD CPU and GPU, provides decent performance for engineering and design tasks with a good screen quality. In contrast, the MSI Creator Z16P boasts a higher-end Intel CPU and Nvidia GPU, with a superior screen resolution and color accuracy, making it more suitable for demanding engineering and design applications.
Screen Quality
7.5
8.3
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
294.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
394.0 nits
The MSI Creator Z16P has a better screen than the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 provides a balance of resolution and brightness suitable for everyday tasks, while the MSI Creator Z16P excels with higher resolution and brightness, making for a more vibrant and crisp display. In engineering and design, the MSI Creator Z16P stands out with superior color accuracy and a wider color gamut, essential for precision work requiring true-to-life colors. However, both laptops fall short for gaming and 3D because they lack the high refresh rates required for smooth, responsive visuals in fast-paced scenarios.
Battery
12.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has 12 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
7.2
8.0
The MSI Creator Z16P has very good build quality, while the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$930
$1,300
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has a price of $930 and the MSI Creator Z16P costs $1,300.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.6
7.8
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
294.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
394.0 nits
12.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
7.0/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.2/10
The MSI Creator Z16P and ASUS TUF Gaming A16 are both good for general use.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 offers ample performance with its AMD CPU for everyday tasks and gaming, but with the added advantage of longer battery life, making it suitable for users needing a balance between performance and mobility. In comparison, the MSI Creator Z16P, with its powerful Intel i9 processor and high-end Nvidia graphics, caters to demanding creative workflows and multitasking, though its superior screen and build quality come at the cost of reduced battery life and portability.
Gaming and AI
7.4
7.6
7.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.4/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.7/10
The MSI Creator Z16P and ASUS TUF Gaming A16 are both good for gaming and AI.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 comes with an AMD RX 7600S graphics card and a high refresh rate display, appealing for gamers and 3D applications seeking fluid visuals and responsive gameplay. Meanwhile, the MSI Creator Z16P boasts an Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti GPU and a touch screen with superior color accuracy and resolution, which is particularly attractive for creators who prioritize immersive visual experiences and detailed rendering in games and creative software. Both laptops are equipped with powerful processors and decent screen quality, with the MSI model slightly leaning towards a more professional, content creation-oriented usage with its higher screen quality, while the ASUS is a robust gaming option.
Content Creation
7.6
7.9
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Creator Z16P and ASUS TUF Gaming A16 are both 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
7.3
7.6
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The MSI Creator Z16P and ASUS TUF Gaming A16 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.
Portability
Good
Good
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
4.8 lbs
WEIGHT
5.2 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The MSI Creator Z16P and ASUS TUF Gaming A16 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and the MSI Creator Z16P compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| ASUS TUF Gaming A16 | MSI Creator Z16P |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$930 | $1,300 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2023 | June 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14'' x 9.9'' x 0.97'' | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.75'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.85 lbs | 5.27 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 13.98" | 14.13" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.92" | 10.18" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS | 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 | 512 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 12 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 | 1920 x 1200 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 294 nits | 394 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.2/10 | 8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7/10 | 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 | 6.8/10 | 7.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7/10 | 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 | 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 | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
ASUS TUF Gaming A16
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Dig into reviews and images
PCWorld
Dominic Bayley | May 2023
"The A16 makes an excellent case against more expensive laptops like the Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 and the MSI Katana GF76, especially if you’re into 1080p gaming. However, although its affordable, it doesn’t skimp on performance or a robust chassis. But for me, the biggest factor that sets it apart from these options is its incredible battery life. In my time reviewing laptops, I can’t remember when I last saw a gaming laptop lasted 11 and a half hours on a single charge, which makes the A16, in my book, truly outstanding."
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 ASUS TUF Gaming A16 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.
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