The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X is somewhat more expensive but offers a premium OLED display with higher resolution, ideal for creative tasks where color accuracy is essential. In contrast, the MSI Creator Z16P has a lower-priced tag and an IPS display with a higher refresh rate, beneficial for smoother motion and better for gaming. Both are similarly equipped with storage, RAM, and high-performance processors suited for general use, 3D rendering, machine learning, and engineering tasks. They are not the most portable due to their size and weight, and moderate battery life, but if portability is not a primary concern and you seek better screen quality for creative work, the ASUS may be worth the extra cost. If you prioritize performance with a higher refresh rate display and a more favorable price, then the MSI would be a better fit. 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 Zenbook Pro 16X
Very good for general use
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
Key differences
Content Creation
8.5/10
7.9/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X 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
8.2/10
7.6/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X 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
8.3/10
8.3/10
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
354.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
394.0 nits
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X has a better screen than the MSI Creator Z16P for general use, engineering and design, software development, and content creation, while the MSI Creator Z16P has a better screen for gaming and AI.
If you prioritize a sharp, vibrant display for work and everyday tasks, both the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X and the MSI Creator Z16P excel due to their high-resolution panels with ample brightness. Those undertaking engineering or design work will appreciate their wide color gamuts, ensuring true-to-life color representation. However, for gaming or 3D applications, the lower refresh rates on these laptops may lead to less fluid motion compared to models with displays designed specifically for high frame rates.
Battery
7.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X has 7 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.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X to be very good for general use, while the MSI Creator Z16P is good.
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X stands out for general use with its vibrant OLED screen, paired with a competent CPU and GPU combo, conducive for a variety of tasks, while maintaining reasonable portability and battery life. In comparison, the MSI Creator Z16P offers a slightly more powerful CPU and a superior GPU, which may benefit more demanding applications, but this is at the expense of reduced battery life and potentially louder operating noise due to more robust heat management requirements.
Gaming and AI
7.5/10
7.6/10
6.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.4/10
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
60Hz
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 ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X are both good for gaming and AI.
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X, with an Nvidia RTX 3060 and a 60Hz OLED screen, offers high-quality visuals but limited refresh rate for gaming and 3D applications, while the MSI Creator Z16P boasts a more powerful Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti and a higher 165Hz refresh rate on its IPS display for smoother visuals in fast-paced scenarios. Both laptops feature capable CPUs and high-quality screens, with the MSI model slightly ahead in graphics power and screen responsiveness, making it potentially more suitable for demanding gaming and 3D tasks.
Engineering and Design
8.6/10
8.3/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
6.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X and MSI Creator Z16P are both very good for engineering and design.
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X and MSI Creator Z16P are excellent for engineering and design due to their powerful CPUs, abundant RAM, and high-quality GPUs, which are critical for demanding tasks and complex software in these fields. The Zenbook Pro 16X features an OLED screen known for vibrant colors and deep blacks, enhancing visual design work, while the Creator Z16P, with a high refresh IPS display, offers smooth visuals which may be preferred for some engineering applications; both prioritize these features over factors like portability and operating noise.
Portability
Good
Good
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
5.2 lbs
WEIGHT
5.2 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X and MSI Creator Z16P both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.6/10
8.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Creator Z16P to have very good build quality, while the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,300
$1,300
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
$2,000
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X has a price of $1,300 and the MSI Creator Z16P costs $1,300.
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How the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X and the MSI Creator Z16P compare to other laptops
"The new Zenbook Pro 16X is more powerful, quieter and doesn't need to shy away from dedicated workstations and gamers. It is also comparatively compact, and our test device is the best Zenbook that we've reviewed so far. It seems equally suitable for content creators and gamers or anyone looking for a very powerful laptop that is still slim."
"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 Zenbook Pro 16X 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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