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Updated March 22, 2024·
When choosing between the Dell Alienware m17 R2 and the MSI Creator Z16P, consider that the Alienware is generally more gaming-oriented with likely higher graphical performance, while the MSI Creator is more tailored for creative professionals with a focus on color-accurate displays and powerful multitasking capabilities. If your priority is gaming, you might lean towards the Alienware; for video editing or design work, the MSI could be more suitable. However, gaming laptops can be less portable due to weight, and creative-focused laptops might not be optimized for the highest gaming performance. 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 Dell Alienware m16 R2
- Good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Creator Z16P
- Good portability
Key differences
Screen Quality
8.2
8.3
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
302.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
394.0 nits
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a better screen than the MSI Creator Z16P for gaming and AI, while the MSI Creator Z16P has a better screen for engineering and design.
For general use, the Dell Alienware m16 R2 and MSI Creator Z16P both offer high-resolution displays with excellent brightness and panel type, ensuring crisp images and comfortable viewing in various lighting conditions. Engineers and designers will appreciate their wide color gamuts, providing accuracy in color-critical tasks like photo editing and CAD work. However, both laptops have lower refresh rates, which is less than ideal for 3D applications and gaming where smoother motion and quicker screen updates are crucial for the best experience.
Cost
$1,650
$1,300
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a price of $1,650 and the MSI Creator Z16P costs $1,300.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.9
7.8
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
302.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
394.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
6.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.2/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and MSI Creator Z16P are both good for general use.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2, with its strong CPU and ample RAM, provides smooth and fast performance for everyday tasks, while its high-quality screen enhances viewing experiences, but it's less portable and has a shorter battery life; on the other hand, the MSI Creator Z16P, also boasting robust CPU and RAM, excels in tasks that demand color accuracy and high resolution, offering slightly better portability and longer battery life, making it versatile for both work and leisure. Both laptops have sufficient storage and feature decent keyboards and speakers, though during heavy use, pay attention to operating noise and heat management.
Gaming and AI
7.9
7.6
8.5/10
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
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.7/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and MSI Creator Z16P are both good for gaming and AI.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2, with its high-end GPU and fast screen refresh rate, excels in providing a smooth gaming experience and handling 3D tasks efficiently, while the MSI Creator Z16P also offers a capable GPU and competitive refresh rate, along with a strong CPU and superior screen quality that benefits content creators in gaming and 3D modeling. Both laptops are well-suited for demanding applications, but the MSI may appeal more to those seeking a balance between high-performance gaming and professional creative work.
Engineering and Design
8.4
8.3
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and MSI Creator Z16P are both very good for engineering and design.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 offers a high-performance CPU, ample RAM, and a robust GPU which are crucial for demanding engineering tasks, and it features a high-quality screen that benefits design work. However, it's less portable than lighter options and may have more operating noise, while the MSI Creator Z16P also delivers on critical performance aspects with similarly impressive screen quality and possibly better keyboard and speaker characteristics for a more comfortable user experience.
Content Creation
7.9
7.9
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Creator Z16P and Dell Alienware m16 R2 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
7.6
7.6
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The MSI Creator Z16P and Dell Alienware m16 R2 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
6.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has 6 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
Fair
Good
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
5.7 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 Dell Alienware m16 R2 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 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.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Alienware m16 R2 and the MSI Creator Z16P compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware m16 R2 | MSI Creator Z16P |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,650 | $1,300 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2024 | June 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.3'' x 9.8'' x 0.93'' | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.75'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.75 lbs | 5.27 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.33" | 14.13" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.81" | 10.18" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | 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 | 6 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 | 302 nits | 394 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.8/10 | 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 | 7/10 | 7.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8.8/10 | 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
Dell Alienware m16 R2
See more
Dig into reviews and images
LaptopMag
Momo Tabari | January 2024
"Alienware’s m16 R2 is a solid gaming laptop that leaves much to be desired, particularly in its quest to fulfill your needs as a product for productivity. Battery life under eight hours and a dim display are both vital issues for something that will accompany you through school projects or a workday. However, the Alienware m16 R2 is an exceedingly powerful gaming laptop, consistently being one of the best in our performance tests when compared against similar products. Even then, its display is lacking color, its fans get pretty darn loud, and its speakers aren’t punchy enough to rise above that noise."
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 Dell Alienware m16 R2 or the MSI Creator Z16P
About Dell
Dell is a highly recognizable American technology company, and is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. Their laptops are very popular for both personal and professional use, and they also own the Alienware brand which makes mid to high end gaming laptops. Their premium XPS range of laptops offer great build quality and portability, while Latitude and Precision laptops are known for reliability, repairability and performance for business users.
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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