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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Dell Latitude 5431 is more budget-friendly and offers longer battery life, making it a solid option for general use and mobility. Whereas the MSI Creator Z16P, though pricier, is better suited for demanding tasks like 3D work, machine learning, and gaming due to its powerful processor and superior graphics card. The MSI also has a larger, higher-resolution touchscreen display, which could be a plus for creative professionals. The tradeoff with the MSI is it has a shorter battery life and is heavier, which reduces its portability compared to the Dell. 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 Latitude 5431
- Good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Creator Z16P
- Very good for engineering and design
- Good for gaming and AI
- Very good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Very good keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.2
7.6
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.4/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.7/10
The MSI Creator Z16P is good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Latitude 5431 is only fair.
The MSI Creator Z16P offers better gaming and 3D performance largely due to its superior GPU, the Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti, and a higher screen refresh rate of 165 Hz which is conducive for smoother visuals in fast-paced games, compared to the Dell Latitude 5431's integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics and a 60 Hz screen refresh rate. While both laptops feature high-quality IPS displays, the MSI's combination of a more powerful CPU and its larger, higher resolution touchscreen also contributes to enhanced overall performance for demanding tasks.
Engineering and Design
6.9
8.3
7.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
3.7/10
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 Dell Latitude 5431 is only fair.
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
7.4
7.9
7.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Creator Z16P and Dell Latitude 5431 are both good for content creation, though the MSI Creator Z16P is somewhat better.
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.
Screen Quality
6.1
8.3
14.0in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
241.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
394.0 nits
The MSI Creator Z16P has a better screen than the Dell Latitude 5431 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, the Dell Latitude 5431 offers adequate resolution and brightness but may fall short in color vividness and sharpness compared to the MSI Creator Z16P, which boasts a higher-quality display with better resolution and brightness, enhancing the overall viewing experience. In engineering and design, the MSI Creator Z16P excels due to a broader color gamut, providing more accurate color representation which is crucial for these fields, while the Dell's more limited color range may not meet professional color standards. However, for gaming and 3D uses, both laptops underperform as they lack the high refresh rates required for smooth motion rendering, impacting their ability to display fast-paced visuals crisply.
Battery
9.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Dell Latitude 5431 has 9 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
14.0in
SIZE
16.0in
3.3 lbs
WEIGHT
5.2 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Dell Latitude 5431 and MSI Creator Z16P both have good portability, though the Dell Latitude 5431 has somewhat better portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.4
8.0
The MSI Creator Z16P has very good build quality, while the Dell Latitude 5431 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$950
$1,300
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Dell Latitude 5431 has a price of $950 and the MSI Creator Z16P costs $1,300.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.5
7.8
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
241.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
394.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
7.8/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.2/10
The MSI Creator Z16P and Dell Latitude 5431 are both good for general use.
The Dell Latitude 5431 offers sufficient power for general use with a decent processor and RAM, a quality IPS screen, and boasts better portability and battery life, which might be ideal for users who prioritize mobility and longer unplugged usage. On the other hand, the MSI Creator Z16P, with its superior processor, RAM, and a higher-quality, larger screen, caters to those who need more robust performance and greater screen estate for multitasking or creative work, but this comes at the cost of heavier weight and shorter battery life.
Software Development
7.3
7.6
7.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The MSI Creator Z16P and Dell Latitude 5431 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.
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How the Dell Latitude 5431 and the MSI Creator Z16P compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Latitude 5431 | MSI Creator Z16P |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$950 | $1,300 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | June 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.7'' x 8.4'' x 0.96'' | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.75'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.3 lbs | 5.27 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.65" | 14.13" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.35" | 10.18" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-1250P | 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 | 256 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 64 Wh | 90 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 241 nits | 394 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.9/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8/10 | 7.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 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
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 Dell Latitude 5431 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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