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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Dell XPS 15 is better suited for general use and offers longer battery life, making it more portable and a good choice if you need to use your laptop on the go frequently. It is also less expensive. On the other hand, the MSI Creator Z16P provides superior performance for 3D rendering, machine learning, and engineering tasks due to its more powerful processor and graphics card, albeit at a higher cost and with shorter battery life. The MSI also has a larger and higher resolution touchscreen display, which can be beneficial for creative and design work, but it adds to the weight, reducing portability. 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 XPS 15
- Very good for general use
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Very good battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Excellent keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Creator Z16P
- Good for gaming and AI
- Very good overall display quality
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.8
7.6
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.4/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
9.1/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.7/10
The MSI Creator Z16P is good for gaming and AI, while the Dell XPS 15 is only fair.
The Dell XPS 15, equipped with an Intel Arc A370M graphics card and a screen refresh rate of 60 Hz, offers competent gaming and 3D capabilities, while the MSI Creator Z16P delivers higher gaming performance with its Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti GPU and smoother visuals at a 165 Hz refresh rate. Both have quality screens, but MSI's higher screen refresh rate makes it more suited for fast-paced gaming; however, the Dell XPS 15 might offer a better battery life due to its lower refresh rate.
Screen Quality
7.4
8.3
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
606.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
394.0 nits
The Dell XPS 15 has a better screen than the MSI Creator Z16P for software development, and content creation, while the MSI Creator Z16P has a better screen for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
The Dell XPS 15 and MSI Creator Z16P both have high-resolution displays and panel types with vibrant color and brightness suitable for general computing and professional design work, ensuring crisp, detailed images and accurate colors which are critical for engineering and graphic design tasks. However, their screens aren't optimized for gaming or 3D applications because they lack high refresh rates, which are crucial for smooth motion rendering and a responsive gaming experience. While they deliver excellent visual fidelity in general use and professional scenarios, gamers and 3D designers may find these laptops less appealing due to the less fluid visual performance in fast-paced scenarios.
Battery
10.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Dell XPS 15 has 10 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
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
4.2 lbs
WEIGHT
5.2 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Dell XPS 15 and MSI Creator Z16P both have good portability, though the Dell XPS 15 has somewhat better portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,000
$1,300
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Dell XPS 15 has a price of $1,000 and the MSI Creator Z16P costs $1,300.
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Key similarities
General Use
8.2
7.8
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
606.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
394.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.0 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
7.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.2/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell XPS 15 to be very good for general use, while the MSI Creator Z16P is good.
The Dell XPS 15 is highly regarded for general use due to its balance of a strong CPU and adequate RAM for smooth multitasking, a quality screen with high color accuracy for media consumption, and a lighter build for better portability, along with good battery life that supports longer use away from power sources.
Engineering and Design
8.1
8.3
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Creator Z16P and Dell XPS 15 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Dell XPS 15 is equipped with a mid-range GPU and a high-end CPU that suit engineering tasks well, along with having a high-quality screen and excellent keyboard, while it also offers somewhat better portability and quieter operating noise.
Content Creation
8.3
7.9
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell XPS 15 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
8.1
7.6
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell XPS 15 to be 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.
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The Dell XPS 15 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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How the Dell XPS 15 and the MSI Creator Z16P compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell XPS 15 | MSI Creator Z16P |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,000 | $1,300 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | June 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 13.6'' x 9.1'' x 0.71'' | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.75'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.21 lbs | 5.27 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 13.57" | 14.13" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.06" | 10.18" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-13700H | 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 | 10 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 86 Wh | 90 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 606 nits | 394 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.8/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 9.1/10 | 7.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 10/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 3 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
Dell XPS 15
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Matthew Buzzi | May 2023
"The 2023 Dell XPS 15 is more or less exactly what you'd expect from the company flagship. Its fresh components deliver measurably superior power and longevity, while the machine's premium build and design remain intact. It may not be overly exciting, but XPS loyalists and upgraders should be more than happy."
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 XPS 15 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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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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