A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
When choosing between the Framework Laptop 13 and the MSI Creator Z16P, consider that the Framework is generally more affordable, lighter, and thus more portable, with a slightly higher portability score. It offers a decent battery life and a 3:2 screen aspect ratio which is great for productivity tasks, along with a high pixel density screen, but it doesn't have a dedicated graphics card, which may limit its performance in intensive tasks like gaming or 3D rendering. On the other hand, the MSI Creator Z16P, while more expensive and heavier, has a much more powerful processor and graphics card, significantly boosting its performance for 3D, machine learning, and engineering tasks. It also has a larger, higher-resolution touchscreen display with a higher refresh rate, better suitable for creative work, but it compromises on battery life and portability. If you prioritize portability and cost over high-end performance, the Framework would be suitable, while if your focus is on power-intensive applications and a superior creative experience, the MSI is the better choice. 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 Framework Laptop 13 (2023)
- Very good portability
- 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
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.3
7.6
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.4/10
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.7/10
The MSI Creator Z16P is good for gaming and AI, while the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) is only fair.
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) is equipped with an integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics card, which is less powerful compared to the MSI Creator Z16P's dedicated Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti graphics card, affecting gaming and 3D performance. Additionally, the MSI Creator Z16P offers a higher screen refresh rate, conducive to smoother visuals in gaming and 3D applications, while the Framework Laptop's screen refresh rate is lower, prioritizing other features like portability and repairability.
Engineering and Design
7.3
8.3
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.4/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Creator Z16P is very good for engineering and design, while the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) is good.
The MSI Creator Z16P stands out with a more powerful CPU (Intel i9 compared to the Framework's Intel i5) and dedicated GPU (Nvidia RTX versus integrated Iris Xe), along with a higher amount of RAM, making it very suitable for demanding engineering and design tasks. However, the Framework Laptop 13 is lighter and marketed as being repairable and customizable, which favors portability and might appeal to users who prioritize ease of upgrades and repairs.
Screen Quality
7.4
8.3
13.5in
SIZE
16.0in
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
472.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
394.0 nits
The MSI Creator Z16P has a better screen than the Framework Laptop 13 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, and software development.
The Framework Laptop 13 offers a screen with suitable resolution and brightness for daily activities and crisp image quality necessary for engineering precision, but it falls short for gaming due to its standard refresh rate. The MSI Creator Z16P provides a higher resolution and screen brightness for a vivid display experience in both everyday tasks and detailed design work, along with a wider color range that benefits professional editing and rendering. However, both lack the high refresh rates preferred by gamers and enthusiasts, which can limit the smoothness during fast-paced 3D gaming scenarios.
Battery
7.5 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Framework Laptop 13 has 7.5 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
Very Good
Good
13.5in
SIZE
16.0in
2.9 lbs
WEIGHT
5.2 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) has very good portability, while the MSI Creator Z16P has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,079
$1,699
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) has a price of $1,079 and the MSI Creator Z16P costs $1,699.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Laptop
Find your new laptop
Key similarities
General Use
7.5
7.8
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
472.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
394.0 nits
7.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
8.8/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.2/10
The MSI Creator Z16P and Framework Laptop 13 (2023) are both good for general use.
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) is favored for general use due to its portability, repairability, and customization options, while still providing solid performance and a high-quality screen. In contrast, the MSI Creator Z16P offers superior performance with a higher-end CPU and GPU, more memory and storage, and a larger, higher resolution touchscreen, but it's less portable and has shorter battery life, making it more suitable for power users rather than those prioritizing mobility.
Content Creation
7.5
7.9
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Creator Z16P and Framework Laptop 13 (2023) 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
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The MSI Creator Z16P and Framework Laptop 13 (2023) 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.
Build Quality
7.8
8.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Creator Z16P to have very good build quality, while the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) and the MSI Creator Z16P compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Framework Laptop 13 (2023) | MSI Creator Z16P |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,079 | $1,699 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | June 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 11.7'' x 9'' x 0.62'' | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.75'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.95 lbs | 5.27 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11.7" | 14.13" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.01" | 10.18" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-1340P | Intel i9-12900H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.5 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 55 Wh | 90 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.5" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2256 x 1504 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 472 nits | 394 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.8/10 | 8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.8/10 | 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 | 7.5/10 | 7.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 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 | 1 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
Framework Laptop 13 (2023)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Wired
Scott Gilbertson | July 2023
"If you’re thinking of investing in your first Framework, now is the time. The kinks and rough edges have all been smoothed out and this is a very nice machine with a bright, upgradable future. The only reason I can think of to wait is the AMD model, which I’ll be sure to test as soon as I can get my hands on one."
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 Framework Laptop 13 (2023) or the MSI Creator Z16P
About Framework
Framework is a new American laptop manufacturer, specializing in modular and repairable laptops with the goals of promoting longevity and reducing electronic waste. They are a strong proponent of the right to repair movement. Framework laptops have replaceable RAM, storage, ports, keyboards, display bezels, mainboards, and more, making them a great choice for repairability-oriented individuals.
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Laptop guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Framework Laptop 13 (2023) vs. Acer Swift X (2023)
VS
Compare Framework Laptop 13 (2023) vs. MSI Prestige 14
VS
Compare Framework Laptop 13 (2023) vs. ASUS TUF Dash 15
VS
Compare MSI Creator Z16P vs. ASUS TUF Gaming A16
VS
Compare MSI Creator Z16P vs. MSI Stealth 14 Studio
VS
Compare MSI Creator Z16P vs. Framework Laptop 13 (2023)
VS
FAQs
FAQs about laptops
Why trust us
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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
74,595
Recommendations made
16,163
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.
Featured in
