If you prioritize a larger high-resolution display and higher build quality in a laptop, despite it being heavier and more expensive, you may prefer the Gigabyte Aero 17. On the other hand, if you prefer a more affordable, lighter laptop with a touchscreen and better battery life but can compromise on screen size and resolution, the MSI Creator Z16P could be your choice. Both laptops are powerful with similar performance capabilities and are suitable for demanding tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, and engineering software, but keep in mind the MSI has a better screen refresh rate, making it smoother for fast-motion visuals. 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 Gigabyte Aero 17
Very good for general use
Very good for content creation
Excellent overall display quality
Advantages of the MSI Creator Z16P
Good portability
Very good speakers
Key differences
Engineering and Design
8.8/10
8.3/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
7.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Gigabyte Aero 17 and MSI Creator Z16P are both very good for engineering and design, though the Gigabyte Aero 17 is somewhat better.
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.
Screen Quality
9.2/10
8.3/10
17.3in
SIZE
16.0in
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
368.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
394.0 nits
The Gigabyte Aero 17 has a better screen than the MSI Creator Z16P for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Gigabyte Aero 17 offers a high-resolution, bright display that enhances everyday tasks for general use and provides wide color gamuts for precise color work in engineering and design, but its lower refresh rate hampers fast-paced visuals crucial for gaming and 3D applications. The MSI Creator Z16P also boasts a sharp and bright display suitable for daily activities and very good color accuracy for professional design work, yet similarly falls short for gaming and 3D content due to its inadequate refresh rate. Both laptops prioritize detailed imagery and color fidelity over the smooth motion performance that gamers and 3D artists typically need.
Portability
Fair
Good
17.3in
SIZE
16.0in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
5.2 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The MSI Creator Z16P has good portability, while the Gigabyte Aero 17 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$2,071
$1,300
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
The Gigabyte Aero 17 has a price of $2,071 and the MSI Creator Z16P costs $1,300.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Gigabyte Aero 17 to be very good for general use, while the MSI Creator Z16P is good.
The Gigabyte Aero 17 is well-suited for general use with a strong CPU, ample RAM, and a quality screen, though its portability and battery life are less impressive, making it better for stationary use. Conversely, the MSI Creator Z16P also offers excellent CPU performance and screen quality with the added benefits of better portability and longer battery life, making it a more versatile option for users on the go.
Gaming and AI
7.9/10
7.6/10
7.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.4/10
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.7/10
The Gigabyte Aero 17 and MSI Creator Z16P are both good for gaming and AI.
The Gigabyte Aero 17 offers a fast screen refresh rate and is equipped with a high-quality Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti graphics card, making it well-suited for gaming and 3D applications. Meanwhile, the MSI Creator Z16P also includes the same powerful graphics card but has an even higher screen refresh rate, potentially offering an even smoother experience for gaming and enabling highly detailed 3D work.
Content Creation
8.4/10
7.9/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Gigabyte Aero 17 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
7.9/10
7.6/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Gigabyte Aero 17 and MSI Creator Z16P 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
5.5 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Gigabyte Aero 17 has 5.5 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.
Build Quality
8.0/10
8.0/10
The Gigabyte Aero 17 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.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Gigabyte Aero 17 and the MSI Creator Z16P compare to other laptops
"Not only is the Aero 17 a very good laptop for gamers but also for content creators. With the upgrade to the Intel Core i9-11980HK, Gigabyte particularly improved the system performance. In addition, the hardware package is rounded by the extremely fast SSD and 32 GB of working memory in dual-channel mode. Compared to the predecessor, the battery life is reduced only moderately, and the 4K display also basically keeps its good qualities."
"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 Gigabyte Aero 17 or the MSI Creator Z16P
About Gigabyte
Gigabyte is a Taiwanese computer hardware manufacturer. While Gigabyte mainly focuses its business on desktop hardware, Gigabyte is known for its value-oriented G series laptops, thin and light Aero series, and performance-oriented Aorus series. Gigabyte laptops offer a strong value proposition to compete with mainstream alternatives.
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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