When choosing between the HP Pavilion 15 and the MSI Creator Z16P, consider your needs and budget. The HP Pavilion 15 is significantly less expensive, making it ideal for general use and budget-conscious customers. It's also lighter and more portable. However, it offers a lower resolution display and less powerful processing capabilities, which could be a drawback for tasks like video editing or gaming. On the other hand, the MSI Creator Z16P is more expensive but offers a high-resolution display, superior graphics performance, and a more powerful processor, making it better suited for intensive tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, or gaming. The MSI also features a better build quality and could be more future-proof, but it's heavier and might have a shorter battery life due to its powerful components. Choose the HP for casual use and mobility, or invest in the MSI for demanding applications and better display quality. 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 HP Pavilion 15
The HP Pavilion 15 has no clear advantages over the MSI Creator Z16P.
Advantages of the MSI Creator Z16P
Very good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Good for software development
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Very good speakers
Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.0/10
7.8/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
220.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
394.0 nits
3.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.0 Hours
6.2/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
7.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.2/10
The MSI Creator Z16P and HP Pavilion 15 are both good for general use, though the MSI Creator Z16P is somewhat better.
The HP Pavilion 15 is suited for general use with its adequate processor and graphics, respectable battery life, lighter weight for better portability, and very good heat management, all packaged in a budget-friendly framework. In contrast, the MSI Creator Z16P delivers high performance with a top-of-line processor and advanced graphics, superior screen quality, and robust build, but at the cost of heavier weight and reduced battery life, making it a premium option for those requiring more powerful computing capabilities.
Gaming and AI
6.0/10
7.6/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.4/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.7/10
The MSI Creator Z16P is good for gaming and AI, while the HP Pavilion 15 is only fair.
The HP Pavilion 15 has an entry-level integrated GPU and a standard 60Hz refresh rate, making it only fair for gaming and 3D applications due to limited graphics performance and a lower screen refresh rate, while the MSI Creator Z16P boasts a high-end Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti GPU and an impressive 165Hz screen refresh rate, contributing to its good performance in gaming and 3D tasks, supported by superior graphics capabilities and smoother motion rendering.
Engineering and Design
6.2/10
8.3/10
4.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
3.6/10
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 HP Pavilion 15 is only fair.
The HP Pavilion 15 has a lower-tier CPU and integrated graphics, which are adequate for general use but may struggle with the high demands of engineering and design software, while the MSI Creator Z16P features a powerful CPU and high-end discrete GPU, providing exceptional performance for complex engineering tasks and creative work. Additionally, the Creator Z16P's superior screen quality with higher resolution, color accuracy, and brightness significantly enhances the visual experience for design work compared to the Pavilion 15's basic display.
Content Creation
7.1/10
7.9/10
4.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Creator Z16P and HP Pavilion 15 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.
Software Development
6.6/10
7.6/10
4.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
6.2/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The MSI Creator Z16P is good for software development, while the HP Pavilion 15 is only fair.
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.
Screen Quality
5.3/10
8.3/10
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
220.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
394.0 nits
The MSI Creator Z16P has a better screen than the HP Pavilion 15 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, the MSI Creator Z16P's screen may offer vivid clarity and brightness due to a superior panel type and high resolution, while the HP Pavilion 15 might have a lower quality display affecting the viewing experience. In engineering and design, the MSI's color accuracy and range, supporting expansive color gamuts, ensure precise visuals critical for detailed work, which the HP likely lacks. However, for gaming and 3D applications where smooth motion is key, the MSI might fall short if it has a lower refresh rate, despite its high resolution and panel quality, compared to models specifically geared towards gaming with faster screens.
Battery
3.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The HP Pavilion 15 has 3 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
3.7 lbs
WEIGHT
5.2 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The HP Pavilion 15 and MSI Creator Z16P both have good portability, though the HP Pavilion 15 has somewhat better portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
6.2/10
8.0/10
The MSI Creator Z16P has very good build quality, while the HP Pavilion 15 has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$600
$1,300
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The HP Pavilion 15 has a price of $600 and the MSI Creator Z16P costs $1,300.
"The HP Pavilion 15 carries a fair amount of power and a sharp display in its handsome slimline shell. It's not perfect, but it's a hard worker. This is wonderfully designed and totes a heck of a lot of desktop power, with the added benefit of a decent webcam and a full-sized keyboard. If you're getting down to business on a budget, it's a great fit."
"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 HP Pavilion 15 or the MSI Creator Z16P
About HP
HP, also known as Hewlett-Packard, is an American technology company that develops personal computers and computer peripherals. In the laptop industry, HP is known for its entry level Essential series laptops, its mid-range Pavilion, Envy, and Victus series, and high-end Omen and Spectre series, in addition to its business-oriented EliteBook, ProBook, and Dragonfly series laptops. HP laptops generally undercut other mainstream competitors in terms of price, placing itself as the value-oriented mainstream brand.
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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
100,395
Recommendations made
21,753
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.