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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" is generally more affordable and offers decent performance suited for everyday tasks with ample battery life, making it great for general use. It's also relatively lightweight and portable. In contrast, the MSI Creator Z16P is more expensive but is a powerhouse with a higher-resolution screen, stronger graphics capabilities, and better performance for intensive tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, and engineering software. However, it's heavier and has a shorter battery life, making it less portable but more suitable for professional creative work or demanding applications. Both have touchscreens and backlit keyboards, but the MSI's screen is larger and offers better color reproduction, which is important for creative professionals. 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 Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15"
- Very 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 speakers
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.2
7.6
3.6/10
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
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.7/10
The MSI Creator Z16P is good for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" is only fair.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" has a Vega 8 GPU which is less powerful for gaming and 3D applications than the MSI Creator Z16P's Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti, and it also features a lower screen refresh rate of 60Hz compared to the MSI's 165Hz, providing a less smooth gaming experience.
Engineering and Design
6.7
8.3
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
3.6/10
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 Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" is only fair.
The MSI Creator Z16P outperforms the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" for engineering and design tasks primarily due to its superior CPU, double the amount of RAM, and a much more powerful GPU, which are very important for such resource-intensive tasks. Additionally, the MSI has a higher-quality screen with better resolution and color accuracy, augmenting its suitability for detailed design work, while it compromises on portability and has louder operating noise which are less critical but still relevant considerations.
Content Creation
7.3
7.9
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Creator Z16P and Lenovo IdeaPad 5 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.
Screen Quality
6.5
8.3
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
341.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
394.0 nits
The MSI Creator Z16P has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, the Lenovo IdeaPad 5's screen offers satisfactory clarity and brightness, making it suitable for everyday tasks like browsing and document editing, whereas the MSI Creator Z16P's higher resolution and superior panel type provide a crisper and more vibrant display. In engineering and design, the MSI Creator Z16P's wider color gamuts ensure more accurate color representation, which is crucial for precision work, while the Lenovo's color range may be inadequate for professional color work. However, for gaming and 3D applications, both laptops fall short due to lower refresh rates, which can lead to less smooth visuals during fast-paced action, though the MSI Creator Z16P still maintains better resolution and panel quality.
Battery
11.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" has 11 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
4.0 lbs
WEIGHT
5.2 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" and MSI Creator Z16P both have good portability, though the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" has somewhat better portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$690
$1,300
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" has a price of $690 and the MSI Creator Z16P costs $1,300.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.4
7.8
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
341.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
394.0 nits
11.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
7.8/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.2/10
The MSI Creator Z16P and Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" are both good for general use.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 with its lighter weight and longer battery life offers better portability and endurance for day-to-day activities, while the MSI Creator Z16P provides superior performance and screen quality for demanding tasks but at the cost of shorter battery life and increased weight.
Software Development
7.3
7.6
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The MSI Creator Z16P and Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" 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
7.6
8.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Creator Z16P to have very good build quality, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" has 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 Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" and the MSI Creator Z16P compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" | MSI Creator Z16P |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$690 | $1,300 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 1, 2022 | June 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14'' x 9.2'' x 0.67'' | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.75'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.08 lbs | 5.27 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.01" | 14.13" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.18" | 10.18" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 5825U | Intel i9-12900H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 11 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 57 Wh | 90 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 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 | 341 nits | 394 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.6/10 | 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 | 7.5/10 | 7.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | 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 | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15"
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Marcus Schwarten | August 2021
"The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 is convincing due to its long battery life. The device scores points especially with its large battery and long battery runtimes combined with its low consumption. The CPU and GPU perform in the test as one would expect, and in line with what was familiar from the somewhat smaller 14-inch sister model, the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 14."
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 Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15" or the MSI Creator Z16P
About Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company, and one of the largest personal computer vendor. They are well known for a variety of technology products, including laptops. Their consumer series include their entry level IdeaPad and LOQ series and mid-to-high-end Yoga and Legion series. On the business-oriented side, their series include their entry-level ThinkBook series and mid-to-high-end ThinkPad series. Lenovo laptops offer strong performance for reasonable prices, and are often on sale.
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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