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 March 22, 2024·
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i is more budget-friendly and generally suitable for everyday tasks like browsing the web, working with documents, and streaming, offering a balance between cost and performance. If your work involves graphic design, video editing, or 3D modeling, the MSI Creator M14 is designed for such creative tasks with higher processing power and better graphics capabilities, justifying its higher price; however, it may be heavier and have shorter battery life, making it less ideal for frequent travel. Consider what you'll primarily use the laptop for and whether the additional investment aligns with your professional needs. 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 Slim 5i
- Good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Creator M14
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Good for gaming and AI
- Very good for content creation
- Good overall display quality
- Good speakers
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.3
7.3
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.5/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.7/10
The MSI Creator M14 is good for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i is only fair.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i, with a less powerful GPU and lower screen refresh rate, isn't as well-suited for gaming and 3D applications as the MSI Creator M14, which offers a stronger GPU and higher refresh rate, facilitating smoother visuals and better performance in those demanding tasks. While both have capable CPUs and good screen quality, the MSI's advantages in the critical areas for gaming and 3D work make it a better fit for those needs.
Engineering and Design
7.0
8.4
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Creator M14 is very good for engineering and design, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i is good.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i offers a balance of performance and portability with a capable CPU, ample RAM, and a decent GPU, making it suitable for engineering tasks; however, the MSI Creator M14 steps up with a superior screen quality and more powerful graphics, which are crucial for intensive design work. While both have quality keyboards and are relatively portable, the MSI's emphasis on high-end creation might lead to a trade-off in increased operating noise and possibly heavier weight compared to the Lenovo.
Content Creation
7.4
8.0
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Creator M14 is very good for content creation, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i 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.
Screen Quality
6.4
7.5
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
315.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
350.0 nits
The MSI Creator M14 has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i offers a balance of resolution and brightness suitable for daily tasks but lacks the wide color gamut necessary for precise engineering and design work, and its lower refresh rate hampers the 3D gaming experience. The MSI Creator M14, while also good for everyday use due to a sharp display and ample brightness, includes a broader color coverage that benefits professionals in engineering and design, yet still falls short for gaming and 3D applications because of an unsatisfactory refresh rate. Both laptops provide image quality that is acceptable for general and design tasks but are not optimized for the high-refresh-rate demands of 3D gaming.
Battery
8.0 Hours
4.5 Hours
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i has 8 hours of battery life. The MSI Creator M14 has 4.5 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.
Cost
$828
$1,500
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i has a price of $828 and the MSI Creator M14 costs $1,500.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Laptop
Find your new laptop
Key similarities
General Use
7.5
8.0
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
315.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
350.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.5 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.8/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Creator M14 to be very good for general use, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i is good.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i offers a balance of moderate CPU and RAM which meets the needs for general tasks, with adequate battery life and portability, but the MSI Creator M14 stands out with a higher-quality screen and superior CPU performance, making it better suited for more demanding usage while still being light enough to carry around. Although both have sufficient storage, the MSI's build quality with a better keyboard and heat management gives it an edge for longer, more comfortable use sessions, despite potentially shorter battery life due to its more powerful components.
Software Development
7.4
7.8
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The MSI Creator M14 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i 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.
Portability
Good
Good
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
4.1 lbs
WEIGHT
3.5 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The MSI Creator M14 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.6
7.8
The MSI Creator M14 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i both have 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 Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i and the MSI Creator M14 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i | MSI Creator M14 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$828 | $1,500 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | March 1, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14'' x 9.9'' x 0.7'' | 12.4'' x 9.2'' x 0.88'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.17 lbs | 3.53 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.02" | 12.39" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.88" | 9.19" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-1335U | Intel i7-13620H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 4.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 56.6 Wh | 53.5 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 2880 x 1800 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 315 nits | 350 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.6/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.6/10 | 7.8/10 | |
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 | 7.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i
See more
Dig into reviews and images
HT Tech
Robin Sinha | February 2021
"The device is made for average work loads and if your work has a lot to do with online browsing, using apps that are not power-hungry and streaming videos. The looks are really good and the device in itself is not a heavy one. And with Intel 11th-gen Core processor, you might sail through most of your work without complaints."
Get a great deal on the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i or the MSI Creator M14
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Laptop guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i vs. Apple MacBook Air (2020)
VS
Compare Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i vs. Gigabyte A5
VS
Compare Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i vs. Acer Nitro 5 17
VS
Compare MSI Creator M14 vs. ASUS TUF Gaming F15
VS
Compare MSI Creator M14 vs. ASUS TUF Dash 15
VS
Compare MSI Creator M14 vs. ASUS Zenbook Pro 17
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
132,195
Recommendations made
28,643
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
