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Updated March 21, 2024·
If you're concerned about cost and need a laptop for general use or business tasks, the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 is a more budget-friendly option that offers reliable performance and build quality suitable for most everyday applications. However, if you require top-tier performance for gaming, 3D rendering, or machine learning tasks, and you're not as worried about spending more, the MSI Titan 18 HX may serve you better with its powerful hardware. Keep in mind, the MSI laptop is likely heavier and larger, so it's less portable, and it might have shorter battery life. Choose based on what's more crucial for your needs: price and portability or raw performance and specialized use. 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 ThinkPad P16
- Very good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Titan 18 HX
- Best in class for engineering and design
- Excellent for gaming and AI
- Excellent for content creation
- Excellent overall display quality
- Best in class keyboard
Key differences
General Use
8.0
8.8
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
569.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
10.0/10
5.8/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
5.0/10
The MSI Titan 18 HX and Lenovo ThinkPad P16 are both very good for general use, though the MSI Titan 18 HX is somewhat better.
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 offers a balance between performance and mobility, with a strong CPU and ample RAM to handle general use tasks, a quality screen, and a keyboard that's comfortable to type on, while being easier to carry around with respectable battery life. On the other hand, the MSI Titan 18 HX, though bulkier and with a shorter battery life, packs a more powerful CPU and higher RAM capacity, which, along with a premium screen, make it well-suited for demanding applications, though at the expense of portability and longer periods away from a power outlet.
Gaming and AI
6.9
9.4
4.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.9/10
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Titan 18 HX is excellent for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 is only fair.
The MSI Titan 18 HX, with its higher-end GPU and fast screen refresh rate, delivers top-tier gaming and 3D performance, making it preferred for those uses. In contrast, the Lenovo ThinkPad P16, while having a capable GPU and decent refresh rate, doesn't match the MSI's performance, making it more suitable for less demanding tasks despite its good CPU and screen quality.
Engineering and Design
8.3
9.9
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
4.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
128.0 GB
The MSI Titan 18 HX is best in class for engineering and design, while the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 is very good.
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 offers a solid combination of CPU, RAM, and GPU, essential for engineering software, with high-quality display and durable build, but it falls behind the MSI Titan 18 HX, which boasts superior processing power and graphics capabilities, providing smoother experiences in demanding engineering tasks. While the Titan 18 delivers ultimate performance, it's heavier and less convenient to carry compared to the lighter ThinkPad P16, which also has a reputation for a comfortable keyboard and quieter operation.
Content Creation
8.2
9.0
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
16.0 GB
RAM
128.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
The MSI Titan 18 HX is excellent for content creation, while the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 is very 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
8.4
8.9
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
128.0 GB
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
10.0/10
The MSI Titan 18 HX and Lenovo ThinkPad P16 are both very good for software development, though the MSI Titan 18 HX is somewhat better.
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
8.2
9.2
16.0in
SIZE
18.0in
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
569.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
The MSI Titan 18 HX has a better screen than the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 likely has a high resolution and bright display which makes it suitable for general use and engineering where detail and color accuracy are vital, but its lower refresh rate could disappoint gamers who need fast screen response for smooth visuals. The MSI Titan 18 HX, with its best-in-class display, excels in resolution and color gamuts, making it ideal for professionals in general use and engineering, demanding precise colors and sharp images; however, like the ThinkPad, it may falter in gaming if its refresh rate can't keep up with rapid movements. Therefore, for both laptops, while excellent for productivity and creative work, gaming might not be the most satisfying experience due to potential limitations in refresh rates.
Battery
10.0 Hours
4.0 Hours
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 has 10 hours of battery life. The MSI Titan 18 HX has 4 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
Poor
Poor
16.0in
SIZE
18.0in
6.5 lbs
WEIGHT
7.9 lbs
1.2in
THICKNESS
1.2in
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 and MSI Titan 18 HX both have poor portability, though the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 has somewhat better portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,449
$4,800
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 has a price of $1,449 and the MSI Titan 18 HX costs $4,800.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 and MSI Titan 18 HX both have very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 and the MSI Titan 18 HX compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Lenovo ThinkPad P16 | MSI Titan 18 HX |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,449 | $4,800 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2023 | February 1, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.3'' x 10.5'' x 1.2'' | 15.9'' x 12.1'' x 1.26'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.5 lbs | 7.93 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.3" | 15.9" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.5" | 12.08" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-12800HX | Intel i9-14900HX | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 128 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 4 | 4 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 4096 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10 Hours | 4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 94 Wh | 99.9 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 18" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | Mini LED | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2400 | 3840 x 2400 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 569 nits | 401 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 5.8/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9/10 | 10/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.1/10 | 9.1/10 | |
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 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 3 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
Lenovo ThinkPad P16
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Eric Grevstad | February 2023
"It's only a few months since we gave the MSI CreatorPro X17 one of our rare 4.5-star ratings and our top mobile workstation honor, but the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 1 matches that achievement in a more premium overall build. Ultimately, its build quality, screen, and keyboard give our latest Editors' Choice nod to the Lenovo—it's enough of a monster on almost all fronts that it simply cannot be ignored."
MSI Titan 18 HX
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | January 2024
"With no new Nvidia GPU this year for laptops, MSI had to refresh everything surrounding the graphics card to make up for it. Users are getting a new 18-inch chassis design, new 14th gen Intel HX CPU, new AC adapter, larger keys, and a new 120 Hz HDR1000 mini-LED 4K display to accompany the high price tag. Most of these changes are a step up from last year's GT77, but users are ultimately getting the same gaming performance out of both models."
Get a great deal on the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 or the MSI Titan 18 HX
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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