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Updated March 22, 2024·
If you require higher performance for tasks like 3D modeling, machine learning, or gaming, go for the MSI Creator Z16P, as it offers more powerful hardware ideal for such demanding applications. However, the Lenovo ThinkPad X13, while less capable for intensive tasks, is more affordable and better suited for general use, with added benefits of portability and longer battery life. The tradeoff here is between cost and the ability to perform high-end tasks; the MSI is a bigger investment with a focus on specialized performance, while the Lenovo offers a balance of everyday usability and mobility. 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 X13
- Very good for general use
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Very good portability
- Good battery life
- Excellent keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Creator Z16P
- Good for gaming and AI
- Very good overall display quality
- Very good speakers
Key differences
General Use
8.4
7.8
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
321.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
394.0 nits
8.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.0 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
8.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.2/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 is very good for general use, while the MSI Creator Z16P is good.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 offers a balance of performance and portability, with a strong CPU and sufficient RAM for smooth multitasking, a high-quality screen, and a battery life that suits on-the-go use, making it ideal for general purposes; however, the MSI Creator Z16P, while less portable due to its size and weight, provides enhanced screen quality and computing power for more resource-intensive tasks, appealing to users with demanding graphics or engineering needs. Both laptops have ample storage and quality keyboards, but the MSI stands out for tasks needing superior visual fidelity and performance over longer, stationary periods.
Gaming and AI
6.7
7.6
4.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.4/10
1920 x 1200
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 ThinkPad X13 is only fair.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13, although equipped with a capable CPU, falls short in gaming and 3D tasks due to its less powerful GPU and lower screen refresh rate, which can limit graphics performance and smoothness. In contrast, the MSI Creator Z16P, offering a high-end GPU and a faster screen refresh rate, delivers superior graphics processing and a smoother visual experience, better meeting the demands of gaming and 3D applications.
Software Development
8.1
7.6
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 is very good for software development, while the MSI Creator Z16P is good.
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
6.9
8.3
13.3in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
321.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
394.0 nits
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 has a better screen than the MSI Creator Z16P for software development, and content creation, while the MSI Creator Z16P has a better screen for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
For general use, the ThinkPad X13 offers a sharp image and clear visibility in various lighting conditions due to its resolution and brightness, while the MSI Creator Z16P provides these aspects and likely a bit better color reproduction, enhancing the viewing experience. When it comes to engineering and design, the Creator Z16P excels with a wider color gamut, resulting in more accurate color representation, which is critical for professionals in such fields. However, both laptops fall short for gaming and 3D due to lower refresh rates, which can affect the smoothness of motion and make them less suitable for fast-paced visuals required in high-end gaming graphics.
Battery
8.5 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 has 8.5 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.
Portability
Very Good
Good
13.3in
SIZE
16.0in
2.8 lbs
WEIGHT
5.2 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 has very good portability, while the MSI Creator Z16P has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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Key similarities
Engineering and Design
8.0
8.3
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
4.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.4/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Creator Z16P and Lenovo ThinkPad X13 are both very good for engineering and design.
The MSI Creator Z16P typically offers a higher-end CPU and GPU and more RAM, essential for demanding engineering applications and faster processing, along with a superior screen quality for detailed work. Contrastingly, the Lenovo ThinkPad X13, while still capable, focuses on balancing performance with portability and has a well-regarded keyboard, but might not handle intensive tasks as smoothly as the MSI.
Content Creation
8.2
7.9
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Lenovo ThinkPad X13 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.
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 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.
Cost
$1,241
$1,300
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
$2,000
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 has a price of $1,241 and the MSI Creator Z16P costs $1,300.
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How the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 and the MSI Creator Z16P compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Lenovo ThinkPad X13 | MSI Creator Z16P |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,241 | $1,300 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2023 | June 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 11.9'' x 8.5'' x 0.63'' | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.75'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.87 lbs | 5.27 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11.88" | 14.13" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.46" | 10.18" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 7840U | Intel i9-12900H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 32 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8.5 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 41 Wh | 90 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.3" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 321 nits | 394 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.9/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 7.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1440p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | 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 ThinkPad X13
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Benjamin Herzig | September 2023
"The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 G4 has very good input devices, a wide array of security features and ports as well as 5G in the tested configuration. It is more compact and lightweight compared with its predecessor, and it has improved speakers and a slightly better webcam. On the other hand, the fan is more annoying and the performance is barely improved. The battery is worse as well, but this is primarily attributable to the OLED screen - if this aspect is important, buyers should choose the IPS Low Power LCD."
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 ThinkPad X13 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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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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