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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated March 22, 2024·
If performance for engineering tasks is a priority and you're okay with spending more, the Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 may be a better fit, though it may also be heavier and less portable than the MSI Creator M14. On the other hand, the MSI model will be lighter and more affordable, which might make it a more attractive option if budget and portability are more important to you than having the highest performance. For general use, the MSI may suffice, but for intensive tasks like 3D, machine learning, or gaming, the higher-priced Lenovo could be worth the investment. 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 Z16
- Very good for software development
- Very good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Good battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Excellent keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Creator M14
- Good for gaming and AI
Key differences
General Use
8.6
8.0
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
393.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
350.0 nits
7.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.5 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
7.8/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.8/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 and MSI Creator M14 are both very good for general use, though the Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 is somewhat better.
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16, with its high-quality CPU and ample RAM, excels in running multiple applications smoothly, making it ideal for everyday tasks; its sturdy build and keyboard quality are also standout features. In contrast, the MSI Creator M14, while also suitable for general use, shines with its superior screen quality and portability, offering a compelling choice for those needing a lightweight laptop with a vivid display for media consumption, albeit with a potential compromise on battery life compared to the ThinkPad.
Gaming and AI
6.7
7.3
4.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.5/10
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.7/10
The MSI Creator M14 is good for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 is only fair.
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 typically has a less powerful GPU and a lower screen refresh rate, making it less suited for high-end gaming and 3D applications compared to the MSI Creator M14, which usually offers superior graphics performance and smoother visuals essential for immersive gaming experiences. While both laptops may have quality screens and capable CPUs, the GPU and screen refresh rate in the MSI Creator M14 make it a preferred choice for those activities.
Screen Quality
8.5
7.5
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
393.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
350.0 nits
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 has a better screen than the MSI Creator M14 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
If you're focused on office work and browsing, the Lenovo ThinkPad Z16's high-resolution and bright display offers a sharper and more vivid experience compared to the MSI Creator M14. For engineering and design, the Z16's superior color coverage ensures that your work appears precise and color-accurate, benefiting professionals who rely on detailed color work. However, for gaming and 3D applications where smooth motion is key, both laptops may fall short due to their lower refresh rates, but higher resolution and quality panels may still provide an enjoyable experience, though not optimized for these tasks.
Battery
7.0 Hours
4.5 Hours
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 has 7 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
$1,120
$1,500
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 has a price of $1,120 and the MSI Creator M14 costs $1,500.
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Key similarities
Engineering and Design
8.4
8.4
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
4.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.5/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 and MSI Creator M14 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 typically offers robust CPU and GPU performance ideal for demanding engineering software, complemented by a high-quality screen and substantial RAM for multitasking, while the MSI Creator M14 also boasts similar performance credentials but tends to prioritize screen quality and color accuracy which is key for design work. Both are moderately portable with quality keyboards, but prioritize performance and screen real estate over ultra-light designs, with decent speakers and controlled operating noise that shouldn't be intrusive during use.
Content Creation
8.5
8.0
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 and MSI Creator M14 are both very good for content creation.
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
8.2
7.8
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 to be very good for software development, while the MSI Creator M14 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.
Portability
Good
Good
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
4.2 lbs
WEIGHT
3.5 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 and MSI Creator M14 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.0
7.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 to have very good build quality, while the MSI Creator M14 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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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 and the MSI Creator M14 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 | MSI Creator M14 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,120 | $1,500 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | March 1, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14'' x 9.4'' x 0.62'' | 12.4'' x 9.2'' x 0.88'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.27 lbs | 3.53 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 13.95" | 12.39" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.35" | 9.19" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 6850H | Intel i7-13620H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 32 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 2048 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7 Hours | 4.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 72 Wh | 53.5 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | OLED | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2400 | 2880 x 1800 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 393 nits | 350 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.9/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8/10 | 7.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.6/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 3 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Lenovo ThinkPad Z16
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Dig into reviews and images
PCWorld
Matthew S. Smith | September 2022
"Lenovo’s ThinkPad Z16 tries has some success in its effort to tweak the ThinkPad formula. The laptop is attractive, yet still tame, and material quality is on par with the best Windows competition. I also like the smooth, responsive haptic touchpad and the wide range of modern connectivity. Yet the Z16 doesn’t fix ThinkPad’s typical weakness: value. Starting around $1,550, and more typically near $1,700, the Z16 finds itself facing alternatives that have better performance or an improved display for the same price, or less."
Get a great deal on the Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 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.
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