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Updated January 12, 2024·
Considering your choice between the Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 and the MSI Stealth 14 Studio, if build quality and a higher resolution screen are important for tasks like photo editing or design work, the ThinkPad Z16 with its OLED screen might be preferable, while the MSI is more suitable if you require a laptop with a higher-refresh-rate screen for smoother visuals in tasks like gaming or video editing. The ThinkPad comes with an AMD processor and graphics, which might offer better battery life for general use but may lack in raw power for 3D design compared to the Stealth's Intel and Nvidia RTX combination. In terms of portability, the MSI laptop is lighter, making it easier to carry around. On the other hand, the ThinkPad Z16 might provide a sturdier build and a more extensive set of connectivity options, beneficial for work environments that require various peripherals. 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 general use
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Good battery life
- Excellent keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Stealth 14 Studio
- Good for gaming and AI
Key differences
General Use
8.6
7.8
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
393.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
7.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.0 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
7.8/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.8/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 is very good for general use, while the MSI Stealth 14 Studio is good.
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16, with a focus on high-quality CPU and RAM as well as a superior screen, ensures smooth performance for everyday tasks, complemented by its robust battery life, making it excellent for users who prioritize longevity and display sharpness. While the MSI Stealth 14 Studio also delivers adequate performance for general use, it shines in portability, allowing for easier transport, but may fall behind in battery life, presenting a trade-off for those constantly on the move.
Gaming and AI
6.7
7.8
4.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.1/10
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
8.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio is good for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 is only fair.
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16's appeal for gaming and 3D stems from its AMD Ryzen CPU and AMD GPU, coupled with an OLED screen suitable for high-quality visual experiences, though its refresh rate is lower at 60Hz.The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16's appeal for gaming and 3D stems from its AMD Ryzen CPU and AMD GPU, coupled with an OLED screen, but has
Content Creation
8.5
7.9
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 is very good for content creation, while the MSI Stealth 14 Studio 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.
Software Development
8.2
7.4
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 is very good for software development, while the MSI Stealth 14 Studio 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
8.5
7.6
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
393.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 has a better screen than the MSI Stealth 14 Studio for general use, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
When considering general use, the Lenovo ThinkPad Z16's superior resolution and brightness make its display more vibrant and easier on the eyes than the MSI Stealth 14 Studio. For engineering and design tasks where color accuracy is crucial, the ThinkPad Z16 excels with a broader color gamut, ensuring that colors are reproduced more precisely. However, for gaming and 3D applications where smooth motion is key, the lower refresh rate of both laptops' screens may not provide as fluid an experience as models designed specifically for these purposes.
Battery
7.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 has 7 hours of battery life. The MSI Stealth 14 Studio 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.
Cost
$1,120
$1,520
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 has a price of $1,120 and the MSI Stealth 14 Studio costs $1,520.
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Key similarities
Engineering and Design
8.4
8.5
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
4.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.1/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio and Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16, with its higher resolution OLED screen, more powerful AMD processor, superior integrated graphics, and larger RAM and storage capacity, is well-suited for demanding engineering and design tasks, while offering a high-quality keyboard and build.
Portability
Good
Good
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
4.2 lbs
WEIGHT
3.7 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio and Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.0
7.6
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 to have very good build quality, while the MSI Stealth 14 Studio 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 ThinkPad Z16 and the MSI Stealth 14 Studio compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 | MSI Stealth 14 Studio |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,120 | $1,520 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | February 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14'' x 9.4'' x 0.62'' | 12.4'' x 9.7'' x 0.75'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.27 lbs | 3.75 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 13.95" | 12.4" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.35" | 9.69" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 6850H | Intel i7-13620H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 32 GB | 16 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 | 5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 72 Wh | 72 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | OLED | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2400 | 1920 x 1200 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 393 nits | 300 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.9/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8/10 | 6.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.6/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 1 | |
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 | N/A | 4 | |
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."
MSI Stealth 14 Studio
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Francisco Lahoz | June 2023
"You'll find a versatility in the MSI Stealth 14 Studio that isn’t matched by many content-creator laptops we've tested of late. The small frame allows you to (potentially) work from anywhere with an outlet and, if noise isn’t a concern, run your most demanding of programs, thanks to some powerful hardware inside. The MSI Stealth 14 Studio is an attractive and powerful option if you want a portable laptop to be the center of your content work setup."
Get a great deal on the Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 or the MSI Stealth 14 Studio
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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