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The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 12, 2024·
When deciding between the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and the MSI Creator Z16P, consider your priorities. The Surface Laptop is generally more affordable and offers greater portability due to its smaller size, making it a good fit for everyday tasks, office work, and on-the-go use. The battery life is typically longer than that of more powerful laptops, which is beneficial if you're frequently away from power outlets. On the other hand, the MSI Creator Z16P, while more costly, delivers superior performance suited for intensive tasks like 3D design, machine learning, or gaming. The tradeoff here is decreased portability and battery life due to the larger size and more power-hungry components. 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 Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
- Excellent portability
- Good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Creator Z16P
- Very good for engineering and design
- Good for gaming and AI
- Very good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Very good keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.1
7.6
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.4/10
2256 x 1504
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 Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is only fair.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" generally has less powerful graphics capabilities and a standard screen refresh rate, making it only fair for gaming and 3D applications, while the MSI Creator Z16P includes a higher-performance GPU and a faster refresh rate, enhancing the fluidity and detail in such demanding tasks. The Creator Z16P's stronger CPU and superior screen quality also contribute to a smoother and sharper visual experience in comparison to the Surface Laptop 5.
Engineering and Design
7.1
8.3
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Creator Z16P is very good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is good.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is a more portable and lighter option with a decent screen and integrated graphics, suitable for lighter engineering and design tasks, whereas the MSI Creator Z16P packs a more powerful processor, superior dedicated graphics, and a higher resolution screen that caters to more intensive engineering and design applications, at the expense of heavier weight and less portability.
Content Creation
7.4
7.9
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Creator Z16P and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both good for content creation, though the MSI Creator Z16P is somewhat better.
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
7.2
8.3
13.5in
SIZE
16.0in
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
400.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
394.0 nits
The MSI Creator Z16P has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has a quality display with resolution and brightness well-suited for everyday tasks and is sharp enough for detailed engineering and design work, but its standard refresh rate limits the smoothness required for 3D applications and gaming. The MSI Creator Z16P offers a higher resolution and brightness, enhancing visibility and clarity for general use and providing wider color gamuts necessary for professional design accuracy, but similar to the Surface, it falls short for gaming or 3D due to its inadequate refresh rate. While both laptops cater well to productivity and creative tasks, neither is optimized for the high refresh rates gamers and 3D designers seek.
Battery
7.5 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has 7.5 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
Excellent
Good
13.5in
SIZE
16.0in
2.8 lbs
WEIGHT
5.2 lbs
0.5in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has excellent portability, while the MSI Creator Z16P has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,200
$1,300
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
$2,000
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has a price of $1,200 and the MSI Creator Z16P costs $1,300.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.4
7.8
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
400.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
394.0 nits
7.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
9.0/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.2/10
The MSI Creator Z16P and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both good for general use.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is well-suited for general use, with a smaller screen and lower weight, emphasizing portability and yielding longer battery life, ideal for users on the go. In contrast, the MSI Creator Z16P, while also good for general use, offers a larger screen and more storage, a higher performance CPU and dedicated GPU for demanding tasks, but is heavier and has a shorter battery life, catering to users needing more power and less concerned with mobility.
Software Development
7.2
7.6
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The MSI Creator Z16P and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" 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.
Build Quality
7.8
8.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Creator Z16P to have very good build quality, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" 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 Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and the MSI Creator Z16P compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" | MSI Creator Z16P |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,200 | $1,300 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | June 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.1'' x 8.8'' x 0.57'' | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.75'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.86 lbs | 5.27 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.1" | 14.13" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.8" | 10.18" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-1255U | Intel i9-12900H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 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 | 7.5 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 47.4 Wh | 90 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.5" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2256 x 1504 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 400 nits | 394 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.8/10 | 8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9/10 | 7.2/10 | |
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 | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8.8/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 1 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
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Dig into reviews and images
CNET
Lori Grunin | October 2022
"The Surface Laptop 5 remains afloat as a solid machine. It's just not one that stands out in any particular way. Just like the last one. The biggest upgrade were some new components, but they perform in the same range as other laptops with them, and frequently at the bottom of that range. I suspect Microsoft's settings are very conservative to help keep cooling and battery life within reason in the older chassis design."
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 Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" or the MSI Creator Z16P
About Microsoft
Microsoft is an American technology corporation. Microsoft is best known for their Windows operating system and Surface laptop series. The Surface Laptop is their standard notebook offering, while their Surface Go, Surface Pro, and Surface Studio are their 2-in-1/tablet offerings in order of increasing capability. Although Microsoft charges a premium price tag for their laptops, buyers can expect a well integrated and packaged device since Microsoft develops the Windows operating system.
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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