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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is typically much less expensive and more portable than the MSI Creator Z16P, making it a good choice for general use and on-the-go tasks. However, if you require more power for intensive tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, or engineering software, the MSI Creator Z16P's superior processor and graphics card will outperform the Surface Laptop Go 2. The MSI also offers a larger, higher-resolution screen with better color coverage, but it is heavier and has a shorter battery life, which may affect its portability. Keep in mind, the higher performance of the MSI comes at a significantly higher price. 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 Go 2
- 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
General Use
7.0
7.8
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
401.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
394.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
9.2/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.2/10
The MSI Creator Z16P and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are both good for general use, though the MSI Creator Z16P is somewhat better.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has a more portable design and longer battery life, but comes with less RAM and storage, a less powerful CPU, and a smaller, lower resolution screen compared to the MSI Creator Z16P, which offers top-tier CPU and graphics performance, higher RAM and storage, and a larger, higher resolution screen, making it better suited for demanding tasks but less optimal for extended use away from a power source.
Gaming and AI
6.0
7.6
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.4/10
1536 x 1024
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 Go 2 is only fair.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has an integrated Intel Iris Xe GPU and a screen with a refresh rate of 60Hz, which provides a modest gaming experience, while the MSI Creator Z16P comes with a robust Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti GPU and a higher 165Hz screen refresh rate, offering superior performance for gaming and 3D applications.
Engineering and Design
6.5
8.3
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.4/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Creator Z16P is very good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is only fair.
The MSI Creator Z16P offers significantly more advanced specifications for CPU, RAM, and GPU performance, making it very effective for demanding engineering and design work, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has more modest hardware which leads to merely fair performance in these areas. Additionally, the MSI has superior screen quality, which is crucial for detail-oriented tasks, but it is heavier and less portable compared to the very portable Surface Laptop Go 2, which may be more convenient for on-the-go usage despite its lower performance.
Content Creation
7.1
7.9
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Creator Z16P and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 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.
Software Development
7.0
7.6
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The MSI Creator Z16P and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are both good for software development, though the MSI Creator Z16P 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
6.9
8.3
12.4in
SIZE
16.0in
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
401.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
394.0 nits
The MSI Creator Z16P has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 offers a balance between resolution and brightness, making it suitable for general use and engineering, but its lower refresh rate limits its appeal for 3D applications and gaming. The MSI Creator Z16P provides a high-resolution display with wide color gamut coverage, which is essential for precise engineering and design work where color accuracy is critical. However, despite its superior resolution and color fidelity, the MSI Creator Z16P may not be the optimal choice for gaming or 3D work because it lacks a high refresh rate, which is crucial for smooth visuals in fast-paced scenarios.
Battery
8.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has 8 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
12.4in
SIZE
16.0in
2.4 lbs
WEIGHT
5.2 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has excellent portability, while the MSI Creator Z16P has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$774
$1,300
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has a price of $774 and the MSI Creator Z16P costs $1,300.
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Key similarities
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 Go 2 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 Go 2 and the MSI Creator Z16P compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 | MSI Creator Z16P |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$774 | $1,300 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2022 | June 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 11'' x 8.1'' x 0.62'' | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.75'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.48 lbs | 5.27 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 10.95" | 14.13" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.12" | 10.18" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-1135G7 | Intel i9-12900H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 128 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 41 Wh | 90 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 12.4" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1536 x 1024 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 401 nits | 394 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.8/10 | 8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9.3/10 | 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 | 8.4/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | No | 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 | No | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | August 2022
"The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 review is a compact companion with old hardware. The Surface Laptop Go 2 shows some weaknesses. Microsoft didn't really develop the second generation of the Surface Laptop Go 2 any further but has only equipped it with a slightly more powerful Core i5 processor. However, the performance still remains at a fairly low level overall, but for many users, it definitely should still be sufficient for everyday tasks."
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 Go 2 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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About the laptop team
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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