Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) vs. MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) and MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST). Compare sizes, performance, storage capacities, batteries and other important specifications and features to easily choose the right laptop for you. Our goal is to help you uncover differences between the products and find the laptop that will best fit your needs.

Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard feel

good battery life

reliable performance

decent connectivity options

mediocre display quality

heavier design

limited graphics performance

higher price point

MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

powerful i9 processor

high-resolution touchscreen

innovative stylus support

robust build quality

fast ssd storage

heavier than competitors

expensive price point

average battery life

limited port variety

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) and MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST)
85 % - Design
72 % - Display
75 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
85 % - Design
92 % - Display
92 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
74 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) vs. MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST)
Product Type Notebook - 180-degree hinge design Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 36.02 cm x 23.7 cm x 1.993 cm 38.2 cm x 26 cm x 1.9 cm
Weight 1.76 kg 2.49 kg
Case Material Polycarbonate ABS (bottom), polycarbonate ABS (top) -
Colour Thunder black Lunar grey
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST)
Screen Size (Type) 15.6" - IPS 17"
Touchscreen - Yes
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight LED backlight
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 2560 x 1600 (QHD+)
V-Sync Rate at Max Res. - 165 Hz
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 16:10
Image Brightness 250 cd/m² -
Colour Gamut 45% NTSC 100% DCI-P3
Features Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle MSI True Colour Technology, Delta E<2 calibration, CalMAN Verified
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST)
CPU Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) 1235U / 1.3 GHz Intel Core i9 (12th Gen) 12900H / 2.5 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.4 GHz 5 GHz
Number of Cores 10-core 14-core
Cache 12 MB 24 MB
Features Integrated memory controller Hyper-Threading Technology, Intel Smart Cache, Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0, Intel Deep Learning Boost (DL Boost)
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST)
RAM 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) 32 GB
Max RAM Supported 64 GB -
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM DDR5 SDRAM
Speed 3200 MHz 4800 MHz
Rated Speed 3200 MHz 4800 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 260-pin SO-DIMM 262-pin
Slots Qty 2 -
Empty Slots 0 -
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe) 2 TB SSD M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 - NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST)
Multi-GPU Configuration - 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel Iris Xe Graphics NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti / Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Max Monitors Supported 3 external monitor(s) -
Video Memory - 16 GB GDDR6 SDRAM
Video System Features Functions as Intel UHD graphics (for single-channel memory) -
Camera Yes - 1080p Yes - 1080p
Camera Features Privacy shutter, IR camera, Windows Hello, fixed focus -
Frame Rate - 30 frames per second
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Four speakers, microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3287 -
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio, Dolby Voice -
Audio Features - Dynaudio Premium Sound Technology
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2 Bluetooth, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX 201 - M.2 Card Killer Wi-Fi 6E AX1675
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet -
Features Wake-on-LAN (WOL), dual stream (2x2) -
WWAN
Generation 4G upgradable -
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST)
Technology Lithium polymer 4-cell
Battery Capacity (Size) 57 Wh 90 Wh
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) -
Output 65 Watt -
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST)
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, touchpad
Numeric Keypad Yes Yes
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes (RGB)
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls Per-key RGB
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST)
Interfaces USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (supports DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
HDMI
LAN
2 x Thunderbolt 4
USB 3.2 Gen 2
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader Yes (microSD) Yes (SD Card)
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence - English Windows 11 Pro
Software Included - MSI Center Pro
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST)
Included Accessories USB-C power adapter Power adapter
Security Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader, smart card reader -
Security Slot Type Kensington nano security slot -
Theft/Intrusion Protection Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately) -
Features Administrator password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password MIL-STD-810G tested, Cooler Boost Trinity+ technology
Compliant Standards RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified -
ENERGY STAR Certified Yes -
EPEAT Compliant EPEAT Gold -
Max Operating Temperature 35 °C -
Min Operating Temperature 5 °C -
Humidity Range Operating 8 - 95% -
Manufacturer Warranty Base warranty - 1 year - pick-up and return
Extended warranty - 1 year - on-site
Limited warranty - 2 years
Model Number - 098UK
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