MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C1)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) and Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C1). 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.

MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

powerful intel processor

vibrant qhd+ display

sleek aluminum chassis

thunderbolt 4 support

high-quality audio output

relatively heavy design

short battery life

high price point

limited upgradeability

Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C1) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C1) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard feel

good battery life

solid performance

adequate connectivity options

mediocre display quality

heavier than competitors

limited graphics power

pricey base model

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) and Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C1)
85 % - Design
82 % - Display
86 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
85 % - Design
72 % - Display
75 % - Performance
86 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C1) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C1)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 35.9 cm x 25.6 cm x 1.68 cm 32.54 cm x 21.7 cm x 1.983 cm
Weight 2.2 kg 1.39 kg
Case Material - Polycarbonate ABS (bottom), polycarbonate ABS (top)
Colour Lunar grey Thunder black
DISPLAY MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C1)
Screen Size (Type) 16" 14" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight LED backlight
Screen Resolution 2560 x 1600 (QHD+) 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
V-Sync Rate at Max Res. 120 Hz -
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:10 16:9
Image Brightness - 250 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 100% DCI-P3 45% NTSC
Features MSI Matrix Display, Delta E<2 calibration, thin bezel design, CalMAN Verified, MSI True Color Technology 3.0 Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle
PROCESSOR MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C1)
CPU Intel Core i7 (11th Gen) 11800H / 2.3 GHz Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) 1235U / 1.3 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.6 GHz 4.4 GHz
Number of Cores 8-core 10-core
Cache 24 MB 12 MB
Chipset Intel HM570 -
Features Hyper-Threading Technology, Intel Smart Cache, Intel Speed Shift Technology, Intel Deep Learning Boost (DL Boost) Integrated memory controller
MEMORY MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C1)
RAM 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) 8 GB (1 x 8 GB)
Max RAM Supported 64 GB 64 GB
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 SDRAM
Speed 3200 MHz 3200 MHz
Rated Speed 3200 MHz 3200 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 260-pin SO-DIMM 260-pin
Slots Qty 2 2
Empty Slots 0 1
STORAGE MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C1)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 512 GB SSD M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 - NVM Express (NVMe) 256 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C1)
Graphics Processor (GPU) NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Max Monitors Supported - 3 external monitor(s)
Video Memory 6 GB GDDR6 SDRAM -
Video System Features Max-Q design, Dynamic Boost -
Gaming Yes -
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 1080p
Camera Features IR camera Privacy shutter, IR camera, Windows Hello, fixed focus
Frame Rate 30 frames per second -
Sound Four speakers, microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec - Realtek ALC3287
Compliant Standards - High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio
Audio Features Dynaudio Premium Sound Technology, Nahimic 3 sound technology -
COMMUNICATIONS MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C1)
Wireless Bluetooth 5.2, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E) 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2
Wireless Controller Killer Wi-Fi 6E AX1675 Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX 201 - M.2 Card
Network Interface - Gigabit Ethernet
Features - Wake-on-LAN (WOL), dual stream (2x2)
BATTERY MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C1)
Technology 4-cell lithium polymer Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 90 Wh 57 Wh
AC ADAPTER MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C1)
Input - AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 180 Watt 65 Watt
INPUT MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C1)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Keyboard Backlight Yes (RGB) Yes
Features Per-key RGB Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C1)
Slots 2 x M.2 (PCI Express 4.0) (1 free) -
Interfaces Headphone/microphone combo jack
2 x USB-C (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort Alt Mode)
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB 3.2 Gen 1
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)
HDMI
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader Yes (microSD) Yes (microSD)
SOFTWARE MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C1)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Home Advanced Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence - English
Software Included Norton Internet Security (60 days trial), SteelSeries Engine 3, Norton Studio (Metro UI), Microsoft Office 2016 (30 days trial), Nahimic Audio Enhancer 3, NVIDIA GeForce Experience, MSI True Color 3.0, MSI Battery Master -
MISCELLANEOUS MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C1)
Included Accessories Power adapter USB-C power adapter
Security Fingerprint reader Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader, smart card reader
Security Slot Type - Kensington security slot
Theft/Intrusion Protection - Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)
Features SteelSeries gaming keyboard, MIL-STD-810G tested, Cooler Boost Trinity+ technology Administrator password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password
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 Limited warranty - 2 years Base warranty - 1 year - pick-up and return
Extended warranty - 1 year - on-site
Model Number 204UK -
Other Comparisons with MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE)
Other Comparisons with Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C1)
Other Popular Laptop Comparisons
Other projects: