MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BV)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) and Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BV). 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 T16 Gen 1 (21BV) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BV) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard

good battery life

reliable performance

advanced security features

heavier than competitors

average display brightness

limited color options

higher price point

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) and Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BV)
85 % - Design
82 % - Display
86 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
81 % - Design
75 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BV) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BV)
Product Type Notebook Notebook - 180-degree hinge design
Dimensions (WxDxH) 35.9 cm x 25.6 cm x 1.68 cm 36.19 cm x 25.55 cm x 2.05 cm
Weight 2.2 kg 1.65 kg
Case Material - Carbon fibre (top), glass-fibre (top), polycarbonate (top), polyphenylene sulfide (bottom)
Colour Lunar grey Thunder black
DISPLAY MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BV)
Screen Size (Type) 16" 16" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight LED backlight
Screen Resolution 2560 x 1600 (QHD+) 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA)
V-Sync Rate at Max Res. 120 Hz -
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:10 16:10
Image Brightness - 300 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 T16 Gen 1 (21BV)
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 T16 Gen 1 (21BV)
RAM 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) 8 GB (provided memory is soldered)
Max RAM Supported 64 GB 40 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 1
Empty Slots 0 1
STORAGE MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BV)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 512 GB SSD M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 - NVM Express (NVMe) 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BV)
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, 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, Dolby Voice
Audio Features Dynaudio Premium Sound Technology, Nahimic 3 sound technology -
COMMUNICATIONS MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BV)
Wireless Bluetooth 5.2, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E) Bluetooth 5.2, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller Killer Wi-Fi 6E AX1675 Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX 211
Network Interface - Gigabit Ethernet
Ethernet Controller - Intel I219-V
Features - Wake-on-LAN (WOL), dual stream (2x2)
WWAN
Generation - 4G upgradable
BATTERY MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BV)
Technology 4-cell lithium polymer Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 90 Wh 52.5 Wh
AC ADAPTER MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BV)
Input - AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 180 Watt 65 Watt
INPUT MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BV)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Numeric Keypad - Yes
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 T16 Gen 1 (21BV)
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
2 x USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
LAN
Memory Card Reader Yes (microSD) -
SOFTWARE MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BV)
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 Glance by Mirametrix
MISCELLANEOUS MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BV)
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 nano 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, NVMe password, USB FIDO (Fast Identity Online) device integration, Firmware Resiliency 3.0, certificate based BIOS authentication
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 - 3 years - pick-up and return
Extended warranty - 1 year - on-site
Base warranty - battery - 1 year
Model Number 204UK -
Other Comparisons with MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE)
Other Comparisons with Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BV)
Other Popular Laptop Comparisons
Other projects: