MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE). 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 X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

powerful intel processors

robust build quality

excellent 4k display

advanced security features

wide connectivity options

high price point

heavier than competitors

average battery life

loud under load

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
85 % - Design
82 % - Display
86 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
82 % - Design
85 % - Display
92 % - Performance
86 % - Connectivity
82 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 35.9 cm x 25.6 cm x 1.68 cm 35.95 cm x 25.38 cm x 1.79 cm
Weight 2.2 kg 1.88 kg
Case Material - Aluminium (bottom), carbon fibre (top)
Colour Lunar grey Black paint
DISPLAY MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Screen Size (Type) 16" 16" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight LED backlight
Screen Resolution 2560 x 1600 (QHD+) 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA)
V-Sync Rate at Max Res. 120 Hz 165 Hz
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:10 16:10
Image Brightness - 500 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 100% DCI-P3 100% sRGB
Features MSI Matrix Display, Delta E<2 calibration, thin bezel design, CalMAN Verified, MSI True Color Technology 3.0 Anti-glare, 178° viewing angle, Low Blue Light technology, X-Rite Pantone factory color calibration
PROCESSOR MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
CPU Intel Core i7 (11th Gen) 11800H / 2.3 GHz Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 12700H / 2.3 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.6 GHz 4.7 GHz
Number of Cores 8-core 14-core
Cache 24 MB 24 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 X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
RAM 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) 16 GB (1 x 16 GB)
Max RAM Supported 64 GB 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 2
Empty Slots 0 1
STORAGE MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 512 GB SSD M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 - NVM Express (NVMe) 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe), Performance
AUDIO & VIDEO MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Multi-GPU Configuration - 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU
Graphics Processor (GPU) NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti / Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Max Monitors Supported - 4 external monitor(s)
Video Memory 6 GB GDDR6 SDRAM 4 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 ALC3306
Compliant Standards - High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio Premium, Dolby Voice
Audio Features Dynaudio Premium Sound Technology, Nahimic 3 sound technology -
COMMUNICATIONS MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Wireless Bluetooth 5.2, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E) NFC, 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
Features - Dual stream (2x2)
BATTERY MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Technology 4-cell lithium polymer Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 90 Wh 90 Wh
AC ADAPTER MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Input - AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 180 Watt 170 Watt
INPUT MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
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, glass touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Slots 2 x M.2 (PCI Express 4.0) (1 free) 2 x M.2 (PCI Express 4.0 x4) (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
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
2 x USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader Yes (microSD) Yes (SD Express Card)
SOFTWARE MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
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 - German
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 X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Included Accessories Power adapter Power adapter
Security Fingerprint reader Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint 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, system 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, TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light Method 2
ENERGY STAR Certified - Yes
EPEAT Compliant - EPEAT Gold
TCO Certified - TCO Certified Notebooks 9
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
Base warranty - battery - 1 year
Extended warranty - 3 years - on-site
Model Number 204UK -
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