MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9). 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 Nano Gen 2 (21E9) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

ultra-lightweight design

impressive battery life

robust security features

sharp display quality

powerful intel processor

limited port selection

higher price point

no touchscreen option

average speaker quality

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)
85 % - Design
82 % - Display
86 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
81 % - Design
85 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)
Product Type Notebook Notebook - 180-degree hinge design
Dimensions (WxDxH) 35.9 cm x 25.6 cm x 1.68 cm 29.33 cm x 20.81 cm x 1.48 cm
Weight 2.2 kg 991.5 g
Case Material - Carbon fibre (top), magnesium alloy (bottom)
Colour Lunar grey Black weave
DISPLAY MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)
Screen Size (Type) 16" 13" - IPS
Touchscreen - Yes (10-point multi-touch)
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight LED backlight
Screen Resolution 2560 x 1600 (QHD+) 2160 x 1350 (2K)
V-Sync Rate at Max Res. 120 Hz -
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:10 16:10
Image Brightness - 450 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, anti-reflective, anti-smudge, 170° viewing angle, Low Power, Add-on Film Touch
PROCESSOR MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)
CPU Intel Core i7 (11th Gen) 11800H / 2.3 GHz Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 1270P / 2.2 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.6 GHz 4.8 GHz
Number of Cores 8-core 12-core
Cache 24 MB 18 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 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)
RAM 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) 16 GB (provided memory is soldered)
Max RAM Supported 64 GB -
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM LPDDR5 SDRAM
Speed 3200 MHz 5200 MHz
Rated Speed 3200 MHz 6400 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 260-pin -
Slots Qty 2 -
Empty Slots 0 -
STORAGE MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)
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 - Kioxia
AUDIO & VIDEO MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)
Graphics Processor (GPU) NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Max Monitors Supported - 2 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, Windows Hello, fixed focus, hybrid FHD/IR camera
Frame Rate 30 frames per second -
Sound Four speakers, microphone Stereo speakers, two tweeters, two woofers, four microphones
Codec - Realtek ALC3306
Compliant Standards - High Definition Audio, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Voice
Audio Features Dynaudio Premium Sound Technology, Nahimic 3 sound technology -
COMMUNICATIONS MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)
Wireless Bluetooth 5.2, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E) Bluetooth 5.1, 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
BATTERY MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)
Technology 4-cell lithium polymer 3-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 90 Wh 49.5 Wh
AC ADAPTER MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)
Input - AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 180 Watt 65 Watt
INPUT MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)
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 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)
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
2 x USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
LAN (on supplied adapter)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader Yes (microSD) -
SOFTWARE MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)
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
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 X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)
Included Accessories Power adapter Lenovo USB-C to Ethernet Adapter, USB-C slim power adapter
Security Fingerprint reader Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader
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, TCG Certified
Max Operating Temperature - 35 °C
Min Operating Temperature - 5 °C
Humidity Range Operating - 8 - 95%
Manufacturer Warranty Limited warranty - 2 years -
Model Number 204UK -
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