MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) and Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2). 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 Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

excellent build quality

powerful AMD processor

high-resolution display

sustainable materials used

compact and lightweight

higher price point

no HDMI port

limited upgradeability

average battery life

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) and Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
85 % - Design
82 % - Display
86 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
82 % - Design
83 % - Display
85 % - Performance
84 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 35.9 cm x 25.6 cm x 1.68 cm 29.94 cm x 19.96 cm x 1.399 cm
Weight 2.2 kg 1.19 kg
Case Material - Aluminium (top), aluminium (bottom)
Colour Lunar grey Black (bottom), arctic grey (top)
DISPLAY MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
Screen Size (Type) 16" 13.3" - 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 - 400 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 Power, 91.6% screen-to-body ratio
PROCESSOR MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
CPU Intel Core i7 (11th Gen) 11800H / 2.3 GHz AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 6650U / 2.9 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.6 GHz 4.5 GHz
Number of Cores 8-core 6-core
Cache 24 MB 16 MB
Chipset Intel HM570 -
Features Hyper-Threading Technology, Intel Smart Cache, Intel Speed Shift Technology, Intel Deep Learning Boost (DL Boost) -
MEMORY MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
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 6400 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 Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
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 Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
Graphics Processor (GPU) NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 AMD Radeon 660M
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 IR camera, Windows Hello, e-camera shutter
Frame Rate 30 frames per second -
Sound Four speakers, microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec - Realtek ALC3306
Compliant Standards - High Definition Audio, Dolby Atmos
Audio Features Dynaudio Premium Sound Technology, Nahimic 3 sound technology -
COMMUNICATIONS MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
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 Qualcomm NFA725A
Compliant Standards - DASH
Features - Dual stream (2x2)
BATTERY MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
Technology 4-cell lithium polymer Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 90 Wh 51.5 Wh
Battery Life - Up to 22.8 hours
AC ADAPTER MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
Input - AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 180 Watt 65 Watt
INPUT MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Keyboard Backlight Yes (RGB) Yes
Features Per-key RGB Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, haptic feedback, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls, glass touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
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 DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader Yes (microSD) -
SOFTWARE MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Home Advanced Windows 11 Pro - 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 Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
Included Accessories Power adapter USB-C power adapter
Security Fingerprint reader Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip with Microsoft Pluton, fingerprint reader
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, USB FIDO (Fast Identity Online) device integration, pen upgradable, certificate based BIOS authentication
Compliant Standards - RoHS, TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification, 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 - 3 years - on-site - response time: next business day
Model Number 204UK -
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