MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D4)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) and Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D4). 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 Z16 Gen 1 (21D4) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D4) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

powerful amd processor

high-resolution oled display

solid build quality

good battery life

efficient thermal management

heavier than competitors

expensive base model

limited port selection

noisy under load

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) and Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D4)
85 % - Design
82 % - Display
86 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
83 % - Design
85 % - Display
89 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D4) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D4)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 35.9 cm x 25.6 cm x 1.68 cm 35.44 cm x 23.74 cm x 1.58 cm
Weight 2.2 kg 1.94 kg
Case Material - Aluminium (top), aluminium (bottom)
Colour Lunar grey Black (bottom), arctic grey (top)
DISPLAY MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D4)
Screen Size (Type) 16" 16" OLED
Touchscreen - Yes (10-point multi-touch)
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight -
Screen Resolution 2560 x 1600 (QHD+) 3840 x 2400 (WQUXGA)
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% DCI-P3
Features MSI Matrix Display, Delta E<2 calibration, thin bezel design, CalMAN Verified, MSI True Color Technology 3.0 Anti-reflective, One Glass Solution, anti-smudge, Low Blue Light technology, Dolby Vision, 92.3% screen-to-body ratio
PROCESSOR MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D4)
CPU Intel Core i7 (11th Gen) 11800H / 2.3 GHz AMD Ryzen 9 Pro 6950H / 3.3 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.6 GHz 4.9 GHz
Number of Cores 8-core 8-core
Cache 24 MB L3 - 16 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 Z16 Gen 1 (21D4)
RAM 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) 32 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 Z16 Gen 1 (21D4)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 512 GB SSD M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 - NVM Express (NVMe) 1 TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe), Performance
AUDIO & VIDEO MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D4)
Multi-GPU Configuration - 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU
Graphics Processor (GPU) NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 AMD Radeon RX 6500M / AMD Radeon 680M
Max Monitors Supported - 3 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 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, Dolby Voice
Audio Features Dynaudio Premium Sound Technology, Nahimic 3 sound technology -
COMMUNICATIONS MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D4)
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 Qualcomm NFA725A
Compliant Standards - DASH
Features - Dual stream (2x2)
WWAN
Generation - 4G
Technology - LTE
Controller - Quectel EM05-G - M.2 Card
BATTERY MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D4)
Technology 4-cell lithium polymer Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 90 Wh 72 Wh
AC ADAPTER MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D4)
Input - AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 180 Watt 135 Watt
INPUT MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D4)
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 Z16 Gen 1 (21D4)
Slots 2 x M.2 (PCI Express 4.0) (1 free) 1 x Nano-SIM card (1 free)
Interfaces Headphone/microphone combo jack
2 x USB-C (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort Alt Mode)
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2
3 x USB4 (supports DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader Yes (microSD) Yes (SD Card, SDXC UHS-II Card)
SOFTWARE MSI Creator Z16 (A11UE) Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D4)
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 Z16 Gen 1 (21D4)
Included Accessories Power adapter USB-C slim power adapter
Security Fingerprint reader Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip with Microsoft Pluton, 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, 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
Base warranty - battery - 1 year
Extended warranty - 3 years - on-site
Model Number 204UK -
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