In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) and MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST). 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.
| DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS | Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) | MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST) |
|---|
| Product Type | Notebook - 180-degree hinge design | Notebook |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 36.02 cm x 23.7 cm x 1.993 cm | 38.2 cm x 26 cm x 1.9 cm |
| Weight | 1.76 kg | 2.49 kg |
| Case Material | Polycarbonate ABS (bottom), polycarbonate ABS (top) | - |
| Colour | Thunder black | Lunar grey |
| DISPLAY | Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) | MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST) |
|---|
| Screen Size (Type) | 15.6" - IPS | 17" |
|---|---|---|
| Touchscreen | - | Yes |
| LCD Backlight Technology | LED backlight | LED backlight |
| Screen Resolution | 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) | 2560 x 1600 (QHD+) |
| V-Sync Rate at Max Res. | - | 165 Hz |
| Widescreen | Yes | Yes |
| Image Aspect Ratio | 16:9 | 16:10 |
| Image Brightness | 250 cd/m² | - |
| Colour Gamut | 45% NTSC | 100% DCI-P3 |
| Features | Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle | MSI True Colour Technology, Delta E<2 calibration, CalMAN Verified |
| PROCESSOR | Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) | MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST) |
|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) 1235U / 1.3 GHz | Intel Core i9 (12th Gen) 12900H / 2.5 GHz |
|---|---|---|
| Max Turbo Speed | 4.4 GHz | 5 GHz |
| Number of Cores | 10-core | 14-core |
| Cache | 12 MB | 24 MB |
| Features | Integrated memory controller | Hyper-Threading Technology, Intel Smart Cache, Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0, Intel Deep Learning Boost (DL Boost) |
| MEMORY | Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) | MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST) |
|---|
| RAM | 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) | 32 GB |
|---|---|---|
| Max RAM Supported | 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 | - |
| Empty Slots | 0 | - |
| STORAGE | Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) | MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST) |
|---|
| Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) | 256 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe) | 2 TB SSD M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 - NVM Express (NVMe) |
|---|
| AUDIO & VIDEO | Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) | MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST) |
|---|
| Multi-GPU Configuration | - | 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU |
|---|---|---|
| Graphics Processor (GPU) | Intel Iris Xe Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti / Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
| Max Monitors Supported | 3 external monitor(s) | - |
| Video Memory | - | 16 GB GDDR6 SDRAM |
| Video System Features | Functions as Intel UHD graphics (for single-channel memory) | - |
| Camera | Yes - 1080p | Yes - 1080p |
| Camera Features | Privacy shutter, IR camera, Windows Hello, fixed focus | - |
| Frame Rate | - | 30 frames per second |
| Sound | Stereo speakers, dual array microphone | Four speakers, microphone |
| Codec | Realtek ALC3287 | - |
| Compliant Standards | High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio, Dolby Voice | - |
| Audio Features | - | Dynaudio Premium Sound Technology |
| COMMUNICATIONS | Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) | MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST) |
|---|
| Wireless | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E) |
|---|---|---|
| Wireless Controller | Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX 201 - M.2 Card | Killer Wi-Fi 6E AX1675 |
| Network Interface | Gigabit Ethernet | - |
| Features | Wake-on-LAN (WOL), dual stream (2x2) | - |
| WWAN |
|---|
| Generation | 4G upgradable | - |
|---|
| BATTERY | Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) | MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST) |
|---|
| Technology | Lithium polymer | 4-cell |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Capacity (Size) | 57 Wh | 90 Wh |
| AC ADAPTER | Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) | MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST) |
|---|
| Input | AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) | - |
|---|---|---|
| Output | 65 Watt | - |
| INPUT | Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) | MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST) |
|---|
| Type | Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav | Keyboard, touchpad |
|---|---|---|
| Numeric Keypad | Yes | Yes |
| Keyboard Backlight | Yes | Yes (RGB) |
| Features | Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls | Per-key RGB |
| CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS | Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) | MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST) |
|---|
| Interfaces | USB 3.2 Gen 1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On) USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (supports DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0) USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0) Headphone/microphone combo jack HDMI LAN |
2 x Thunderbolt 4 USB 3.2 Gen 2 HDMI Headphone/microphone combo jack |
|---|---|---|
| Memory Card Reader | Yes (microSD) | Yes (SD Card) |
| SOFTWARE | Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) | MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST) |
|---|
| Operating System (OS) | Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence - English | Windows 11 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Software Included | - | MSI Center Pro |
| MISCELLANEOUS | Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) | MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST) |
|---|
| Included Accessories | USB-C power adapter | Power adapter |
|---|---|---|
| Security | 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 | Administrator password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password | MIL-STD-810G tested, Cooler Boost Trinity+ technology |
| 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 | Base warranty - 1 year - pick-up and return Extended warranty - 1 year - on-site |
Limited warranty - 2 years |
| Model Number | - | 098UK |
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