Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) vs. MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

Side by side comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) and MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST). Compare dimensions, processors, batteries, storage capacities and other key specifications and features to simplify the choice of your perfect laptop. Our goal is to make it easier for you to decide on the laptop that will best meet your expectations by revealing the main differences between the products.

Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard comfort

impressive battery life

good security features

reliable performance

heavy design

average display brightness

limited graphics power

higher price point

MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

powerful i9 processor

high-resolution touchscreen

innovative stylus support

robust build quality

fast ssd storage

heavier than competitors

expensive price point

average battery life

limited port variety

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) and MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST)
82 % - Design
78 % - Display
86 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery
85 % - Design
92 % - Display
92 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
74 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) vs. MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST)
Product Type Notebook - 180-degree hinge design Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 36.19 cm x 25.55 cm x 2.05 cm 38.2 cm x 26 cm x 1.9 cm
Weight 1.65 kg 2.49 kg
Case Material Carbon fibre (top), glass-fibre (top), polycarbonate (top), polyphenylene sulfide (bottom) -
Colour Thunder black Lunar grey
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST)
Screen Size (Type) 16" - IPS 17"
Touchscreen - Yes
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight LED backlight
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA) 2560 x 1600 (QHD+)
V-Sync Rate at Max Res. - 165 Hz
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:10 16:10
Image Brightness 300 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 T16 Gen 1 (21BW) 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 T16 Gen 1 (21BW) MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST)
RAM 16 GB (provided memory is soldered) 32 GB
Max RAM Supported 48 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 1 -
Empty Slots 1 -
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption - SK Hynix 2 TB SSD M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 - NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) 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, Windows Hello, fixed focus, hybrid FHD/IR camera -
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 T16 Gen 1 (21BW) MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST)
Wireless Bluetooth 5.1, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E) Bluetooth, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX 211 Killer Wi-Fi 6E AX1675
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet -
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST)
Technology 4-cell lithium polymer 4-cell
Battery Capacity (Size) 52.5 Wh 90 Wh
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) -
Output 65 Watt, 5 / 9 / 15 / 20 V -
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) 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 T16 Gen 1 (21BW) MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST)
Interfaces USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB 3.2 Gen 1
2 x USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI (4K support)
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
2 x Thunderbolt 4
USB 3.2 Gen 2
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader - Yes (SD Card)
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) 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 Windows 11 Pro
Software Included - MSI Center Pro
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21BW) MSI Creator Z17 (A12UHST)
Included Accessories USB-C power adapter Power adapter
Security 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 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 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 - Limited warranty - 2 years
Model Number - 098UK
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