MSI has launched a host of new laptops powered by Intel’s latest Tiger Lake-H processors, but not all are the customary spec upgrades we’ve come to expect.
Included in this range is a brand-new device in the form of the Creator Z16. This high-end 16in laptop is targeted squarely at creators, as MSI continues to expand its non-gaming portfolio. The Tiger Lake-H chips (up to Core i9-11900H here) might primarily focus on gaming, but the performance gains can be equally beneficial for content creation.
To help enable this, the Creator Z16 pairs Intel’s new chips with a GeForce RTX 3080 GPU. This is Nvidia’s flagship discrete graphics card for laptops and should deliver smooth performance for tasks like 4K video editing and digital rendering.
That smooth experience extends to the display, where there’s a choice between Full HD at 360Hz and Quad HD at 240Hz. Both have a 16:10 aspect ratio, while MSI says they can reach up to 1000 nits of brightness and cover the full DCI-P3 colour gamut.
Pairing a high refresh rate with a QHD display is relatively rare, as it typically has a significant effect on battery life. A 90Wh battery should help with this, although MSI has quoted figures on how long it will last. You also get support for fast charging.
The Creator Z16 certainly looks the part, with a sleek silver aluminium chassis that’s just 16mm thick. MSI also advertises its 2.2kg weight, which isn’t exactly light but not bad considering the components.
However, the premium specs are undoubtedly reflected in the price. The device is available now in the US from $2,599 (approx. £1,840/€$2,140). Even if international pricing is much lower than this, it’s going to be hard to justify for even the most skilled creators.
Fortunately, the more affordable Creator 17 has also launched. It focuses on the display, with a Mini-LED screen supporting MSI’s True Pixel technology.
There’s also a new Creator M16, which maxes out at a RTX 3050 Ti GPU but still features a QHD+ display and Tiger Lake-H chips. Pricing for both remains unknown, but it’s likely to be significantly less than the Z16.
However, MSI didn’t disappoint its loyal gaming fanbase. The company added to its existing Raider, Stealth, Pulse and Leopard device with two brand new entry-level lines.
Few details about the ‘Katana’ and ‘Sword’ laptops have been revealed so far, but we do know they’ll use the Tiger Lake-H series and feature 165Hz refresh rate displays.
Katana laptops will start at US$999 (approx. £710/€820), while you’ll step up to at least US$1,099 (approx. £780/€900) for a Sword. Concrete release date information is yet to be announced.
Pairing Intel processors with Nvidia discrete graphics is proving to be a popular choice for high-end laptops. Here are all the devices powered by the latest Tiger Lake-H CPUs and RTX 30 Series GPUs so far.
Author: Anyron Copeman, Senior Staff Writer
As the resident expert on Windows, Senior Staff Writer Anyron’s main focus is PCs and laptops. Much of the rest of his time is split between smartphones, tablets and audio, with a particular focus on Android devices.