MSI Creator 17vsLenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3

We compare these two popular phones to help you decide which one fits your needs and budget better.

MSI
MSI Creator 17
Creator 17

Quick Stats

The MSI Creator 17 delivers exceptional performance with ease, handling demanding tasks smoothly overall.
The MSI Creator 17's build quality is a letdown, lacking polish and being hindered by a bulky power brick.
The MSI Creator 17's stunning 4K display offers vibrant, accurate colors and immersive visuals with high brightness.
The MSI Creator 17 boasts top-notch performance with its powerful Intel i7 processor and RTX graphics card.
Lenovo
Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3
ThinkBook Plus Gen 3

Quick Stats

The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3's performance underwhelmed despite its powerful CPU and modern Intel Iris XE graphics.
The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 has a solid build quality, with a sturdy metal bottom cover design.
The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 features a dual-screen setup for seamless multitasking capabilities.
The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 features up to 32GB RAM, Intel Iris XE graphics, and Wi-Fi 6E.
Key Differences

No significant specification differences found between these devices.

Rank
MSI Creator 17
#382
Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3
Winner
#377
Scores by Category
Rankings
Connectivity
MSI Creator 17
#792
Winner
Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3
#834
Display
MSI Creator 17
#786
Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3
#144
Winner
Performance
MSI Creator 17
#167
Winner
Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3
#574
Build
MSI Creator 17
#845
Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3
#767
Winner
Features
MSI Creator 17
#147
Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3
#128
Winner

Note: Lower rank number indicates a better position in category.

Specifications Comparison
Specification
MSI MSI Creator 17
Lenovo Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3
up to 64GB
up to 32GB
up to 8000GB SSD
up to 1000GB SSD
Intel Core i7-10875H
Intel Core i7-12700H
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER Max-Q
Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 (96EU)

Note: Highlighted specifications show differences between the two devices.

Pros and Cons

MSI Creator 17

Strengths

The MSI Creator 17 has a lot of what a gamer would want in a portable shell, an Intel 10 generation i7 processor, and the RTX 2070 Max Q are in the upper tier of performance specs.
It shows great performance in every game that I've played so far, running smooth as butter on ultra settings with ray tracing put on medium.
The computer is paired well with a few peripherals like Michael said, the keyboard and the speakers are definitely just the weakest part of this package.
The Creator 17 right here is actually the first laptop that I've used that doesn't buckle or even stutter under my 4k workflow.
It's great for video and photo editing processes with the same specifications that drive high powered gaming
The quality of life details of this laptop are good, it's just a shame they don't fit in any of my current bags.
MSI got a lot right with the Creator 17, don't get me wrong, but if you ask me, they did more to create something like a foldable desktop than they did a powerful, portable laptop.
The prices seem awful competitive given the last few laptops I've reviewed.

Weaknesses

Michael said the keyboard and speakers are definitely just the weakest part of this package.
It's not very portable as it doesn't fit in any of my current bags
MSI did more to create something like a foldable desktop than they did a powerful, portable laptop.
The power brick is huge
It would be Michael's first choice if he had the option
The laptop can be overkill for some users who don't need that much power and performance
The MSI Creator 17 has a lot of features but it might not be suitable for all types of users
The prices may vary depending on the configuration which might make it hard to budget

Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3

Strengths

The laptop is relatively light, weighing only 4.4 pounds (2 kilograms)
It has a decent cooling solution considering there's no dedicated graphics
The stereo Harman Kardon speakers sound pretty good and have some bass
The battery life is around 5.56 hours on a charge for moderate to light work
It comes with a Thunderbolt 4 port, two USB-A ports, HDMI, and a second USBC 3.2 Gen 2 slot
The laptop has Intel Wi-Fi 6E with Bluetooth 5.2, which is an AX211 card

Weaknesses

The laptop's performance didn't match up well to other laptops with the same CPU in benchmarking tests
The fans can get pretty loud when running demanding applications or benchmarks
The RAM is soldered on and cannot be upgraded, which may be a concern for heavy users
The SSD is not top-of-the-line but is still decent and upgradable
Battery life is not spectacular due to the 70Wh battery and high-resolution internal display
There's no room for upgradeable components, making it feel more like an Ultrabook than a mobile workstation
Read Full Reviews

MSI Creator 17

The MSI Creator 17 is a behemoth of a laptop, boasting an Intel i7 processor, RTX 2070 Max Q graphics, and a stunning 4K mini LED display. While its gaming chops are undeniable, I found myself drawn to its potential as a creator's tool. With Josh's expert input on the laptop's video editing prowess, it's clear that MSI has shifted its focus towards this burgeoning market. But does the Creator 17 deliver on its promise of portable power and creativity?

Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3

The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 is an intriguing laptop that blends creative and multimedia features with portable convenience. Its standout feature is the built-in 15.6-inch display on the side, perfect for color-noting or browsing while working on a main project. With a 12th-gen CPU and Intel Iris Xe graphics, it's designed to balance performance and power consumption. This review will examine its strengths and weaknesses, exploring whether this unique design makes it a must-have for creatives and commuters alike.

Need help choosing?

Read our detailed reviews to understand which device is better for your specific needs and budget.

Read MSI Creator 17 ReviewRead Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 Review

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