MSI unveils 'world's first' 17-inch laptop to support a pen, the Creator Z17

MSI Creator Z17
MSI Creator Z17 (Image credit: MSI)

Msi Creator Z17

Source: MSI (Image credit: Source: MSI)

What you need to know

  • MSI announced the Creator Z17, Creator Z16P, and Creator M16 laptops at CES 2022.
  • The new laptops run on 12th Gen Intel Core processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 series graphics.
  • CPU performance in the laptops is 45% better than previous generations thanks to a new vapor chamber cooler.

In addition to announcing several gaming devices, MSI expanded its range of creator laptops at CES 2022. The company unveiled the Creator Z17, Creator Z16P, and Creator M16 laptops, all of which run on 12th Gen Intel CPUs and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 series GPUs. In addition to packing high-end specs into the thin bodies of its new laptops, MSI worked on CPU performance by improving cooling.

To improve the versatility of the devices, MSI added pen support to the Creator Z17. According to the company, the Creator Z17 is the first-ever 17-inch laptop to support a pen. The touch-friendly screens are also Calman verified True Pixel Displays.

MSI Creator Z17

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CategoryMSI Creator Z17
Display17" QHD+ (2560 x 1600), 165Hz DCI-P3 100% Touch panel
CPUCore i9-12900H, 1.8-5 GHzCore i7-12700H, 1.7-4.7 GHz
GPUNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti laptopNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti laptop
VRAM16GB GDDR68GB GDDR6
Memory64GB (32GB x 2) DDR5 4800MHz32GB (16GB x 2) DDR5 4800MHz
Storage2TB NVMe SSD1TB NVMe SSD
WirelessKiller WiFi 6E AX1675 (2x2), Bluetooth 5.2
CameraIR FHD
MediaFull size SD
PortsHDMI, 2x Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, microphone in/out
SecurityFingerprint reader, IR camera
ColorLunar gray
Battery90 Whr
Dimensions15.04 x 10.24 x 0.75 in (38.2 x 26 x 1.9 cm)#
Weight5.49 lbs (2.49 kg)
Price$2,499-$4,599

MSI Creator Z16P

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CategoryMSI Creator Z16
Display16" QHD+ (2560 x 1600), 165Hz DCI-P3 100% Touch panel16" QHD+ (2560 x 1600), 120Hz DCI-P3 100% typical, Finger Touch panel
CPUCore i9-12900H, 1.8-5 GHzCore i7-12700H, 1.7-4.7 GHz
GPUNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti laptopNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti laptopNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 laptop
VRAM16GB GDDR68GB GDDR66GB GDDR6
Memory64GB (32GB x 2) DDR5 4800MHz32GB (16GB x 2) DDR5 4800MHz16GB (8GB x 2) DDR5 4800MHz
Storage2TB NVMe SSD1TB NVMe SSD
WirelessKiller WiFi 6E AX1675 (2x2), Bluetooth 5.2
CameraIR FHD
MediaFull size SD
Ports1x USB-C Thunderbolt 4/USB4, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, microphone in/out
SecurityFingerprint reader, IR camera
ColorLunar gray
Battery90 Whr
Dimensions15.04 x 10.24 x 0.75 in (38.2 x 26 x 1.9 cm)
Weight5.27 lbs (2.39 kg)
Price$2,499-$4,399

MSI Creator M16

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CategoryMSI Creator M16
Display16" QHD+ (2560 x 1600), 60Hz DCI-P3 100%
CPUCore i7-12650H, 1.7-4.7GHz
GPUNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Laptop GPU
VRAM6GB GDDR64GB GDDR6
Memory32GB (16GB x 2) DDR4 3200MHz16GB (8GB x 2) DDR4 3200MHz
Storage1TB NVMe SSD512GB NVMe SSD
WirelessKiller WiFi 6E AX1675 (2x2), Bluetooth 5.2
Camera720 HD
MediaFull size SD
PortsHDMI, USB-C 3.2 Gen 1, USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, USB-A 2.0, audio combo
SecurityFingerprint reader
ColorBlack
Battery53 Whr
Dimensions14.13 x 10.2 x 0.94 in (35.9 x 25.9 x 2.4 cm)
Weight6.06 lbs (2.75 kg)
Price$21,499-$1,599

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MSI states that the Z16P gets a 20% performance boost thanks to its vapor chamber cooler. That chamber provides 76% more area to cool the device and allows for 65% more airflow.

The Creator M16 is a more affordable laptop for creators. Its display can lay completely flat, making it easy to share media in-person in a classroom or workplace.

MSI has not shared availability details for its new Creator laptops at this time.

Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He's covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean's journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.