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MSI Creator A16 AI+ review: Pushing creator laptops further at a price
Creator laptops are primed to give prosumers ample power to manage photo and video editing, graphic design and even a side of gaming, and that’s exactly what the MSI Creator A16 AI+ is made to offer.
Packed with the might of an AMD Ryzen 9 AI HX CPU and a still-going-strong RTX 40-series GPU (yes, RTX 50-series is here, but that doesn’t mean Nvidia’s last-gen graphics card can’t hold its own), MSI’s AI-powered laptop geared towards prosumers puts Windows PCs on the map (once again) as certifiable machines made for creators.
I say this as it stands toe-to-toe with one of the best laptops for video editing, the Asus ProArt P16, but both still can’t top what the 16-inch MacBook Pro M4 Pro dishes out. But that’s fine, as the Creator A16 AI+, from $1,799, is the more affordable option out of its main competition, and that goes a long way for most.
While it isn’t perfect, seeing as it gets quite hot under the hood when put under pressure, its SSD speeds are lagging and its touchpad feels less than premium, my main gripe has to do with its configuration.
Don’t get me wrong, the AMD Ryzen 9 AI HX 365 and RTX 4060 GPU is the model I’ve been testing does a great job for photography, videography, music creation and more, but its 16-inch QHD+ display with a 240Hz refresh rate doesn’t quite match what creators can get out of a laptop.
However, the Creator A16 AI+ also comes with a configuration that offers Ryzen 9 AI HX 370 CPU, RTX 4070 GPU and a 16-inch UHD+ (3840×2400) Mini-LED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It’s pricier at $2,199, but that model is far more appealing — and it’s still less expensive than the ProArt P16 and MacBook Pro M4 Pro.
The MSI Creator A16 AI+ is a fantastic option as one of the best laptops for video editing, but depending on the configuration you get, one model looks to be far better than the other.
MSI Creator A16 AI+: Cheat sheet
- What is it? A creator-focused 16-inch MSI laptop equipped with strong AMD CPU and Nvidia GPU power
- Who is it for? Workers and students who often use photo or video editing tools and graphic design, and want a side of gaming.
- What does it cost? The MSI Creator A16 AI+ is available from $1,799 at Amazon that can go up to $2,199 if you spec up to an RTX 4070 with a 4K Mini-LED display. Pricey, but I’ve seen it discounted to as low as $1,449 at times.
- What do we like? Its speedy performance, bright and detailed 16-inch display and minimalist style with a punchy keyboard.
- What don’t we like? It’s a tad pricey for what it offers, its touchpad is strangely poor, it gets hot under pressure and its battery life is lacking. However, the higher-end RTX 4070 model boosts its potential as a creator laptop.
MSI Creator A16 AI+: Specs
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | MSI Creator A16 AI+ (tested) | MSI Creator A16 AI+ (RTX 4070) |
Price | $1,799 | $2,199 |
Display | 16-inch QHD+ (2560×1600), 240Hz | 16-inch UHD+ (3840×2400), 120Hz, MiniLED |
CPU | AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 365 | AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 |
GPU | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 |
Memory | 32GB | 32GB |
Storage | 1TB SSD | 1TB SSD |
Ports | 1x USB-C (USB4 / DisplayPort/ Power Delivery 3.0/ Thunderbolt 4 support), 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen2, 1x HDMI 2.1, Ethernet port, 3.5mm audio jack | 1x USB-C (USB4 / DisplayPort/ Power Delivery 3.0/ Thunderbolt 4 support), 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen2, 1x HDMI 2.1, Ethernet port, 3.5mm audio jack |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 |
Dimensions | 14 x 10.24 x 0.79 inches | 14 x 10.24 x 0.79 inches |
Weight | 4.5 pounds | 4.5 pounds |
MSI Creator A16 AI+: The ups
I’m more of a gaming laptop enthusiast, but even I can recognize the strengths of the MSI Creator A16 AI+ when editing photos, working in multiple apps and transcoding video. And yes, it can be used to game quite comfortably.
Commendable performance
Even with its slightly lower-end AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 365 CPU and RTX 4060 GPU combination, this configuration of the MSI Creator A16 AI+ stands out with its speedy performance, and it works like a charm in Adobe Photoshop or Premiere Pro.
Now, not to the extent of the M4 Pro MacBook Pro (that laptop is still a beast in creator apps), but it understandably beats the M4 MacBook Pro, especially when it comes to video editing. You can thank the RTX 4060 for that.
Even when up against the Asus ProArt P16, with its higher-end AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 and RTX 4070, the Creator A16 AI+ doesn’t fall far behind. That says a lot, seeing as the ProArt comes in at $2,299.
Laptop | Geekbench 6.3 single-core | Geekbench 6.3 multicore | Photoshop Pugetbench | Handbrake (transcoding 4k video to 1080p mm:ss) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
MSI Creator A16 AI+ | 2850 | 14510 | 8831 | 03:44 |
Asus ProArt P16 | 2872 | 15343 | 8295 | 03:20 |
M4 Pro MacBook Pro | 3910 | 22822 | 12292 | 02:38 |
Sure, while this is impressive on paper, also remember the ProArt features exclusive creator features, like a DialPad, 4K OLED touch screen and AI-powered software suite. Still, you have to give props to what MSI’s laptop can offer at this price, and its RTX 4060 GPU power delivers strong results in the gaming department, too.
Laptop | 3DMark Fire Strike | Shadow of The Tomb Raider (1080p) |
|---|---|---|
MSI Creator A16 AI+ (AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 365 + RTX 4060) | 22084 | 89 FPS |
Asus ProArt P16 (AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 + RTX 4070) | 24284 | 102 FPS |
MacBook Pro 16 (M4 Pro) | N/A | 79 FPS |
I threw on Cyberpunk 2077 to see what it could handle, and while our lab test scores show that it can only handle 29 FPS at 1080p with settings cranked up, even at 1600p (ray tracing set to low, texture quality on high), I was seeing 50 FPS. Not bad for an RTX 5060, and further adjustments would see this go beyond 60 FPS without sacrificing too much.
Otherwise, when it comes to everyday tasks, including having 20 Chrome tabs open, doing some light photo editing and watching shows on Netflix, the Creator A16 AI+ doesn’t break a sweat.
A design to boast about
So, the Creator A16 AI+ may not be the slimmest or lightest 16-inch laptop around (the MSI Stealth A16 AI+ does that job), but its sturdy, minimalist design is one I would happily take out in an office, on a train or a coffee shop.
I adore its subtle design choices, from the soft glow of its per-key RGB-lit keyboard (with a number pad included) to its dark gray colorway adorning the whole chassis. Everything looks neat and proper, and the magnesium-aluminum is tough as it is fresh, as you won’t find fingerprint smudges on here.
Laptop | Dimensions | Weight |
|---|---|---|
MSI Creator A16 AI+ | 14 x 10.24 x 0.79 inches | 4.5 pounds |
Asus ProArt P16 | 13.9 x 9.7 x 0.7 inches | 4.1 pounds |
M4 Pro MacBook Pro | 14 x 9.7 x 0.6 inches | 4.8 pounds |
Yes, it’s not quite as thin or lightweight as the Asus ProArt P16, but it’s sure a lot lighter than the M4 Pro MacBook Pro, giving it an edge over Apple’s popular laptop. Either way, nothing feels or looks too cramped on the A16 AI+.
One design to note, though, is its touchpad. Compared to the rest of the laptop, it feels flimsy and cheap. It’s not terrible by any stretch, but placed alongside its punchy, comfortable keyboard, it’s a tad lacking.
Bright, detailed visuals
While the MSI Creator A16 AI+ offers multiple display types (more on this later), the model I received comes with a 16-inch QHD+ (2560×1600) display with a whopping 240Hz refresh rate. That’s a favorable display for any laptop, but even better that it can pump out some amazing brightness with accurate colors.
You’ll find it shines brighter than the ProArt P16, and nearly matches the SRGB color gamut coverage of the M4 Pro MacBook Pro. Now that’s impressive, and with its buttery smooth 240Hz refresh rate, visuals will glide on screen.
Laptop | Average brightness (nits) | sRGB color gamut (%) |
|---|---|---|
MSI Creator A16 AI+ | 372 | 113 |
Asus ProArt P16 | 356 | 120.8 |
M4 Pro MacBook Pro | 559.8 | 115.5 |
Immediately upon booting up the Creator A16 AI+, I could tell this machine would deliver crisp, detailed visuals with colors that pop. Nothing said that more when watching the “Superman” trailer, with the Man of Steel’s bright blue and burnt cape being clearly defined against the fiery explosion he just brushes off.
I was also impressed by the skyline of Night City in Cyberpunk 2077, especially at night. The glow of lights against the backdrop of nightfall was impressive, as, despite being dark, everything was still bright enough to see the soft hum of lights.
It’s a great display that offers plenty of detail, but I do wonder if there are other options that professionals would prefer…
MSI Creator A16 AI+: The downs
Despite the benefits the MSI Creator A16 AI+ offers, especially at a lower price compared to its competition, it’s not without some low points. However, these are hardly deal-breakers, although it may be worth pushing the budget to grab something that’s more creator-friendly.
Not quite the display for creators
As I mentioned, the Creator A16 AI+ I got does have a commendable panel, but when there’s a 16-inch UHD+ (3840×2400) Mini-LED option with a 120Hz refresh rate also available, and even an OLED option, it feels like this configuration lacks what content creators are after.
Don’t get me wrong, having a 240Hz refresh rate is fantastic. But that better benefits gaming laptops, and it’s not like this A16 AI+ model can pump out much more than 120Hz. Even the Asus ProArt P16 has an OLED touch screen, and MSI’s laptop beats it, seeing as it tops out a 60Hz.
For a much better quality screen that can match your creative work, I’d recommend looking at the higher-end configurations of the A16 AI+. Although, you’ll be paying a pretty penny for them.
Faster SSDs, please
One of the main jobs of any creative, especially when it comes to video editing, is transferring speeds. The faster it happens, the more that can get done, right? Well, the Creator A16 AI+ won’t get this done in a flash, even with its 1TB SSD.
At the very least, the A16 AI+ outdoes the Asus ProArt P16, if only by a little. But when it comes to the might of the M4 Pro MacBook Pro, it’s nearly half of what it can offer.
Laptop | Blackmagic Disk speed test (write) | Blackmagic Disk speed test (read) |
|---|---|---|
MSI Creator A16 AI+ | 2934.5 MBps | 3568.2 MBps |
Asus ProArt P16 | 2834.8 MBps | 3214.2 MBps |
M4 Pro MacBook Pro | 6640.5 MBps | 5353.7 MBps |
If you’re looking to transfer a massive video edit post-haste, don’t count on the A16 AI+ to do so. It’s now slow, but when you’re looking to get a video up or just need things done, there are faster machines out there/
Short on battery
Battery life in a creator laptop is important, as these are made to edit photos and video on the fly while you’re out and about for work. While a notebook that offers over 5 hours of battery is generally considered solid, I expected more from the Creator A16 AI+.
Laptop | Web surfing battery life (hh:mm) |
|---|---|
MSI Creator A16 AI+ | 06:01 |
Asus ProArt P16 | 09:32 |
M4 Pro MacBook Pro | 20:46 |
At just 6 hours, the A16 AI+ majorly falls behind what other laptops of this caliber can pump out. The ProArt P16 can even manage over 9 hours with the heat it packs, while the M4 Pro MacBook Pro leaves everything in the dust with its epic 20 hours of juice before needing a charge.
You’ll want to make sure to bring its charging brick along with you when you’re away from an outlet.
MSI Creator A16 AI+: Verdict
The MSI Creator A16 AI+ is a fine example of a creator laptop for most, especially if they prefer Windows over Mac. With the combined might of its AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 365 and RTX 4060 GPU, you’ll be getting plenty of performance to breeze through photo and video edits, and even have enough power to tackle the latest PC games when you’re all done with that creative work.
At its $1,799 price (and even below $1,500 at a discount), it’s a laptop that workers and students can take advantage of, even compared to its pricier competition. But it could be better, and for many creators, I can imagine it would be worth giving the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370/RTX 4070 combo a look, especially since it comes with a higher resolution UHD+ mini-LED display.
It would make a fine entry to the best laptops for video editing, but that depends on the configuration it comes in. Either way, if you’re after a powerful laptop to get through creative work, the MSI Creator A16 AI+ will do the trick.
