MSI Creator Z17, the Windows laptop that looks like a Mac

In this new article we will explore the characteristics of the main PC of our business and why we have chosen it.

The computer

The computer on which Risen's work is mainly done is the MSI Creator Z17. With the powerful twelfth generation i9 processor and 32 Gb of RAM it is the perfect machine to handle even the most complex simulations. For jobs where more computing power is required from the video card, such as rendering or multi-component graphics simulations, the Geforce RTX 3080 laptop card with 32GB of dedicated memory is absolutely up to the task. Completes this a sumptuous 2 Tb package of samsung SSD, 17" touch screen with True Pixel technology, 90Whr battery, all encapsulated in a fantastic aluminum shell that helps the 5 heat pipes to dissipate the heat generated by this powerful machine.

The pros

This laptop ticks several boxes on the merit tables. Very powerful, with a modern and minimal aesthetic, screen with DCI-P3 color accuracy of 100%, possibility to interact with the MSI pen; as the name implies, this computer was designed for those who create content, but it is also perfect for design and simulation works such as those made by Risen. Excellent structural rigidity, a very comfortable steelseries keyboard and an oversized track pad make it extremely comfortable to use even without external peripherals, while the fingerprint reader and infrared camera guarantee maximum ease of access thanks to Windows Hello. Another absolutely positive feature is the low weight of the power supply, despite the 240W of power it can transmit. Finally, the MSI center pro app allows you to manage down to the smallest detail how to use all the power of the hardware, allowing you to adjust the type of cooling to use. The prioritization engine always keeps under control the execution priority of our main apps, while the battery management system prevents us from damaging the latter with too long charge cycles. Last absolutely positive note, the possibility of upgrading RAM and SSD by removing a few screws.

The cons

Moving on to the painful notes, even if minor, here is the list. The aluminum chassis carries a rather high weight of the laptop, even if it is not an extremely heavy weight. The numeric keypad has a particular shape, with the operation keys and the enter key in strange positions compared to the norm; the power button located on the keyboard and next to the / button could also cause an unintentional shutdown. Despite the great work done for heat dissipation, the PC normally reaches temperatures that make contact with the keyboard annoying, despite the fans, working at full strength, are quite noisy; a cooling pad is essential. Another essential accessory, a USB-C hub, unfortunately this pc has a single USB 3.2 input, 2 USB-C inputs, HDMI port, SD card slot and combo jack. Certainly not a few inputs, but being USB 3.2 still the standard, at least one other input of this type would be needed. Furthermore, there are no VGA and Ethernet inputs; if you need to connect to an older monitor or a wired network, you will need an adapter. Not for everyone is a defect, the aesthetics, as well as the whole concept of the computer; it is an attempt to create a Mac book pro with Windows OS; if Apple aesthetics isn't your thing, you won't appreciate the look of this laptop. Last but not least, the price; with a list price of € 4099 it is not at the levels of the laptop that inspired it, but it is certainly among the most expensive windows laptops around.

The choice

As a newly formed company, choosing the primary computer was very difficult. Starting from the sought-after characteristics, the choice was forced towards a laptop, so that we can be able to bring any presentations directly to the customer, without the risk of not being able to view them due to an inadequate machine. The cost was certainly a stumbling block that was about to turn the choice on other computers, but, being the only laptop on the market with all the features indicated so far, it is also the only laptop in this category. Furthermore, by purchasing a laptop with the latest technologies available, one assumes a greater longevity of the same before having to replace it due to obsolescence. Other small details that led to this choice were: the aesthetic, minimal and very professional, certainly less flashy than a traditionally gaming PC; the possibility of "flattening" the screen completely to allow the interlocutor to see clearly what is being presented, with even a shortcut button dedicated to the 180 ° rotation of the screen.

Conclusions

The MSI Creator Z17 laptop tries to emulate an Apple laptop, taking almost all the positive aspects, but leaving out some details about quietness and ergonomics. However, the presence of Windows as an operating system and the absolute uniqueness of the package of proposed components make it an exceptional machine, both for work and for leisure. The main defects remain the weight and the price. Given the need to have a powerful but portable PC and necessarily with Windows due to the software used by Risen, this Ultrabook was our choice. If you are also interested in buying this machine, you can find it at this link.

See the laptop

We will be back in 2 weeks with a new article on the core software used in our offices.