MSI Katana 15 review — Phenomenal performance in a lackluster display
The MSI Katana 15 is a gaming laptop that promises exceptional performance at an affordable price. With its powerful hardware, including an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU and an Intel Core i7-13620H processor, it aims to deliver a high-quality gaming experience. However, it falls short in terms of display quality.
Performance:
When it comes to gaming performance, the MSI Katana 15 shines. Equipped with the RTX 4070 GPU and 8GB of VRAM, it delivers exceptional frame rates and smooth gameplay. In various benchmark tests, the Katana 15 outperforms its competitors, such as the Origin EVO16-S and Dell G16, in games like Elden Ring, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, and Borderlands 3. It handles demanding titles with ease and provides an immersive gaming experience.
Design:
The design of the MSI Katana 15 is sleek and minimalistic. It features a black engraved lid with the iconic MSI shield logo, giving it a premium look. The keyboard, with its 4-zone RGB backlighting and satisfying key travel, adds to the overall aesthetic appeal. However, some may find the lack of colorful accents a bit underwhelming, as most of the design elements are black. The laptop’s dimensions and weight make it slightly bulkier compared to its competitors, but it is still manageable for portability.
Display:
One of the major drawbacks of the MSI Katana 15 is its display quality. The 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080-pixel IPS panel fails to impress. It suffers from low peak brightness and lacks vibrancy, resulting in a desaturated and dull visual experience. Colors appear flat, and the overall image quality is underwhelming. The Katana 15 performs poorly in color reproduction tests, scoring significantly lower than its competitors. The brightness levels are also below average, making it challenging to view content in well-lit environments. This lackluster display is a significant trade-off for gamers who value visual immersion.
Audio:
While the display disappoints, the audio performance of the MSI Katana 15 is surprisingly decent. The bottom-firing speakers deliver enough punch and bass to provide an impactful audio experience. Music sounds clear, with vocals standing out, although the intensity and volume levels could be improved. When gaming, the laptop’s speakers excel in creating an immersive atmosphere, with distinct sound effects and decent intensity. However, for a truly immersive audio experience, investing in quality external speakers or headphones is recommended.
Keyboard and Touchpad:
The keyboard on the MSI Katana 15 is one of its strengths. With satisfying key travel and 4-zone RGB backlighting, it provides an enjoyable typing experience. The addition of a number pad is a welcome feature for gamers who require it. The trackpad is smooth and responsive, although the right click can be unresponsive at times. Overall, the keyboard and touchpad meet the expectations of gamers and productivity users alike.
Battery Life:
One of the major downsides of the MSI Katana 15 is its abysmal battery life. In Laptop Mag’s battery test, which involves continuous web browsing over Wi-Fi, the laptop lasted only 2 hours and 48 minutes. This falls significantly short of the category average and its competitors. The short battery life severely limits the laptop’s portability, making it suitable mainly for users who have constant access to a power source.
Value:
The MSI Katana 15 offers excellent gaming performance at an affordable price point. Its powerful hardware and solid productivity scores make it an attractive option for gamers and content creators on a budget. However, the compromised display quality and poor battery life are significant drawbacks. Users who prioritize visual immersion and longer unplugged usage may need to consider other options.
The MSI Katana 15 impresses with its exceptional gaming performance and solid productivity scores. It offers powerful hardware at an affordable price, making it an appealing choice for budget-conscious gamers. However, its lackluster display, abysmal battery life, and limited portability are notable downsides. If visual quality and longer battery life are crucial for your gaming experience, it may be worth exploring other laptops on the market. Nevertheless, the MSI Katana 15 remains a solid option for gamers who prioritize performance and value.
