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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Acer Nitro 17 offers a larger 17.3-inch display and significantly longer battery life, making it suitable for those who prioritize screen size and less frequent charging at the expense of portability due to its greater weight and size. In contrast, the MSI Katana 15 is more portable, lighter, and less expensive. However, it has a smaller 15.6-inch screen and shorter battery life, which might require more frequent charging. Both laptops are equipped similarly in terms of storage and RAM, and provide powerful processors and graphics suitable for general use, gaming, and engineering tasks; choosing one over the other depends on your preferences for screen size, battery life, and portability. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Acer Nitro 17
- Good overall display quality
- Good battery life
- Very good speakers
Advantages of the MSI Katana 15
- The MSI Katana 15 has no clear advantages over the Acer Nitro 17.
Key differences
Screen Quality
7.4
6.8
17.3in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
280.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
258.0 nits
The Acer Nitro 17 has a better screen than the MSI Katana 15 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the Acer Nitro 17 offers a higher resolution and brighter display than the MSI Katana 15, making it more suitable for everyday tasks like browsing, watching videos, and working with documents. In the context of engineering and design, the Nitro's display covers a wider range of colors, essential for professionals who require accuracy for tasks like photo editing or CAD work. However, when it comes to gaming and 3D applications, the Katana's potential higher refresh rate provides a smoother visual experience, which is crucial for fast-paced action, even though its resolution and panel quality aren't as superior as the Nitro's.
Battery
8.0 Hours
4.0 Hours
The Acer Nitro 17 has 8 hours of battery life. The MSI Katana 15 has 4 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Portability
Poor
Fair
17.3in
SIZE
15.6in
6.8 lbs
WEIGHT
4.9 lbs
1.1in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The MSI Katana 15 has only fair portability, while the Acer Nitro 17 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.8
7.5
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
280.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
258.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
5.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.9/10
The Acer Nitro 17 and MSI Katana 15 are both good for general use.
The Acer Nitro 17 stands out for general use due to its larger screen and superior battery capacity, which enhance user experience for multimedia and productivity tasks, though it is less portable than the MSI Katana 15. The MSI Katana 15, on the other hand, offers comparable CPU and RAM capabilities for general tasks, in a more compact and lightweight form, making it a better option for users who prioritize mobility, despite its shorter battery life.
Gaming and AI
7.4
7.6
7.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Katana 15 and Acer Nitro 17 are both good for gaming and AI.
The Acer Nitro 17 is suitable for gaming and 3D applications with its Nvidia RTX 4050 GPU and a high screen refresh rate of 165, providing smooth visual experiences, while the MSI Katana 15, though it also features a capable Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU for demanding tasks, offers a slightly lower refresh rate of 144, which is still ample for gaming but may be less fluid compared to the Nitro 17. Both laptops have competent processors and quality IPS screens, ensuring solid performance and good visual representation.
Engineering and Design
7.9
7.7
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.6/10
7.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Acer Nitro 17 and MSI Katana 15 are both good for engineering and design.
The Acer Nitro 17, with a larger screen, higher-quality speakers, and ample cooling, offers an immersive experience for engineering and design, supported by a capable CPU and GPU; however, its size and weight compromise portability. Meanwhile, the MSI Katana 15 provides a balance of performance essential for engineering tasks, with a reliable CPU and a more powerful GPU in a lighter and more portable form, yet it has a smaller screen and less battery life than the Acer Nitro 17.
Content Creation
7.8
7.4
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Acer Nitro 17 and MSI Katana 15 are both good for content creation.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
7.4
7.0
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Acer Nitro 17 and MSI Katana 15 are both good for software development.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Build Quality
7.4
7.2
The Acer Nitro 17 and MSI Katana 15 both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$970
$949
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
The Acer Nitro 17 has a price of $970 and the MSI Katana 15 costs $949.
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How the Acer Nitro 17 and the MSI Katana 15 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Nitro 17 | MSI Katana 15 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$970 | $949 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | February 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 15.8'' x 11.6'' x 1.1'' | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.98'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.83 lbs | 4.96 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 15.77" | 14.13" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 11.59" | 10.2" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS | Intel i5-12450H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | 53.5 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 17.3" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 144Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 280 nits | 258 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 5.6/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 6.8/10 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 3 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Acer Nitro 17
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Mark Knapp | October 2023
"The Acer Nitro 17 isn't an exceptional gaming laptop; it's kind of chunky even among 17.3-inch notebooks, with a lackluster keyboard, and it doesn't outperform comparably priced machines. But there's a lot to like about it, including a good array of ports, a screen that's sharp and bright for work and play alike, and battery life that soundly beats the competition. All this comes at an affordable price. If size and weight aren't big concerns, you'll find the Nitro 17 a dependable big-screen gaming rig. If you crave higher quality, consider a slight step down or up in screen size with the Lenovo Legion Slim 5 Gen 8 or Alienware m18 respectively."
MSI Katana 15
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Christian Hintze | March 2023
"The MSI Katana 15 B12 combines a Gen12 CPU with an RTX 4050, which is actually not a bad idea for a budget gamer. The CPU is anything but bad and the GPU in the Katana 15 proves to be significantly more efficient than last year's models. However, our main point of criticism for budget gamers is the price: while you can get budget laptops with RTX 3060 from around US$800, you pay a whole US$1,499.99 here! The efficiency advantages of the RTX 4050 do not justify this price premium."
Get a great deal on the Acer Nitro 17 or the MSI Katana 15
About Acer
Acer is a prominent Taiwanese electronics brand which makes a wide range of laptops, with multiple product lines catering to personal use, gaming, and business use. They are renowned for having exceptional value for money, as they frequently offer good specifications at a lower price than other manufacturers.
About MSI
MSI, also known as Micro-Star International, is a Taiwanese technology corporation. MSI is known for their wide range of gaming devices. Their series include the entry-level Cyborg/Thin and Sword/Katana series, the mid-range Bravo/Delta and Crosshair/Pulse series, and their high-end Vector, Raider, Stealth, and Titan GT series. At every performance level, MSI offers a variety of devices with varying balances between performance, battery life, weight, and price, making them a solid option to consider at every price point.
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