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The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 12, 2024·
If you prefer a laptop with a larger screen and higher gaming and graphics performance, and don't mind it being heavier and having shorter battery life, the MSI Katana 17 could be a great choice. However, if you value a lighter laptop with a longer battery life and still respectable graphics power for casual gaming or creative work, and you're looking for a better price, the Acer Swift X 16 would be more appropriate. Keep in mind the MSI has a better graphics card and might be more future-proof for performance, while the Acer offers a higher resolution display and is more portable. 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 Swift X 16
- Very good for general use
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall display quality
- Good portability
- Good battery life
- Very good speakers
- Very good keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Katana 17
- The MSI Katana 17 has no clear advantages over the Acer Swift X 16.
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.0
7.9
4.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Unknown
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
8.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Katana 17 and Acer Swift X 16 are both good for gaming and AI, though the MSI Katana 17 is somewhat better.
The MSI Katana 17 edges ahead in gaming and 3D performance mainly because it has a more powerful GPU, which is critical for graphics-intensive tasks. While both laptops have quality IPS screens, the Acer Swift X 16 offers a higher screen resolution, which can enhance screen detail at the expense of achieving lower frame rates in some games compared to the MSI Katana 17's lower resolution but ample size for more immersive gaming experiences.
Screen Quality
8.2
6.9
16.0in
SIZE
17.3in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
402.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
256.0 nits
The Acer Swift X 16 has a better screen than the MSI Katana 17 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Acer Swift X 16 likely has a higher resolution and brightness, coupled with an IPS-type panel which offers vibrant colors and wide viewing angles, making it an excellent choice for general use and detail-oriented engineering tasks that benefit from accurate colors. However, its lower refresh rate may make fast-paced visuals less smooth, which is a drawback for gaming and 3D applications. The MSI Katana 17, while offering decent screen characteristics for everyday tasks, may not provide the same level of color accuracy and brightness, and its performance in fast motion scenes is also limited by a lower refresh rate, making neither ideal for gaming enthusiasts or professionals in 3D fields.
Battery
8.0 Hours
3.0 Hours
The Acer Swift X 16 has 8 hours of battery life. The MSI Katana 17 has 3 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
Good
Fair
16.0in
SIZE
17.3in
4.1 lbs
WEIGHT
5.7 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Acer Swift X 16 has good portability, while the MSI Katana 17 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,250
$1,367
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Acer Swift X 16 has a price of $1,250 and the MSI Katana 17 costs $1,367.
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Key similarities
General Use
8.2
7.9
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
402.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
256.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
3.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.2/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Acer Swift X 16 to be very good for general use, while the MSI Katana 17 is good.
The Acer Swift X 16 offers a well-rounded experience with its strong CPU and ample RAM suitable for multitasking, a high-quality screen with better color coverage for vivid visuals, and notable portability due to its lighter weight and longer battery life, making it ideal for users on the go who value screen quality and battery longevity. The MSI Katana 17, while also featuring a robust CPU and double the RAM for even more demanding tasks, has a larger screen with lower resolution and screen quality but compensates with stronger graphics performance; it's less portable due to its heavier weight and shorter battery life, suggesting it's better suited for stationary use where gaming or graphics-intensive applications are common.
Engineering and Design
8.2
8.4
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
4.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Katana 17 and Acer Swift X 16 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Acer Swift X 16 offers a balance between performance and portability, with a competent AMD CPU and RTX 3050 GPU, which is suitable for engineering and design tasks, complemented by a high-resolution screen that benefits these applications.
Content Creation
8.3
7.8
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Acer Swift X 16 to be very good for content creation, while the MSI Katana 17 is good.
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
8.0
7.5
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Acer Swift X 16 to be very good for software development, while the MSI Katana 17 is good.
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
7.6
7.2
The Acer Swift X 16 and MSI Katana 17 both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the Acer Swift X 16 and the MSI Katana 17 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Swift X 16 | MSI Katana 17 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,250 | $1,367 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14'' x 9.8'' x 0.7'' | 15.7'' x 10.8'' x 0.99'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.19 lbs | 5.73 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.02" | 15.67" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.81" | 10.75" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS | Intel i7-13620H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 3 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 76 Wh | 53.5 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 17.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 144Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 402 nits | 256 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.6/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.6/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Acer Swift X 16
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Dig into reviews and images
PCWorld
Matthew S. Smith | September 2023
"Acer’s Swift X 16 is an excellent choice for shoppers who want a 16-inch laptop and care more for performance than attractive design or long battery life. The Swift X 16’s gorgeous OLED display, spacious keyboard, and big touchpad make it pleasant to use in basic day-to-day tasks. It also has an AMD Ryzen 9 processor and Nvidia RTX 4050 graphics, which combine to deliver good performance in a wide variety of productivity applications and games. A few minor mistakes, like poorly-placed USB-C ports that lack DisplayPort, will turn off some shoppers, but those who can accept its shortcomings will find the Swift X 16 a versatile daily driver."
MSI Katana 17
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Benjamin Herzig | February 2023
"The MSI Katana 17 B13V laptop impressed us in its main area of competency - gaming. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 ensures high-performance levels which can compete with the previous generation's RTX 3070 Ti. In addition to the speedy GPU, the MSI comes with a 144 Hz display as well as an RGB keyboard and provides a very good typing experience. Despite the power at hand, the laptop remains comparatively cool."
Get a great deal on the Acer Swift X 16 or the MSI Katana 17
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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