Consider how you'll use the laptop and what your priorities are. If you need a laptop for basic tasks like web browsing, document editing, and streaming, and prefer something more affordable, the ASUS R410MA could be a suitable choice. However, if you require a laptop for gaming, 3D design, or video editing, where higher performance is essential, you should consider investing in the MSI Katana 17 despite the higher cost. The MSI Katana 17 likely offers stronger processing power, better graphics, and faster performance, but it will be more expensive and may be less portable due to its size and weight. The ASUS, while more budget-friendly and portable, won't perform as well for intensive tasks and could have a shorter battery life depending on usage. Always weigh the importance of performance, portability, and price for your personal needs before making a decision. 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 ASUS R410MA
Very good portability
Good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Katana 17
Good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Good for software development
Good for content creation
Good overall build quality
Good speakers
Good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
5.5/10
7.9/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
200.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
256.0 nits
8.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
3.0 Hours
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
8.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.2/10
The MSI Katana 17 is good for general use, while the ASUS R410MA is poor.
The ASUS R410MA falls short in general use due to its lower-end CPU, minimal RAM, lower resolution TN screen, and limited storage, which may lead to slower performance and a less engaging visual experience. On the other hand, the MSI Katana 17 excels with its much more powerful CPU, generous RAM, higher resolution IPS screen, and ample storage, delivering faster performance and better image quality, although it is heavier and potentially less portable.
Gaming and AI
5.4/10
7.9/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Katana 17 is good for gaming and AI, while the ASUS R410MA is poor.
The ASUS R410MA features a lower-end Intel Celeron processor and basic Intel UHD Graphics, which are not designed for high-performance gaming or 3D applications, while the MSI Katana 17 boasts a powerful Intel i7 processor and Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU which are well-suited for gaming and 3D tasks with enhanced visual performance and refresh rates. Additionally, the MSI Katana 17's higher screen refresh rate and superior screen quality contribute to a more immersive and responsive experience compared to the ASUS R410MA's standard display specifications.
Engineering and Design
5.3/10
8.4/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
4.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Katana 17 is very good for engineering and design, while the ASUS R410MA is poor.
The ASUS R410MA's lower performance in CPU and RAM and its basic integrated GPU make it less suitable for demanding engineering and design tasks compared to the MSI Katana 17, which boasts a powerful CPU, ample RAM, and a high-end dedicated GPU. Additionally, the MSI Katana 17's larger, higher-quality IPS display offers a better visual experience for design work, despite being heavier and less portable than the ASUS R410MA.
Content Creation
5.7/10
7.8/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
4.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Katana 17 is good for content creation, while the ASUS R410MA is poor.
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
5.6/10
7.5/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
4.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Katana 17 is good for software development, while the ASUS R410MA is poor.
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.
Screen Quality
5.1/10
6.9/10
14.0in
SIZE
17.3in
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
200.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
256.0 nits
The MSI Katana 17 has a better screen than the ASUS R410MA for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The ASUS R410MA's screen may disappoint due to its lower resolution and brightness, making it less crisp and harder to view in bright settings, which is especially limiting for general tasks where reading and browsing are common. For engineering and design applications, accurate color representation is crucial, but the R410MA's limited color gamuts means it doesn't display a wide range of colors precisely, an essential factor for detailed graphical work. The MSI Katana 17's higher refresh rate is not enough for optimal 3D experiences, where smooth motion is key, and while its resolution and panel type are adequate, they do not compensate for the lower refresh rate in demanding gaming scenarios.
Battery
8.5 Hours
3.0 Hours
The ASUS R410MA has 8.5 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
Very Good
Fair
14.0in
SIZE
17.3in
2.8 lbs
WEIGHT
5.7 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The ASUS R410MA has very good portability, while the MSI Katana 17 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
5.1/10
7.2/10
The MSI Katana 17 has good build quality, while the ASUS R410MA has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$111
$1,367
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS R410MA has a price of $111 and the MSI Katana 17 costs $1,367.
"The Asus Laptop L410 is a super-affordable PC, even among budget notebooks, compromising on the display and processing power to deliver a serviceable Windows machine with good battery life and useful ports. The build is reasonably solid, there’s a good mix of ports, battery life is long enough, and it can perform basic everyday tasks. On the flip side, the screen is poor, anything other than basic tasks is a tough ask, and it has little memory and even less storage."
"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 ASUS R410MA or the MSI Katana 17
About ASUS
ASUS, a Taiwanese electronics brand, is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. The majority of their laptops are targeted towards personal use or gaming. Their most popular product lines include the budget-friendly VivoBook, more premium ZenBook, and their TUF and ROG gaming laptops, the latter of which has a reputation for excellent gaming performance.
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.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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