The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 stands out with its detachable keyboard, allowing you to use it as a tablet, which makes it exceptionally versatile if you need portability and flexibility in how you use your device. It offers a higher resolution display which means sharper images, combined with a more robust processor suitable for intensive tasks. However, it is less focused on gaming due to a slightly less powerful graphics card compared to the MSI Katana 17. The MSI has a larger screen and prioritizes gaming performance with a stronger graphics card, but it's heavier and less portable. The MSI also has more memory, which is great for multitasking. If your priority lies in gaming and you appreciate a larger display, the MSI might be the better choice, whereas the ASUS is geared toward those needing a portable, high-performance, versatile machine with tablet functionality. 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 ROG Flow Z13
Very good for general use
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Excellent portability
Good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Katana 17
The MSI Katana 17 has no clear advantages over the ASUS ROG Flow Z13.
Key differences
Screen Quality
8.4/10
6.9/10
13.4in
SIZE
17.3in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
511.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
256.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 has a better screen than the MSI Katana 17 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
If you prioritize vivid colors and sharp images for tasks like document editing and web browsing, the ASUS ROG Flow Z13's screen provides superior resolution and brightness crucial for these activities. For engineering and design, where precise color representation matters, the ASUS also stands out with more accurate color coverage essential for professional editing and modeling. However, if fast-paced gaming or 3D rendering is your main focus, neither laptop ideally meets the needs for smooth visuals, given the lower refresh rates which may affect the fluidity and responsiveness of on-screen action.
Battery
6.5 Hours
3.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 has 6.5 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
Excellent
Fair
13.4in
SIZE
17.3in
2.6 lbs
WEIGHT
5.7 lbs
0.5in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 has excellent portability, while the MSI Katana 17 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5/10
7.2/10
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 has very good build quality, while the MSI Katana 17 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,575
$1,367
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 has a price of $1,575 and the MSI Katana 17 costs $1,367.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS ROG Flow Z13 to be very good for general use, while the MSI Katana 17 is good.
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13's high-resolution touchscreen, lightweight design, and detachable keyboard offer excellent portability and an adaptable user experience for various general use scenarios, although it has a shorter battery life. In contrast, the MSI Katana 17, with a larger screen and more memory, is better suited for multitaskers and those who prefer a traditional laptop experience, but it's bulkier and less portable.
Gaming and AI
7.5/10
7.9/10
6.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.2/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Katana 17 and ASUS ROG Flow Z13 are both good for gaming and AI.
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13, with an Nvidia RTX 4050 and a higher screen refresh rate of 165, is tailored for fast-paced gaming and smooth 3D rendering. In contrast, the MSI Katana 17 is equipped with a superior Nvidia RTX 4060 but has a lower refresh rate of 144, suggesting that it can deliver more graphical detail at a slightly reduced fluidity.
Engineering and Design
8.4/10
8.4/10
9.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
6.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Katana 17 and ASUS ROG Flow Z13 are both very good for engineering and design.
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 excels in engineering and design due to its high-end CPU, substantial RAM, powerful GPU, and superior screen quality with high brightness and color coverage, alongside its versatile form factor that doubles as a tablet, providing both performance and portability. Meanwhile, the MSI Katana 17 also stands out with a strong CPU, even more RAM for multitasking, a capable GPU, and a significantly larger screen, ideal for detailed work, but is less portable and has a lower screen resolution. Both have quality keyboards, decent speakers, and manage operating noise effectively, enhancing the user experience in these areas.
Content Creation
8.2/10
7.8/10
9.5/10
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 ASUS ROG Flow Z13 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
8.0/10
7.5/10
9.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS ROG Flow Z13 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.
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How the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 and the MSI Katana 17 compare to other laptops
"The Asus ROG Flow Z13 is a gaming tablet with powerful Alder Lake i9 CPU. The ROG Flow Z13 impresses with its good cooling. After our review, the impression is predominantly positive. Besides a very fast Alder Lake CPU and stable gaming performance, especially the cooling system is surprisingly effective and quiet. You can use the integrated speakers without any issues while gaming. The 1200p display in the 16:10 format also impresses with good color reproduction and high brightness. Since the battery runtimes aren't particularly long as it is, we wouldn't recommend the optional 4K panel."
"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 ROG Flow Z13 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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