If high-end gaming or demanding software tasks are your priority and you don't mind spending more, the ASUS ROG Strix may serve you well with its likely superior performance and build quality. However, if you're looking for a more budget-friendly option that still offers good performance for everyday tasks and some gaming, the MSI Katana could be a better fit, though it may not handle intensive tasks as smoothly. Keep in mind that with higher performance, the ASUS may also be heavier and have less battery life, affecting portability. Consider your primary uses and whether portability or power is your main concern. 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 Strix G16 (2024)
Very good for general use
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Good battery life
Very good speakers
Advantages of the MSI Katana 17
The MSI Katana 17 has no clear advantages over the ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024).
Key differences
Gaming and AI
8.4/10
7.9/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.2/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) is very good for gaming and AI, while the MSI Katana 17 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16, with its high-performance GPU and fast screen refresh rate, ensures smooth and visually stunning gaming and 3D experiences, which is essential for demanding graphics tasks. While the MSI Katana 17 also boasts a capable GPU and a high refresh rate, ensuring gameplay is fluid, its somewhat less powerful CPU and slightly lower screen quality compared to the ASUS might make it a second choice for those prioritizing top-tier visuals and the most competitive performance.
Content Creation
8.4/10
7.8/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) is 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.
Screen Quality
8.8/10
6.9/10
16.0in
SIZE
17.3in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
459.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
256.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has a better screen than the MSI Katana 17 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
When considering the ASUS ROG Strix G16, its high resolution and brightness make it excellent for general use, and it has a color-accurate display which benefits engineering and design work. The MSI Katana 17, while having good resolution and adequate brightness for daily tasks, lacks in color accuracy, making it less suitable for professional design. However, both have screens with lower refresh rates, which is less than ideal for gaming and 3D applications where smoother motion display is crucial.
Battery
8.0 Hours
3.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 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.
Build Quality
7.8/10
7.2/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) and MSI Katana 17 both have good build quality, though the ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) has somewhat better build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,599
$1,367
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) has a price of $1,599 and the MSI Katana 17 costs $1,367.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) to be very good for general use, while the MSI Katana 17 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16, with its powerful CPU and ample RAM, handles demanding tasks smoothly, and its high-quality screen enhances the viewing experience, making it excellent for general use; however, its bulk and shorter battery life may limit portability. In contrast, the MSI Katana 17 also offers strong performance and good screen quality for everyday tasks, but it tends to be more portable with a longer battery life, although it may not match the ASUS in raw power or display fineness.
Engineering and Design
8.8/10
8.4/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) and MSI Katana 17 are both very good for engineering and design.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 boasts powerful performance suitable for demanding engineering software due to its high-end CPU, ample RAM, and strong GPU, along with a high-quality screen that enhances detailed work. The MSI Katana 17 also offers robust performance capabilities for these tasks and is coupled with satisfying screen quality, but it trades off some portability with a larger form factor.
Software Development
8.0/10
7.5/10
9.9/10
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 Strix G16 (2024) 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.
Portability
Fair
Fair
16.0in
SIZE
17.3in
5.5 lbs
WEIGHT
5.7 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) and MSI Katana 17 both have only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) and the MSI Katana 17 compare to other laptops
"With the mobile Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080, the Asus ROG Stix G16 hits the sweet spot between performance and cooling. The G16 also does not have to shy away from direct comparison with its supposedly stronger family member, the ROG Strix Scar 18 with its RTX 4090, as most benchmarks of the two laptops are very close to each other. Moreover, the G16 should be significantly cheaper. Depending on the supplier, the price difference here could be almost US$ 2,000. In the 2023 model series, Asus has significantly leveled out the differences between the two high-end lines."
"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 Strix G16 (2024) 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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