When choosing between the ASUS ROG Strix and the MSI Katana, consider that the ASUS often offers better performance for demanding tasks like gaming or 3D modeling, but at a higher cost and with less emphasis on portability. The MSI Katana, while more affordable and easier to carry, may not handle intensive tasks as smoothly. Battery life also typically favors less powerful laptops, so expect longer unplugged use from the MSI. If your primary need is everyday tasks with occasional gaming, the MSI could be sufficient, but for regular high-end use, the ASUS is a more capable, albeit pricier, investment. 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 G18 (2024)
Very good for general use
Excellent for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Good battery life
Best in class speakers
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Katana 17
The MSI Katana 17 has no clear advantages over the ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024).
Key differences
General Use
8.7/10
7.9/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
422.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
256.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
3.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
5.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.2/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) is very good for general use, while the MSI Katana 17 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 offers powerful CPU and ample RAM, which contribute to smooth multitasking and excellent performance for demanding applications, along with high-quality screen for vivid visuals, but it tends to be heavier and have shorter battery life, affecting portability. Meanwhile, the MSI Katana 17 also provides a strong CPU and sufficient RAM for general use activities with better portability and longer battery life, though it might sacrifice a bit on screen quality compared to the ASUS, and also manage heat and operating noise efficiently.
Gaming and AI
8.7/10
7.9/10
8.9/10
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 G18 (2024) is very good for gaming and AI, while the MSI Katana 17 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 is equipped with a top-tier GPU and a high screen refresh rate, making it exceptional for gaming and 3D tasks; you'll experience smoother visuals and better overall performance. On the other hand, the MSI Katana 17 also offers strong gaming and 3D capabilities with a capable GPU and a decent refresh rate but might lag slightly behind the ASUS in terms of the highest-end performance.
Engineering and Design
9.2/10
8.4/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) is excellent for engineering and design, while the MSI Katana 17 is very good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 boasts top-tier CPU and GPU performance, ample RAM, and a high-quality screen catering to engineering software and design programs that demand significant computational power; however, it's heavier and has a louder operating noise, making it less portable. Meanwhile, the MSI Katana 17 offers slightly lower performance, but balances it with greater portability, a quality keyboard, and quieter operation, making it suitable for engineering tasks with added mobility and user comfort.
Content Creation
8.8/10
7.8/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (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.
Software Development
8.5/10
7.5/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) is 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.
Screen Quality
8.7/10
6.9/10
18.0in
SIZE
17.3in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
422.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
256.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has a better screen than the MSI Katana 17 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 likely has a high-resolution display with excellent color accuracy and brightness, making it well suited for general use and detailed engineering work. However, it may have a lower refresh rate, which isn't ideal for gaming and 3D applications where smooth motion is critical. The MSI Katana 17 probably offers decent resolution and brightness for general tasks, but less accurate color reproduction and an underwhelming refresh rate that won't satisfy professionals in engineering, design, or gaming.
Battery
8.0 Hours
3.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 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
Poor
Fair
18.0in
SIZE
17.3in
6.6 lbs
WEIGHT
5.7 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The MSI Katana 17 has only fair portability, while the ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8/10
7.2/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) and MSI Katana 17 both have good build quality, though the ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) has somewhat better build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$2,203
$1,367
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) has a price of $2,203 and the MSI Katana 17 costs $1,367.
"With the ROG Strix G18, Asus has made an almost consistently good debut in the still quite new 18-inch laptop segment. The base unit case shows a few signs of weakness in the area of stability and is something which has an effect on the perceived quality of the input devices (the chassis tends to rattle a bit). Nevertheless, thanks to generous port features (incl. Thunderbolt 4), a striking design, and extensive lighting (keyboard, LED strip on the front), gamers get a fitting gaming platform."
"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 G18 (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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