If you need exceptional performance for tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, or intensive gaming, and don't mind a heavier laptop with shorter battery life, the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15, with its stronger processor and better GPU, would be a superior choice. However, if you are looking for a more cost-effective option that is lighter and more portable, yet still capable for general use and engineering work, consider the MSI Katana 15. Keep in mind that the MSI Katana 15 also offers a newer GPU, which may provide better efficiency and support for the latest features. 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 Scar 15
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good for content creation
Good overall display quality
Very good speakers
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Katana 15
The MSI Katana 15 has no clear advantages over the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15.
Key differences
Gaming and AI
8.3/10
7.6/10
8.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
300Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 is very good for gaming and AI, while the MSI Katana 15 is good.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Engineering and Design
8.5/10
7.7/10
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.6/10
8.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Katana 15 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 boasts a stronger Intel i9 processor and an Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti graphics card, along with higher screen quality metrics such as brightness and color space coverage, making it more suitable for demanding engineering and design work. Conversely, the MSI Katana 15, while also equipped with sufficient RAM and an Nvidia RTX 4060, has a less powerful Intel i5 processor and lower screen color quality, making it less optimal than the ASUS for intensive tasks, but it may benefit from slightly better portability due to lesser weight.
Content Creation
8.0/10
7.4/10
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 is very good for content creation, while the MSI Katana 15 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
7.9/10
6.8/10
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
300Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
283.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
258.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 has a better screen than the MSI Katana 15 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 offers a combination of a high-quality panel, greater resolution, and superior brightness, making it well-suited for everyday tasks and multimedia consumption. When it comes to engineering and design, this laptop excels due to its wider color gamuts, ensuring that professionals who require color accuracy for their work are satisfied. However, the lower refresh rate of the ASUS screen makes it less ideal for gaming and 3D applications, where a high refresh rate is critical for smooth visuals and a more immersive experience.
Battery
5.5 Hours
4.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 has 5.5 hours of battery life. The MSI Katana 15 has 4 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 Scar 15 and MSI Katana 15 both have good build quality, though the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 has somewhat better build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$2,000
$949
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 has a price of $2,000 and the MSI Katana 15 costs $949.
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 and MSI Katana 15 are both good for general use.
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 offers a more powerful CPU providing better performance for demanding tasks, a high-quality keyboard, and superior speaker quality, which justifies its slightly lower portability due to a bit more weight and larger size, alongside average battery life. Conversely, the MSI Katana 15, while having a less potent CPU, compensates with a greater emphasis on portability with lighter weight and compact dimensions, and good build and heat management, albeit with a shorter battery life and less vibrant screen color representation.
Software Development
7.4/10
7.0/10
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 and MSI Katana 15 are both good for software development.
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
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
5.0 lbs
WEIGHT
4.9 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The MSI Katana 15 and ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 both have only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 and the MSI Katana 15 compare to other laptops
"Asus continues to refine the ROG Strix Scar lineup with new upgrades. The Asus ROG Strix Scar 15 offers almost everything you would expect from a gaming laptop at this price. The build quality is great, connectivity options are decent, and there is enough scope for internal upgrades as well. Asus reverts to membrane switches for the keyboard — though not as "clickety" as the opto-mechanical ones we saw with last year's model, they still make for a decent typing and gaming experience. The lack of biometrics in any form is a downer."
"The MSI Katana 15 B12 combines a Gen12 CPU with an RTX 4050, which is actually not a bad idea for a budget gamer. The CPU is anything but bad and the GPU in the Katana 15 proves to be significantly more efficient than last year's models. However, our main point of criticism for budget gamers is the price: while you can get budget laptops with RTX 3060 from around US$800, you pay a whole US$1,499.99 here! The efficiency advantages of the RTX 4050 do not justify this price premium."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 or the MSI Katana 15
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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