If you're looking for top-tier performance with a powerful processor and graphics card for demanding tasks like 3D modeling, machine learning, or gaming, the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 stands out, but this comes with less portability due to its weight, and it'll cost you more. On the other hand, the MSI Katana 17 offers ample screen space with a slightly less powerful processor and graphics card suitable for everyday tasks and moderate gaming, with the advantage of being more budget-friendly. Keep in mind also that the ASUS has a better refresh rate, making it smoother for gaming, while the MSI provides more memory which is beneficial for multitasking and certain professional applications. 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 gaming and AI
Very good for content creation
Good overall display quality
Very good speakers
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Katana 17
The MSI Katana 17 has no clear advantages over the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15.
Key differences
Screen Quality
7.9/10
6.9/10
15.6in
SIZE
17.3in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
300Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
283.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
256.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 has a better screen than the MSI Katana 17 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, and content creation.
For general use, a laptop's display must offer clear resolution and comfortable brightness, which both ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 and MSI Katana 17 provide. However, when it comes to engineering and design, professionals need wide color gamuts for precision in color work, an area where the ASUS likely has an edge given its higher-end positioning. Gamers and 3D creators favor high refresh rates for smoother visuals, and in this aspect, both laptops fall short, potentially making them less desirable for these specific activities.
Battery
5.5 Hours
3.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 has 5.5 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
Fair
Fair
15.6in
SIZE
17.3in
5.0 lbs
WEIGHT
5.7 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 and MSI Katana 17 both have only fair portability, though the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 has somewhat better portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8/10
7.2/10
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 and MSI Katana 17 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
$1,367
$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 17 costs $1,367.
The MSI Katana 17 and ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 are both good for general use.
PerfectRec’s General Use Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for general productivity, web browsing, streaming, video calls, and running a wide variety of apps and programs.
Gaming and AI
8.3/10
7.9/10
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
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 to be very good for gaming and AI, while the MSI Katana 17 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 and the MSI Katana 17 both excel in gaming and 3D due to their high-performance GPUs and fast screen refresh rates. However, the ASUS has a higher refresh rate, contributing to smoother visuals during fast-paced gaming, while the MSI provides a larger screen size for more immersive gameplay, albeit with a slightly lower refresh rate. Both have quality displays and powerful CPUs, contributing positively to their gaming capabilities.
Engineering and Design
8.5/10
8.4/10
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
8.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 and MSI Katana 17 are both very good for engineering and design.
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 is outfitted with a high-performing CPU and GPU which are essential for demanding engineering tasks, while its screen boasts high brightness and refresh rates, enhancing visual clarity and responsiveness; although richer in RAM and featuring a larger display, the MSI Katana 17 offers a less potent GPU and CPU, potentially making it less optimal for highly intensive design work. Despite its slight edge in portability and quieter operating noise, the MSI may not match the ASUS in raw power; however, it compensates with a more substantial RAM and a bigger screen, which are instrumental in multitasking and finer details during design processes.
Content Creation
8.0/10
7.8/10
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
1920 x 1080
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 Strix Scar 15 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
7.4/10
7.5/10
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Katana 17 and ASUS ROG Strix Scar 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.
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How the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 and the MSI Katana 17 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 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 Scar 15 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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