If budget is a major factor, the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 could be the more attractive option. However, typically, lower-priced laptops may have trade-offs in terms of build quality, performance, or features. On the other hand, the MSI Katana 17, while pricier, is likely to offer stronger performance and may have better build quality or more premium features, which could be vital for demanding applications or gaming. Consider how you'll use the laptop: if you're into heavy gaming or require powerful performance for tasks like video editing or 3D rendering, investing in the MSI Katana 17 could be worthwhile. If your usage is more casual, the ASUS might meet your needs without breaking the bank. Remember also to consider factors like screen size, battery life, and portability — larger laptops can be more cumbersome to carry around. 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 TUF Gaming A16
Good overall display quality
Good portability
Very good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Katana 17
Very good for engineering and design
Key differences
Engineering and Design
7.7/10
8.4/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
7.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Katana 17 is very good for engineering and design, while the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is good.
The MSI Katana 17 is better suited for engineering and design primarily because it has twice the RAM and more advanced Nvidia graphics which is crucial for demanding applications used in these fields, whereas the ASUS TUF Gaming A16, despite having a solid AMD CPU and GPU combination, offers less RAM and storage capacity which may limit performance for intensive tasks. Additionally, the MSI boasts a larger screen and is slightly better in managing operating noise, advantageous for extended work sessions, though it is heavier and has a shorter battery life, affecting portability compared to the ASUS.
Screen Quality
7.5/10
6.9/10
16.0in
SIZE
17.3in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
294.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
256.0 nits
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has a better screen than the MSI Katana 17 for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design, while the MSI Katana 17 has a better screen for software development.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 likely offers a vibrant and sharp display that is suitable for everyday tasks and detailed engineering work due to a combination of high resolution and wide color gamut coverage, ensuring accurate color representation. However, its lower refresh rate may not be optimal for 3D applications and gaming, where smoother motion is vital. In contrast, the MSI Katana 17 may deliver adequate quality for general tasks with a decent resolution and brightness but falls short for professional design work and 3D gaming as it lacks the broad color range and high refresh rate needed for precision and fluidity in those areas.
Battery
12.0 Hours
3.0 Hours
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has 12 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
Good
Fair
16.0in
SIZE
17.3in
4.8 lbs
WEIGHT
5.7 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has good portability, while the MSI Katana 17 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$838
$1,367
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has a price of $838 and the MSI Katana 17 costs $1,367.
The MSI Katana 17 and ASUS TUF Gaming A16 are both good for general use.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 with ample battery life, solid screen quality, and sizable RAM is a wise choice for general use, offering good portability while maintaining a balance of power and efficiency. The MSI Katana 17 provides superior RAM and storage capacity with a robust CPU for more demanding tasks, but its larger screen size and heavier weight reduce portability, and it has a significantly shorter battery life compared to the ASUS model.
Gaming and AI
7.4/10
7.9/10
7.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Katana 17 and ASUS TUF Gaming A16 are both good for gaming and AI.
The MSI Katana 17, with its Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU, offers superior graphics performance for gaming and 3D applications compared to the ASUS TUF Gaming A16's AMD RX 7600S GPU. Additionally, while both have high screen refresh rates, the ASUS model has a slightly higher refresh rate which could result in marginally smoother visuals, though the MSI's screen quality is considered very good, indicating a more vibrant and sharper display.
Content Creation
7.6/10
7.8/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Katana 17 and ASUS TUF Gaming A16 are both good for content creation.
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
7.3/10
7.5/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Katana 17 and ASUS TUF Gaming A16 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.
Build Quality
7.2/10
7.2/10
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and MSI Katana 17 both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and the MSI Katana 17 compare to other laptops
"The A16 makes an excellent case against more expensive laptops like the Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 and the MSI Katana GF76, especially if you’re into 1080p gaming. However, although its affordable, it doesn’t skimp on performance or a robust chassis. But for me, the biggest factor that sets it apart from these options is its incredible battery life. In my time reviewing laptops, I can’t remember when I last saw a gaming laptop lasted 11 and a half hours on a single charge, which makes the A16, in my book, truly outstanding."
"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 TUF Gaming A16 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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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