The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 offers robust performance with its AMD Ryzen processor and Nvidia RTX series graphics, making it a solid pick for gaming or resource-intensive tasks. On the other hand, the MSI Katana 17, with its Intel processor and also equipped with Nvidia RTX graphics, provides a high level of performance but comes with more memory which could be advantageous for multitasking and demanding applications. The MSI also has a larger battery capacity, which may translate to longer usage time away from power outlets. Both have large screens and similar build dimensions, but keep in mind that higher performance often comes at the cost of heavier weight and reduced portability. Your choice depends on the balance you want between processing power, memory, and battery life for activities such as gaming, multimedia work, or general use. 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 A17
Very good for general use
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good for content creation
Very good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Katana 17
The MSI Katana 17 has no clear advantages over the ASUS TUF Gaming A17.
Key differences
Screen Quality
6.8/10
6.9/10
17.3in
SIZE
17.3in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
253.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
256.0 nits
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 has a better screen than the MSI Katana 17 for content creation, while the MSI Katana 17 has a better screen for general use.
If you prioritize a sharp and vibrant display for everyday tasks, the MSI Katana 17 offers better panel type, resolution, and brightness, which means clearer and more vivid images for browsing and video streaming. For engineering and design work, where accurate colors matter, the MSI Katana 17 again holds an edge by supporting wider color gamuts, helping you see more precise shades in your projects. However, if you're into fast-paced gaming or 3D applications, both the ASUS TUF Gaming A17 and MSI Katana 17 may not meet the highest standards, as they lack the high refresh rates required for smooth motion, despite MSI having a slight advantage in resolution and panel quality.
Battery
10.0 Hours
3.0 Hours
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 has 10 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.
Cost
$1,552
$1,367
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 has a price of $1,552 and the MSI Katana 17 costs $1,367.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS TUF Gaming A17 to be very good for general use, while the MSI Katana 17 is good.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 offers a balance of high performance with its powerful CPU, ample memory, and quality screen, coupled with a lasting battery which suits well for uninterrupted general use, although its portability is limited by its weight and size. On the other hand, the MSI Katana 17 provides a similar screen with more memory, which could be beneficial for multitasking, yet it has a smaller battery capacity, affecting its longevity away from a power source, and shares similar portability challenges due to its size.
Gaming and AI
8.1/10
7.9/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS TUF Gaming A17 to be very good for gaming and AI, while the MSI Katana 17 is good.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 offers a more powerful Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU, favorable for handling demanding gaming and 3D tasks, whereas the MSI Katana 17 includes a slightly less potent Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU but should still perform admirably in similar use cases; both laptops have comparable screen refresh rates which are crucial for smooth visuals during gaming and 3D rendering.
Engineering and Design
8.3/10
8.4/10
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Katana 17 and ASUS TUF Gaming A17 are both very good for engineering and design.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 stands out for engineering and design due to its powerful AMD Ryzen CPU and Nvidia RTX GPU, backed by a high RAM capacity, which is great for compute-intensive tasks, while the IPS screen ensures accurate colors and good viewing angles. On the other hand, the MSI Katana 17, with a similar screen quality, offers an Intel CPU and slightly less powerful Nvidia GPU but doubles the RAM, which can better handle multitasking and large projects, with both models compromising on portability due to their larger size and weight.
Content Creation
8.1/10
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 TUF Gaming A17 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
7.7/10
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
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 and MSI Katana 17 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
17.3in
SIZE
17.3in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
5.7 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 and MSI Katana 17 both have only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.2/10
7.2/10
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 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.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the ASUS TUF Gaming A17 and the MSI Katana 17 compare to other laptops
"There is one big question that needs an answer. Is the TUF Gaming A17 FA707 a better purchase than the ROG Strix G17 G713R (2022)? Well, it depends. Undoubtedly, the Strix is the more premium product. Arguably the biggest advantage it has over its TUF fellow is in regards to the display. ASUS TUF Gaming A17 A707’s IPS panel has a Full HD resolution, comfortable viewing angles, and a very good contrast ratio."
"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 A17 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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
100,395
Recommendations made
21,753
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.