If your priority is to stay within a budget and you mostly perform basic tasks such as browsing the web, working with office documents, or streaming videos, the ASUS Vivobook 17 may suit your needs due to its affordability. However, if you need more power for tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, or gaming, you may want to invest in the MSI Katana 17, despite its higher cost. The MSI is likely to provide better performance for these intensive uses. Keep in mind that both laptops being 17 inches may affect portability, and larger, high-performance models like the MSI Katana 17 may also have shorter battery life compared to more economical options like the ASUS Vivobook 17. 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 Vivobook 17
Good portability
Good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Katana 17
Very good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Good for software development
Good overall build quality
Good speakers
Good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.0/10
7.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
263.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
256.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
3.0 Hours
6.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
7.2/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.2/10
The MSI Katana 17 and ASUS Vivobook 17 are both good for general use, though the MSI Katana 17 is somewhat better.
The ASUS Vivobook 17, with less RAM and a less powerful CPU, offers modest general performance suitable for lighter tasks, which is reflected in its longer battery life and lighter weight, making it more portable. In contrast, the MSI Katana 17 boasts significantly higher RAM and a more advanced CPU, enhancing its capability for more demanding applications, though this comes at the expense of reduced battery life and increased weight, impacting portability.
Gaming and AI
6.0/10
7.9/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
9.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Katana 17 is good for gaming and AI, while the ASUS Vivobook 17 is only fair.
The MSI Katana 17 offers a Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU which is superior for gaming and 3D tasks compared to the ASUS Vivobook 17's Intel UHD Graphics, providing a smoother experience especially with its higher screen refresh rate. Additionally, the MSI's CPU is more advanced, lending to better overall performance, although this might come at a higher price and slightly less portability due to its increased weight.
Engineering and Design
6.3/10
8.4/10
6.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Katana 17 is very good for engineering and design, while the ASUS Vivobook 17 is only fair.
The MSI Katana 17's higher RAM, more advanced processor, and superior graphics card make it well-suited for demanding engineering and design tasks compared to the ASUS Vivobook 17, which has lower RAM, a basic processor, and integrated graphics.
Content Creation
7.0/10
7.8/10
6.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Katana 17 and ASUS Vivobook 17 are both good for content creation, though the MSI Katana 17 is somewhat better.
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
6.9/10
7.5/10
6.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
6.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Katana 17 is good for software development, while the ASUS Vivobook 17 is only fair.
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
6.2/10
6.9/10
17.3in
SIZE
17.3in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
263.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
256.0 nits
The MSI Katana 17 has a better screen than the ASUS Vivobook 17 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
When considering the ASUS Vivobook and the MSI Katana for general use, the MSI's superior resolution and brightness contribute to its better screen quality. For engineering and design tasks, both laptops provide adequate color accuracy, but neither reaches the higher standards required for professional color work. In gaming and 3D rendering contexts, despite both having less optimal refresh rates, the MSI's better resolution and panel type give it an edge, but it is important to note that both may not be ideal for high-end gaming or intensive 3D tasks.
Battery
6.0 Hours
3.0 Hours
The ASUS Vivobook 17 has 6 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
17.3in
SIZE
17.3in
4.6 lbs
WEIGHT
5.7 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The ASUS Vivobook 17 has good portability, while the MSI Katana 17 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
6.5/10
7.2/10
The MSI Katana 17 has good build quality, while the ASUS Vivobook 17 has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$429
$1,367
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS Vivobook 17 has a price of $429 and the MSI Katana 17 costs $1,367.
"The ASUS Vivobook 17 is an affordable 17-inch laptop with passive cooling. On one hand, you get a really quiet and cool work device with a good system performance, many connections, good maintenance options, speakers acceptable for multimedia enjoyment, and a sharp and clear matte FHD IPS display with the Asus VivoBook 17 (F712JA). On the other hand, the USB-C port lacks Power Delivery and DisplayPort, and the display, a higher brightness and better color space coverage."
"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 Vivobook 17 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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