If you prefer an option that is easier on the wallet, the ASUS Vivobook Go 15 is the way to go, but you must be content with basic performance suitable for everyday tasks like browsing and office work, alongside a modest display and build. On the flip side, if you require a laptop that can handle demanding applications for 3D rendering, machine learning, or gaming with a larger and more color-accurate display, the MSI Katana 17 would be a superior choice. It also has a more powerful processor, better graphics support, and more storage space, but it comes at a higher cost and is less portable due to its larger size and heavier weight. Keep in mind that the ASUS has a longer battery life, which could be beneficial if you are often on the move and away from power outlets. 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 Go 15
Good portability
Good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Katana 17
Good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Good for software development
Good for content creation
Good speakers
Good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
5.6/10
7.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
200.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
256.0 nits
7.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
3.0 Hours
6.7/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
7.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.2/10
The MSI Katana 17 is good for general use, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 15 is poor.
The ASUS Vivobook Go 15, with a less advanced CPU, less RAM, a lower-quality TN screen, and less robust battery life, is not as well-suited for general use as the MSI Katana 17, which boasts a high-performance CPU, abundant RAM, a superior IPS display, and a higher battery capacity, alongside a better overall build making it very suitable for demanding tasks and multitasking. While the ASUS Vivobook Go 15 is lighter and thus more portable, the MSI Katana 17's attributes, including a larger and better-quality screen and more impressive hardware specs, offer a more powerful and satisfying user experience for general use despite being less portable due to its larger size and weight.
Gaming and AI
5.5/10
7.9/10
3.5/10
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
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Katana 17 is good for gaming and AI, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 15 is poor.
The ASUS Vivobook Go 15 has a lower-end GPU and lower screen refresh rate which contribute to poor gaming and 3D performance, while the MSI Katana 17 includes a high-end GPU and a faster screen refresh rate, making it much better suited for gaming and 3D activities.
Engineering and Design
5.4/10
8.4/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
4.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Katana 17 is very good for engineering and design, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 15 is poor.
The ASUS Vivobook Go 15 falls short for engineering and design due to its less powerful Intel Celeron processor, basic integrated graphics, and lower RAM capacity, which limit complex software performance and multitasking abilities. The MSI Katana 17, on the other hand, excels with its higher-end Intel i7 processor, dedicated Nvidia RTX graphics, and ample RAM, providing the necessary power and speed for demanding engineering tasks and design work.
Content Creation
5.7/10
7.8/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
4.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Katana 17 is good for content creation, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 15 is poor.
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
5.9/10
7.5/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
4.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
6.7/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Katana 17 is good for software development, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 15 is poor.
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
5.2/10
6.9/10
15.6in
SIZE
17.3in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
200.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
256.0 nits
The MSI Katana 17 has a better screen than the ASUS Vivobook Go 15 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The ASUS Vivobook Go 15, with its lower resolution and dimmer panel, offers less clarity and vibrancy which affects quality across all use cases, particularly for general tasks that benefit from sharpness and visibility. For engineering and design, the display's limited color range results in less accurate color representation, a disadvantage when precision is crucial. Regarding 3D performance and gaming, the slower refresh rate of the Vivobook Go 15 can lead to less fluid motion and a less immersive experience compared to displays with higher refresh rates.
Battery
7.0 Hours
3.0 Hours
The ASUS Vivobook Go 15 has 7 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
15.6in
SIZE
17.3in
3.4 lbs
WEIGHT
5.7 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The ASUS Vivobook Go 15 has good portability, while the MSI Katana 17 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$240
$1,367
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS Vivobook Go 15 has a price of $240 and the MSI Katana 17 costs $1,367.
"The Asus Vivobook Go 15 is a good option if you’re looking for one device to tackle a bunch of smaller problems. For simple school studies, portable evening entertainment or distractions, and getting household admin or light office workloads out of the way, it’s a great little package with respectable battery life, and a great contender for the advent of cloud gaming."
"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 Go 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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