If you prioritize portability and do not require a large screen, the ASUS Zenbook 13 is a more compact and typically more affordable option, which should serve you well for general use and tasks that don't demand heavy graphics capabilities. On the other hand, if you're into gaming, 3D modeling, or need a larger display for engineering software, the MSI Katana 17, while more expensive and less portable due to its size, would be better equipped to handle those intensive tasks thanks to its likely more powerful hardware and larger screen. Consider your primary use case, and let that guide your decision between better portability and lower cost versus higher performance for demanding 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 Zenbook 13
Good overall display quality
Excellent portability
Good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Katana 17
Very good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Key differences
General Use
7.4/10
7.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
378.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
256.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
3.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
9.2/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.2/10
The MSI Katana 17 and ASUS Zenbook 13 are both good for general use, though the MSI Katana 17 is somewhat better.
The ASUS Zenbook 13, with its OLED screen and lightweight build, is highly portable and has a long battery life perfect for everyday tasks, but its processor and RAM might not handle intensive multitasking as well as the MSI Katana 17. The MSI Katana 17, on the other hand, comes with a more powerful CPU, a larger amount of RAM, and a dedicated graphics card, which allows for more robust performance, particularly in more demanding applications, with the tradeoff of being heavier and having a shorter battery life than the Zenbook 13.
Gaming and AI
6.2/10
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
8.3/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Katana 17 is good for gaming and AI, while the ASUS Zenbook 13 is only fair.
The ASUS Zenbook 13, with its integrated AMD graphics and a standard refresh rate, is suitable for lighter gaming and 3D tasks, whereas the MSI Katana 17 is enhanced for these activities with its dedicated Nvidia RTX graphics and higher screen refresh rate, alongside a more powerful CPU and a higher quality IPS screen.
Engineering and Design
7.1/10
8.4/10
5.8/10
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 Zenbook 13 is good.
The ASUS Zenbook 13, with a more modest CPU, integrated GPU, and less RAM, offers adequate power for lighter engineering tasks and benefits from a highly portable design and excellent OLED screen quality. In contrast, the MSI Katana 17 is equipped with a more powerful CPU, a dedicated GPU, and substantial RAM, making it well-suited for demanding engineering and design work but comes in a heavier and larger form factor, which compromises portability.
Screen Quality
7.8/10
6.9/10
13.3in
SIZE
17.3in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
378.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
256.0 nits
The ASUS Zenbook 13 has a better screen than the MSI Katana 17 for general use, and engineering and design, while the MSI Katana 17 has a better screen for software development.
For general use, the ASUS Zenbook 13's screen stands out because it offers a combination of high resolution, impressive brightness levels, and a panel type that renders sharp, vibrant images, making text reading and everyday tasks enjoyable. When it comes to engineering and design, the Zenbook boasts superior color accuracy and range, accommodating the specific color gamuts required for professional photo editing and graphic work. Meanwhile, for 3D and gaming, the MSI Katana 17, although having a decent resolution and panel quality, falls behind due to its lower refresh rate which is pivotal in rendering smooth motion and avoiding visual delays critical in fast-paced games and real-time animation.
Battery
9.0 Hours
3.0 Hours
The ASUS Zenbook 13 has 9 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
Excellent
Fair
13.3in
SIZE
17.3in
2.5 lbs
WEIGHT
5.7 lbs
0.5in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The ASUS Zenbook 13 has excellent portability, while the MSI Katana 17 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$890
$1,367
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS Zenbook 13 has a price of $890 and the MSI Katana 17 costs $1,367.
The MSI Katana 17 and ASUS Zenbook 13 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
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Katana 17 and ASUS Zenbook 13 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
7.4/10
7.2/10
The ASUS Zenbook 13 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 Zenbook 13 and the MSI Katana 17 compare to other laptops
"The Asus ZenBook 13 is a compact 13-inch laptop with a fast Ryzen 7 5800U and OLED display. The subnotebook is also light and the modern design is convincing. The selection of high-quality materials make the device not only light, but also very stable. In addition, the visuals and haptics of the device offers a high-quality impression. The AMD Ryzen 7 5800U is a very good fit for the ZenBook 13, ensuring a high performance in the test. However, in terms of the 3D performance, we also notice that the Vega architecture is beginning to hit its limits."
"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 Zenbook 13 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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