When choosing between the ASUS Zenbook Duo 14 and MSI Katana 17, consider that the ASUS is typically less expensive and more portable due to its smaller size and lighter weight, making it a good choice for general use and daily commuting. It also offers a unique dual-screen feature for enhanced multitasking. However, if you prioritize gaming or need better performance for 3D modeling or machine learning, the MSI Katana 17 could be a better fit with its more powerful graphics card and larger screen for an immersive experience, although it comes at a higher price and reduced portability due to a heavier build. 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 Duo 14
Very good portability
Good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Katana 17
Very good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.1/10
7.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
314.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
256.0 nits
8.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
3.0 Hours
6.7/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
8.2/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.2/10
The MSI Katana 17 and ASUS Zenbook Duo 14 are both good for general use, though the MSI Katana 17 is somewhat better.
The ASUS Zenbook Duo 14, while adequately powered with an Intel i7 processor and sufficient RAM for everyday tasks, is compromised by a less vibrant screen and average battery life, which may limit extended usage away from power outlets. By contrast, the MSI Katana 17 boasts a more robust Intel i7 processor, significantly more RAM which facilitates smoother multitasking, and a high-quality screen with better color coverage and refresh rate, though it is less portable due to its larger size and heavier weight which could be cumbersome for frequent travel.
Gaming and AI
6.1/10
7.9/10
3.7/10
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
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Katana 17 is good for gaming and AI, while the ASUS Zenbook Duo 14 is only fair.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Engineering and Design
6.6/10
8.4/10
5.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
3.7/10
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 Duo 14 is only fair.
The ASUS Zenbook Duo 14 is tailored for mobility and battery life, with a lighter build and longer battery usage, making it suitable for on-the-go engineering and design work, but has less power due to its integrated graphics and less RAM. On the other hand, the MSI Katana 17, with a more robust CPU, plentiful RAM, and dedicated graphics, is better equipped for demanding engineering tasks and design applications, albeit its larger size and heavier weight trade off portability for performance.
Content Creation
7.3/10
7.8/10
5.5/10
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 Zenbook Duo 14 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.
Screen Quality
6.8/10
6.9/10
14.0in
SIZE
17.3in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
314.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
256.0 nits
The ASUS Zenbook Duo 14 has a better screen than the MSI Katana 17 for engineering and design, while the MSI Katana 17 has a better screen for gaming and AI, content creation, and software development.
When considering general use, the ASUS Zenbook Duo 14 and MSI Katana 17 offer clear visuals and good brightness levels, with the Zenbook's higher resolution contributing to its sharper display. For engineering and design, the Zenbook stands out with its wider color gamut, allowing for more accurate color representation which is crucial for detailed design work. However, for gaming and 3D applications, both laptops fall short as they lack high refresh rates, which are essential for smooth motion but excel in other areas like resolution and panel quality.
Battery
8.5 Hours
3.0 Hours
The ASUS Zenbook Duo 14 has 8.5 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
Very Good
Fair
14.0in
SIZE
17.3in
3.6 lbs
WEIGHT
5.7 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The ASUS Zenbook Duo 14 has very good portability, while the MSI Katana 17 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8/10
7.2/10
The ASUS Zenbook Duo 14 and MSI Katana 17 both have good build quality, though the ASUS Zenbook Duo 14 has somewhat better build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$999
$1,367
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS Zenbook Duo 14 has a price of $999 and the MSI Katana 17 costs $1,367.
The MSI Katana 17 and ASUS Zenbook Duo 14 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.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the ASUS Zenbook Duo 14 and the MSI Katana 17 compare to other laptops
"The Asus ZenBook Duo's second screen is like the Apple Touch Bar, but better. Most would agree that having two screens instead of one can really boost productivity and the ZenBook Duo is no different in this regard. It's tough going back to just one screen after becoming accustomed to spacious dual-screen setups. For a laptop form factor, however, users will have to accept some compromises. Firstly, weight is the most obvious drawback as the system is several hundred grams heavier than a regular ZenBook 14. Additionally, colors on the second screen will not be as vivid as the main display."
"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 Duo 14 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
98,295
Recommendations made
21,298
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.