A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
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Updated January 12, 2024·
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 offers a powerful AMD Ryzen 9 processor, making it excellent for resource-intensive tasks, while the NVIDIA RTX 3050 GPU allows for moderate gaming and creative work. The 76Wh battery is robust, boosting productivity with longer use away from a socket. It's slightly lighter and slimmer, enhancing portability. Conversely, the MSI Katana 17 is equipped with a high-performing Intel i7 processor, complemented by the NVIDIA RTX 4060 GPU, giving it an edge in gaming and GPU-accelerated applications. However, it has a smaller battery capacity which may require more frequent charging. It's slightly heavier but provides a smoother visual experience with a higher refresh rate screen, beneficial for gaming or video editing. If battery life and portability are critical, consider the ASUS. But if superior gaming performance and screen refresh rate are priorities, the MSI could be more suitable, though you'll contend with its heavier weight and shorter battery life. 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 Pro 17
- Very good for general use
- Very good for content creation
- Good overall display quality
- Good portability
- Good battery life
- Very good speakers
Advantages of the MSI Katana 17
- Good for gaming and AI
- Good keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.9
7.9
5.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
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 Zenbook Pro 17 is only fair.
The MSI Katana 17 is rated higher for gaming and 3D due to its more powerful Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU and its screen's higher refresh rate, making it better suited for smooth and detailed gameplay. The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 has a less powerful Nvidia RTX 3050 GPU and a lower screen refresh rate, which means it may not handle games and 3D applications as well, despite still being a strong contender for such tasks.
Screen Quality
7.2
6.9
17.3in
SIZE
17.3in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
400.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
256.0 nits
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 has a better screen than the MSI Katana 17 for general use, engineering and design, software development, and content creation, while the MSI Katana 17 has a better screen for gaming and AI.
When considering general use scenarios, a laptop like the ASUS Zenbook Pro 17, known for its high-res display and brightness, offers a pleasant visual experience, making text sharp and videos vibrant; the MSI Katana 17 follows closely but may not have as impressive brightness or resolution. For engineering and design tasks that rely heavily on accurate colors, the ASUS with its wider color gamut ensures that designers see truer colors, which is critical for their work, while the MSI with a narrower color range may not be as precise. Gamers and 3D artists, who need smooth motion and rapid refresh rates, will find both the ASUS and the MSI lacking due to their lower refresh rates, despite the decent resolutions and panel types they may possess.
Battery
9.0 Hours
3.0 Hours
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 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
Good
Fair
17.3in
SIZE
17.3in
5.1 lbs
WEIGHT
5.7 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 has good portability, while the MSI Katana 17 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,500
$1,367
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 has a price of $1,500 and the MSI Katana 17 costs $1,367.
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Key similarities
General Use
8.3
7.9
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
400.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
256.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
3.0 Hours
6.7/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
7.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.2/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 to be very good for general use, while the MSI Katana 17 is good.
PerfectRec’s General Use Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for general productivity, web browsing, streaming, video calls, and running a wide variety of apps and programs.
Engineering and Design
8.1
8.4
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
5.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Katana 17 and ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 are both very good for engineering and design.
The MSI Katana 17 features a more powerful GPU suitable for demanding engineering and design tasks, and a higher screen refresh rate favorable for smooth visuals, compared to the ASUS Zenbook Pro 17’s moderately capable GPU and standard refresh rate. While both have similar CPU, RAM, and high-quality screens, the ASUS offers a longer battery life, potentially making it easier to use on the go, but the MSI’s superior performance specs are more aligned with very intensive uses, albeit at the cost of lower portability and speaker quality.
Content Creation
8.2
7.8
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 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
7.9
7.5
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
6.7/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 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.
Build Quality
7.2
7.2
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 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 Pro 17 and the MSI Katana 17 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 | MSI Katana 17 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,500 | $1,367 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2022 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 15.6'' x 10.2'' x 0.74'' | 15.7'' x 10.8'' x 0.99'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.18 lbs | 5.73 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 15.55" | 15.67" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.18" | 10.75" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX | Intel i7-13620H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 32 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9 Hours | 3 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 76 Wh | 53.5 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 17.3" | 17.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 400 nits | 256 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.2/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.1/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 6.8/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
MSI Katana 17
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Benjamin Herzig | February 2023
"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 Pro 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.
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