For a balance of cost and versatility, consider the Dell Latitude, which offers a 2-in-1 design that's great for everyday tasks and offers the flexibility of a tablet. However, if you require more powerful graphics for gaming or intensive tasks and are prepared to invest more and handle extra weight, the MSI Katana 15 is better equipped for those needs. Keep in mind that the Dell will likely have better battery life, making it more suited for on-the-go use, while the MSI's focus on performance can mean more frequent charging. Choose the Dell for cost efficiency and flexibility, or the MSI for high-end performance in spite of less portability and higher cost. 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 Dell Latitude 5330 2-in-1
Very good portability
Good battery life
Very good speakers
Advantages of the MSI Katana 15
Good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.2/10
7.6/10
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
8.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Katana 15 is good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Latitude 5330 2-in-1 is only fair.
The Dell Latitude 5330 2-in-1, while versatile with its convertible design, has a GPU that isn't as powerful for handling demanding graphics in gaming and 3D tasks; its screen refresh rate may also be lower, resulting in less fluid visuals compared to more gaming-oriented laptops. On the other hand, the MSI Katana 15 is equipped with a more robust GPU and higher screen refresh rate, providing smoother and more detailed gaming experiences, even if it compromises slightly on portability due to its gaming-focused hardware.
Engineering and Design
6.9/10
7.7/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.6/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Katana 15 is good for engineering and design, while the Dell Latitude 5330 2-in-1 is only fair.
The Dell Latitude 5330 2-in-1, with its powerful CPU, ample RAM, and high-quality screen, makes it suitable for demanding engineering applications and design work, while its 2-in-1 form factor offers versatility for various work scenarios. The MSI Katana 15, known for its dedicated GPU, also packs a strong CPU and sufficient RAM, offering an edge in graphics-intensive tasks, though it may be less portable and noisier under load compared to the more compact and quieter Dell.
Screen Quality
6.3/10
6.8/10
13.3in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
286.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
258.0 nits
The Dell Latitude 5330 has a better screen than the MSI Katana 15 for software development, while the MSI Katana 15 has a better screen for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
When considering general use like browsing and video streaming, both the Dell Latitude 5330 2-in-1 and the MSI Katana 15 have adequate resolution and brightness that ensure a pleasant viewing experience, but they might not offer the crisp visuals and color vibrancy found in higher-end displays. For engineering and design tasks where color accuracy is crucial, neither laptop excels as they lack the wide color gamuts that professionals may require for precision work. In terms of 3D applications and gaming, despite both having a fair resolution, they fall short due to their relatively lower refresh rates, which can result in less smooth visuals when compared to laptops designed specifically for these purposes.
Battery
9.0 Hours
4.0 Hours
The Dell Latitude 5330 has 9 hours of battery life. The MSI Katana 15 has 4 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
13.3in
SIZE
15.6in
2.9 lbs
WEIGHT
4.9 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Dell Latitude 5330 2-in-1 has very good portability, while the MSI Katana 15 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$600
$949
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Latitude 5330 2-in-1 has a price of $600 and the MSI Katana 15 costs $949.
The MSI Katana 15 and Dell Latitude 5330 2-in-1 are both good for general use.
The Dell Latitude 5330 2-in-1, with its reliable CPU and RAM, offers a balance of performance and battery life, making it versatile for everyday tasks with the added benefit of portability thanks to its lightweight design and screen that's easy on the eyes. Meanwhile, the MSI Katana 15, also with capable CPU and RAM, delivers a larger storage capacity and a stronger focus on heat management and speaker quality, appealing to users who prioritize multimedia experiences and heavier workloads, albeit with a slight compromise on battery life and portability.
Content Creation
7.4/10
7.4/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Katana 15 and Dell Latitude 5330 2-in-1 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
7.0/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Dell Latitude 5330 2-in-1 and MSI Katana 15 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 Dell Latitude 5330 2-in-1 and MSI Katana 15 both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Latitude 5330 2-in-1 and the MSI Katana 15 compare to other laptops
"The MSI Katana 15 B12 combines a Gen12 CPU with an RTX 4050, which is actually not a bad idea for a budget gamer. The CPU is anything but bad and the GPU in the Katana 15 proves to be significantly more efficient than last year's models. However, our main point of criticism for budget gamers is the price: while you can get budget laptops with RTX 3060 from around US$800, you pay a whole US$1,499.99 here! The efficiency advantages of the RTX 4050 do not justify this price premium."
Get a great deal on the Dell Latitude 5330 2-in-1 or the MSI Katana 15
About Dell
Dell is a highly recognizable American technology company, and is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. Their laptops are very popular for both personal and professional use, and they also own the Alienware brand which makes mid to high end gaming laptops. Their premium XPS range of laptops offer great build quality and portability, while Latitude and Precision laptops are known for reliability, repairability and performance for business users.
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
130,995
Recommendations made
28,383
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.