If you prioritize a higher storage capacity and better performance for 3D tasks, machine learning, and gaming, the MSI Katana 15 may suit you better, albeit at a slightly higher price and weight, which affects portability. On the other hand, the Dell Latitude 5431, being less expensive and lighter, offers better portability and longer battery life for general use and business tasks, but with lower storage and less capability for intensive graphics tasks. 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 5431
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
3.7/10
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
8.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Katana 15 is good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Latitude 5431 is only fair.
The Dell Latitude 5431 is less suited for gaming and 3D tasks due to its integrated graphics, which are generally less powerful than dedicated GPUs, and its standard 60Hz screen refresh rate, which can limit the smoothness of gameplay visuals. Conversely, the MSI Katana 15 is better equipped for these activities with a powerful Nvidia RTX graphics card and a higher 144Hz screen refresh rate that enables smoother motion and better gaming performance.
Engineering and Design
6.9/10
7.7/10
7.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.6/10
3.7/10
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 5431 is only fair.
The Dell Latitude 5431 is equipped with an integrated Intel graphics and high-quality screen, making it suitable for less GPU-intensive engineering and design tasks, while its lightweight design enhances portability. On the other hand, the MSI Katana 15 includes a dedicated Nvidia graphics card and a larger screen, offering better performance for visually demanding tasks, but it is heavier which may affect its portability for some users.
Screen Quality
6.1/10
6.8/10
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
241.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
258.0 nits
The Dell Latitude 5431 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.
For general use, screen quality depends on clear visuals and comfortable viewing, so the moderate resolution and brightness of both the Dell Latitude 5431 and MSI Katana 15 make them acceptable, though not outstanding. In engineering and design, accurate colors are crucial, and while these laptops provide a satisfactory range of colors, they might not cover professional color gamuts extensively, making them less ideal for precision work. Regarding 3D and gaming, both laptops may not offer the smooth visuals or rapid response times desired, owing to their lower refresh rates, which could hinder the immersive experience and performance in fast-paced scenarios.
Battery
9.0 Hours
4.0 Hours
The Dell Latitude 5431 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
Good
Fair
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
3.3 lbs
WEIGHT
4.9 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Dell Latitude 5431 has good portability, while the MSI Katana 15 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
The MSI Katana 15 and Dell Latitude 5431 are both good for general use.
The Dell Latitude 5431 is equipped with solid CPU and RAM, paired with high screen quality and portability, along with a decent battery life, which makes it well-suited for general use. On the other hand, the MSI Katana 15 offers a larger and more vibrant display, a hefty storage capacity, and top-end graphics, but it's less portable and has a shorter battery life which is still acceptable for general use but less ideal for prolonged mobile activity.
Content Creation
7.4/10
7.4/10
7.1/10
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 5431 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
7.1/10
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 5431 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 5431 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.
Cost
$950
$949
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Latitude 5431 has a price of $950 and the MSI Katana 15 costs $949.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Latitude 5431 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 5431 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.
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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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.
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