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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Dell Precision 5470 is pricier but offers stronger performance for engineering tasks with its higher-end processor and professional-grade GPU, alongside a robust build quality and a more vibrant and accurate display. It's also more portable and has longer battery life. In contrast, the MSI Katana 15 is more affordable, has a larger screen with a higher refresh rate suitable for gaming, and includes a gaming-oriented GPU. It offers substantial storage but has shorter battery life and is heavier, which affects portability. If cost is less of a concern and you need a laptop for intensive engineering work or you desire a premium business laptop with portability, the Dell Precision 5470 is the better choice. If you're looking for a gaming experience, more storage, and are on a tighter budget, consider the MSI Katana 15. 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 Precision 5470
- Good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Very good portability
- Good battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Excellent keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Katana 15
- Good for gaming and AI
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.7
7.6
4.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
1920 x 1200
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 15 is good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Precision 5470 is only fair.
The Dell Precision 5470 is touted for gaming and 3D applications due to its professional-grade GPU and good screen quality, though it has a lower screen refresh rate which is less ideal for fast-paced gaming scenarios. The MSI Katana 15, on the other hand, features a high refresh rate screen and a strong gaming-focused GPU, offering smoother visuals in gaming and 3D tasks.
Software Development
7.7
7.0
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Dell Precision 5470 and MSI Katana 15 are both good for software development, though the Dell Precision 5470 is somewhat better.
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.
Screen Quality
7.3
6.8
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
500.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
258.0 nits
The Dell Precision 5470 has a better screen than the MSI Katana 15 for general use, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Dell Precision 5470's screen offers crisp images and vibrant colors critically important for engineering and design tasks requiring precision and color accuracy; however, its lower refresh rate limits the fluidity required for high-end gaming and 3D applications. The MSI Katana 15's screen provides reasonable detail and color quality suitable for everyday tasks and professional work where color fidelity is important but isn't optimized for more specialized activities. Both laptops have limitations for gaming and 3D content, as their screens aren't designed with the high refresh rates which ensure smooth motion crucial in fast-paced visual environments.
Battery
9.0 Hours
4.0 Hours
The Dell Precision 5470 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
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
3.2 lbs
WEIGHT
4.9 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Dell Precision 5470 has very good portability, while the MSI Katana 15 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5
7.2
The Dell Precision 5470 has very good build quality, while the MSI Katana 15 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,669
$949
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Dell Precision 5470 has a price of $1,669 and the MSI Katana 15 costs $949.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.7
7.5
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
500.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
258.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
8.4/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.9/10
The Dell Precision 5470 and MSI Katana 15 are both good for general use.
The Dell Precision 5470 offers a higher-end CPU and longer battery life, which, along with exceptional keyboard quality and lower weight, makes it an excellent choice for general use, especially for those who need more power and portability. On the other hand, the MSI Katana 15 provides a larger screen and more storage out of the box, but at the expense of battery life and portability, making it a fit for users who prioritize screen estate and data storage over mobility.
Engineering and Design
7.8
7.7
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.6/10
4.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Precision 5470 and MSI Katana 15 are both good for engineering and design.
The Dell Precision 5470 boasts a powerful Intel i7 processor and Nvidia RTX A1000 GPU, making it suitable for demanding engineering tasks and designs that require high-fidelity graphics, and its higher-resolution screen is also superior for detailed work; although it's lighter and has a smaller screen, it is less noisy and more portable than the MSI Katana 15. On the other hand, the MSI Katana 15 has a larger screen and a powerful Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU which is also fit for engineering, but with a base model more focused on gaming, resulting in louder operating noise and lower portability, despite a lower quality processor and screen compared to the Dell.
Content Creation
7.8
7.4
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.6/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Precision 5470 and MSI Katana 15 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.
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How the Dell Precision 5470 and the MSI Katana 15 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Precision 5470 | MSI Katana 15 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,669 | $949 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | February 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.2'' x 8.3'' x 0.74'' | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.98'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.26 lbs | 4.96 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.22" | 14.13" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.27" | 10.2" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-12700H | Intel i5-12450H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9 Hours | 4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 72 Wh | 53.5 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 500 nits | 258 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.4/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 4 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 4 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
Shopping
Dell Precision 5470
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Brian Westover | August 2022
"The Dell Precision 5470 is a mobile workstation that's far more portable than most alternatives. Between its slim 14-inch design and top-quality MIL-STD 810H build, it's one of the best options around for taking professional-grade performance on the road or to the job site. There are tradeoffs for its portability, and users of the most demanding, graphics-intensive applications will need to carry something heavier. But the Dell's exceptional battery life underscores its desirability as the most portable workstation we've seen."
MSI Katana 15
See more
Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Christian Hintze | March 2023
"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 Precision 5470 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.
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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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