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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 12, 2024·
If you need a laptop mainly for general use and portability, the Dell XPS 15 is a strong contender due to its lighter weight and smaller size, making it easier to carry around. It has a higher resolution screen with a 16:10 aspect ratio, which can be advantageous for productivity tasks like browsing and document editing. On the flip side, if gaming, 3D work, or machine learning is more your focus, the MSI Katana 17 offers stronger graphics performance with its superior gaming-oriented GPU, along with a larger screen and faster refresh rate, which enhance your visual experience. Keep in mind, though, that the MSI model is bulkier and has a lower battery capacity, which could limit its mobility and usage time unplugged. 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 XPS 15
- Very good for general use
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Good portability
- Very good battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Excellent keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Katana 17
- Good for gaming and AI
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.8
7.9
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
9.1/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Katana 17 is good for gaming and AI, while the Dell XPS 15 is only fair.
The MSI Katana 17, with its Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics card and high screen refresh rate, delivers a superior gaming and 3D experience compared to the Dell XPS 15, which despite having a decent Intel Arc A370M GPU, offers a lower screen refresh rate, which is less optimal for fast-paced gaming scenarios.
Software Development
8.1
7.5
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for software development, while the MSI Katana 17 is good.
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
7.4
6.9
15.6in
SIZE
17.3in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
606.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
256.0 nits
The Dell XPS 15 has a better screen than the MSI Katana 17 for general use, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Dell XPS 15 offers vibrant colors and sharp visuals due to its high resolution and bright display, making it ideal for general use and precision tasks required in engineering and design; however, its standard refresh rate limits its capacity for smooth visuals in fast-paced gaming and 3D applications. The MSI Katana 17 provides a decent display with enough clarity for everyday tasks, but its color reproduction may not meet the needs of professionals in engineering and design who require a wide color gamut for accurate color work. For 3D use, both laptops might lack the high refresh rate desired for seamless motion rendering, which is crucial for an immersive gaming experience and fluid interaction with 3D content.
Battery
10.0 Hours
3.0 Hours
The Dell XPS 15 has 10 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
15.6in
SIZE
17.3in
4.2 lbs
WEIGHT
5.7 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Dell XPS 15 has good portability, while the MSI Katana 17 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5
7.2
The Dell XPS 15 has very good build quality, while the MSI Katana 17 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,000
$1,367
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Dell XPS 15 has a price of $1,000 and the MSI Katana 17 costs $1,367.
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Key similarities
General Use
8.2
7.9
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
606.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
256.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
3.0 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
7.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.2/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell XPS 15 to be very good for general use, while the MSI Katana 17 is good.
The Dell XPS 15 offers solid performance for general use due to its capable CPU and ample RAM, coupled with a high-quality screen and longer battery life, which also contributes to its good portability. The MSI Katana 17, while heavier and with shorter battery life, provides more storage and RAM, and better performance for tasks like gaming, but it has lower screen quality, making it less suitable for tasks where color accuracy is key.
Engineering and Design
8.1
8.4
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Katana 17 and Dell XPS 15 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Dell XPS 15 has a good balance of portability and power for engineering and design with a superior screen quality and brightness, which enhances visual work, while the MSI Katana 17 boasts a higher capacity of RAM and a more powerful GPU that improves performance in demanding engineering applications, but it's less portable due to its larger size and heavier weight. Although the MSI Katana 17 may be less convenient to carry around, it may better handle intensive tasks, while the Dell XPS 15 strikes a balance between performance and ease of transport.
Content Creation
8.3
7.8
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell XPS 15 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.
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How the Dell XPS 15 and the MSI Katana 17 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell XPS 15 | MSI Katana 17 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,000 | $1,367 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 13.6'' x 9.1'' x 0.71'' | 15.7'' x 10.8'' x 0.99'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.21 lbs | 5.73 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 13.57" | 15.67" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.06" | 10.75" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-13700H | Intel i7-13620H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10 Hours | 3 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 86 Wh | 53.5 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 17.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 606 nits | 256 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.8/10 | 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 | 9.1/10 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 10/10 | 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 | 3 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
Shopping
Dell XPS 15
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Matthew Buzzi | May 2023
"The 2023 Dell XPS 15 is more or less exactly what you'd expect from the company flagship. Its fresh components deliver measurably superior power and longevity, while the machine's premium build and design remain intact. It may not be overly exciting, but XPS loyalists and upgraders should be more than happy."
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 Dell XPS 15 or the MSI Katana 17
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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