Choosing between the Framework Laptop 13 and the MSI Katana 17 depends on your priorities. The Framework Laptop 13 is more portable, easier to repair and customize, and offers better battery life, making it suitable for general use and those who value sustainability and mobility. On the other hand, the MSI Katana 17 has a larger screen, superior graphics capabilities with its Nvidia RTX card, and more power for tasks like gaming, 3D modeling, and machine learning, but it's less portable due to its size and weight. If you need to do intensive tasks and don't mind a bigger laptop, the MSI Katana 17 would be a better fit, though it's typically more expensive. 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 Framework Laptop 13 (2023)
Good overall display quality
Very good portability
Good battery life
Very good speakers
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Katana 17
Very good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.3/10
7.9/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
No
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 Framework Laptop 13 (2023) is only fair.
The MSI Katana 17 excels in gaming and 3D due to its powerful Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics card and a high screen refresh rate of 144Hz, which provides smoother visuals essential for gaming. In contrast, the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) has a less potent integrated Iris Xe graphics and a standard refresh rate of 60Hz, making it only fair for gaming and 3D applications.
Engineering and Design
7.3/10
8.4/10
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Katana 17 is very good for engineering and design, while the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) is good.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Screen Quality
7.4/10
6.9/10
13.5in
SIZE
17.3in
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
472.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
256.0 nits
The Framework Laptop 13 has a better screen than the MSI Katana 17 for general use, and engineering and design, while the MSI Katana 17 has a better screen for software development.
The Framework Laptop 13 offers a high-resolution display with bright and clear visuals, making it suitable for general tasks and detailed engineering work that requires precise color representation. However, for gaming and 3D applications, which prioritize smooth motion, its refresh rate is lower than what's optimal, impacting the overall experience. On the other hand, the MSI Katana 17 provides an adequate display for general use, with decent resolution and brightness, but its color spectrum might not be wide enough for professional design tasks and its refresh rate limits its potential for high-end gaming and 3D work.
Battery
7.5 Hours
3.0 Hours
The Framework Laptop 13 has 7.5 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
Very Good
Fair
13.5in
SIZE
17.3in
2.9 lbs
WEIGHT
5.7 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) has very good portability, while the MSI Katana 17 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8/10
7.2/10
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) and MSI Katana 17 both have good build quality, though the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) has somewhat better build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,079
$1,367
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) has a price of $1,079 and the MSI Katana 17 costs $1,367.
The MSI Katana 17 and Framework Laptop 13 (2023) are both good for general use.
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) offers a relatively light and portable design with good battery life, making it suitable for general use where mobility and endurance are prioritized. In contrast, the MSI Katana 17, while less portable due to its larger size and weight, provides a more powerful CPU, significantly more RAM, and a larger screen with a higher refresh rate, catering to those who need greater performance and are less concerned with portability and battery life.
Content Creation
7.5/10
7.8/10
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Katana 17 and Framework Laptop 13 (2023) 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
7.6/10
7.5/10
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) 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.
Give feedback
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How the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) and the MSI Katana 17 compare to other laptops
"If you’re thinking of investing in your first Framework, now is the time. The kinks and rough edges have all been smoothed out and this is a very nice machine with a bright, upgradable future. The only reason I can think of to wait is the AMD model, which I’ll be sure to test as soon as I can get my hands on one."
"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 Framework Laptop 13 (2023) or the MSI Katana 17
About Framework
Framework is a new American laptop manufacturer, specializing in modular and repairable laptops with the goals of promoting longevity and reducing electronic waste. They are a strong proponent of the right to repair movement. Framework laptops have replaceable RAM, storage, ports, keyboards, display bezels, mainboards, and more, making them a great choice for repairability-oriented individuals.
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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