If you value customizability and repairability, the Framework Laptop may be worth the extra cost as it offers easy upgrades and maintenance, potentially saving you money and extending its lifespan in the long run. However, if you prioritize gaming or intensive tasks and are looking for a cost-effective solution, the MSI Katana, with its possibly more powerful dedicated graphics, might offer better performance in those areas. Keep in mind, though, that the Framework's build quality and sustainability ethos could also be deciding factors if those align with your values. 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 16 (2023)
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Good portability
Good battery life
Best in class speakers
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Katana 15
Good for gaming and AI
Key differences
General Use
8.0/10
7.5/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
490.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
258.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
7.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.9/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is very good for general use, while the MSI Katana 15 is good.
The Framework Laptop 16 provides a high-quality, larger screen, a powerful CPU, and ample RAM that make it ideal for demanding applications, but its larger size can affect portability compared to the MSI Katana 15, which, while offering solid CPU performance and sufficient RAM for everyday tasks, has a smaller screen and may not match the Framework's battery life, making it more convenient to carry around for users who prioritize mobility. Both laptops have adequate storage, comfortable keyboards, and reasonable speaker quality, but the Framework's emphasis on screen size and battery life suits users needing an optimal viewing experience and longer unplugged time, whereas the MSI is more balanced for on-the-go usage with good performance.
Gaming and AI
6.8/10
7.6/10
4.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
165Hz
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 15 is good for gaming and AI, while the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is only fair.
The MSI Katana 15 boasts a more powerful GPU and higher screen refresh rate, making it well-suited for smoother gaming and 3D rendering experiences. While the Framework Laptop 16 offers a decent GPU and screen quality, its refresh rate and graphics performance are less optimized for high-end gaming or demanding 3D tasks compared to the Katana 15.
Content Creation
8.1/10
7.4/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.6/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is very good for content creation, while the MSI Katana 15 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.
Software Development
8.0/10
7.0/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is very good for software development, while the MSI Katana 15 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
8.4/10
6.8/10
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
490.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
258.0 nits
The Framework Laptop 16 has a better screen than the MSI Katana 15 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Framework Laptop 16 boasts higher resolution and brightness, and a more advanced panel type, making the display crisp, vibrant, and easy on the eyes for general tasks and detailed engineering work. Its screen covers wider color gamuts, allowing for more accurate color representation which is essential for engineering and design professionals. Conversely, the MSI Katana 15, with a lower refresh rate and modest resolution, falls short for gaming and 3D applications where smooth motion and finer detail are critical for an optimal experience.
Battery
9.0 Hours
4.0 Hours
The Framework Laptop 16 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.
Build Quality
8.0/10
7.2/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) 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
$1,699
$949
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has a price of $1,699 and the MSI Katana 15 costs $949.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to be very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Katana 15 is good.
The Framework Laptop 16, with its high-quality screen and powerful GPU, excels in handling complex engineering and design tasks, while the MSI Katana 15's robust CPU and ample RAM ensure smooth multitasking and efficient project execution. However, keep in mind that the Framework Laptop 16 offers better portability and a quieter operating noise, but the MSI Katana 15 might have a more comfortable keyboard and higher quality speakers for multimedia purposes.
Portability
Good
Fair
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
4.6 lbs
WEIGHT
4.9 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to have good portability, while the MSI Katana 15 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) and the MSI Katana 15 compare to other laptops
"The trend towards thinner and lighter laptops is made possible by fusing more and more components onto the mainboard. The main drawback to this approach is that it limits repairability as even a small fault may require replacing entire boards. Framework is one of the only manufacturers looking the other way in an attempt to improve end-user customization and servicing. There's no question that the Laptop 16 is more user-friendly to service than any alternative, but this lucrative feature comes at the cost of size and weight as individual components must be easily replaceable."
"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 Framework Laptop 16 (2023) or the MSI Katana 15
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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