When deciding between the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) and the MSI Katana 17, consider that the Framework is known for its modularity and ease of upgrades, meaning you can replace parts like the memory or storage yourself, which is great for future-proofing and reducing e-waste; it's also likely to be lighter and more portable than the MSI, which is something to keep in mind if you travel frequently. On the other hand, the MSI Katana is tailored more towards gamers or users that need a powerful graphics card, which could make it bulkier and heavier, but better for gaming or graphically intensive tasks; however, it might have shorter battery life due to the more powerful components consuming more energy. 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 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 17
Good for gaming and AI
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.8/10
7.9/10
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 17 is good for gaming and AI, while the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is only fair.
The MSI Katana 17, with a more robust GPU and a higher screen refresh rate, offers smoother and more immersive gaming and 3D experiences, which are critical for fast-paced games and detailed graphics work. The Framework Laptop 16, while having a decent GPU, falls short compared to the MSI for these specific tasks, despite having a good CPU and screen quality that can handle general use and less demanding graphics applications efficiently.
Screen Quality
8.4/10
6.9/10
16.0in
SIZE
17.3in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
490.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
256.0 nits
The Framework Laptop 16 has a better screen than the MSI Katana 17 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
If you prioritize display quality for tasks like browsing, streaming, or document editing, the Framework Laptop 16 offers superior screen resolution and brightness, enhancing your everyday experience. For professionals in engineering and design, who require accurate color representation, the Framework's wider color gamuts ensure that designs are vivid and true to life. Gamers and 3D designers, however, may find both laptops lacking due to their lower refresh rates, which can affect the smoothness of motion and gameplay.
Battery
9.0 Hours
3.0 Hours
The Framework Laptop 16 has 9 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
16.0in
SIZE
17.3in
4.6 lbs
WEIGHT
5.7 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has good portability, while the MSI Katana 17 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.0/10
7.2/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) 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
$1,699
$1,367
$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 17 costs $1,367.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to be very good for general use, while the MSI Katana 17 is good.
The Framework Laptop 16 excels in portability and battery life, making it suitable for users who prioritize ease of mobility and longer use away from power outlets, while its high-quality screen and ample RAM ensure smooth multitasking and a great viewing experience for everyday tasks. The MSI Katana 17, with its larger screen size, offers an expansive display for media consumption and productivity but is less portable and typically has shorter battery life, appealing to those who favor screen real estate and are less concerned about moving around frequently.
Engineering and Design
8.1/10
8.4/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
4.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Katana 17 and Framework Laptop 16 (2023) are both very good for engineering and design.
The Framework Laptop 16, with its customizable options, offers a good balance of performance with its solid CPU, GPU, and RAM, alongside a high-quality screen for engineering tasks, but its true advantage lies in its modularity and repairability, which can also affect portability due to its built-in expansion options. The MSI Katana 17, by contrast, delivers very good performance with top-tier specs suitable for demanding engineering software and excellent screen quality, but it is larger and less portable, which might not be ideal for those frequently on the move.
Content Creation
8.1/10
7.8/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) 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.
Software Development
8.0/10
7.5/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to be 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.
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How the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) and the MSI Katana 17 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 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 16 (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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