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What we think
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Updated January 12, 2024·
The HP Omen 16 is typically a bit more affordable and offers a high-end Intel i7 processor, which is great for intensive tasks and gaming. Its larger screen size and higher battery capacity may benefit those needing extended use or prefer immersive visuals. However, it's heavier, which impacts portability. In contrast, the MSI Katana 15 has a smaller display and lighter weight, making it easier to carry. It also has more storage out of the box but uses a mid-range Intel i5 processor, which, while capable, isn't as powerful as the Omen's i7 for demanding applications. Consider the Omen 16 for performance and longer unplugged use, and the Katana 15 for portability and storage space. 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 HP Omen 16
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good for gaming and AI
- Good overall display quality
- Good battery life
- Very good speakers
- Very good keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Katana 15
- The MSI Katana 15 has no clear advantages over the HP Omen 16.
Key differences
Engineering and Design
8.4
7.7
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.6/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The HP Omen 16 is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Katana 15 is good.
The HP Omen 16 excels in engineering and design tasks due to its superior CPU, RAM, GPU, and screen quality, which are crucial for demanding software applications, whereas the MSI Katana 15, while still capable for such tasks, trades off some performance for greater portability and has a lower quality display. Additionally, both laptops have a quality keyboard and manageable operating noise, but the Omen has an edge with better speakers, adding to an overall more premium experience suitable for engineering and design.
Software Development
7.6
7.0
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The HP Omen 16 and MSI Katana 15 are both good for software development, though the HP Omen 16 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
7.6
6.8
16.1in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
338.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
258.0 nits
The HP Omen 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 HP Omen 16 likely offers a higher resolution and better brightness, providing a sharp and vivid display that enhances your everyday computing tasks and detailed engineering work, but it may lack the high refresh rate that gamers crave for smooth visuals. The MSI Katana 15 has an adequate display that suffices for users with no specialized requirements, delivering reasonable clarity and color fidelity for general and technical needs. However, both laptops fall short for gaming and 3D work due to their lower refresh rates, which won't provide the fluid motion and responsiveness required for these applications.
Battery
6.0 Hours
4.0 Hours
The HP Omen 16 has 6 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.
Cost
$1,100
$949
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
The HP Omen 16 has a price of $1,100 and the MSI Katana 15 costs $949.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.7
7.5
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
338.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
258.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
6.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.9/10
The HP Omen 16 and MSI Katana 15 are both good for general use.
The HP Omen 16 is equipped with a high-performing CPU and abundant RAM, which benefits multitasking and demanding applications, while its larger screen with higher brightness and color coverage delivers a superior and more vibrant visual experience. In contrast, the MSI Katana 15 offers a lighter build for easier carrying, longer battery life for more extended use away from power outlets, and more storage space right off the bat, though its screen is slightly less impressive in terms of brightness and color output.
Gaming and AI
8.0
7.6
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers HP Omen 16 to be very good for gaming and AI, while the MSI Katana 15 is good.
The HP Omen 16 stands out for gaming and 3D thanks to its higher screen refresh rate and more capable CPU, ensuring smoother visuals and better handling of game processing demands. The MSI Katana 15, while also good for gaming and 3D, offers a slightly lower refresh rate and less powerful CPU, which may affect performance during highly demanding tasks.
Content Creation
7.8
7.4
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The HP Omen 16 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.
Portability
Fair
Fair
16.1in
SIZE
15.6in
5.4 lbs
WEIGHT
4.9 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The MSI Katana 15 and HP Omen 16 both have only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.4
7.2
The HP Omen 16 and MSI Katana 15 both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the HP Omen 16 and the MSI Katana 15 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HP Omen 16 | MSI Katana 15 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,100 | $949 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | February 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.5'' x 10.2'' x 0.93'' | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.98'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.4 lbs | 4.96 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.53" | 14.13" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.21" | 10.2" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-13700HX | Intel i5-12450H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 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 | 6 Hours | 4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 83 Wh | 53.5 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16.1" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 144Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 338 nits | 258 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.8/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
Shopping
HP Omen 16
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NotebookCheck
Christian Hintze | October 2021
"The Omen 16 has proven to be a fairly good mid-range gaming laptop with all-around improvements compared to the Omen 15. The high overall performance level across all use cases, the long battery life, and the good FHD display constitute the main advantages of this HP laptop. The main drawbacks are the faulty touchpad (one-off?) and the high latencies that can be observed even after just opening the browser. Furthermore, the useless, preinstalled 30-day trial versions of various software also fall under the category "unnecessary"."
MSI Katana 15
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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 HP Omen 16 or the MSI Katana 15
About HP
HP, also known as Hewlett-Packard, is an American technology company that develops personal computers and computer peripherals. In the laptop industry, HP is known for its entry level Essential series laptops, its mid-range Pavilion, Envy, and Victus series, and high-end Omen and Spectre series, in addition to its business-oriented EliteBook, ProBook, and Dragonfly series laptops. HP laptops generally undercut other mainstream competitors in terms of price, placing itself as the value-oriented mainstream brand.
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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