For a much lower price, the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" offers basic functionality, making it suitable for light tasks like browsing and document editing. However, with its lower resolution screen and less powerful processor, it is not ideal for intensive tasks. In contrast, the MSI Katana 15, while more expensive, provides a much more powerful processor and a high-quality graphics card, making it suitable for gaming, 3D work, and engineering software. It also features a higher screen resolution and refresh rate for a smoother visual experience. However, it's heavier and may have shorter battery life, reducing its portability compared to the Lenovo. 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 Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14"
Very good portability
Good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Katana 15
Good for general use
Good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Good for software development
Good for content creation
Good overall build quality
Good speakers
Good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
6.1/10
7.5/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
239.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
258.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
8.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.9/10
The MSI Katana 15 is good for general use, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is only fair.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has lower performance due to its Intel Celeron processor and just 4GB of RAM, which make it less suitable for multitasking and handling demanding applications, whereas the MSI Katana 15 is equipped with a more powerful i5 processor and 16GB of RAM, enhancing its capability for general use. Additionally, the IdeaPad's TN screen with lower resolution and brightness provides a less vivid display compared to the Katana's IPS screen with a higher resolution and brightness, further affecting the overall user experience for everyday tasks.
Gaming and AI
5.5/10
7.6/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Katana 15 is good for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is poor.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" falls short in gaming and 3D performance because it comes with a basic Intel UHD Graphics 600 GPU and a TN screen with a 60Hz refresh rate, which are limited for graphically intensive tasks. In contrast, the MSI Katana 15 excels due to its powerful Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU that can handle complex graphics and a higher-quality IPS display with a 144Hz refresh rate for smoother visuals.
Engineering and Design
5.5/10
7.7/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.6/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Katana 15 is good for engineering and design, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is poor.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" with its Intel Celeron processor and Intel UHD Graphics is less suitable for demanding engineering and design tasks, which often require high performance and detailed visuals that are better provided by the MSI Katana 15's more powerful Intel i5 processor and Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics. Additionally, the IdeaPad's lower RAM and screen quality fall short for complex multitasking and color-critical work, while the MSI's higher RAM and better display panel meet the necessary criteria for such professional applications.
Content Creation
6.2/10
7.4/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.6/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Katana 15 is good for content creation, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is only fair.
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
6.4/10
7.0/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.6/10
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Katana 15 is good for software development, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is only fair.
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
5.3/10
6.8/10
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
239.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
258.0 nits
The MSI Katana 15 has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" likely has a lower resolution and less brightness, which can make everything from browsing the web to working on documents less vibrant and harder to view, especially in well-lit conditions. For engineering and design tasks, the MSI Katana 15 may offer slightly better screen quality with fair color accuracy and broader color gamuts, essential for precise color work, but it's not the top of the line. When looking at 3D and gaming, the MSI's higher refresh rate would be more suited for smoother motion, but still, both laptops may not meet the standards required by enthusiasts and professionals needing high frame rates and clarity.
Battery
9.0 Hours
4.0 Hours
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" 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.
Portability
Very Good
Fair
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
4.9 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has very good portability, while the MSI Katana 15 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
6.0/10
7.2/10
The MSI Katana 15 has good build quality, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$153
$949
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has a price of $153 and the MSI Katana 15 costs $949.
"The IdeaPad 1 14 is a simple machine, but it’s well-designed and has nearly everything you’d expect from a no-nonsense laptop that allows you to check emails and get schoolwork or other light tasks done with relative ease. A "true" 128GB SSD (as opposed to an eMMC drive) and a roomy 14-inch full HD display are arguably the star attractions, with the comfortable keyboard and reasonably modern styling playing important backup roles."
"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 Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" or the MSI Katana 15
About Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company, and one of the largest personal computer vendor. They are well known for a variety of technology products, including laptops. Their consumer series include their entry level IdeaPad and LOQ series and mid-to-high-end Yoga and Legion series. On the business-oriented side, their series include their entry-level ThinkBook series and mid-to-high-end ThinkPad series. Lenovo laptops offer strong performance for reasonable prices, and are often on sale.
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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