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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated March 22, 2024·
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 is well-suited for business users who prioritize durability and a comfortable typing experience, and it excels in tasks that require reliability over raw power. On the other hand, the MSI Katana 15 is aimed more toward gaming and performance-driven applications, featuring superior graphics capabilities and a more gamer-oriented design, which could be beneficial for those into video editing or gaming. The tradeoff is that the MSI might be heavier and have a shorter battery life, affecting portability, while the ThinkPad typically offers better battery longevity and is designed with portability in mind. Choose the ThinkPad for work and everyday use or the Katana if gaming or high performance is your main concern. 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 ThinkPad T14
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall build quality
- Very good portability
- Good battery life
- Excellent keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Katana 15
- Good for gaming and AI
Key differences
General Use
8.5
7.5
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
321.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
258.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
8.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.9/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 is very good for general use, while the MSI Katana 15 is good.
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14, known for its reliable performance and robust build, offers a balance of solid CPU, ample RAM, and a high-quality screen, while maintaining good battery life and portability for on-the-go users. In contrast, the MSI Katana 15, geared more toward gaming and heavier tasks, sacrifices some battery life and portability due to its powerful CPU and dedicated graphics, yet may offer superior screen quality for multimedia purposes.
Gaming and AI
6.7
7.6
4.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
8.3/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Katana 15 is good for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 is only fair.
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 offers modest gaming and 3D capabilities with a GPU that is suitable for everyday tasks and light gaming; however, its screen refresh rate may not be the smoothest for fast-paced games. On the other hand, the MSI Katana 15 comes with a more powerful GPU and higher screen refresh rate, catering to demanding games and 3D applications, while also providing a generally smoother visual experience, at the expense of a higher price and potentially reduced battery life.
Content Creation
8.3
7.4
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.6/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 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
8.3
7.0
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.6/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 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
6.9
6.8
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
321.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
258.0 nits
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 has a better screen than the MSI Katana 15 for general use, engineering and design, software development, and content creation, while the MSI Katana 15 has a better screen for gaming and AI.
For general use, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 offers better visual clarity and brightness, making text and images clear and comfortable to view, while the MSI Katana 15's display is adequate but may not be as vibrant or sharp. In engineering and design, the ThinkPad's wider color gamut ensures that professionals can see accurate colors and subtle gradients, an area where the Katana's color range is acceptable but not exceptional. However, for gaming and 3D work where rapid movement is common, both laptops may not provide the smoothest experience due to lower refresh rates, although their decent resolutions and panel types are useful for detail and image stability.
Battery
9.0 Hours
4.0 Hours
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 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
2.9 lbs
WEIGHT
4.9 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 has very good portability, while the MSI Katana 15 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.0
7.2
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 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
$1,241
$949
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 has a price of $1,241 and the MSI Katana 15 costs $949.
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Key similarities
Engineering and Design
8.0
7.7
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.6/10
4.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Lenovo ThinkPad T14 to be very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Katana 15 is good.
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 offers robust CPU and RAM for multitasking and complex calculations, and a high-quality screen that's helpful for detailed engineering designs, while the MSI Katana 15 includes a dedicated GPU for demanding graphics work and a clear, vibrant screen which benefits design tasks. The Lenovo is known for its outstanding keyboard and reliable build, making it suitable for long hours of work even if it's a bit heavier, whereas the MSI provides a potent sound system and maintains quieter operation, providing a balance for both performance and entertainment needs.
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How the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 and the MSI Katana 15 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Lenovo ThinkPad T14 | MSI Katana 15 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,241 | $949 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2023 | February 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.5'' x 8.9'' x 0.7'' | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.98'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.96 lbs | 4.96 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.51" | 14.13" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.93" | 10.2" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 7840U | Intel i5-12450H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 32 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9 Hours | 4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 39.3 Wh | 53.5 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 321 nits | 258 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.5/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8.4/10 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1440p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | 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 Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Lenovo ThinkPad T14
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Benjamin Herzig | December 2023
"We like a lot about this laptop. It has many ports, with the inclusion of RJ45-Ethernet as a defining feature. WWAN is upgradable for maximum flexibility and the ThinkPad has many security functions. Working with the ThinkPad input devices is a lot of fun, and Lenovo puts in a serviceable Low Power panel. The AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 7840U delivers a great performance and does not drain the battery fast. Fan noise and temperatures are nothing special, but also far away from bad. With the user replaceable keyboard, the ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 has a special feature rarely present on most modern laptops."
MSI Katana 15
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Dig into reviews and images
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 Lenovo ThinkPad T14 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.
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