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Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
Advantages of the LG Gram 16
- Good overall display quality
- Very good portability
- Excellent battery life
Advantages of the MSI Katana 17
- Very good for engineering and design
- Good for gaming and AI
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.4
7.9
3.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
2560 x 1600
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 17 is good for gaming and AI, while the LG Gram 16 is only fair.
The LG Gram 16, with integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, is suited for lighter gaming and therefore is not optimal for intensive 3D work or demanding games. In contrast, the MSI Katana 17 is equipped with a dedicated Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics card, which delivers much higher performance for gaming and 3D applications, but this also results in a heavier and less portable laptop compared to the LG Gram 16.
Engineering and Design
7.5
8.4
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
3.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Katana 17 is very good for engineering and design, while the LG Gram 16 is good.
While the LG Gram 16 is appreciated for its portability and near-silent operation, its lower-powered integrated graphics may impede complex 3D tasks, contrasting with the MSI Katana 17 which offers a powerful dedicated GPU and superior CPU, thus providing a smoother experience for engineering and design work that demands high computing power. The LG Gram's emphasis on lightweight design and higher screen resolution offers clear visuals and ease of transport, but MSI's focus on raw performance with a robust CPU, ample memory, and advanced graphical capabilities make it more suited for demanding engineering software and intensive design workflows.
Screen Quality
7.3
6.9
16.0in
SIZE
17.3in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
347.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
256.0 nits
The LG Gram 16 has a better screen than the MSI Katana 17 for general use, engineering and design, and software development, while the MSI Katana 17 has a better screen for gaming and AI.
The LG Gram 16 boasts a high-resolution display with bright and vivid colors, making it ideal for general use and engineering tasks that require accurate color reproduction. However, its refresh rate is lower, which is less suitable for the fast-paced visual requirements of 3D applications and gaming. In contrast, while the MSI Katana 17 offers a decent all-round display for everyday tasks and some design work, it lacks the advanced color gamut coverage required by professional designers and also falls short for gaming due to a refresh rate not tailored for high-speed graphics.
Battery
15.0 Hours
3.0 Hours
The LG Gram 16 has 15 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
Very Good
Fair
16.0in
SIZE
17.3in
2.6 lbs
WEIGHT
5.7 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The LG Gram 16 has very good portability, while the MSI Katana 17 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.8
7.9
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
347.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
256.0 nits
15.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
3.0 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
8.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.2/10
The MSI Katana 17 and LG Gram 16 are both good for general use.
The LG Gram 16 is favored for general use due to its greater portability and longer battery life, making it an ideal choice for those who prioritize mobility and usage away from power outlets. In contrast, the MSI Katana 17, while offering a larger screen and superior CPU and RAM for more demanding tasks, is less portable and has a shorter battery life, which may be less convenient for users who require a laptop for on-the-go use.
Content Creation
7.8
7.8
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Katana 17 and LG Gram 16 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.
Software Development
7.9
7.5
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The LG Gram 16 and MSI Katana 17 are both good for software development.
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.
Build Quality
7.0
7.2
The MSI Katana 17 and LG Gram 16 both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,450
$1,367
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The LG Gram 16 has a price of $1,450 and the MSI Katana 17 costs $1,367.
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How the LG Gram 16 and the MSI Katana 17 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| LG Gram 16 | MSI Katana 17 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,450 | $1,367 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2022 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14'' x 9.5'' x 0.66'' | 15.7'' x 10.8'' x 0.99'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.64 lbs | 5.73 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 13.96" | 15.67" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.53" | 10.75" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-1260P | Intel i7-13620H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 15 Hours | 3 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 80 Wh | 53.5 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 17.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 347 nits | 256 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.5/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 10/10 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7/10 | 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
LG Gram 16
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Florian Glaser | January 2023
"The LG Gram 16 is a lightweight device with stability issues. The LG Gram 16Z90Q with a Core i7-1260P is made with portability in mind and places less of a focus on users with high demands on performance. The compact and light chassis is particularly practical when you are on the go. The device is not only comfortably small and lightweight, it also boasts a great battery life. When connected to mains, on the other hand, the 16-inch device is rather disappointing. The standard cooling mode causes extreme volatility in terms of CPU, SSD and iGPU performance. The meager stability of the chassis may also put off some potential buyers."
MSI Katana 17
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Benjamin Herzig | February 2023
"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 LG Gram 16 or the MSI Katana 17
About LG
LG is a South Korean conglomerate company. While LG is mainly known for various products outside of technology, LG also develops laptops. Within the laptop industry, they are known for their thin-and-light Gram series, as well as their value-oriented Ultra series. LG laptops offer very thin and light laptops with phenomenal battery life, 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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