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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
The LG Ultra 13 provides better portability and is significantly less expensive, with a lightweight design and a smaller screen, making it suitable for general use and tasks that don't require heavy computational power. On the other hand, the MSI Katana 15, while more expensive, offers a better performance with a more powerful processor and dedicated graphics card, which is ideal for gaming, 3D modeling, machine learning, and engineering software. It also has a higher refresh rate display, beneficial for a smoother visual experience. However, it's heavier and may not be as convenient to carry around as the LG Ultra 13. Consider what's more important for your needs: the mobility and lower cost of the LG Ultra 13 or the higher performance and gaming capabilities of the MSI Katana 15. 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 LG Ultra 13
- Excellent portability
- Very good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Katana 15
- Good for engineering and design
- Good for gaming and AI
- Good speakers
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.1
7.6
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
8.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Katana 15 is good for gaming and AI, while the LG Ultra 13 is only fair.
The MSI Katana 15 offers a more advanced gaming GPU and a higher screen refresh rate, which are crucial for smooth and detailed gaming experiences, while the LG Ultra 13 has a less powerful integrated graphics setup and a lower refresh rate making it less suited for intensive gaming and 3D applications.
Engineering and Design
6.6
7.7
4.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.6/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Katana 15 is good for engineering and design, while the LG Ultra 13 is only fair.
The LG Ultra 13, with an AMD Ryzen 7 CPU and integrated Vega 7 graphics, delivers fair performance in engineering and design tasks due to moderate processing and graphical capabilities, but its lightweight and excellent portability make it convenient for on-the-go use.
Screen Quality
6.9
6.8
13.3in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
300.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
258.0 nits
The LG Ultra 13 has a better screen than the MSI Katana 15 for general use, and engineering and design, while the MSI Katana 15 has a better screen for gaming and AI.
If you prioritize sharp visuals for casual activities or work, the LG Ultra 13's better resolution and brightness will provide a clearer and more vivid display compared to the MSI Katana 15. For engineering and design tasks that demand color accuracy, you'll appreciate the LG's coverage of professional color gamuts, ensuring more precise hues and shades. However, if fast-paced gaming or 3D applications are your main focus, neither the LG Ultra 13 nor the MSI Katana 15 will be ideal due to their lack of high refresh rates, which are crucial for smooth motion rendering.
Battery
10.0 Hours
4.0 Hours
The LG Ultra 13 has 10 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
Excellent
Fair
13.3in
SIZE
15.6in
2.1 lbs
WEIGHT
4.9 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The LG Ultra 13 has excellent portability, while the MSI Katana 15 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$529
$949
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The LG Ultra 13 has a price of $529 and the MSI Katana 15 costs $949.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.2
7.5
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
300.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
258.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
9.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.9/10
The MSI Katana 15 and LG Ultra 13 are both good for general use.
The LG Ultra 13 is favored for its excellent portability due to its smaller, lightweight design and robust battery life, making it ideal for general use on the go, while its screen quality and RAM are up to the task for typical workloads. The MSI Katana 15, with ample storage space, a backlit keyboard, and more powerful graphics capabilities, is also suitable for general usage but it's heavier and has a significantly shorter battery life, meaning it's less convenient for frequent mobility.
Content Creation
7.2
7.4
4.7/10
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 MSI Katana 15 and LG Ultra 13 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
7.2
7.0
4.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The LG Ultra 13 and MSI Katana 15 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
7.4
7.2
The LG Ultra 13 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 LG Ultra 13 and the MSI Katana 15 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| LG Ultra 13 | MSI Katana 15 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$529 | $949 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2021 | February 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.1'' x 8.1'' x 0.6'' | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.98'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.16 lbs | 4.96 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.08" | 14.13" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.14" | 10.2" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 4700U | Intel i5-12450H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10 Hours | 4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 51 Wh | 53.5 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.3" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 300 nits | 258 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9.3/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | 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 | 1 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
LG Ultra 13
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Dig into reviews and images
CNET
Joshua Goldman | April 2017
"The 13.3-inch LG Gram is a fine fit if you need to travel as light as possible for as long as possible without spending a fortune to do it. It might not be particularly sturdy or have an eye-catching design and its webcam is less than ideal, but with its sharp touch display, comfortable backlit keyboard, responsive touchpad and a fingerprint reader for extra security, the Gram makes a respectible everyday laptop for business or school work."
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 LG Ultra 13 or the MSI Katana 15
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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