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Updated January 10, 2024·
The MSI Katana 15 is less expensive and offers strong gaming performance with a dedicated Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics card and a high refresh rate screen, but it has a lower resolution display and less RAM than the MSI Prestige 16. Conversely, the Prestige 16 is better equipped for demanding engineering tasks and professional use with more powerful processing capabilities, more RAM, and a higher resolution screen with better color accuracy. It also has superior battery life and is lighter, which makes it more portable. However, this comes with a higher price tag. Choose the Katana 15 for gaming or if on a tighter budget, and the Prestige 16 for professional and engineering work, or if you need a more portable device with longer battery life. 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 MSI Katana 15
- Good for gaming and AI
Advantages of the MSI Prestige 16
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall display quality
- Good portability
- Good battery life
- Very good speakers
Key differences
General Use
7.5
8.4
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
258.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
4.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
6.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.6/10
The MSI Prestige 16 is very good for general use, while the MSI Katana 15 is good.
The MSI Katana 15 has a more basic CPU and less RAM compared to the MSI Prestige 16, which affects general performance, while the Prestige 16's superior screen quality, including higher resolution and color accuracy, offers a better visual experience. Additionally, the Prestige 16's longer battery life and lighter, thinner design improve portability and on-the-go use, making it more suited for demanding general use.
Gaming and AI
7.6
6.7
8.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Katana 15 is good for gaming and AI, while the MSI Prestige 16 is only fair.
The MSI Katana 15 is favored by gamers due to its high screen refresh rate and powerful GPU that enable smoother visuals and faster response times in games and 3D applications. The MSI Prestige 16, while also delivering strong gaming and 3D performance with a capable GPU, offers a balance of power with a high-quality screen, making it better for creators who also require better color accuracy and detail.
Engineering and Design
7.7
8.2
6.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
8.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Prestige 16 is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Katana 15 is good.
The MSI Prestige 16 outperforms the MSI Katana 15 for engineering and design use primarily due to its superior CPU, which is more advanced and powerful, along with double the RAM, enhancing multitasking and complex tasks handling capability. Additionally, the Prestige 16 boasts a higher resolution and color quality screen, which benefits detailed visual work, even though it may be less portable and have a less aggressive gaming aesthetic compared to the Katana 15.
Content Creation
7.4
8.3
6.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Prestige 16 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
7.0
8.1
6.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Prestige 16 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
6.8
8.3
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
258.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
The MSI Prestige 16 has a better screen than the MSI Katana 15 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
When considering the MSI Katana 15 and Prestige 16 laptops, the Prestige 16, with its superior panel type, resolution, and brightness, lends itself to clearer and more vivid imagery for general use and intricate details needed for engineering and design tasks. Its display covers a wider range of colors, crucial for tasks that require color accuracy, like photo editing or graphic design. However, for gaming and 3D work, both laptops fall short due to their lower refresh rates, which could lead to less smooth visuals in fast-paced games or when navigating 3D environments.
Battery
4.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The MSI Katana 15 has 4 hours of battery life. The MSI Prestige 16 has 7.5 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
Fair
Good
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
4.9 lbs
WEIGHT
4.2 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The MSI Prestige 16 has good portability, while the MSI Katana 15 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$949
$1,611
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The MSI Katana 15 has a price of $949 and the MSI Prestige 16 costs $1,611.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
7.2
7.4
The MSI Prestige 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 MSI Katana 15 and the MSI Prestige 16 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| MSI Katana 15 | MSI Prestige 16 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$949 | $1,611 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2023 | January 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.98'' | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.66'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.96 lbs | 4.2 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.13" | 14.09" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.2" | 10.18" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-12450H | Intel i7-13700H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 4 Hours | 7.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 53.5 Wh | 82 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 258 nits | 400 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.2/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.9/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | No | |
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 | 7.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 3 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
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."
MSI Prestige 16
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Dig into reviews and images
Make Use Of
Paul Antill | June 2023
"The MSI Prestige 16 Evo: 2023's best value 16” thin & light laptop with i7-13700H. One of the top choices for professionals and students seeking a high-performance, portable computing solution in 2023. While the MSI Prestige 16 Evo A13M may not boast the most striking design compared to some other 16" options, its relatively "safe" styling lends itself well to professional and educational environments. Significantly, it doesn't compromise on essential features like port selection or cooling performance, ensuring seamless connectivity and efficient thermal management. The 16 Evo A13M offers an excellent combination of performance, portability, and functionality, making it a compelling choice for professionals and students alike."
Get a great deal on the MSI Katana 15 or the MSI Prestige 16
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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