A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The MSI Katana 15 is more budget-friendly and offers good general performance and satisfactory capabilities for gaming and engineering with its RTX 4060 GPU. The lighter weight makes it more portable, but its shorter battery life and lower screen resolution might be drawbacks for some users. Conversely, the MSI Stealth GS77 is more expensive, but it comes with a more powerful processor, double the RAM, and a higher-resolution screen that could prove beneficial for intensive engineering tasks, 3D rendering, and machine learning work. It also touts a significantly larger battery, which might make it ideal for users needing longer unplugged runtime despite it being heavier and possibly less portable. 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
- The MSI Katana 15 has no clear advantages over the MSI Stealth GS77.
Advantages of the MSI Stealth GS77
- 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
- Very good overall build quality
- Good battery life
- Very good speakers
- Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.5
8.4
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
258.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
4.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
6.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.4/10
The MSI Stealth GS77 is very good for general use, while the MSI Katana 15 is good.
The MSI Stealth GS77 outshines the MSI Katana 15 for general use primarily due to its more powerful CPU, double the RAM, and superior screen quality, which includes higher resolution and greater color space coverage, leading to crisper, more vibrant visuals. However, despite its heavier weight and slightly lower battery life, the Stealth GS77's increased performance and premium features such as a larger screen size and better build quality make it better suited for demanding tasks, while the Katana 15 offers a balanced mix of portability, satisfactory screen quality, and adequate power for everyday computing needs.
Engineering and Design
7.7
8.7
6.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
8.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Stealth GS77 is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Katana 15 is good.
The MSI Stealth GS77 stands out for engineering and design with its more powerful Intel i7 processor, double the RAM, and a superior Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti GPU compared to the MSI Katana 15's Intel i5 processor, half the RAM, and Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU, impacting performance significantly.
Content Creation
7.4
8.3
6.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Stealth GS77 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
9.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The MSI Stealth GS77 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
17.3in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
258.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
The MSI Stealth GS77 has a better screen than the MSI Katana 15 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The MSI Katana 15 has a screen that provides adequate clarity and brightness for everyday tasks and work in engineering, but its color range is limited, and it doesn't have the high refresh rates demanded by gaming and 3D applications, making fast-paced visuals less smooth. On the other hand, the MSI Stealth GS77 offers a higher quality display with crisper resolution and wider color coverage, which benefits professionals in engineering and design who need precise color accuracy, but like the Katana 15, it falls short for gaming and 3D due to its lower refresh rate, which means it won't render motion as fluidly as specialized gaming laptops. For general usage and professional design work, the Stealth GS77 is superior due to its superior screen, but neither laptop is ideal for high-end gaming or 3D modeling where high refresh rates are crucial.
Battery
4.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The MSI Katana 15 has 4 hours of battery life. The MSI Stealth GS77 has 6 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.
Build Quality
7.2
8.0
The MSI Stealth GS77 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
$949
$2,499
$0
$1,000
$2,000
$3,000
$4,000
The MSI Katana 15 has a price of $949 and the MSI Stealth GS77 costs $2,499.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Laptop
Find your new laptop
Key similarities
Gaming and AI
7.6
7.9
8.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.8/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Stealth GS77 and MSI Katana 15 are both good for gaming and AI.
The MSI Katana 15, equipped with an Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU and a screen refresh rate of 144 Hz, offers solid gaming and 3D performance, while the MSI Stealth GS77 delivers top-tier gaming and 3D experiences thanks to a higher-end Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti and a smoother 240 Hz refresh rate. The Stealth GS77's superior GPU and screen quality, which include higher screen resolution and refresh rate, justify its classification as very good in gaming and 3D tasks, compared to the Katana 15.
Portability
Fair
Fair
15.6in
SIZE
17.3in
4.9 lbs
WEIGHT
6.1 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The MSI Katana 15 and MSI Stealth GS77 both have only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the MSI Katana 15 and the MSI Stealth GS77 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| MSI Katana 15 | MSI Stealth GS77 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$949 | $2,499 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2023 | May 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.98'' | 15.7'' x 11.2'' x 0.79'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.96 lbs | 6.17 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.13" | 15.65" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.2" | 11.16" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-12450H | Intel i7-12700H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 4 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 53.5 Wh | 99.9 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 17.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2560 x 1440 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 240Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 258 nits | 305 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.2/10 | 8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.9/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
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 | 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
See more
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 Stealth GS77
See more
Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | April 2022
"The MSI Stealth GS77 is better than the GS76... mostly. The GS77 is a few steps forward and a few steps back from the GS76. Improvements are numerous including the stronger and more rigid skeleton, higher resolution webcam, larger clickpad, easier serviceability, relatively similar battery runtimes, newer display options, and higher performance at about the same TDP and TGP levels as before. CPU performance is better than expected even when compared to other laptops with Core i7 or Core i9 processors. The newer model feels more substantial than the outgoing one for higher quality impressions as well."
Get a great deal on the MSI Katana 15 or the MSI Stealth GS77
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Laptop guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
FAQs
FAQs about laptops
Why trust us
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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
124,395
Recommendations made
26,953
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.
Featured in
