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Updated March 21, 2024·
If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option and you value portability and longer battery life for general use, the MSI Katana 15 would suit you. However, if you need a laptop for more demanding tasks like gaming or engineering software and are willing to invest more for higher performance at the cost of heavier weight and likely shorter battery life, the MSI Titan 18 HX is a better fit. Remember, with the Titan 18 HX, you'll get a larger screen but it will be less convenient to carry around. 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 Titan 18 HX.
Advantages of the MSI Titan 18 HX
- Very good for general use
- Best in class for engineering and design
- Excellent for gaming and AI
- Very good for software development
- Excellent for content creation
- Excellent overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Excellent speakers
- Best in class keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.5
8.8
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
258.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
4.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
10.0/10
6.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
5.0/10
The MSI Titan 18 HX is very good for general use, while the MSI Katana 15 is good.
The MSI Titan 18 HX, with its superior CPU and RAM, delivers better performance for demanding applications and multitasking, along with enhanced screen quality for a clearer and more vibrant display, although it is less portable and has a shorter battery life compared to the more compact and energy-efficient MSI Katana 15. Additionally, the Titan's larger storage capacity, higher-quality keyboard and speakers, and better heat management make it more suitable for intensive tasks, but it might produce more operating noise due to its powerful components.
Gaming and AI
7.6
9.4
8.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Titan 18 HX is excellent for gaming and AI, while the MSI Katana 15 is good.
The MSI Katana 15 offers a solid GPU and good screen refresh rate for gaming and some 3D work, but the MSI Titan 18 HX includes a top-tier GPU and an even higher refresh rate, which is excellent for demanding games and 3D graphics. While both have capable CPUs and quality screens, the superior GPU and refresh rate of the Titan model give it an edge for the most intensive tasks.
Engineering and Design
7.7
9.9
6.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
8.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
128.0 GB
The MSI Titan 18 HX is best in class for engineering and design, while the MSI Katana 15 is good.
The MSI Katana 15 has capable processing power and sufficient memory for typical engineering tasks, but the MSI Titan 18 HX offers a more powerful CPU, more RAM for complex designs, and a superior GPU that excels in rendering, alongside a higher quality screen for detail-oriented work. While the Katana 15 is lighter and quieter, making it more portable and comfortable for everyday use, the Titan's added weight and potential operating noise are tradeoffs for its top-tier performance and screen quality that professional engineers and designers may require.
Content Creation
7.4
9.0
6.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
16.0 GB
RAM
128.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
The MSI Titan 18 HX is excellent 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
8.9
6.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
128.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
10.0/10
The MSI Titan 18 HX 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
9.2
15.6in
SIZE
18.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
258.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
The MSI Titan 18 HX 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's screen may have sufficient resolution and brightness for daily tasks and engineering software, but its color range may fall short for precise design work and its refresh rate isn't ideal for the smooth visuals needed in high-paced gaming or detailed 3D rendering. On the other hand, the MSI Titan 18 HX offers a screen with superior resolution and brightness, enhancing the experience for both everyday and professional engineering applications; its wide color gamut ensures accurate color representation crucial for design. However, despite its excellent visual fidelity, it may not provide the high refresh rate demanded by gamers and 3D artists seeking fluid motion and reduced graphical latency.
Portability
Fair
Poor
15.6in
SIZE
18.0in
4.9 lbs
WEIGHT
7.9 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
1.2in
The MSI Katana 15 has only fair portability, while the MSI Titan 18 HX has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.2
8.5
The MSI Titan 18 HX 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
$4,800
$0
$1,000
$2,000
$3,000
$4,000
The MSI Katana 15 has a price of $949 and the MSI Titan 18 HX costs $4,800.
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Key similarities
Battery
4.0 Hours
4.0 Hours
The MSI Katana 15 has 4 hours of battery life. The MSI Titan 18 HX 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.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the MSI Katana 15 and the MSI Titan 18 HX compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| MSI Katana 15 | MSI Titan 18 HX |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$949 | $4,800 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2023 | February 1, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.98'' | 15.9'' x 12.1'' x 1.26'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.96 lbs | 7.93 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.13" | 15.9" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.2" | 12.08" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-12450H | Intel i9-14900HX | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 128 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 4 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 4096 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 4 Hours | 4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 53.5 Wh | 99.9 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 18" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | Mini LED | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 3840 x 2400 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 258 nits | 401 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.2/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.9/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 10/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 9.1/10 | |
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 | 3 | |
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 Titan 18 HX
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | January 2024
"With no new Nvidia GPU this year for laptops, MSI had to refresh everything surrounding the graphics card to make up for it. Users are getting a new 18-inch chassis design, new 14th gen Intel HX CPU, new AC adapter, larger keys, and a new 120 Hz HDR1000 mini-LED 4K display to accompany the high price tag. Most of these changes are a step up from last year's GT77, but users are ultimately getting the same gaming performance out of both models."
Get a great deal on the MSI Katana 15 or the MSI Titan 18 HX
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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