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Updated January 12, 2024·
The MSI Katana 15 is more expensive but offers better performance with a higher-end processor and graphics card, suitable for gaming or demanding tasks. It also has a larger screen and more memory storage, which is beneficial for intensive work like engineering or graphic design. On the other hand, the Packard Bell Cloudbook is much less expensive, lighter, and may suffice for basic tasks like web browsing and word processing. However, it has a weaker processor, less memory, and storage, which limits its utility for more intensive applications. The MSI's battery life tends to be lower due to its high-performance components. If portability and saving money are your priorities, and your tasks are limited to general use, the Packard Bell could be apt. If performance in complex tasks and gaming is essential, the MSI is the appropriate choice despite being heavier and having a shorter 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 general use
- Good for engineering and design
- Good for gaming and AI
- Good for software development
- Good for content creation
- Good overall build quality
- Good speakers
- Good keyboard
Advantages of the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14"
- Very good portability
- Good battery life
Key differences
General Use
7.5
5.7
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
258.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
200.0 nits
4.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.0 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
4.6/10
6.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.1/10
The MSI Katana 15 is good for general use, while the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" is poor.
The MSI Katana 15, offering more RAM, a powerful Intel i5 processor paired with Nvidia RTX graphics, and superior screen quality, is adept for general tasks, as these features contribute to faster performance, better multitasking, and a richer visual experience.
Gaming and AI
7.6
5.5
8.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
The MSI Katana 15 is good for gaming and AI, while the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" is poor.
The MSI Katana 15 is equipped with a powerful Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics card and a high screen refresh rate, ideal for demanding gaming and 3D applications, while the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" has a less capable Intel UHD Graphics 600 and a standard refresh rate, making it less suitable for such tasks.
Engineering and Design
7.7
5.5
6.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
8.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
The MSI Katana 15 is good for engineering and design, while the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" is poor.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Content Creation
7.4
5.9
6.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Katana 15 is good for content creation, while the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" is poor.
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
5.9
6.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
16.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
4.6/10
The MSI Katana 15 is good for software development, while the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" is poor.
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
5.8
15.6in
SIZE
14.1in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
258.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
200.0 nits
The MSI Katana 15 has a better screen than the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the MSI Katana 15's fair screen quality stems from an adequate balance of resolution, panel type, and brightness, which are crucial for everyday tasks like browsing and video streaming. In contrast, the Packard Bell Cloudbook's poor screen quality might be due to a lower resolution or subpar brightness, affecting the ease of reading text and viewing content. For engineering and design, the MSI Katana 15 offers acceptable color reproduction covering a range of color gamuts, while the Cloudbook falls short, which can lead to less accurate color work; for gaming and 3D, the Katana's modest refresh rate can handle motion decently, but both laptops may not provide the smooth visuals desired by gamers or professionals in 3D modeling.
Battery
4.0 Hours
7.0 Hours
The MSI Katana 15 has 4 hours of battery life. The Packard Bell Cloudbook 14 has 7 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
Very Good
15.6in
SIZE
14.1in
4.9 lbs
WEIGHT
2.7 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" has very good portability, while the MSI Katana 15 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.2
5.1
The MSI Katana 15 has good build quality, while the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$949
$350
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The MSI Katana 15 has a price of $949 and the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" costs $350.
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How the MSI Katana 15 and the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| MSI Katana 15 | Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$949 | $350 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2023 | January 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.98'' | 14.8'' x 9.6'' x 0.78'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.96 lbs | 2.7 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.13" | 14.76" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.2" | 9.56" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-12450H | Intel Celeron N4020 | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 4 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 128 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 4 Hours | 7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 53.5 Wh | 38 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 14.1" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 258 nits | 200 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.2/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.9/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7/10 | 8.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 4.6/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 6/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 3 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
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."
Get a great deal on the MSI Katana 15 or the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14"
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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