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 less expensive and offers a larger 15.6-inch display with a standard resolution, suitable for entry-level gaming and general tasks. The Razer Blade 14, while more costly, boasts a higher resolution on a smaller 14-inch screen and a more robust processor, better for intensive gaming, engineering, and creative work. The Blade also has a longer battery life and is lighter, enhancing portability. Decide based on your budget, need for high performance, and preference for screen size and portability. 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 Razer Blade 14 (2023).
Advantages of the Razer Blade 14 (2023)
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good for gaming and AI
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Very good portability
- Good battery life
- Excellent keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.5
8.1
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
258.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
560.0 nits
4.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
6.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Razer Blade 14 (2023) is very good for general use, while the MSI Katana 15 is good.
The Razer Blade 14 (2023) has a superior CPU, a higher-resolution screen, and considerably longer battery life, enhancing its performance and usability for general tasks. Meanwhile, the MSI Katana 15 offers similar RAM and graphics but falls short in portability and display quality compared to the Razer Blade 14, affecting its suitability for on-the-go use and multimedia enjoyment.
Gaming and AI
7.6
8.4
8.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.5/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The Razer Blade 14 (2023) is very good for gaming and AI, while the MSI Katana 15 is good.
The Razer Blade 14 outperforms the MSI Katana 15 in gaming and 3D due to its higher screen refresh rate which provides smoother motion and a superior CPU contributing to overall better performance. While both laptops have similar GPUs necessary for graphics-intensive tasks, the Razer Blade's higher-quality screen offers greater color accuracy and brightness, enhancing the visual experience in gaming and 3D applications.
Engineering and Design
7.7
8.7
6.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
8.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Razer Blade 14 (2023) is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Katana 15 is good.
The Razer Blade 14 (2023), with its higher-resolution display and stronger CPU, offers superior screen quality and performance for engineering and design work compared to the MSI Katana 15. However, the MSI Katana 15 balances a positive trade-off with a larger screen and additional ports for connectivity, making it a competitive option for users who prioritize a bigger display and I/O versatility alongside reasonable performance and screen quality.
Content Creation
7.4
8.2
6.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Razer Blade 14 (2023) 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
7.9
6.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Razer Blade 14 (2023) and MSI Katana 15 are both good for software development, though the Razer Blade 14 (2023) is somewhat better.
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
8.9
15.6in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
258.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
560.0 nits
The Razer Blade 14 has a better screen than the MSI Katana 15 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
If you're primarily using your laptop for everyday tasks like browsing or document editing, both the MSI Katana 15 and Razer Blade 14 offer displays that are more than adequate, with the Razer Blade standing out for its high resolution and brightness, which enhance visibility and clarity. For engineering and design work where accurate colors are crucial, the Razer Blade's superior color coverage with wide gamuts will provide more precise and vivid color representation, making it a better fit over the MSI. However, if you're into 3D gaming, neither laptop is ideal due to their lower refresh rates, which means they won't provide as smooth motion for fast-paced games, though their resolutions and panel types still offer a decent visual experience.
Battery
4.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The MSI Katana 15 has 4 hours of battery life. The Razer Blade 14 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.
Portability
Fair
Very Good
15.6in
SIZE
14.0in
4.9 lbs
WEIGHT
4.0 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Razer Blade 14 (2023) 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
8.5
The Razer Blade 14 (2023) 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
$2,400
$0
$1,000
$2,000
$3,000
$4,000
The MSI Katana 15 has a price of $949 and the Razer Blade 14 (2023) costs $2,400.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Laptop
Find your new laptop
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the MSI Katana 15 and the Razer Blade 14 (2023) compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| MSI Katana 15 | Razer Blade 14 (2023) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$949 | $2,400 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2023 | June 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.98'' | 12.2'' x 9'' x 0.7'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.96 lbs | 4.05 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.13" | 12.23" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.2" | 8.97" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-12450H | AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 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 | 68.1 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 240Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 258 nits | 560 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.2/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.9/10 | 8/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7/10 | 6.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
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 Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
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."
Razer Blade 14 (2023)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | May 2022
"After making a huge splash with the original 2021 model, it's expected that the 2022 refresh would be more of a minor update to an already impressive machine. It adds a higher resolution webcam (720p to 1080p), faster CPU (Ryzen 9 5900HX to Ryzen 9 6900HX), faster GPU (RTX 3070/3080 to 3070/3080 Ti), faster RAM (DDR4-3200 to DDR5-4800), faster M.2 SSD support (PCIe3 x4 to PCIe4 x4), newer WLAN module (Killer AX1690i to Qualcomm WCN685x), and a MUX switch for the new integrated Radeon 680M GPU. It's indubitably an upgrade especially in terms of single-thread processor performance."
Get a great deal on the MSI Katana 15 or the Razer Blade 14 (2023)
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.
About Razer
Razer is an American-Singaporean technology company. Razer is best known for their Blade series laptops, well known for their strong performance and sleek design. Although Razer charges a premium price tag for their laptops, buyers can expect a stealthy laptop with clean fit and finish and strong performance. All of their models offer great portability and build quality compared to other gaming laptops.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Laptop guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare MSI Katana 15 vs. Dell Latitude 5431
VS
Compare MSI Katana 15 vs. Lenovo Flex 5 14
VS
Compare MSI Katana 15 vs. Gigabyte G5
VS
Compare Razer Blade 14 (2023) vs. Eluktronics Mech-15 G3R
VS
Compare Razer Blade 14 (2023) vs. Lenovo Legion Pro 7i
VS
Compare Razer Blade 14 (2023) vs. Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023)
VS
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
