MSI Katana 15 vs Lenovo ThinkBook 13s

The MSI Katana 15 is better suited for gaming and 3D applications due to its Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics card which outperforms the integrated graphics found in the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s, and its higher screen refresh rate of 144Hz provides smoother visuals compared to the ThinkBook 13's 60Hz. While both have quality IPS displays, the higher-spec GPU and faster screen refresh rate give the MSI a clear advantage for more demanding visual tasks.

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.

The MSI Katana 15's screen may not offer the vividness and sharpness desired for gaming and 3D due to its lower refresh rate and moderate resolution, making fast-paced visuals less fluid and detailed. The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s provides superior visual clarity and color accuracy for general use and professional tasks like engineering and design, thanks to its higher resolution and suitable color gamut coverage. However, like the MSI, it falls short for gaming and 3D purposes because of a refresh rate that doesn't match the demands for smooth motion.

Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.

The MSI Katana 15 is suited for general use with a capable CPU and sufficient RAM for everyday tasks, a high refresh rate IPS screen for smooth visuals, but its larger size and weight make it less portable compared to the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s. The ThinkBook 13s, while also having a powerful CPU and ample RAM, further benefits from a higher resolution screen with touch capability, superior battery life, and a highly portable design, making it a good choice for on-the-move users who prioritize screen quality and longevity over gaming-specific features such as ray tracing from a discrete GPU.

The MSI Katana 15 is suitable for engineering and design due to its higher-end dedicated GPU and larger screen, which is beneficial for resource-intensive applications and detailed work, while the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s, despite having an integrated GPU, offers a higher resolution touchscreen and lighter build, which enhances image quality and portability but may not handle demanding graphics as efficiently. Both laptops have adequate CPU and RAM for engineering tasks, but the MSI's GPU and Lenovo's superior screen and portability present clear tradeoffs between graphics performance and display quality versus mobility and convenience.

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.

PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.