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Updated March 13, 2024·
When deciding between the MSI Katana 15 and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x, consider that the MSI Katana 15 usually offers better performance for gaming or visually intensive tasks at a lower price, but it may be larger and heavier, making it less portable. The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x, while typically a bit more expensive, is more compact and lighter, ideal for travel and general business use, but may not handle demanding applications as well. Consider your primary needs: if portability and business tasks are a priority, go for the ThinkBook; if performance for heavy tasks is more important and you don't mind some extra weight, choose the Katana. 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 gaming and AI
Advantages of the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall display quality
- Excellent portability
- Good battery life
- Very good speakers
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.6
6.6
8.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.3/10
The MSI Katana 15 is good for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x is only fair.
The MSI Katana 15 offers a dedicated high-performance graphics card and a higher screen refresh rate, which is crucial for smooth visuals in gaming and 3D applications, while the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x, with a less powerful GPU and lower refresh rate, is less suited for these tasks despite its adequate processor and decent screen quality. The ThinkBook, though, may offer greater portability and battery life, making it a better choice for general use over the more gaming-oriented MSI laptop.
Content Creation
7.4
8.0
6.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x 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
8.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x and MSI Katana 15 are both good for software development, though the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x 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
8.2
15.6in
SIZE
13.5in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
258.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
500.0 nits
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x has a better screen than the MSI Katana 15 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x offers superior screen quality due to its higher resolution and brightness levels, making it more comfortable for reading, browsing, and productivity tasks. In engineering and design, the ThinkBook stands out with its richer color accuracy and broader color gamuts like DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB, which are essential for precise visual work. However, for gaming and 3D applications, both laptops fall short, as they lack high refresh rates that are key for smooth motion and responsiveness during fast-paced visuals.
Battery
4.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The MSI Katana 15 has 4 hours of battery life. The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x has 8 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
Excellent
15.6in
SIZE
13.5in
4.9 lbs
WEIGHT
2.7 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x has excellent portability, while the MSI Katana 15 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$949
$1,399
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The MSI Katana 15 has a price of $949 and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x costs $1,399.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.5
7.9
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
258.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
500.0 nits
4.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
6.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.3/10
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x and MSI Katana 15 are both good for general use.
The MSI Katana 15, with its robust CPU and generous RAM, caters well to general use, offering smooth multitasking and efficient performance for everyday tasks, but its larger size can affect portability compared to the more compact Lenovo ThinkBook 13x, which provides a balance of good screen quality, ease of carrying, and longer battery life, making it also suitable for on-the-go usage without compromising much on performance. Both laptops have ample storage, comfortable keyboards, decent speaker quality, and are designed to manage heat and operating noise effectively.
Engineering and Design
7.7
7.9
6.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.6/10
8.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x and MSI Katana 15 are both good for engineering and design.
The MSI Katana 15, with its powerful CPU, ample RAM, and dedicated GPU, excels in demanding tasks like 3D modeling and simulations that are crucial for engineering and design, while also offering a high-quality screen for precise visual work. The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x, though more portable and with a high-quality keyboard, has sufficient performance for engineering design, but its lighter build and potentially quieter operation make it a better fit for professionals on the move who may prioritize a balance between performance and ease of transport.
Build Quality
7.2
7.6
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x and MSI Katana 15 both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the MSI Katana 15 and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| MSI Katana 15 | Lenovo ThinkBook 13x |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$949 | $1,399 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2023 | January 30, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.98'' | 11.6'' x 8.1'' x 0.5'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.96 lbs | 2.7 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.13" | 11.6" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.2" | 8.1" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-12450H | Intel Core Ultra 5 125H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 4 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 53.5 Wh | 74 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 13.5" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2880 x 1920 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 258 nits | 500 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.2/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.9/10 | 9.4/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 3 | 0 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 3 | |
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."
Get a great deal on the MSI Katana 15 or the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x
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 Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company, and one of the largest personal computer vendor. They are well known for a variety of technology products, including laptops. Their consumer series include their entry level IdeaPad and LOQ series and mid-to-high-end Yoga and Legion series. On the business-oriented side, their series include their entry-level ThinkBook series and mid-to-high-end ThinkPad series. Lenovo laptops offer strong performance for reasonable prices, and are often on sale.
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