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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 16, 2024·
The MSI Katana 17 offers a larger screen size, which is ideal for immersive gaming and multitasking, but it is heavier, making it less portable. Its Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics card will provide robust performance for gaming and 3D applications. On the other hand, the MSI Prestige 16 has a higher screen resolution, which means sharper images and text, and a significantly longer battery life, making it more suited for productivity and on-the-go use. It is lighter and therefore easier to carry around, but it features integrated graphics, which are less powerful for gaming or intensive graphics tasks compared to the Katana's discrete GPU. The Prestige also comes with Windows 11 Pro, offering additional business features over the Home edition found in the Katana. If gaming or graphics performance is more critical for you, go for the Katana 17; if mobility and battery life are priorities, the Prestige 16 would be a better fit. 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 17
- Good for gaming and AI
Advantages of the MSI Prestige 16
- Very good for general use
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall display quality
- Good portability
- Good battery life
- Very good speakers
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.9
6.7
8.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Katana 17 is good for gaming and AI, while the MSI Prestige 16 is only fair.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Software Development
7.5
8.1
8.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Prestige 16 is very good for software development, while the MSI Katana 17 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
6.9
8.3
17.3in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
256.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
The MSI Prestige 16 has a better screen than the MSI Katana 17 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
When choosing between the MSI Katana 17 and the MSI Prestige 16, consider that for general use, the MSI Prestige 16's higher resolution and brightness provide clearer and more vibrant visuals. For engineering and design, the MSI Prestige 16 stands out with its wider color gamut coverage, ensuring more accurate color reproduction. However, for gaming and 3D applications, both laptops may fall short due to lower refresh rates, which can affect the smoothness of fast-moving images.
Battery
3.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The MSI Katana 17 has 3 hours of battery life. The MSI Prestige 16 has 7.5 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
Good
17.3in
SIZE
16.0in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
4.2 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The MSI Prestige 16 has good portability, while the MSI Katana 17 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,367
$1,611
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The MSI Katana 17 has a price of $1,367 and the MSI Prestige 16 costs $1,611.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.9
8.4
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
256.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
3.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
6.2/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.6/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Prestige 16 to be very good for general use, while the MSI Katana 17 is good.
The MSI Katana 17 and MSI Prestige 16 are both well-equipped for general use, boasting solid CPUs and ample RAM, ensuring smooth performance for everyday tasks. The Katana 17 offers a larger screen and better gaming capabilities with a dedicated GPU, but the Prestige 16 excels in portability with a lighter build and longer battery life, along with a higher-resolution screen which enhances visual clarity and color accuracy for productivity tasks.
Engineering and Design
8.4
8.2
8.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
8.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Katana 17 and MSI Prestige 16 are both very good for engineering and design.
The MSI Katana 17 is equipped with a powerful CPU and dedicated GPU, making it suitable for demanding engineering and design tasks, but it's heavier and less portable than the MSI Prestige 16, which also has a high-performance CPU and high-resolution screen for sharp visuals, though it relies on integrated graphics which may not be suitable for the most intensive graphic design tasks. Both have ample RAM but the Prestige 16 offers better portability, a higher quality keyboard and speaks, and a quieter operating noise which benefits users who prioritize mobility and a quieter working environment.
Content Creation
7.8
8.3
8.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Prestige 16 to be very good for content creation, while the MSI Katana 17 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.
Build Quality
7.2
7.4
The MSI Prestige 16 and MSI Katana 17 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 17 and the MSI Prestige 16 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| MSI Katana 17 | MSI Prestige 16 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,367 | $1,611 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | January 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 15.7'' x 10.8'' x 0.99'' | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.66'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.73 lbs | 4.2 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 15.67" | 14.09" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.75" | 10.18" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-13620H | Intel i7-13700H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 32 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 3 Hours | 7.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 53.5 Wh | 82 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 17.3" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 256 nits | 400 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.2/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.2/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
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 | Yes | |
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 Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
MSI Katana 17
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Benjamin Herzig | February 2023
"The MSI Katana 17 B13V laptop impressed us in its main area of competency - gaming. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 ensures high-performance levels which can compete with the previous generation's RTX 3070 Ti. In addition to the speedy GPU, the MSI comes with a 144 Hz display as well as an RGB keyboard and provides a very good typing experience. Despite the power at hand, the laptop remains comparatively cool."
MSI Prestige 16
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Dig into reviews and images
Make Use Of
Paul Antill | June 2023
"The MSI Prestige 16 Evo: 2023's best value 16” thin & light laptop with i7-13700H. One of the top choices for professionals and students seeking a high-performance, portable computing solution in 2023. While the MSI Prestige 16 Evo A13M may not boast the most striking design compared to some other 16" options, its relatively "safe" styling lends itself well to professional and educational environments. Significantly, it doesn't compromise on essential features like port selection or cooling performance, ensuring seamless connectivity and efficient thermal management. The 16 Evo A13M offers an excellent combination of performance, portability, and functionality, making it a compelling choice for professionals and students alike."
Get a great deal on the MSI Katana 17 or the MSI Prestige 16
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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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.
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