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Updated January 12, 2024·
Choosing between the MSI Katana 17 and the MSI Thin GF63 involves several tradeoffs. The MSI Katana 17 is a more expensive option but comes with higher-end components like a better graphics card and a larger screen, which would be better suited for intensive tasks like gaming or 3D rendering and provides a more immersive experience for media consumption. However, it's heavier and less portable than the MSI Thin GF63, which, despite having lower-tier specs, is lighter and easier to carry around for everyday use or travel. The MSI Thin GF63 is also more budget-friendly, making it a good choice if price is a significant consideration and if you're using it for general computing tasks or less demanding activities. 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
- Very good for engineering and design
- Good for gaming and AI
- Good overall build quality
- Good speakers
Advantages of the MSI Thin GF63
- Good portability
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.9
6.9
8.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
5.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.0/10
The MSI Katana 17 is good for gaming and AI, while the MSI Thin GF63 is only fair.
The MSI Katana 17 is equipped with a more powerful GPU which is crucial for high-performance gaming and 3D rendering, and its larger screen offers a more immersive experience but at the expense of greater size and weight compared to the MSI Thin GF63, which also has a capable GPU for gaming and 3D tasks but with a smaller, more portable form factor.
Engineering and Design
8.4
7.5
8.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
8.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
5.6/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Katana 17 is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Thin GF63 is good.
The MSI Katana 17 excels in engineering and design due to its higher RAM and a more powerful GPU, which benefit software used in these fields, and its larger screen offers more workspace, although it is less portable compared to the MSI Thin GF63. The GF63, while still suitable for engineering and design tasks with considerable CPU and GPU capabilities and sufficient RAM for many applications, is more portable with a smaller screen size and lighter build but sacrifices some performance and screen real estate compared to the Katana 17.
Screen Quality
6.9
6.8
17.3in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
256.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
262.0 nits
The MSI Katana 17 has a better screen than the MSI Thin GF63 for general use, software development, and content creation.
The MSI Katana 17's screen shines in general use because its panel type, resolution, and brightness combine to offer a clear and vivid viewing experience. When it comes to engineering and design tasks, it provides enough color accuracy for most work but may fall short for professionals who need to work within wider color gamuts for precise color work. However, gamers and 3D designers might find the lower refresh rate less suitable for their needs, as it doesn't support the smooth visuals and quick response they often require.
Battery
3.0 Hours
4.5 Hours
The MSI Katana 17 has 3 hours of battery life. The MSI Thin GF63 has 4.5 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
15.6in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
4.1 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The MSI Thin GF63 has good portability, while the MSI Katana 17 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.2
6.5
The MSI Katana 17 has good build quality, while the MSI Thin GF63 has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,367
$1,150
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The MSI Katana 17 has a price of $1,367 and the MSI Thin GF63 costs $1,150.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.9
7.4
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
256.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
262.0 nits
3.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.5 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
6.2/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.3/10
The MSI Katana 17 and MSI Thin GF63 are both good for general use.
The MSI Katana 17 is "very good" for general use owing to its larger screen, more RAM, and superior heat management, which accommodate multitasking and prolonged use comfortably, but it is less portable and has a shorter battery life compared to the MSI Thin GF63. Although the MSI Thin GF63 is rated "good" for general use with decent screen quality, it offers greater portability and a slightly longer battery life, but it has less RAM, which could limit performance during intensive tasks.
Content Creation
7.8
7.4
8.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Katana 17 and MSI Thin GF63 are both good for content creation.
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
7.5
7.2
8.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Katana 17 and MSI Thin GF63 are both good for software development.
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.
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How the MSI Katana 17 and the MSI Thin GF63 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| MSI Katana 17 | MSI Thin GF63 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,367 | $1,150 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 15.7'' x 10.8'' x 0.99'' | 14.1'' x 10'' x 0.85'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.73 lbs | 4.1 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 15.67" | 14.13" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.75" | 9.99" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-13620H | Intel i7-12650H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 32 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 3 Hours | 4.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 53.5 Wh | 51 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 17.3" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 144Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 256 nits | 262 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.2/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.2/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
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 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
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 Thin GF63
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Charles Jeffries | November 2022
"The MSI GF63 Thin 11SC can be an admirable value for gamers and power users on a minimal budget. For just $599 as reviewed in its base model, its Intel Core i5 H-class processor and Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 graphics perform much better than low-wattage CPUs and integrated graphics. That said, this is a light-class gaming laptop. Low scores in our demanding gaming benchmarks indicate using lower visual-quality settings will be required for playable performance."
Get a great deal on the MSI Katana 17 or the MSI Thin GF63
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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