If you're looking for better performance for gaming or intensive tasks, the MSI Katana 17 is equipped with a more powerful graphics card and processor, it also has a larger screen but is heavier, which affects portability. However, the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s is more portable due to its lighter weight and smaller size, and its screen has a higher resolution for crisper visuals. It's also less expensive but doesn't perform as well in demanding applications. The ThinkBook may also offer better battery life, making it suitable for on-the-go use where power outlets are scarce. Consider these tradeoffs in relation to your needs and budget when making your decision. 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
Advantages of the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s
Good overall display quality
Excellent portability
Good battery life
Very good speakers
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.9/10
6.4/10
8.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.3/10
The MSI Katana 17 is good for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s is only fair.
The MSI Katana 17 offers better gaming and 3D capabilities mainly because it has a dedicated Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics card and a higher screen refresh rate of 144Hz, compared to the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s which uses integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics and has a lower refresh rate of 60Hz. While the ThinkBook 13s has a higher resolution display which can be better for general screen quality, for gaming and 3D tasks, the superior GPU and refresh rate of the Katana 17 provide a more fluid and immersive experience.
Engineering and Design
8.4/10
7.5/10
8.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
8.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Katana 17 is very good for engineering and design, while the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s is good.
The MSI Katana 17 offers a robust Intel i7 processor, plentiful 32GB of RAM, and a high-performing Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU, alongside a large screen, making it very good for demanding engineering and design tasks. In contrast, the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s has a capable Intel i7 processor and integrated graphics suitable for less intensive engineering work, its high-resolution screen and ultra-portable design also offer good quality for design, but its smaller RAM and onboard GPU make it slightly less optimal for highly demanding tasks.
Screen Quality
6.9/10
7.2/10
17.3in
SIZE
13.3in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
256.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
336.0 nits
The MSI Katana 17 has a better screen than the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s has a better screen for general use, and engineering and design.
For general use, the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s offers a balanced combination of resolution, panel quality, and brightness, making for a pleasant viewing experience in various lighting conditions, while the MSI Katana 17's comparable qualities make it suitable but slightly less optimal due to lower brightness. When it comes to engineering and design, the ThinkBook's superior color accuracy and broader color gamut stand out, ensuring precise color representation crucial for professional creative work, whereas the Katana 17 falls short with less comprehensive color coverage. As for gaming and 3D applications, both laptops lack the high refresh rates required for smooth motion rendering, though the Katana's larger screen may be preferred for immersive gameplay, despite its lower resolution and panel type not being ideal.
Battery
3.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The MSI Katana 17 has 3 hours of battery life. The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s 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
17.3in
SIZE
13.3in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
2.9 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s has excellent portability, while the MSI Katana 17 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,367
$1,000
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The MSI Katana 17 has a price of $1,367 and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s costs $1,000.
The MSI Katana 17 and Lenovo ThinkBook 13s are both good for general use.
The MSI Katana 17, with its larger screen, more RAM, and a powerful dedicated GPU, suits users requiring substantial performance for various tasks and a smooth experience on a larger display, despite being less portable and having shorter battery life compared to the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s, which offers a higher resolution screen and excellent portability due to its lighter weight and longer battery life, making it ideal for on-the-go use with reliable performance for everyday tasks.
Content Creation
7.8/10
7.8/10
8.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Katana 17 and Lenovo ThinkBook 13s 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
7.5/10
7.7/10
8.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s and MSI Katana 17 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.
Build Quality
7.2/10
7.6/10
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s 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 Lenovo ThinkBook 13s compare to other laptops
"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."
"The best thing about the ThinkBook 13S is that it’s a good deal. Business buyers looking for ThinkPad-level performance and software without ThinkPad pricing will probably find the ThinkBook a solid option. While nothing about it is really spectacular, it’s certainly unusual to see the ThinkBook’s screen resolution at a sub-$1,000 price, and its performance will be more than adequate for most office tasks. The generous port selection, 16:10 aspect ratio, physical webcam shutter, and clear audio are certainly icing on the cake."
Get a great deal on the MSI Katana 17 or the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s
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.
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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