MSI Katana 15 (2023)

MSI Katana 15 (2023)

Manufacturer	MSI
Release date	January 2023 (2023-01)
Introductory price	USD 1000 to 2000
Discontinued	No
Operating system	Windows 11 Home (Can be configured with Windows 11 Pro)
CPU	Intel Core i5-12450H Intel Core i7-12650H Intel Core i7-13620H Intel Core i9-13900H
Memory	16 (2x8) or 32 (2x16) GB DDR5-5200 Mhz SODIMM
Memory slots	2 user accessible
Storage	512 GB or 1 TB M.2 2280 NVME
Storage slots	1 user accessible
Display	Screen size: 15.6 inch Panel type: IPS-Level Coating: Matte (anti-glare) Resolution: 1920 x 1080 PPI: 141 Aspect ratio: 16:9 Refresh rate: 144 Hz Brightness: 235 to 258 Nits Color Gamut
Graphics	Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop 6 GB GDDR6 105 W Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop 8 GB GDDR6 Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop 8 GB GDDR6
Sound	2 x 2 W stereo speakers
Camera	Front: 720p HD Webcam
Connectivity	Intel AX201 WiFi 6 Bluetooth 5.1 or 5.2 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type-A) 1 x USB 2.0 (Type-A) 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type-C) 1 x HDMI 2.1 1 x 3.5mm headphone/microphone jack
Dimensions	W: 14.13 inches (35.9 cm) D: 10.20 inches (25.9 cm) H: 0.98 inches (2.5 cm)
Mass	4.96 pounds (2.25 kg)
Power brick	150W or 180W or 200W slim AC adapter
Battery	3 cell Li-Polymer 53.5 Wh
Keyboard	4 zone RGB backlit, black (US) Standard full size layout
Chassis	Color: Black Materials: Plastic Cooling: Dual fan
Number pad	Full size
Fingerprint reader	No
Facial recognition	No
Website	MSI

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   The MSI Katana 15 (2023) is a budget-friendly gaming laptop that offers a range of configurations with Intel 12th and 13th generation processors and Nvidia RTX 4000 series GPUs. It is designed to provide a balance between gaming performance and affordability.

Primary Hardware

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Processor

The MSI Katana 15 (2023) can be configured with the following processors:

• Intel Core i5-12450H with 8 cores (4 P-cores + 4 E-cores) and 12 threads, 12 MB cache and a max frequency of 4.4 Ghz.
• Intel Core i7-12650H with 10 cores (6 P-cores + 4 E-cores) and 16 threads, 24 MB cache and max frequency of 4.7 Ghz.
• Intel Core i7-13620H with 10 cores (6 P-cores + 4 E-cores) and 16 threads, 24 MB cache and max frequency of 4.9 Ghz.
• Intel Core i9-13900H with 14 cores (6 P-cores + 8 E-cores) and 20 threads, 24 MB cache and max frequency of 5.4 Ghz.

The Katana 15's processors are designed to handle both gaming and productivity tasks efficiently. The i7-13620H, for instance, has been noted for its solid balance of performance and efficiency cores, making it suitable for multitasking and demanding applications. In synthetic benchmarks, the i7-13620H scored significantly above 4,000 points in PCMark 10, indicating its capability to handle everyday office applications. The i7-12650H, while adequate, is outpaced by newer processors in multi-core tasks.

Benchmarks:

• Cinebench R23:
  • i7-12650H: ~1722 pts (single-core), ~15537 pts (multi-core)
  • i7-13620H: ~1950 pts (single-core), ~24000 pts (multi-core)
  • i9-13900H: ~2100 pts (single-core), ~30000 pts (multi-core)

Graphics

The Katana 15 (2023) offers the following discrete GPUs:

• Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU with 6 GB GDDR6 memory, 105 W TGP.
• Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU with 8 GB GDDR6 memory.
• Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU with 8 GB GDDR6 memory.

The RTX 4070 configuration has been praised for its strong gaming performance, clearing the 100fps threshold in every game tested and only falling behind higher-end configurations due to its superior CPU/GPU combination. The RTX 4050, while suitable for entry-level gaming, is slower than the RTX 3060 but can handle most modern games at medium to high settings.

Benchmarks:

• 3DMark TimeSpy:
  • RTX 4050: ~8500 pts
  • RTX 4070: ~13500 pts
• Borderlands 3 (1920 x 1080): ~99 fps
• Assassin's Creed Valhalla (1920 x 1080): ~106 fps
• Dirt 5 (1920 x 1080): ~103 fps
• Far Cry 6 (1920 x 1080): ~94 fps
• Grand Theft Auto V (1920 x 1080): ~96 fps
• Metro Exodus: Enhanced Edition (1920 x 1080 High): ~91 fps
• Metro Exodus: Enhanced Edition (1920 x 1080 Ultra): ~74 fps
• Metro Exodus: Enhanced Edition (1920 x 1080 Extreme): ~48 fps
• Red Dead Redemption 2 (1920 x 1080): ~72 fps
• Shadow of the Tomb Raider (1920 x 1080): ~113 fps

Memory

The Katana 15 supports up to 32 GB of DDR5-5200 MHz memory, with configurations available in 16 GB (2x8) or 32 GB (2x16) DDR5-5200 MHz.

The RAM provides stable performance for multitasking and gaming, allowing for smooth operation even with multiple applications running simultaneously. In synthetic benchmarks, the memory demonstrated robust performance in office-centric tasks, contributing to overall system efficiency.

Benchmarks:

• AIDA64 Memory Copy: ~62599 MB/s
• AIDA64 Memory Read: ~66651 MB/s
• AIDA64 Memory Write: ~64764 MB/s

Storage

The Katana 15 can be configured with either a 512 GB or 1 TB PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe SSD.

The storage performance is impressive, contributing to the overall speed of the system and quick load times for applications and games. However, in some tests, the SSD did not fully utilize its potential compared to higher-end models.

Benchmarks:

• CrystalDiskMark 8:
  • Sequential Read: ~3792 MB/s
  • Sequential Write: ~2772 MB/s
• AS SSD Score Total: ~9510 Points
• DiskSpd Sequential Read: ~5217 MB/s
• DiskSpd Sequential Write: ~4897 MB/s

Co-processors

The MSI Katana 15 does not include any dedicated co-processors.

Input Devices

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Keyboard

The Katana 15 features a 4-zone RGB backlit keyboard with anti-ghosting keys. The keyboard layout includes a full-size number pad.

The keys have little wiggle, provide decent travel, and are delightfully snappy, allowing for good typing speed. The layout, while not ideal, allows for typing speeds of 95 to 105 words per minute with high accuracy. The key travel is short but provides good feedback; however, the layout is unconventional with a squeezed numpad and a shifted fn key, which may require adjustment for users.

Touchpad

The touchpad is small and located under the space bar.

The touchpad feels smooth and responsive, but the right click doesn’t function all that well. Half of the times, it doesn’t register the command. Besides that issue, it functions reliably with accurate tracking and responsive clicks.

Webcam

The Katana 15 comes with a 720p HD webcam.

The webcam presents a soft picture but is acceptable even in dim lighting, making it suitable for video calls and conferencing. However, it has below-average image quality with high color deviations and poor low-light performance.

Microphone

The Katana 15 includes an integrated microphone.

The microphone quality is average, suitable for basic use such as video calls, but may not be ideal for professional audio recording.

Output Devices

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Display

The Katana 15 is available with the following display options:

• 15.6" FHD, IPS-Level, 144Hz, 45% NTSC
• 15.6" QHD, Anti-Glare, Wide View Angle, 165Hz, 2.5ms, 100% DCI-P3

The display is sharp enough for everyday use but lacks brightness and color quality for outdoor use and creative work. It is useful for getting work done and occasional gaming sessions, but gamers who want the best experience should prioritize using an external monitor. The display performed abysmally in color tests, reproducing only 46.1% of the DCI-P3 color gamut and maxing out at only 235 to 258 nits in brightness.

Benchmarks:

• Brightness: 235 to 258 cd/m²
• Contrast: 1374:1
• ColorChecker dE: 4.63
• Response Time Black to White: 26.8 ms
• Response Time 50% Grey to 80% Grey: 38.8 ms

Audio

The Katana 15 comes with two 2-watt stereo speakers.

The speakers produce a modestly bassy sound that is loud and clear for most uses, providing a satisfactory audio experience for gaming and media consumption. However, they lack bass and are suitable for casual listening but not for immersive audio experiences.

Connectivity

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WiFi

The Katana 15 is equipped with an Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 WLAN module.

The Wi-Fi 6 connection provided fast download speeds for game files, ensuring a smooth online gaming experience. However, it lacks support for Wi-Fi 6E, which limits future-proofing.

Benchmarks:

• iperf3 transmit: ~1529 MBit/s
• iperf3 receive: ~1698 MBit/s

Bluetooth

The Katana 15 comes with a Bluetooth 5.1 or 5.2 module.

SD Card Reader

The Katana 15 does not include an SD card reader.

USB

The Katana 15 is equipped with the following USB ports:

• 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type-A)
• 1 x USB 2.0 (Type-A)
• 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type-C)

The USB ports provided decent connectivity options, though the USB-C port was not Thunderbolt-capable, limiting its versatility for high-speed data transfer and external device connections.

Display Outputs

The Katana 15 comes with the following display outputs:

• 1 x HDMI 2.1

The HDMI port is capable of 4K/120Hz or 8K/60Hz output, allowing for high-resolution external display connections.

Case

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The Katana 15 (2023) is available in black with a plastic chassis. The design is minimalistic with carbon-fiber stylings and a black engraved version of the iconic MSI shield logo on the lid. The laptop measures 14.13 x 10.20 x 0.98 inches and weighs 4.96 lbs, making it portable yet robust.

The design is primarily plastic, which is prone to fingerprints, and the overall build quality is average. The case is relatively sturdy but shows signs of wear easily. The laptop feels like a spaceship in your lap, and while it’s not as flashy as other gaming laptops, it does a good job presenting minimalistic design flairs to give it much-needed personality.

Maintenance

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The Katana 15 allows for some upgradeability options, though specifics are not detailed. The device can be opened for maintenance, but a seal sticker indicates warranty conditions, which may deter users from performing upgrades.

Upgradeable components:

• 53.5 WHr battery.
• One M.2 2280 PCIe4 x4 SSD slot.
• Two DDR5-5200 SODIMMs.

Cooling System

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The Katana 15 is equipped with a standard cooling system with dual fans and adequate airflow.

Heat

The laptop remains cool during normal use but can get warm under load, particularly around the WASD keys. The WASD keys and palm area remained cool to the touch, indicating effective thermal management.

Benchmarks:

• i7-12650H + RTX 4050:
  • Maximum upper side: ~50 °C
  • Maximum bottom: ~50 °C
  • Idle upper side: ~30 °C
  • Idle bottom: ~34 °C
• i7-13620H + RTX 4070:
  • Maximum upper side: ~44 °C
  • Maximum bottom: ~55 °C
  • Idle upper side: ~33 °C
  • Idle bottom: ~36 °C

Noise

The fans are quiet during idle and moderate load, becoming louder under heavy stress, but overall noise levels are acceptable for a gaming laptop. The fan noise was not overly intrusive during operation, allowing for a comfortable user experience.

Benchmarks:

• i7-12650H + RTX 4050:
  • Idle: ~24 dB(A)
  • Load: ~37.71 dB(A)
• i7-13620H + RTX 4070:
  • Load: ~50 dB(A)

Energy Management

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Power Consumption

The Katana 15 ships with a 150W, 180W, or 200W slim AC adapter depending on the configuration.

The laptop is efficient, consuming less power than competitors under load, making it a good choice for energy-conscious users.

Benchmarks:

• i7-12650H + RTX 4050:
  • Load: ~84 W (average), ~189 W (maximum)

Battery Life

All Katana 15 SKUs come with a 53.5 WHr Li-Polymer battery.

The battery life is considered brief for a gaming laptop, with the ability to disable the discrete GPU for extended use. On the Laptop Mag battery test, which involves continuous web browsing over Wi-Fi at 150 nits, the Katana 15 only lasted 2 hours and 48 minutes. Reviews verify that the battery life during light tasks is slightly below average for this class of laptop.

Benchmarks:

• i7-12650H + RTX 4050:
  • WiFi Websurfing: 4h 20min
  • WiFi Websurfing max. Brightness: 4h 12min
  • Big Buck Bunny H.264 1080p: 4h 24min
  • Load (maximum brightness): 1h 29min
• i7-13620H + RTX 4070:
  • WiFi Browsing (150 nits): 2h 48min

Biometrics

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The Katana 15 does not support Windows Hello face recognition and does not have a fingerprint reader.

Software

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All SKUs ship with Windows 11 Home but the laptop can be upgraded to Windows 11 Pro, either manually or when buying directly from MSI.

Preinstalled Software

MSI Center

The MSI Center program acts as the primary control center in the Katana 15. It allows for customization of system performance, including switching between discrete graphics and integrated graphics on a whim, alongside a combination of both. The software suite enhances the overall user experience.

Nahimic

The Nahimic app is used for managing audio features, including speaker customization.

Other Preinstalled Software

The Katana 15 also comes with other standard software packages with basic utilities and drivers.

Linux Support

Linux support is limited, with potential compatibility issues for certain distributions.

Accessories & Warranty

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The Katana 15 comes with a 150W, 180W, or 200W slim AC adapter and paperwork.

There is a one-year limited manufacturer warranty if purchased in the US.

Reviews Summary

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Overall Sentiment

The MSI Katana 15 (2023) is considered a budget-friendly gaming laptop that offers strong performance for its price. It is suitable for gamers and productivity users who prioritize performance over display quality and battery longevity. The laptop is praised for its high CPU and GPU performance relative to competitors, but it has notable drawbacks such as poor battery life, a dim display, and a plastic chassis that is prone to fingerprints.

Problems Summary

• Dim display with poor color accuracy.
• Short battery life.
• Plastic chassis prone to fingerprints.
• Small touchpad with unreliable right-click functionality.
• No SD card reader.
• No Thunderbolt support.
• High surface temperatures under load.
• Limited upgradeability due to design.

Links

i7-13620H, RTX 4070, 16 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD: PCMag

i7-13620H, RTX 4070, 16 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD: LaptopMag

i7-12650H, RTX 4050, 16 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD: NotebookCheck