What To Know
- Two of their most popular models, the MSI Katana 15 and the MSI Pulse 15, offer a compelling blend of power, portability, and affordability.
- This gives it a significant advantage over the Katana 15 in terms of portability and extended use away from a power outlet.
- The MSI Pulse 15 has a similar selection of connectivity options as the Katana 15, including Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.
When it comes to high-performance gaming laptops, MSI is a brand that consistently delivers exceptional products. Two of their most popular models, the MSI Katana 15 and the MSI Pulse 15, offer a compelling blend of power, portability, and affordability. In this comprehensive comparison, we will delve into the key differences and similarities between these two gaming laptops to help you make an informed decision about which one is the right choice for your needs.
Design and Build Quality
MSI Katana 15
The MSI Katana 15 boasts a sleek and angular design with sharp edges and a matte black finish. Its chassis is made of a durable aluminum alloy, providing excellent rigidity and protection for the internal components. The laptop’s overall weight is around 4.63 pounds, making it relatively easy to carry around.
MSI Pulse 15
The MSI Pulse 15 has a more traditional gaming laptop aesthetic, with a black and red color scheme and prominent branding. Its chassis is made of a combination of plastic and metal, which contributes to its slightly heavier weight of 4.85 pounds. Despite this, the laptop still feels sturdy and well-built.
Display
MSI Katana 15
The MSI Katana 15 features a 15.6-inch IPS-level display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and a refresh rate of 144 Hz. The display offers vibrant colors, excellent viewing angles, and minimal ghosting or tearing.
MSI Pulse 15
The MSI Pulse 15 also has a 15.6-inch IPS-level display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. However, it has a higher refresh rate of 165 Hz, which provides even smoother gameplay and reduced motion blur.
Performance
MSI Katana 15
The MSI Katana 15 is powered by an Intel Core i7-11800H processor, which offers 8 cores and 16 threads. It also features an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card with 6GB of GDDR6 memory. This combination provides ample performance for demanding games, video editing, and other intensive tasks.
MSI Pulse 15
The MSI Pulse 15 comes with a choice of two processors: the Intel Core i7-11800H or the AMD Ryzen 7 5800H. Both processors offer similar performance, with the Core i7 having a slight edge in single-core tasks and the Ryzen 7 being slightly better in multi-core workloads. The Pulse 15 also features an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card, but with 12GB of GDDR6 memory, providing a boost in graphics performance.
Battery Life
MSI Katana 15
The MSI Katana 15 has a 53.5Wh battery that provides up to 6 hours of battery life on a single charge. This is sufficient for light use, such as browsing the web or watching videos, but it may not be enough for extended gaming sessions or heavy workloads.
MSI Pulse 15
The MSI Pulse 15 has a larger 72Wh battery, which offers up to 8 hours of battery life. This gives it a significant advantage over the Katana 15 in terms of portability and extended use away from a power outlet.
Connectivity
MSI Katana 15
The MSI Katana 15 offers a wide range of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, an HDMI port, and an RJ-45 Ethernet port.
MSI Pulse 15
The MSI Pulse 15 has a similar selection of connectivity options as the Katana 15, including Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, an HDMI port, and an RJ-45 Ethernet port. It also features a dedicated Mini DisplayPort for connecting an external monitor.
Cooling
MSI Katana 15
The MSI Katana 15 uses a dual-fan cooling system with three heat pipes to dissipate heat from the processor and graphics card. This system is effective at keeping the laptop cool under load, even during extended gaming sessions.
MSI Pulse 15
The MSI Pulse 15 also uses a dual-fan cooling system, but it features six heat pipes instead of three. This provides even better cooling performance, allowing the laptop to maintain higher clock speeds and reduce thermal throttling.
Price
MSI Katana 15
The MSI Katana 15 typically retails for around $1,200-$1,500, depending on the configuration.
MSI Pulse 15
The MSI Pulse 15 generally costs slightly more than the Katana 15, with a price range of around $1,300-$1,600.
Summary: The Best Choice for You
Choosing between the MSI Katana 15 and the MSI Pulse 15 ultimately depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you prioritize portability, battery life, and a higher refresh rate, the Pulse 15 is the better choice. However, if you value durability, cooling performance, and a lower price point, the Katana 15 is the more suitable option.
Answers to Your Questions
Q: Which laptop has better graphics performance?
A: The MSI Pulse 15 has a slight edge in graphics performance due to its RTX 3060 graphics card with 12GB of GDDR6 memory.
Q: Which laptop is more portable?
A: The MSI Katana 15 is slightly lighter and more compact than the MSI Pulse 15, making it easier to carry around.
Q: Which laptop has a longer battery life?
A: The MSI Pulse 15 has a significantly longer battery life than the MSI Katana 15, providing up to 8 hours of usage on a single charge.
