MSI Katana 15 (2023) vs. MSI Cyborg 15 – Before you invest in a new laptop, it’s essential to compare their performance, features, and specifications. These two laptops are beasts in their own rights. It will always be so difficult choosing one from the other. This is why we have taken our time to test these devices and make it easier for you to make a choice

Here, we’ll dive deep into the MSI Katana 15 (2023) and the MSI Cyborg 15 to help you make an informed decision.

Key Differences between MSI Katana 15 and MSI Cyborg 15

Advantages of the MSI Katana 15 (2023):

1. Old-School USB-A Port: The Katana 15 includes a classic USB-A port, which is still widely used for connecting various peripherals.
2. Gaming Performance: If gaming is a priority, the Katana 15 shines with 19-26% higher FPS in popular games.

Advantages of the MSI Cyborg 15:

1. Portability: Weighing 270 grams less (around 0.6 lbs) than the Katana 15, the Cyborg 15 is easier to carry, making it a great choice for users on the move.
2. Thinner Bezels and Higher Screen-to-Body Ratio: The Cyborg 15 boasts thinner bezels and a 3% higher screen-to-body ratio, enhancing the immersive viewing experience.

Performance

Performance is a crucial factor when choosing a laptop, as it directly impacts your overall computing experience. Both the MSI Katana 15 (2023) and the MSI Cyborg 15 offer impressive performance, but they have differences that cater to various user needs.

• CPU Options:
  • Katana 15 (2023): This laptop boasts a range of CPU options, including the Intel Core i5 12450H, Intel Core i7 12650H, Intel Core i7 13620H, and the powerful Intel Core i9 13900H. These processors offer varying levels of performance, allowing you to choose the one that suits your computing demands.
  • Cyborg 15: The Cyborg 15 shares most of its CPU options with the Katana 15, featuring the Intel Core i5 12450H, Intel Core i7 12650H, and Intel Core i7 13620H processors. These processors ensure smooth multitasking and application performance.
• RAM Options:
  • Katana 15 (2023): The Katana 15 provides a wide range of RAM size options, including 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, and even a massive 64GB of RAM. This flexibility enables you to tailor your laptop to handle specific tasks effectively.
  • Cyborg 15: Similar to the Katana 15, the Cyborg 15 offers RAM options of 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB, giving you ample room for multitasking and memory-intensive applications.
• Storage Options:
  • Katana 15 (2023): The Katana 15 comes with various storage size options, including 512GB, 1024GB (1TB), and 2048GB (2TB). These high-capacity SSDs ensure quick data access and storage for your files, games, and applications.
  • Cyborg 15: Like the Katana 15, the Cyborg 15 offers storage size options of 512GB, 1024GB (1TB), and 2048GB (2TB), ensuring that you won’t run out of storage space easily.
• GPU Options:
  • Katana 15 (2023): The Katana 15 provides a selection of dedicated GPUs, including the GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile 6GB, GeForce RTX 4050 Mobile 6GB, GeForce RTX 4060 Mobile 8GB, and GeForce RTX 4070 Mobile 8GB. These GPUs deliver excellent gaming and graphics performance.
  • Cyborg 15: The Cyborg 15 features dedicated GPUs, including the GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile 4GB, GeForce RTX 4050 Mobile 6GB, and GeForce RTX 4060 Mobile 8GB. While slightly less powerful than the Katana 15’s options, they still provide solid gaming and performance capabilities.

Design and Build Quality

When it comes to the physical aspects of these two laptops, there are notable differences.

• Katana 15 (2023): This laptop weighs 2.25 kg (4.96 lbs) and features dimensions of 359 x 259 x 24.9 mm (14.13 x 10.2 x 0.98 inches). Its side bezels are 6.8 mm, and it’s constructed from durable plastic. It offers a traditional design with a 180° opening angle.
• Cyborg 15: In contrast, the Cyborg 15 is lighter, weighing 1.98 kg (4.37 lbs), and has slightly more compact dimensions of 359.36 x 250.34 x 21.95-22.9 mm (14.15 x 9.86 x 0.86-0.9 inches). Its side bezels are 7 mm, and it also features a plastic construction. It offers a sleek design and a 180° opening angle, making it slightly more portable.

Display

Let’s compare the displays of these two laptops.

• Display Size and Type:
  • Both laptops feature 15.6-inch IPS LCD displays with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and a 144Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth visuals in games and multimedia.
• Color Accuracy:
  • The Katana 15 (2023) and the Cyborg 15 both offer similar color accuracy, with sRGB color space coverage at around 53%. However, the Cyborg 15 slightly outperforms the Katana 15 with a 62.6% coverage of the Adobe RGB profile compared to the Katana’s 56.8%.
• Brightness and Response Time:
  • Both laptops have a maximum brightness of 250 nits, making them suitable for indoor use. In terms of response time, the Katana 15 has a response time of 33 ms, while the Cyborg 15 boasts a faster 18 ms response time, making it better for fast-paced gaming.

Battery Life

When it comes to battery life, both laptops offer a similar capacity of 53.5 Wh, ensuring adequate power for your tasks. Additionally, they both support fast charging. However, the Katana 15 offers a variety of charging power options (180 / 200 / 240 W) compared to the Cyborg 15’s 120 W. Charging port positions also differ, with the Katana 15 having it on the left and the Cyborg 15 on the right.

Connectivity and Ports

Connectivity is essential for modern laptops, and both the Katana 15 and Cyborg 15 offer robust options.

• Ports: The Katana 15 offers three USB-A ports and one USB Type-C port, while the Cyborg 15 provides two USB-A ports and one USB Type-C port. Both laptops feature an HDMI port, an audio jack (3.5 mm), and Ethernet (RJ45) support.
• Webcam: Both laptops have webcams positioned above the display with a resolution of 1280 x 720.

FAQ about MSI Katana 15 vs. MSI Cyborg 15