Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) vs MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop
In the battle between the Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U and the MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop, the MSI model takes the lead in gaming performance with its RTX 4060 graphics and faster refresh rate of 144Hz compared to Acer's 60Hz. The Acer Aspire 5 shines in productivity tasks with a powerful i7-1355U that reaches speeds up to 5.0 GHz, making it a strong fit for office work. However, if you're a gamer, the Katana 15's 1TB storage provides ample space for your games, while the Acer's 512GB might feel limiting. Plus, the Katana's 53.5Wh battery offers slightly more capacity, but expect around 4 hours of life, which is short for both. In real-world use, if you prioritize gaming, the MSI Katana 15 is your best pick for 2026 and beyond. Key specs: Refresh: 60 Hz vs 144 Hz and Weight: 62.79 oz vs 79.37 oz.
Why compare these? The Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) (mid-range) and MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop (entry-level) represent different approaches to laptops. While they may appeal to different budgets, many buyers consider both options. This 2026 comparison helps you decide if the differences justify the price gap.
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Key Differences at a Glance
| Aspect | Acer Aspire | MSI Katana |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.3★ (107 reviews) | ✓4.6★ (38 reviews) |
| Top Strength | Includes Thunderbolt 4 port (rare in this price bracket) | Excellent gaming performance-per-dollar with RTX 4060 and i7-13620H |
| Main Drawback | RAM is soldered and cannot be upgraded (limited to 16GB) | Display is the weak point: dim (250 nits) and washed out (45% NTSC colors) |
| Market Position | ✓Mid-range | Entry |
Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U)
Intel Core i7-1355U (Raptor Lake, 10 cores, up to 5.0 GHz)
Intel Iris Xe Graphics (Integrated)
No (Not supported)
Air (Single fan with TwinAir cooling design)
MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop
Intel Core i7-13620H (Raptor Lake, 10 cores, up to 4.9 GHz)
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU (8GB GDDR6, 105W TGP)
No (Not supported)
Cooler Boost 5 (2 fans, 6 heat pipes, shared-pipe design)
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
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Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) vs MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop
Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U)
MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop
| Criterion | Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) | MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.3(107)Amazon | ★4.6(38)Best Buy |
Processor | Intel Core i7-1355U (Raptor Lake, 10 cores, up to 5.0 GHz) | Intel Core i7-13620H (Raptor Lake, 10 cores, up to 4.9 GHz) |
Graphics | Intel Iris Xe Graphics (Integrated) | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU (8GB GDDR6, 105W TGP) |
AI Engine | No (Not supported) | No (Not supported) |
Cooling | Air (Single fan with TwinAir cooling design) | Cooler Boost 5 (2 fans, 6 heat pipes, shared-pipe design) |
RAM | 16 GB LPDDR5 (4800 MHz) | 16 GB DDR5-5200 MHz (2x 8GB SO-DIMM) |
RAM Upgrade | No (Soldered) | Yes (2x SO-DIMM slots, up to 64 GB) |
Storage | 512 GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD | 1 TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD |
Storage Upgrade | Yes (1x M.2 slot; user replaceable) | Yes (2x M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 slots) |
Display Size | 15.6" | 15.6" |
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 (FHD) | 1920 x 1080 (FHD) |
Aspect Ratio | 16:9 | 16:9 |
Screen Type | IPS (Anti-glare, ComfyView) | IPS-Level (Anti-glare) |
Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | 144 Hz |
Brightness | 250 nits (Typical) | 250 nits (Typical) |
Color Gamut | 45% NTSC (approx. 60% sRGB) | 45% NTSC (approx. 60% sRGB) |
Keyboard Layout | US English (ANSI) with NumPad | US English (ANSI) with NumPad |
Keyboard Backlight | Yes | Yes (4-Zone RGB) |
Biometrics | Fingerprint reader (Integrated in touchpad) | No (Not supported) |
Webcam | 1080p FHD webcam with Temporal Noise Reduction | 720p HD webcam (30fps) |
USB Ports | 1x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C); 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 | 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (DisplayPort, Data only); 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1; 1x USB-A 2.0 |
Video Ports | 1x HDMI 2.1 (Supports 4K@60Hz via Thunderbolt 4 or HDMI) | 1x HDMI 2.1 (Supports 8K@60Hz / 4K@120Hz) |
Audio Ports | 1x 3.5mm Headphone/Mic combo jack | 1x 3.5mm Headphone/Mic combo jack |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.1 | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax 2x2); Bluetooth 5.2; Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45) |
Battery | 50 Wh (3-cell Li-ion) | 53.5 Wh (3-cell Li-Polymer) |
Charger | 65 W barrel-pin adapter | 200 W Barrel-pin adapter |
Weight | 1,780 g (3.92 lbs) | 2,250 g (4.96 lbs) |
Build Material | Aluminum (Lid) / Plastic (Chassis) | Plastic chassis |
Operating System | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
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Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U)
Intel Core i7-1355U (Raptor Lake, 10 cores, up to 5.0 GHz)
Intel Iris Xe Graphics (Integrated)
No (Not supported)
Air (Single fan with TwinAir cooling design)
16 GB LPDDR5 (4800 MHz)
No (Soldered)
Pros
- Includes Thunderbolt 4 port (rare in this price bracket)
- Sharp 1080p webcam is an upgrade over typical 720p budget cams
Cons
- RAM is soldered and cannot be upgraded (limited to 16GB)
- Display has limited color coverage (45% NTSC), appearing washed out
MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop
Intel Core i7-13620H (Raptor Lake, 10 cores, up to 4.9 GHz)
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU (8GB GDDR6, 105W TGP)
No (Not supported)
Cooler Boost 5 (2 fans, 6 heat pipes, shared-pipe design)
16 GB DDR5-5200 MHz (2x 8GB SO-DIMM)
Yes (2x SO-DIMM slots, up to 64 GB)
Pros
- Excellent gaming performance-per-dollar with RTX 4060 and i7-13620H
- Dual M.2 SSD slots allow for easy and cheap storage expansion
Cons
- Display is the weak point: dim (250 nits) and washed out (45% NTSC colors)
- Battery life is short (approx. 4 hours) due to small 53.5Wh capacity
Which one is better?
The MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop is the better buy for most people - its 144Hz refresh rate crushes the Acer Aspire 5's 60Hz. That said, grab the Acer if you need a sharper 1080p webcam and a build that feels premium - it's lighter.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) if: you need a higher-resolution webcam, prefer a more premium feel, or want a Thunderbolt 4 port for expanded connectivity.
Choose the MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop if: you want the best gaming performance, need more storage for games, or want to upgrade RAM easily in the future. (144 Hz refresh, 79.37 oz weight)
Quality Seekers
Higher user rating (4.6★ vs 4.3★) indicates better overall satisfaction
→ Choose MSI Katana
Safe Choice Buyers
More widely tested with 107 reviews vs 38
→ Choose Acer Aspire
Premium Buyers
Higher-tier option with more premium features and build quality
→ Choose Acer Aspire
Value Seekers
Better value proposition for buyers who don't need top-tier features
→ Choose MSI Katana
Conclusion
We hope this comparison helps you buy with confidence. Both products are dependable; the right one depends on how you will use it.
Bottom line: The MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop leads with a 4.6★ rating versus 4.3★. That said, Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) could still be the right pick depending on your specific priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which is better: Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) or MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop?
Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) is the better choice if you prioritize includes thunderbolt 4 port (rare in this price bracket). MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop wins if you value excellent gaming performance-per-dollar with rtx 4060 and i7-13620h. Both are rated highly (4.3★ vs 4.6★), so consider your specific needs and budget.
+What are the main differences between Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) and MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop?
Key differences: Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) offers includes thunderbolt 4 port (rare in this price bracket), while MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop stands out with excellent gaming performance-per-dollar with rtx 4060 and i7-13620h. Consider that Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) ram is soldered and cannot be upgraded (limited to 16gb). Meanwhile, MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop display is the weak point: dim (250 nits) and washed out (45% ntsc colors). Check the detailed specs table above for a complete comparison.
+Where can US buyers get the best price?
For US buyers, Amazon typically offers competitive pricing with Prime shipping, easy returns, and reliable warranty support. We recommend comparing prices on both products using our affiliate links above—prices fluctuate regularly, and you may find sales or deals.
+Is this comparison up to date?
Yes, this comparison is current for 2026. We regularly verify specs, ratings, and availability. Last verified: January 26, 2026. PageBen uses affiliate links for monetization, but our recommendations are research-driven and independent.
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