Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H vs MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop
The Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H is the mid-range option here, while the MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop targets budget-conscious gamers. After testing both, the MSI Katana 15 takes the lead in raw performance, boasting an RTX 4060 GPU that crushes the Acer's RTX 4050. The MSI Katana offers 1TB of storage compared to Acer's 512GB, allowing for more games and files. Plus, the dual M. 2 slots make it easy to expand storage without breaking the bank, giving you flexibility for future upgrades.
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Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H
MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop
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 Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H vs MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop
Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H
MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop
| Criterion | Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H | MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★5(1)Amazon | ★4.6(38)Best Buy |
Processor | Intel Core i5-13420H (8-core: 4P + 4E), 2.10 GHz base, up to 4.60 GHz turbo | Intel Core i7-13620H (Raptor Lake, 10 cores, up to 4.9 GHz) |
Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU (6 GB GDDR6; 75 W TGP) | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU (8GB GDDR6, 105W TGP) |
AI Engine | No (Not supported) | No (Not supported) |
Cooling | Dual-fan cooling system (2x intake, 4x exhaust) | Cooler Boost 5 (2 fans, 6 heat pipes, shared-pipe design) |
RAM | 16 GB DDR5 (5200 MT/s effective) | 16 GB DDR5-5200 MHz (2x 8GB SO-DIMM) |
RAM Upgrade | Yes (2x SO-DIMM slots; user accessible) | 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 (2x M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 slots) | 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 (LCD; Matte; ComfyView) | IPS-Level (Anti-glare) |
Refresh Rate | 144 Hz | 144 Hz |
Brightness | 250 nits (Typical) | 250 nits (Typical) |
Color Gamut | 45% NTSC (Typical) | 45% NTSC (approx. 60% sRGB) |
Keyboard Layout | US Standard (QWERTY) with Numeric Keypad | US English (ANSI) with NumPad |
Keyboard Backlight | Yes (White backlight) | Yes (4-Zone RGB) |
Biometrics | No (Not supported) | No (Not supported) |
Webcam | 720p HD webcam with Temporal Noise Reduction (TNR) | 720p HD webcam (30fps) |
USB Ports | 1x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4 / DisplayPort / Charging); 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (one with power-off charging) | 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 | 1x HDMI 2.1 (Supports 8K@60Hz / 4K@120Hz) |
Audio Ports | 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack | 1x 3.5mm Headphone/Mic combo jack |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.1; Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax 2x2); Bluetooth 5.2; Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45) |
Battery | 4-cell Li-Ion (57 Wh) | 53.5 Wh (3-cell Li-Polymer) |
Charger | 135 W AC adapter (Barrel pin) | 200 W Barrel-pin adapter |
Weight | 2.11 kg (4.66 lbs) | 2,250 g (4.96 lbs) |
Build Material | Plastic chassis (Obsidian Black) | Plastic chassis |
Operating System | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
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Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H
✓ Pros:
- • Thunderbolt 4 support (rare in budget gaming laptops)
- • Good 1080p gaming performance with RTX 4050 and DLSS 3
- • Excellent upgradeability (2x RAM slots, 2x M.2 slots)
- • Clean, understated design compared to typical gaming laptops
✗ Cons:
- • Display has poor color accuracy (45% NTSC) and low brightness
- • All-plastic build feels budget-oriented
- • Fans can get quite loud under heavy load
- • No SD card slot
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MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop
✓ Pros:
- • Excellent gaming performance-per-dollar with RTX 4060 and i7-13620H
- • Dual M.2 SSD slots allow for easy and cheap storage expansion
- • Effective Cooler Boost 5 cooling system keeps temperatures managed
- • Full-sized keyboard with 4-zone RGB lighting and number pad
- • Includes HDMI 2.1 for high-refresh external 4K monitors
✗ 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
- • USB-C port does NOT support Power Delivery (charging)
- • All-plastic build quality feels budget-oriented compared to premium rivals
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Which one is better?
The MSI Katana 15 is the better buy for most people - its RTX 4060 crushes the Acer's RTX 4050. That said, grab the Acer Nitro V if you prioritize Thunderbolt 4 support and an upgradeable RAM setup.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H if: you need Thunderbolt 4 support, want a more upgradeable RAM setup, or prefer a slightly larger battery.
Choose the MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop if: you want the best gaming performance for your dollar, need more storage space right out of the box, or are on a tighter budget. (79.37 oz weight, 1000 GB storage)
Conclusion
Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H and MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop are both solid choices. Match the strengths above to your budget and workflow to make the best call.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H excels if you value thunderbolt 4 support (rare in budget gaming laptops). MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop is better if you prioritize excellent gaming performance-per-dollar with rtx 4060 and i7-13620h. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
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+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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