ASUS ROG Strix G16 — Intel Core i7 vs MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 — Intel Core i7 is the mid-range powerhouse, while the MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop is a solid entry-tier option. Battery life: MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop is rated for up to 4 hours. Here's the key difference: the ASUS packs a high-wattage RTX 4060 at 140W, compared to the 105W version in the MSI. This means if you're gaming heavily, you'll appreciate the extra power. However, the Katana offers a larger 1TB SSD, making it a smarter buy for those needing ample storage without breaking the bank in 2026.
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ASUS ROG Strix G16 — Intel Core i7
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: ASUS ROG Strix G16 — Intel Core i7 vs MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop
ASUS ROG Strix G16 — Intel Core i7
MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop
| Criterion | ASUS ROG Strix G16 — Intel Core i7 | MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.6(31)Best Buy | ★4.6(38)Best Buy |
Processor | Intel Core i7-13650HX (Raptor Lake, 14 cores, up to 4.9 GHz) | Intel Core i7-13620H (Raptor Lake, 10 cores, up to 4.9 GHz) |
Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU (8GB GDDR6, 140W TGP max) | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU (8GB GDDR6, 105W TGP) |
AI Engine | No (Not supported) | No (Not supported) |
Cooling | ROG Intelligent Cooling (Tri-Fan technology, Liquid Metal on CPU) | Cooler Boost 5 (2 fans, 6 heat pipes, shared-pipe design) |
RAM | 16 GB DDR5-4800 (2x 8GB SO-DIMM) | 16 GB DDR5-5200 MHz (2x 8GB SO-DIMM) |
RAM Upgrade | Yes (2x SO-DIMM slots, up to 32 GB officially) | 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 PCIe Gen4 slots) | Yes (2x M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 slots) |
Display Size | 16" | 15.6" |
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 (FHD+) | 1920 x 1080 (FHD) |
Aspect Ratio | 16:10 | 16:9 |
Screen Type | IPS-level (Anti-glare) | IPS-Level (Anti-glare) |
Refresh Rate | 165 Hz (G-SYNC supported) | 144 Hz |
Brightness | 250 nits (Typical) | 250 nits (Typical) |
Color Gamut | 100% sRGB | 45% NTSC (approx. 60% sRGB) |
Keyboard Layout | US English (ANSI) with NumPad | US English (ANSI) with NumPad |
Keyboard Backlight | Yes (4-Zone RGB) | Yes (4-Zone RGB) |
Biometrics | No (Not supported) | No (Not supported) |
Webcam | 720p HD camera | 720p HD webcam (30fps) |
USB Ports | 1x Thunderbolt 4 (DisplayPort); 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (DisplayPort / Power Delivery / G-SYNC); 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 | 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 FRL | 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 6E (802.11ax 2x2); Bluetooth 5.3; Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax 2x2); Bluetooth 5.2; Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45) |
Battery | 90 Wh (4-cell Li-ion) | 53.5 Wh (3-cell Li-Polymer) |
Charger | 280 W AC adapter | 200 W Barrel-pin adapter |
Weight | 2,500 g (5.51 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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ASUS ROG Strix G16 — Intel Core i7
✓ Pros:
- • High-wattage RTX 4060 (140W) and i7-13650HX deliver excellent gaming performance
- • Tri-Fan cooling system and liquid metal ensure sustained performance
- • Large 90Wh battery is exceptional for a gaming laptop in this class
- • Comprehensive port selection including Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1, and Ethernet
- • 16:10 FHD+ display covers 100% sRGB, suitable for gaming and general content
✗ Cons:
- • Display brightness is limited to 250 nits, which is dim for well-lit rooms
- • Chassis is primarily plastic (except for the lid) and can be bulky
- • 720p webcam is low resolution and lacks biometric (Windows Hello) support
- • Fans can get loud under load due to the high-performance tuning
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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?
Key specs: Display: 16" vs 15.6" and Refresh: 165 Hz vs 144 Hz.
Who should buy each?
Choose the ASUS ROG Strix G16 — Intel Core i7 if: you want extended gaming sessions with a 90Wh battery, need superior graphics performance with a 140W GPU, or prefer a larger 16" display for immersive gameplay.
Choose the MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop if: you need a budget-friendly option with a larger 1TB storage, want a lighter machine at 79.37oz, or plan to do light gaming without the need for top-tier specs.
Conclusion
ASUS ROG Strix G16 — Intel Core i7 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?
ASUS ROG Strix G16 — Intel Core i7 excels if you value high-wattage rtx 4060 (140w) and i7-13650hx deliver excellent gaming performance. 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.
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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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