Dell XPS 13 (9340, 2024) — Intel Core Ultra 7 155H vs MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop
The Dell XPS 13 (9340, 2024) — Intel Core Ultra 7 155H is the premium option here, boasting a stunning 500 nits display brightness compared to the MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop's dim 250 nits. This means better visibility in bright environments, perfect for outdoor use or well-lit spaces. So, if you're looking for a laptop that excels in both design and performance, the Dell XPS 13 is definitely worth considering, especially for those who appreciate a sleek design and superior display quality. Key specs: Display: 13.4" vs 15.6" and Refresh: 120 Hz vs 144 Hz.
Why compare these? The Dell XPS 13 (9340, 2024) — Intel Core Ultra 7 155H (high-end) 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 | Dell XPS | MSI Katana |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.5★ (63 reviews) | ✓4.6★ (38 reviews) |
| Top Strength | Ultra-modern, minimalist design with zero-lattice keyboard and seamless glass palm rest | Excellent gaming performance-per-dollar with RTX 4060 and i7-13620H |
| Main Drawback | 3K OLED option is locked to 60Hz, unlike the 120Hz IPS panels | Display is the weak point: dim (250 nits) and washed out (45% NTSC colors) |
| Market Position | ✓Premium | Entry |
Dell XPS 13 (9340, 2024) — Intel Core Ultra 7 155H
Intel Core Ultra 7 155H (Meteor Lake, 16 cores, up to 4.8 GHz)
Intel Arc Graphics (Integrated)
Intel AI Boost (Dedicated NPU)
Air (Dual fans with heat pipes)
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: Dell XPS 13 (9340, 2024) — Intel Core Ultra 7 155H vs MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop
Dell XPS 13 (9340, 2024) — Intel Core Ultra 7 155H
MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop
| Criterion | Dell XPS 13 (9340, 2024) — Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.5(63)Best Buy | ★4.6(38)Best Buy |
Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H (Meteor Lake, 16 cores, up to 4.8 GHz) | Intel Core i7-13620H (Raptor Lake, 10 cores, up to 4.9 GHz) |
Graphics | Intel Arc Graphics (Integrated) | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU (8GB GDDR6, 105W TGP) |
AI Engine | Intel AI Boost (Dedicated NPU) | No (Not supported) |
Cooling | Air (Dual fans with heat pipes) | Cooler Boost 5 (2 fans, 6 heat pipes, shared-pipe design) |
RAM | 16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB LPDDR5x (7467 MT/s) | 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, 1 TB, or 2 TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD | 1 TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD |
Storage Upgrade | Yes (1x M.2 2230/2280 slot; user-replaceable) | Yes (2x M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 slots) |
Display Size | 13.4" | 15.6" |
Resolution | Options: 1920x1200 (FHD+), 2560x1600 (QHD+), or 2880x1800 (3K+) | 1920 x 1080 (FHD) |
Aspect Ratio | 16:10 | 16:9 |
Screen Type | Options: IPS (FHD+/QHD+) or OLED (3K+ Touch) | IPS-Level (Anti-glare) |
Refresh Rate | 120 Hz (FHD+/QHD+ IPS) / 60 Hz (3K+ OLED) | 144 Hz |
Brightness | 500 nits (IPS) / 400 nits (OLED) | 250 nits (Typical) |
Color Gamut | 100% sRGB (FHD+) / 100% DCI-P3 (QHD+/OLED) | 45% NTSC (approx. 60% sRGB) |
Keyboard Layout | US English (Zero-lattice) with Capacitive Touch Function Row | US English (ANSI) with NumPad |
Keyboard Backlight | Yes | Yes (4-Zone RGB) |
Biometrics | Fingerprint reader (Power button) + IR Face Recognition | No (Not supported) |
Webcam | 1080p FHD RGB+IR camera | 720p HD webcam (30fps) |
USB Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) (Data, Power Delivery, DisplayPort 2.1) | 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (DisplayPort, Data only); 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1; 1x USB-A 2.0 |
Video Ports | DisplayPort 2.1 via Thunderbolt 4 | 1x HDMI 2.1 (Supports 8K@60Hz / 4K@120Hz) |
Audio Ports | No (Requires USB-C to 3.5mm adapter) | 1x 3.5mm Headphone/Mic combo jack |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7 (Intel Killer BE1750); Bluetooth 5.4 | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax 2x2); Bluetooth 5.2; Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45) |
Battery | 55 Wh (Integrated) | 53.5 Wh (3-cell Li-Polymer) |
Charger | 60 W USB-C AC adapter | 200 W Barrel-pin adapter |
Weight | 1,170 g (2.6 lbs) [OLED] / 1,190 g (2.62 lbs) [IPS] | 2,250 g (4.96 lbs) |
Build Material | CNC-machined Aluminum + Gorilla Glass 3 (Victus on OLED) | Plastic chassis |
Operating System | Windows 11 Home or Pro | Windows 11 Home |
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Dell XPS 13 (9340, 2024) — Intel Core Ultra 7 155H
Intel Core Ultra 7 155H (Meteor Lake, 16 cores, up to 4.8 GHz)
Intel Arc Graphics (Integrated)
Intel AI Boost (Dedicated NPU)
Air (Dual fans with heat pipes)
16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB LPDDR5x (7467 MT/s)
No (Soldered)
Pros
- Ultra-modern, minimalist design with zero-lattice keyboard and seamless glass palm rest
- IPS panel options (FHD+/QHD+) finally support smooth 120Hz refresh rates
Cons
- 3K OLED option is locked to 60Hz, unlike the 120Hz IPS panels
- No physical function keys; uses capacitive touch row which lacks tactile feedback
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 Dell XPS 13 (9340, 2024) — Intel Core Ultra 7 155H is the better buy for most people - its 500 nits display crushes the MSI Katana 15's dim 250 nits. That said, grab the MSI Katana 15 if you want a more affordable gaming laptop with decent specs.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Dell XPS 13 (9340, 2024) — Intel Core Ultra 7 155H if: you need a high-quality display for design work, prefer a lightweight laptop (2.6 lbs), or want a premium build with advanced features.
Choose the MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop if: you want a budget-friendly gaming laptop, need more upgradable storage options, or prefer a larger screen for gaming. (15.6" display, 144 Hz refresh)
Quality Seekers
Higher user rating (4.6★ vs 4.5★) indicates better overall satisfaction
→ Choose MSI Katana
Safe Choice Buyers
More widely tested with 63 reviews vs 38
→ Choose Dell XPS
Premium Buyers
Higher-tier option with more premium features and build quality
→ Choose Dell XPS
Value Seekers
Better value proposition for buyers who don't need top-tier features
→ Choose MSI Katana
Conclusion
There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.
Bottom line: The MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop leads with a 4.6★ rating versus 4.5★. That said, Dell XPS 13 (9340, 2024) — Intel Core Ultra 7 155H could still be the right pick depending on your specific priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which is better: Dell XPS 13 (9340, 2024) — Intel Core Ultra 7 155H or MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop?
Dell XPS 13 (9340, 2024) — Intel Core Ultra 7 155H is the better choice if you prioritize ultra-modern, minimalist design with zero-lattice keyboard and seamless glass palm rest. MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop wins if you value excellent gaming performance-per-dollar with rtx 4060 and i7-13620h. Both are rated highly (4.5★ vs 4.6★), so consider your specific needs and budget.
+What are the main differences between Dell XPS 13 (9340, 2024) — Intel Core Ultra 7 155H and MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop?
Key differences: Dell XPS 13 (9340, 2024) — Intel Core Ultra 7 155H offers ultra-modern, minimalist design with zero-lattice keyboard and seamless glass palm rest, while MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop stands out with excellent gaming performance-per-dollar with rtx 4060 and i7-13620h. Consider that Dell XPS 13 (9340, 2024) — Intel Core Ultra 7 155H 3k oled option is locked to 60hz, unlike the 120hz ips panels. 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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