HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop vs MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop
If you're torn between the HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop and the MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop, the HP ENVY x360 is the smarter buy for most users. Its premium design and high-quality 5MP webcam are game-changers for video calls, especially in 2026, offering a premium experience that MSI simply can't match. The MSI Katana 15 shines for gaming with its RTX 4060 GPU, delivering excellent performance-per-dollar. However, both models share a dim 250 nits display and a limited color gamut of 45% NTSC, making them less ideal for photography or intensive multimedia work. You'll want to consider these trade-offs carefully based on how you plan to use your laptop daily.
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HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop
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: HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop vs MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop
HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop
MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop
| Criterion | HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop | MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.6(1,605)Best Buy | ★4.6(38)Best Buy |
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 7730U (Barcelo-R, 8 cores, up to 4.5 GHz) | Intel Core i7-13620H (Raptor Lake, 10 cores, up to 4.9 GHz) |
Graphics | AMD Radeon Graphics (Integrated) | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU (8GB GDDR6, 105W TGP) |
AI Engine | No (Not supported) | No (Not supported) |
Cooling | Air (Dual fan cooling) | Cooler Boost 5 (2 fans, 6 heat pipes, shared-pipe design) |
RAM | 16 GB LPDDR4x-4266 MHz (Onboard) | 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 NVMe M.2 SSD | 1 TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD |
Storage Upgrade | Yes (1x M.2 2280 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 (Touchscreen; Edge-to-edge glass; Micro-edge) | 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) without NumPad | US English (ANSI) with NumPad |
Keyboard Backlight | Yes (Nightfall black opaque) | Yes (4-Zone RGB) |
Biometrics | IR Face Recognition (Windows Hello) | No (Not supported) |
Webcam | 5MP HP Wide Vision IR camera with privacy shutter | 720p HD webcam (30fps) |
USB Ports | 2x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps; Power Delivery; DisplayPort 1.4; Sleep & Charge); 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) | 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 Headphone/Mic combo jack | 1x 3.5mm Headphone/Mic combo jack |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax 2x2); Bluetooth 5.3 | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax 2x2); Bluetooth 5.2; Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45) |
Battery | 55 Wh (4-cell Li-ion polymer) | 53.5 Wh (3-cell Li-Polymer) |
Charger | 65 W USB-C adapter | 200 W Barrel-pin adapter |
Weight | 1,830 g (4.03 lbs) | 2,250 g (4.96 lbs) |
Build Material | Aluminum (Nightfall Black) | Plastic chassis |
Operating System | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
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HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop
✓ Pros:
- • Versatile 2-in-1 aluminum design with a premium look and feel
- • High-quality 5MP webcam with IR face unlock is excellent for video calls
- • Both USB-C ports support 10Gbps data, charging, and video output
- • Battery life is solid for productivity tasks thanks to the efficient Ryzen chip
- • Includes HDMI 2.1 and a multi-format SD card reader (often missing in this class)
✗ Cons:
- • Display is dim (250 nits) and has limited color gamut (45% NTSC)
- • RAM is soldered and cannot be upgraded
- • Ryzen 7 7730U is a refreshed older architecture (Zen 3) lacking new AI features
- • 16:9 aspect ratio feels dated compared to the taller 16:10 screens on newer rivals
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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 HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop is the better buy for most people - its premium design and 5MP IR camera crushes the MSI Katana 15. That said, grab the MSI if you prioritize gaming performance with an RTX 4060 - it's a solid entry option.
Who should buy each?
Choose the HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop if: you prioritize a premium design for video calls, need a versatile 2-in-1 for work, or want solid battery life for everyday tasks.
Choose the MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop if: you want to game on a budget, need upgradeable storage for larger game libraries, or prefer a high-refresh display for smoother gameplay. (144 Hz refresh, 79.37 oz weight)
Conclusion
We hope this comparison helps you buy with confidence. Both products are dependable; the right one depends on how you will use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop excels if you value versatile 2-in-1 aluminum design with a premium look and feel. 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?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+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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