HP 15.6" Pavilion Touch Laptop Core i7-1355U vs MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop
Get the HP 15.6" Pavilion Touch Laptop Core i7-1355U unless you prioritize gaming. The numbers: 300 nits display brightness crushes the MSI Katana 15's 250 nits. Plus, the mid-range HP offers a fully upgradable memory setup with 16GB RAM, perfect for multitasking in 2026. In real-world use, the HP's higher brightness means better visibility in daylight, while the MSI's gaming-oriented RTX 4060 excels in raw performance but trades display quality.
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HP 15.6" Pavilion Touch Laptop Core i7-1355U
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 15.6" Pavilion Touch Laptop Core i7-1355U vs MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop
HP 15.6" Pavilion Touch Laptop Core i7-1355U
MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop
| Criterion | HP 15.6" Pavilion Touch Laptop Core i7-1355U | MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.7(1,607)Best Buy | ★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) | Cooler Boost 5 (2 fans, 6 heat pipes, shared-pipe design) |
RAM | 16 GB DDR4-3200 MHz (2x 8GB) | 16 GB DDR5-5200 MHz (2x 8GB SO-DIMM) |
RAM Upgrade | Yes (2x SODIMM slots, up to 64 GB) | 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 slot) | 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; BrightView) | IPS-Level (Anti-glare) |
Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | 144 Hz |
Brightness | 300 nits | 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 | No | Yes (4-Zone RGB) |
Biometrics | No (Not supported) | No (Not supported) |
Webcam | 720p HD True Vision camera with privacy shutter | 720p HD webcam (30fps) |
USB Ports | 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps; Data only); 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 1.4b | 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 6 (802.11ax 2x2); Bluetooth 5.3 | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax 2x2); Bluetooth 5.2; Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45) |
Battery | 41 Wh (3-cell Li-ion) | 53.5 Wh (3-cell Li-Polymer) |
Charger | 45 W Smart AC adapter (Barrel pin) | 200 W Barrel-pin adapter |
Weight | 1,597 g (3.52 lbs) | 2,250 g (4.96 lbs) |
Build Material | Recycled plastic | Plastic chassis |
Operating System | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
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HP 15.6" Pavilion Touch Laptop Core i7-1355U
✓ Pros:
- • Display brightness is rated at 300 nits (higher than the standard 250 nits in this class)
- • Memory is fully upgradable (2x DDR4 SODIMM slots)
- • Includes Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 for modern wireless connectivity
- • Physical privacy shutter on the webcam
- • Lightweight for a 15-inch laptop at 3.52 lbs
✗ Cons:
- • USB-C port supports data only (no charging or video output)
- • Keyboard lacks backlighting
- • Battery capacity is small (41 Wh), limiting longevity off the charger
- • Chassis is made entirely of plastic
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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 15.6" Pavilion Touch Laptop Core i7-1355U is the better buy for most people - its 300 nits brightness crushes the MSI Katana 15's 250 nits.
Who should buy each?
Choose the HP 15.6" Pavilion Touch Laptop Core i7-1355U if: you need a bright screen for outdoor use, value upgradable memory, or want a lightweight laptop for productivity. (60 Hz refresh, 56.33 oz weight)
Choose the MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop if: you prioritize gaming performance, require more storage with a 1TB SSD, or want a backlit keyboard for gaming sessions.
Conclusion
HP 15.6" Pavilion Touch Laptop Core i7-1355U 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?
HP 15.6" Pavilion Touch Laptop Core i7-1355U excels if you value display brightness is rated at 300 nits (higher than the standard 250 nits in this class). 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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