HP 15.6" Pavilion Touch Laptop Core i7-1355U vs MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop
The HP 15.6" Pavilion Touch Laptop Core i7-1355U is the mid-range choice, while the MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop is the budget-friendly option. However, the HP's superior 300 nits brightness compared to the Katana's 250 nits means better visibility in bright environments. Plus, with an upgradable RAM capacity of 64GB, the HP offers more longevity for demanding tasks like photo editing in 2026. On the flip side, the MSI Katana 15 shines in gaming performance, thanks to its RTX 4060 and 144Hz refresh rate. It delivers a smoother experience in fast-paced games, while the HP's lower 60Hz refresh rate may not provide the same fluidity. The choice between these two boils down to whether you prioritize gaming features or a versatile everyday laptop. Key specs: Refresh: 60 Hz vs 144 Hz and Weight: 56.33 oz vs 79.37 oz.
Why compare these? The HP 15.6" Pavilion Touch Laptop Core i7-1355U (mid-range) 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 | HP 15.6" | MSI Katana |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | ✓4.7★ (1,607 reviews) | 4.6★ (38 reviews) |
| Top Strength | Display brightness is rated at 300 nits (higher than the standard 250 nits in this class) | Excellent gaming performance-per-dollar with RTX 4060 and i7-13620H |
| Main Drawback | USB-C port supports data only (no charging or video output) | Display is the weak point: dim (250 nits) and washed out (45% NTSC colors) |
| Market Position | ✓Mid-range | Entry |
HP 15.6" Pavilion Touch Laptop Core i7-1355U
Intel Core i7-1355U (Raptor Lake, 10 cores, up to 5.0 GHz)
Intel Iris Xe Graphics (Integrated)
No (Not supported)
Air (Single fan)
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: 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
Intel Core i7-1355U (Raptor Lake, 10 cores, up to 5.0 GHz)
Intel Iris Xe Graphics (Integrated)
No (Not supported)
Air (Single fan)
16 GB DDR4-3200 MHz (2x 8GB)
Yes (2x SODIMM slots, up to 64 GB)
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)
Cons
- USB-C port supports data only (no charging or video output)
- Keyboard lacks backlighting
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 HP 15.6" Pavilion Touch Laptop Core i7-1355U is the better buy for most people - its 300 nits display crushes the MSI Katana 15's dimmer 250 nits. That said, grab the MSI if you need a more powerful gaming machine with a 1TB SSD - it's lighter on the wallet.
Who should buy each?
Choose the HP 15.6" Pavilion Touch Laptop Core i7-1355U if: you want a brighter display for work, need an upgradable memory option, or prefer a lightweight laptop for daily tasks. (60 Hz refresh, 56.33 oz weight)
Choose the MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop if: you primarily game on it, want a high refresh rate for smoother visuals, or need more storage space without breaking the bank. (144 Hz refresh, 79.37 oz weight)
Quality Seekers
Higher user rating (4.7★ vs 4.6★) indicates better overall satisfaction
→ Choose HP 15.6"
Safe Choice Buyers
More widely tested with 1,607 reviews vs 38
→ Choose HP 15.6"
Premium Buyers
Higher-tier option with more premium features and build quality
→ Choose HP 15.6"
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 HP 15.6" Pavilion Touch Laptop Core i7-1355U edges ahead with a 4.7★ rating compared to 4.6★. However, MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop remains a strong contender if its strengths align better with your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which is better: HP 15.6" Pavilion Touch Laptop Core i7-1355U or MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop?
HP 15.6" Pavilion Touch Laptop Core i7-1355U is the better choice if you prioritize display brightness is rated at 300 nits (higher than the standard 250 nits in this class). MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop wins if you value excellent gaming performance-per-dollar with rtx 4060 and i7-13620h. Both are rated highly (4.7★ vs 4.6★), so consider your specific needs and budget.
+What are the main differences between HP 15.6" Pavilion Touch Laptop Core i7-1355U and MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop?
Key differences: HP 15.6" Pavilion Touch Laptop Core i7-1355U offers display brightness is rated at 300 nits (higher than the standard 250 nits in this class), while MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop stands out with excellent gaming performance-per-dollar with rtx 4060 and i7-13620h. Consider that HP 15.6" Pavilion Touch Laptop Core i7-1355U usb-c port supports data only (no charging or video output). 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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