Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 Core i7-13700HX vs MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop
For gamers and content creators, the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 Core i7-13700HX is the premium option, while the MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop offers a budget-friendly alternative. The key difference? The Lenovo’s 16" WQXGA display (2560 x 1600) crushes the MSI’s 15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) in terms of clarity and color accuracy. Battery life: MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop is rated for up to 4 hours.
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Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 Core i7-13700HX
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: Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 Core i7-13700HX vs MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop
Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 Core i7-13700HX
MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop
| Criterion | Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 Core i7-13700HX | MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.5(18)Amazon | ★4.6(38)Best Buy |
Processor | Intel Core i7-13700HX (Raptor Lake, 16 cores, up to 5.0 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 dedicated NPU (Uses Lenovo LA1 AI chip for system optimization) | No (Not supported) |
Cooling | Legion Coldfront 5.0 (Dual fans, hybrid heat pipes, massive intake/exhaust) | 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 DDR5 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 2280 PCIe Gen4 slots) | Yes (2x M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 slots) |
Display Size | 16" | 15.6" |
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA) | 1920 x 1080 (FHD) |
Aspect Ratio | 16:10 | 16:9 |
Screen Type | IPS (Anti-glare) | IPS-Level (Anti-glare) |
Refresh Rate | 165 Hz (G-SYNC supported) | 144 Hz |
Brightness | 300 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 | 1080p FHD camera with E-shutter | 720p HD webcam (30fps) |
USB Ports | 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (DisplayPort 1.4, 140W Power Delivery); 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (DisplayPort 1.4); 4x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (1x Always On) | 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 (Supports up to 8K@60Hz) | 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 5.1; Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax 2x2); Bluetooth 5.2; Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45) |
Battery | 80 Wh (Li-Polymer) | 53.5 Wh (3-cell Li-Polymer) |
Charger | 300 W Slim Tip adapter | 200 W Barrel-pin adapter |
Weight | 2,550 g (5.6 lbs) | 2,250 g (4.96 lbs) |
Build Material | Aluminum (Top) / PC-ABS (Bottom) | Plastic chassis |
Operating System | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
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Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 Core i7-13700HX
✓ Pros:
- • High-wattage RTX 4060 (140W) delivers top-tier performance for its class
- • Sharp 16:10 WQXGA display with 100% sRGB coverage and G-SYNC
- • Excellent thermal management with the Coldfront 5.0 cooling system
- • Wide port selection including 4x USB-A and 140W USB-C charging support
- • Sturdy build with an aluminum lid and 180-degree hinge
✗ Cons:
- • Battery life is average despite the 80Wh capacity due to high-power HX CPU
- • Bulky and heavy power brick (300W)
- • No biometric security (fingerprint or IR face unlock)
- • The 165Hz panel is 300 nits (the brighter 500-nit panel is reserved for the 240Hz SKU)
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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 Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 Core i7-13700HX is the better buy for most people - its sharper 16" WQXGA display delivers stunning visuals compared to the MSI Katana 15's dim FHD screen. That said, grab the MSI Katana 15 if you want a lighter machine with a larger 1TB SSD, making it easier to store games and media.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 Core i7-13700HX if: you prioritize stunning display quality for gaming, need longer battery life for extended sessions, or want top-tier performance with RTX 4060.
Choose the MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop if: you want a budget-friendly option, need more storage with its 1TB SSD, or prefer a lighter laptop for portability.
Conclusion
Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 Core i7-13700HX 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?
Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 Core i7-13700HX excels if you value high-wattage rtx 4060 (140w) delivers top-tier performance for its 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.
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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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