MSI Katana 15 review: buy or skip?

Consider7.4/10 research score

Quick answer

Consider it, if you find it cheaper than TUF or Nitro models. Why: RTX gaming at a low price with a simple design. The catch: dim screen.

By Buyrskip Editorial Team Updated November 2, 2026 1 min read

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Our verdict on the MSI Katana 15

Buy it if: you find it cheaper than TUF or Nitro models.
Skip it if: you want a bright screen.

Best for: Budget alternative
Key feature: RTX gaming at a low price with a simple design
Typical price: $899–$1,199

Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Key specifications

GPU	RTX 4060 / 5060
Processor	Intel Core i7
Screen	15.6-inch 1080p 144 Hz
Weight	5.0 lb

Who should buy it, and who should skip it

A good fit if you

you find it cheaper than TUF or Nitro models
value good performance for price
can spend around $899–$1,199

Skip it if you

you want a bright screen
mind this: dim screen
mind this: loud

Pros and cons

Pros

Good performance for price
Simple design
Upgradeable
144 Hz

Cons

Dim screen
Loud

The verdict in one breath

The MSI Katana 15 is a good gaming laptop for the right buyer, not an automatic pick. Its strength: RTX gaming at a low price with a simple design. Check the skip-if line before you order.

Reasons to buy

Good performance for price
Simple design
Upgradeable
144 Hz

Reasons to skip

Dim screen
Loud

The specs that matter

GPU: RTX 4060 / 5060
Processor: Intel Core i7
Screen: 15.6-inch 1080p 144 Hz
Weight: 5.0 lb

Worth knowing

Check the screen specs; some configurations use dim panels.

Buy it or skip it?

Consider it if you find it cheaper than TUF or Nitro models. Skip it if you want a bright screen; the Lenovo LOQ 15 (2025) is the better buy then. Everything else is in our list of the best gaming laptops.

Alternatives worth considering

Lenovo · Gaming laptops

Lenovo LOQ 15 (2025)

Buy it if you want solid 1080p gaming under $1,200.

Verdict: Buy
Best for: Budget Legion
Typical price: $899–$1,199

Pros

Good cooling
Good keyboard

Cons

Heavy

Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

Acer · Gaming laptops

Acer Nitro V 15

Buy it if you want to play modern games at 1080p on a budget.

Verdict: Buy
Best for: Budget gaming
Typical price: $749–$999

Pros

Cheap RTX gaming
Upgradeable RAM

Cons

Average screen

Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

Frequently asked questions

Should I buy the MSI Katana 15?

Consider it, if you find it cheaper than TUF or Nitro models. Why: RTX gaming at a low price with a simple design. The catch: dim screen.

When should I skip it?

Skip it if you want a bright screen. The Lenovo LOQ 15 (2025) is the better buy then.

What does the MSI Katana 15 cost?

Usually $899–$1,199 on Amazon.com. It tends to dip during Prime Day and Black Friday.

Buyrskip Editorial Team

Part of the Buyrskip research team. We compare specifications, documentation and real-world trade-offs so you can decide faster.

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MSI Katana 15: the full buy-or-skip review

Is the MSI Katana 15 worth buying? Short answer: consider it, if you find it cheaper than TUF or Nitro models. This review explains what this MSI model gets right, where it falls short, what it usually costs in the US and which gaming laptop to buy instead if it is not the right fit for you.

What the MSI Katana 15 does well

The headline: RTX gaming at a low price with a simple design. Key specs: GPU: RTX 4060 / 5060; Processor: Intel Core i7; Screen: 15.6-inch 1080p 144 Hz; Weight: 5.0 lb. In our list it is the pick for: budget alternative. It usually sells for $899–$1,199.

Check the screen specs; some configurations use dim panels.

The trade-offs

Good: good performance for price, simple design, upgradeable, 144 Hz. Not so good: dim screen, loud. Read the skip-if line before you order: skip it if you want a bright screen.

What to buy instead

Instead, consider the Lenovo LOQ 15 (2025) ($899–$1,199): legion-style cooling and keyboard at a budget price. Better if you want solid 1080p gaming under $1,200.

Instead, consider the Acer Nitro V 15 ($749–$999): entry RTX gaming laptop under $1,000. Better if you want to play modern games at 1080p on a budget.

Instead, consider the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 ($1,099–$1,399): RTX 5060 or 5070 gaming at a mid-range price. Better if you want strong 1080p and 1440p gaming without paying premium prices.

Before you buy

GPU first: the graphics card decides frame rates; an RTX 5060 or 5070 is the sweet spot for 1080p and 1440p gaming. Power limit: the same GPU can be 30% slower in a thin laptop with a low wattage limit; check the TGP. Screen: a 1440p panel at 165 Hz or faster suits most gamers; 4K drains battery and needs a top-tier GPU.

US buyer tip

Gaming laptop prices fall sharply on Black Friday and when new GPU generations launch; last-generation RTX 40-series machines can be strong value if priced well below RTX 50-series ones.

Prices on Amazon.com move in a pattern. The deepest cuts land on Prime Day in July, Prime Big Deal Days in October and the Black Friday to Cyber Monday week, with smaller drops around Presidents Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and back-to-school. Judge a deal against the usual price we show, never against the crossed-out list price.

Order from Amazon itself or the brand's official storefront so the US manufacturer warranty applies, keep your order confirmation and register the product with the brand. Most items can be returned within 30 days, and holiday purchases often get an extended return window into January.