Alienware M15 R2 vs. MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests
Alienware M15 R2
Alienware M15 R2

Our Rating: 85 %

MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)

Our Rating: 75 %

In depth comparison and review of Alienware M15 R2 and MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK). Compare sizes, performance, storage capacities, batteries and other important specifications and features to easily choose the right laptop for you. Our goal is to help you uncover differences between the products and find the laptop that will best fit your needs.

Alienware M15 R2 Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Alienware M15 R2 based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

striking slim design

powerful gaming performance

high-quality display

customizable rgb lighting

advanced cooling technology

high price point

average battery life

limited port selection

noisy under load

MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

powerful intel processor

high refresh rate display

robust gaming performance

affordable price point

solid build quality

average battery life

limited port selection

heavier design

dim display brightness

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Alienware M15 R2 and MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
87 % - Design
85 % - Display
84 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
65 % - Battery
86 % - Design
75 % - Display
86 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Alienware M15 R2 vs. MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Alienware M15 R2 MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 36.05 cm x 27.6 cm x 1.95 cm 35.9 cm x 25.9 cm x 2.49 cm
Weight 2.16 kg 2.25 kg
Colour Lunar light -
DISPLAY Alienware M15 R2 MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
Screen Size (Type) 15.6" 15.6"
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
Pixel Density (ppi) 141 -
V-Sync Rate at Max Res. 144 Hz 144 Hz
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Brightness 300 cd/m² -
Colour Gamut 72% 45% NTSC
Features Anti-glare, Tobii IR Eye-tracking, ±85° horizontal viewing angle, ±85° vertical viewing angle, 9 ms response rate, 0.179 mm pixel pitch IPS-level
PROCESSOR Alienware M15 R2 MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
CPU Intel Core i7 (9th Gen) 9750H / 2.6 GHz Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 12650H / 2.3 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.5 GHz 4.7 GHz
Number of Cores 6-core 10-core
Cache 12 MB L3 - 24 MB
64-bit Computing Yes -
Chipset Mobile Intel HM370 -
Features Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 Intel Smart Cache
MEMORY Alienware M15 R2 MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
RAM 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) 16 GB (2 x 8 GB)
Max RAM Supported 32 GB -
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM DDR5 SDRAM
Speed 2666 MHz -
Rated Speed 2666 MHz -
Form Factor SO-DIMM 260-pin SO-DIMM 262-pin
Slots Qty 2 -
Empty Slots 0 -
STORAGE Alienware M15 R2 MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 512 GB SSD M.2 PCIe 1 TB SSD M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 - NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO Alienware M15 R2 MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
Multi-GPU Configuration - 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU
Graphics Processor (GPU) NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 / Intel UHD Graphics
Video Memory 6 GB GDDR6 SDRAM -
Video System Features Overclocked -
Gaming - Yes
Camera Yes - Full HD Yes
Resolution 0.92 Megapixel -
Camera Features 74.9 degrees, RGB camera -
Image Sensor Type CMOS -
Video Resolutions 1280 x 720 -
Frame Rate 30 frames per second -
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3281-CG -
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio -
Audio Features - Output: Nahimic 3D audio, Hi-Res Audio
COMMUNICATIONS Alienware M15 R2 MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.2 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2
Wireless Controller Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265 Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX 201
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet Ethernet
Features - Dual stream (2x2)
BATTERY Alienware M15 R2 MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
Technology 6-cell Lithium Ion 3-cell
Battery Capacity (Size) 76 Wh 53.5 Wh
AC ADAPTER Alienware M15 R2 MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
Input AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz) -
Output 19.5 V -
INPUT Alienware M15 R2 MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, touchpad
Numeric Keypad - Yes
Keyboard Backlight Yes (RGB) Yes (RGB)
Features Multi-gesture touch pad, Per-Key illumination Marked WASD, 1.7mm travel distance, 4-Zone RGB backlight
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Alienware M15 R2 MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
Interfaces 2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1
USB 3.1 Gen 1 (PowerShare)
USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 (supports Thunderbolt 3)
HDMI
Mini DisplayPort
Graphics Amplifier Port
Headphone/microphone combo jack
LAN
USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (supports DisplayPort Alt Mode)
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB 2.0
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
HDMI (8K support)
SOFTWARE Alienware M15 R2 MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Home Advanced 64-bit Edition Windows 11 Home
Software Included - MSI APP Player, MSI Center
MISCELLANEOUS Alienware M15 R2 MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
Included Accessories Power adapter Power adapter
Security Slot Type Noble Wedge security slot -
Theft/Intrusion Protection Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately) -
Features MIMO technology, AlienFX Lighting Zones, Cryo-Tech cooling v3.0 Cooler Boost 5 technology
Max Operating Temperature 35 °C -
Min Operating Temperature 0 °C -
Humidity Range Operating 10 - 90% (non-condensing) -
Manufacturer Warranty - Limited warranty - 1 year
Model Number - 033UK
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