Alienware M15 R7 vs. MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests
Alienware M15 R7
Alienware M15 R7

Our Rating: 85 %

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

Our Rating: 75 %

In depth comparison and review of Alienware M15 R7 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 R7 Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Alienware M15 R7 based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

powerful gaming performance

high refresh rate display

customizable rgb lighting

advanced cooling system

robust build quality

heavy and bulky

short battery life

expensive price point

loud 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 R7 and MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
87 % - Design
85 % - Display
85 % - Performance
84 % - Connectivity
65 % - Battery
86 % - Design
75 % - Display
86 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Alienware M15 R7 vs. MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Alienware M15 R7 MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 35.62 cm x 27.25 cm x 2.06 cm 35.9 cm x 25.9 cm x 2.49 cm
Weight 2.69 kg 2.25 kg
Colour Dark Side of the Moon -
DISPLAY Alienware M15 R7 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. 165 Hz 144 Hz
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Brightness 300 cd/m² -
Colour Gamut 100% sRGB 45% NTSC
Features Anti-glare, Wide Viewing Angle, 8 ms response rate, ±85° horizontal viewing angle, ±85° vertical viewing angle, 0.18 mm pixel pitch, 3ms response rate (Overdrive), Dell ComfortView Plus IPS-level
PROCESSOR Alienware M15 R7 MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
CPU Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 12700H Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 12650H / 2.3 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.7 GHz 4.7 GHz
Number of Cores 14-core 10-core
Cache 24 MB L3 - 24 MB
Features Intel Smart Cache, Intel Deep Learning Boost (DL Boost) Intel Smart Cache
MEMORY Alienware M15 R7 MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
RAM 16 GB 16 GB (2 x 8 GB)
Max RAM Supported 64 GB -
RAM Type DDR5 SDRAM DDR5 SDRAM
Speed 4800 MHz -
Rated Speed 4800 MHz -
Form Factor SO-DIMM 262-pin SO-DIMM 262-pin
Slots Qty 2 -
STORAGE Alienware M15 R7 MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - NVM Express (NVMe) 1 TB SSD M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 - NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO Alienware M15 R7 MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
Multi-GPU Configuration - 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU
Graphics Processor (GPU) NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 / Intel UHD Graphics
Video Memory 6 GB GDDR6 SDRAM -
Video System Features NVIDIA G-SYNC, Advanced Optimus -
Gaming Yes Yes
Camera Yes - HD Yes
Resolution 0.92 Megapixel -
Camera Features RGB camera, 75.8 degrees -
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 ALC3254 -
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio -
Audio Features - Output: Nahimic 3D audio, Hi-Res Audio
COMMUNICATIONS Alienware M15 R7 MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
Wireless Bluetooth 5.2, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E) 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2
Wireless Controller Killer Wi-Fi 6E AX1675i - M.2 2230 Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX 201
Network Interface 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet Ethernet
Ethernet Controller Killer E3100G -
Features - Dual stream (2x2)
BATTERY Alienware M15 R7 MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
Technology 6-cell Lithium Ion 3-cell
Battery Capacity (Size) 86 Wh 53.5 Wh
Battery Life Up to 7 hours -
AC ADAPTER Alienware M15 R7 MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) -
Output 19.5 V -
INPUT Alienware M15 R7 MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, touchpad
Numeric Keypad - Yes
Keyboard Backlight Yes (RGB) Yes (RGB)
Features 1 RGB zone Marked WASD, 1.7mm travel distance, 4-Zone RGB backlight
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Alienware M15 R7 MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
Slots 2 x M.2 Card (1 free) -
Interfaces HDMI
USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode)
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (PowerShare)
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
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 R7 MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
Operating System (OS) Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Home
Software Included Alienware Command Center MSI APP Player, MSI Center
MISCELLANEOUS Alienware M15 R7 MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
Included Accessories Power adapter Power adapter
Features AlienFX Lighting Zones 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 Limited warranty - 1 year
Model Number - 033UK
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