Alienware M17 vs. MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests
Alienware M17
Alienware M17

Our Rating: 85 %

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

Our Rating: 75 %

In depth comparison and review of Alienware M17 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 M17 Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Alienware M17 based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

powerful gaming performance

high-quality display

advanced cooling system

customizable RGB lighting

sturdy build quality

heavy and bulky

short battery life

expensive price point

loud fans 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 M17 and MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
87 % - Design
85 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
65 % - Battery
86 % - Design
75 % - Display
86 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Alienware M17 vs. MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Alienware M17 MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 41 cm x 29.2 cm x 2.176 cm 35.9 cm x 25.9 cm x 2.49 cm
Weight 2.63 kg 2.25 kg
Colour Epic silver -
DISPLAY Alienware M17 MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
Screen Size (Type) 17.3" - IPS 15.6"
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
Pixel Density (ppi) 127 -
V-Sync Rate at Max Res. 60 Hz 144 Hz
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 -
Image Brightness 300 cd/m² -
Colour Gamut 72% 45% NTSC
Features Anti-glare, Wide Viewing Angle, ±85° horizontal viewing angle, ±85° vertical viewing angle, Narrow Border Display, 35 ms response rate, 0.199 mm pixel pitch IPS-level
PROCESSOR Alienware M17 MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
CPU Intel Core i7 (8th Gen) 8750H / 2.2 GHz Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 12650H / 2.3 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.1 GHz 4.7 GHz
Number of Cores 6-core 10-core
Cache 9 MB L3 - 24 MB
64-bit Computing Yes -
Chipset Mobile Intel HM370 -
Features Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 Intel Smart Cache
MEMORY Alienware M17 MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
RAM 8 GB (1 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 1 -
STORAGE Alienware M17 MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD M.2 PCIe - NVM Express (NVMe) 1 TB SSD M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 - NVM Express (NVMe)
Secondary Storage 1 TB Hybrid Drive (8 GB flash) -
AUDIO & VIDEO Alienware M17 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 -
Gaming - Yes
Camera Yes - Full HD Yes
Resolution 2 Megapixel -
Camera Features Fixed focus, 74.9 degrees -
Image Sensor Type CMOS -
Video Resolutions 1920 x 1080 -
Frame Rate 30 frames per second -
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3281-CG -
Audio Features Realtek High Definition Audio Output: Nahimic 3D audio, Hi-Res Audio
COMMUNICATIONS Alienware M17 MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wave 2, Bluetooth 5.0 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2
Wireless Controller Killer Wireless-AC 1550 Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX 201
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet Ethernet
Ethernet Controller Killer E2400 -
Features - Dual stream (2x2)
BATTERY Alienware M17 MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
Technology 4-cell Lithium Ion 3-cell
Battery Capacity (Size) 60 Wh 53.5 Wh
AC ADAPTER Alienware M17 MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
Input AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz) -
Output 19.5 V -
INPUT Alienware M17 MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
Type Touchpad, alphanumeric keyboard Keyboard, touchpad
Numeric Keypad Yes Yes
Keyboard Backlight Yes (RGB) Yes (RGB)
Features 4-zone illumination Marked WASD, 1.7mm travel distance, 4-Zone RGB backlight
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Alienware M17 MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
Interfaces USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 (supports Thunderbolt 3, DisplayPort 1.2 Alt Mode)
USB 3.1 Gen 1 (PowerShare)
2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1
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 M17 MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Home 64-bit Edition Windows 11 Home
Software Included - MSI APP Player, MSI Center
MISCELLANEOUS Alienware M17 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 - 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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