MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK) vs. MSI Pulse 17 (B13VFK)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests
MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)

Our Rating: 75 %

MSI Pulse 17 (B13VFK)
MSI Pulse 17 (B13VFK)

Our Rating: 85 %

In depth comparison and review of MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK) and MSI Pulse 17 (B13VFK). 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.

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

MSI Pulse 17 (B13VFK) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of MSI Pulse 17 (B13VFK) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

powerful gaming performance

high refresh rate display

lightweight for size

ample connectivity options

robust build quality

high price point

average battery life

loud under load

no biometric security

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK) and MSI Pulse 17 (B13VFK)
86 % - Design
75 % - Display
86 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
86 % - Design
87 % - Display
87 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
74 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK) vs. MSI Pulse 17 (B13VFK) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK) MSI Pulse 17 (B13VFK)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 35.9 cm x 25.9 cm x 2.49 cm 39.8 cm x 27.3 cm x 2.72 cm
Weight 2.25 kg 2.7 kg
Colour - Grey
DISPLAY MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK) MSI Pulse 17 (B13VFK)
Screen Size (Type) 15.6" 17.3"
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
V-Sync Rate at Max Res. 144 Hz 144 Hz
Widescreen Yes Yes
Colour Gamut 45% NTSC 45% NTSC
Features IPS-level IPS-level
PROCESSOR MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK) MSI Pulse 17 (B13VFK)
CPU Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 12650H / 2.3 GHz Intel Core i7 (13th Gen) 13700H / 2.4 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.7 GHz 5 GHz
Number of Cores 10-core 14-core
Cache L3 - 24 MB L3 - 24 MB
Features Intel Smart Cache Intel Smart Cache
MEMORY MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK) MSI Pulse 17 (B13VFK)
RAM 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) 16 GB (2 x 8 GB)
Max RAM Supported - 64 GB
RAM Type DDR5 SDRAM DDR5 SDRAM
Speed - 5200 MHz
Rated Speed - 5200 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 262-pin SO-DIMM 262-pin
Slots Qty - 2
Empty Slots - 0
STORAGE MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK) MSI Pulse 17 (B13VFK)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 1 TB SSD M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 - NVM Express (NVMe) 1 TB SSD M.2 PCIe 4.0 - NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK) MSI Pulse 17 (B13VFK)
Multi-GPU Configuration 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU
Graphics Processor (GPU) NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 / Intel UHD Graphics NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 / Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Video Memory - 8 GB GDDR6 SDRAM
Video System Features - Max-Q design, NVIDIA Resizable BAR, Dynamic Boost, MUX Switch, NVIDIA Reflex, NVIDIA DLSS 3
Gaming Yes Yes
Camera Yes Yes - 720p
Frame Rate - 30 frames per second
Sound Stereo speakers, microphone Stereo speakers, microphone
Audio Features Output: Nahimic 3D audio, Hi-Res Audio Output: Nahimic 3 sound technology, Hi-Res Audio
VR Ready - Yes
COMMUNICATIONS MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK) MSI Pulse 17 (B13VFK)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2
Wireless Controller Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX 201 Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX 201
Network Interface Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet
Features Dual stream (2x2) Dual stream (2x2)
BATTERY MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK) MSI Pulse 17 (B13VFK)
Technology 3-cell 4-cell
Battery Capacity (Size) 53.5 Wh 90 Wh
AC ADAPTER MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK) MSI Pulse 17 (B13VFK)
Input - AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output - 240 Watt, 20 V, 12 A
INPUT MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK) MSI Pulse 17 (B13VFK)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, touchpad
Numeric Keypad Yes Yes
Keyboard Backlight Yes (RGB) Yes (RGB)
Features Marked WASD, 1.7mm travel distance, 4-Zone RGB backlight Marked WASD, 1.7mm travel distance, 4-Zone RGB backlight
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK) MSI Pulse 17 (B13VFK)
Interfaces 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)
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB 2.0
USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (supports DisplayPort Alt Mode)
HDMI 2.1 (8K support)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
LAN
SOFTWARE MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK) MSI Pulse 17 (B13VFK)
Operating System (OS) Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Home
Software Included MSI APP Player, MSI Center MSI APP Player, MSI Center
MISCELLANEOUS MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK) MSI Pulse 17 (B13VFK)
Included Accessories Power adapter Power adapter
Security - Firmware Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip
Features Cooler Boost 5 technology Cooler Boost 5 technology, Meta Ready
Manufacturer Warranty Limited warranty - 1 year Limited warranty - 1 year
Model Number 033UK 010UK
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