MSI Pulse 15 (B13VGK) vs. MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests
MSI Pulse 15 (B13VGK)
MSI Pulse 15 (B13VGK)

Our Rating: 85 %

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

Our Rating: 75 %

In depth comparison and review of MSI Pulse 15 (B13VGK) 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.

MSI Pulse 15 (B13VGK) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of MSI Pulse 15 (B13VGK) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

powerful gaming performance

high refresh rate display

lightweight design

robust build quality

good thermal management

average battery life

limited port selection

higher price point

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 MSI Pulse 15 (B13VGK) and MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
86 % - Design
83 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
86 % - Design
75 % - Display
86 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

MSI Pulse 15 (B13VGK) vs. MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS MSI Pulse 15 (B13VGK) MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 35.9 cm x 25.9 cm x 2.69 cm 35.9 cm x 25.9 cm x 2.49 cm
Weight 2.3 kg 2.25 kg
Colour Grey -
DISPLAY MSI Pulse 15 (B13VGK) MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
Screen Size (Type) 15.6" 15.6"
Screen Resolution 2560 x 1440 (QHD) 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
V-Sync Rate at Max Res. 165 Hz 144 Hz
Widescreen Yes Yes
Colour Gamut 100% DCI-P3 45% NTSC
Features IPS-level IPS-level
PROCESSOR MSI Pulse 15 (B13VGK) MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
CPU Intel Core i7 (13th Gen) 13700H / 2.4 GHz Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 12650H / 2.3 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 5 GHz 4.7 GHz
Number of Cores 14-core 10-core
Cache L3 - 24 MB L3 - 24 MB
Features Intel Smart Cache Intel Smart Cache
MEMORY MSI Pulse 15 (B13VGK) MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
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 Pulse 15 (B13VGK) MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
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 x4 - NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO MSI Pulse 15 (B13VGK) MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
Multi-GPU Configuration 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU
Graphics Processor (GPU) NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 / Intel Iris Xe Graphics NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 / Intel UHD Graphics
Video Memory 8 GB GDDR6 SDRAM -
Video System Features NVIDIA Optimus, Max-Q design, NVIDIA Resizable BAR, Dynamic Boost, MUX Switch, NVIDIA Reflex, NVIDIA Tensor Cores Gen 3, NVIDIA DLSS 3 -
Gaming Yes Yes
Camera Yes - 720p Yes
Frame Rate 30 frames per second -
Sound Stereo speakers, microphone Stereo speakers, microphone
Audio Features Output: Nahimic 3 sound technology, Hi-Res Audio Output: Nahimic 3D audio, Hi-Res Audio
VR Ready Yes -
COMMUNICATIONS MSI Pulse 15 (B13VGK) MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
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 Gigabit Ethernet Ethernet
Features - Dual stream (2x2)
BATTERY MSI Pulse 15 (B13VGK) MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
Technology 4-cell 3-cell
Battery Capacity (Size) 90 Wh 53.5 Wh
AC ADAPTER MSI Pulse 15 (B13VGK) MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) -
Output 240 Watt, 20 V, 12 A -
INPUT MSI Pulse 15 (B13VGK) MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, touchpad
Numeric Keypad Yes Yes
Keyboard Backlight Yes 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 Pulse 15 (B13VGK) MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
Interfaces 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB 2.0
USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (supports DisplayPort Alt Mode)
HDMI (8K support)
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 MSI Pulse 15 (B13VGK) MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
Operating System (OS) Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Home
Software Included MSI Mystic Light, MSI APP Player, MSI Center MSI APP Player, MSI Center
MISCELLANEOUS MSI Pulse 15 (B13VGK) MSI Katana 15 (B12VGK)
Included Accessories Power adapter Power adapter
Security Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip -
Features Cooler Boost 5 technology, Meta Ready Cooler Boost 5 technology
Manufacturer Warranty Limited warranty - 1 year Limited warranty - 1 year
Model Number 294UK 033UK
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