MSI Katana 15 AI Hands-On: First gaming laptop with AI and AMD Ryzen 8000 series

MSI Katana 15 AI is the perfect blend of performance, affordability, and AI capabilities. Packed with a powerful configuration, a crisp screen, and optimal features, this product is designed to deliver an exceptional experience for gamers and tech enthusiasts alike. Join us as we explore the appeal and power of the new MSI Katana 15 AI in this hands-on article.

MSI recently launched the MSI Katana 15 AI, a high-tech gaming laptop featuring the latest AMD Ryzen 8000 Series CPU. And of course, it doesn’t fall short when it comes to AI features.

MSI Katana 15 AI Hands-On: First Impression

Design

The MSI Katana 15 AI maintains a similar design to its predecessor, which is a key feature of the product. With a sleek and minimalist black design, featuring the MSI logo on the A side and V-shaped lines, the Katana 15 exudes a gaming aesthetic while remaining simple. The overall design of the MSI Katana 15 AI is virtually unchanged from its previous model.

In terms of size, the MSI Katana 15 AI measures 359 x 259 x 24.9 mm and weighs 2.2 kg. Although it is a gaming laptop, this size is not overly cumbersome for users. The larger size of the device contributes to its powerful performance and efficient heat dissipation.

The MSI Katana 15 AI impresses not only with its powerful configuration but also with its user-friendly design and variety of connectivity options. On the right side, you will find the 3.5mm audio jack, 1 USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A port, 1 USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C port, 1 HDMI port, and 1 RJ45 port. The left side houses a USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A port and 1 USB 2.0 Type-A port.

The MSI Katana 15 AI prioritizes both performance and effective heat dissipation. The D-side of the device features heat sinkholes, revealing a large heat dissipation system that ensures the laptop remains cool even during intensive use. Additionally, the laptop is equipped with large rubber feet at the four corners, providing stability and allowing for improved heat release.

Keyboard and touchpad

The MSI Katana 15 AI features a full keyboard set with a number pad and RGB LEDs. The keyboard offers deep key travel, quick feedback, and flexible bounce for a stable typing experience.

While the inclusion of a numpad in a 15-inch laptop may seem a bit cramped and somewhat uncomfortable for typing, having this feature is still preferable to not having it at all.

Display

The MSI Katana 15 comes with a 15.6-inch IPS screen featuring Full HD resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate. This panel delivers sharp image quality, vibrant colors, and impressive contrast. However, it’s worth noting that the screen has a limited color gamut of 45% NTSC. As a result, if you’re involved in graphic design work or require accurate color representation, it’s advisable to avoid using this screen to avoid any potential color distortion.

Powerful AI-Integrated Configuration

This MSI Katana 15 AI hands-on unit boasts an AMD Ryzen R7-8845HS processor with 8 cores, 16 threads, and a clock speed of up to 5.1 GHz. The laptop can handle multitasking tasks seamlessly with its 24MB cache.

Moreover, the Nvidia Geforce RTX 4050 discrete graphics card with 6GB GDDR6 capacity adds to the laptop’s top-notch processing power. The MUX switch is a unique feature that allows users to switch between integrated and discrete graphics cards for optimized performance or battery life, depending on their usage needs.

The laptop also has 16GB of dual-channel DDR5 RAM and 512GB of advanced NVMe PCIe SSD Gen4x4, resulting in a lightning-fast user experience and enhanced multitasking performance. However, users who are into playing AAA games may need to upgrade their RAM and SSD to higher levels to install more games and fight more smoothly.

The MSI Katana 15 AI pleasantly meets my needs, providing a smooth experience even with basic games. The fan operates quietly, and the device remains at a comfortable temperature. More details will be available in an upcoming MSI Katana 15 AI review.

Like many gaming laptops on the market, the MSI Katana 15 AI embraces the current AI trend. MSI integrates AI technology into its products to enhance the user experience. The unique combination of MSI Engine and MSI Artist boosts productivity for content creators.

One standout feature is MSI’s AI Noise Cancellation Pro technology, which effectively eliminates background noise and improves the quality of recorded audio during team calls. This technology ensures that ambient noise no longer hinders communication.

Battery life

Similar to its predecessor, the MSI Katana 15 AI is equipped with a 3-cell 53.5Wh battery that plays a vital role in powering the laptop during use. This battery capacity allows for approximately 4 hours of continuous usage, although battery life may vary depending on individual usage and configuration.

For light to moderate tasks like web browsing, movie streaming, and office work, the battery performs well and meets user expectations. However, intense applications such as gaming or video editing will significantly reduce battery life.

Final line

Whether or not to purchase the MSI Katana 15 AI depends on your specific needs and priorities. Priced at approximately $1,300 on Amazon, this laptop offers impressive performance and AI features that are currently in high demand. It is particularly appealing to gamers and technology enthusiasts.

However, it’s important to note that the laptop’s screen only covers 45% of the NTSC color space. As a result, it may not be the best choice for graphic designers who require accurate color representation.

Consider your intended usage and prioritize your requirements before deciding on whether to buy the MSI Katana 15 AI.