Price When Reviewed

$1,049.99

Best Prices Today: MSI Katana GF66

Budget gaming laptops usually wrestle to face out. Packing a reliable CPU and GPU right into a machine priced round $1,000 or much less is troublesome and most laptops on this class make related compromises. The MSI Katana GF66 12UD doesn’t buck this pattern, however stable efficiency could make it a sensible alternative when the value is correct. This specific rig affords sturdy efficiency, plentiful connectivity choices, an inexpensive value level, and extra. Let’s get proper into it.

For extra choices, try our roundup of the best gaming laptops obtainable at present.

MSI Katana GF66 12UD: Specs and options

The MSI Katana GF66’s specs are typical for a high-performance but price range gaming laptop computer. It cuts prices with the Intel Core i7-12650H CPU, which has six efficiency cores and 4 effectivity cores, and an Nvidia RTX 3050 Ti GPU. 

• CPU: Intel Core i7-12650H
• Memory: 16GB DDR5
• Graphics/GPU: Nvidia RTX 3050 Ti
• Display: 1,920 x 1,080 144Hz
• Storage: 512GB PCIe Gen4 M.2 stable state drive
• Webcam: 720p
• Connectivity: 1x USB-C, 3x USB-A, 1x HDMI, 1x Ethernet, 1x 3.5mm combo audio, 1x AC barrel plug
• Networking: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2
• Biometrics: None
• Battery capability: 53 watt-hours
• Dimensions: 14.13 x 10.20 x 0.98 inches
• Weight: 4.96 kilos
• MSRP: $1,049.99

MSI nonetheless has the price range to ship 16GB of RAM, a 512GB stable state drive, and a 1080p 144Hz IPS show. These specs are what I’d personally take into account the naked minimal for any fashionable gaming laptop computer, and so they assist the Katana present acceptable (although not excellent) efficiency.

While this laptop computer is listed at $1,049.99 on Amazon, pricing can range considerably between retailers, with some providing related fashions as little as $799.99. Shoppers ought to be cautious to stay with the newest configurations: variants with outdated Intel Core Tenth-gen and Core Eleventh-gen processors are nonetheless bought by third-party sellers on Amazon and different retailers.

MSI Katana GF66 12UD: Design and construct high quality

IDG / Matthew Smith

MSI’s Katana GF66 12UD’s is easy and understated. The MSI brand is sufficiently small to be simply missed, which might be a plus for many who want a laptop computer that appears unbranded. The black-and-red coloration scheme cuts in opposition to this, nonetheless, growing the laptop computer’s aggression. MSI’s design is unquestionably a step behind Lenovo and Dell, which supply extra elaborate and detailed aesthetics. 

The laptop computer’s measurement is typical for a 15.6-inch laptop computer, at 14 inches large and 10 inches deep. The Lenovo Legion 5i, Dell G7 15 and HP Victus 15 are related in measurement. MSI undercuts the competitors barely on weight, nonetheless, dipping slightly below 5 kilos. Many options on this value bracket weigh a half-pound to a pound extra.

Build high quality is finest described as useful. The plastics used appear and feel primary, however the chassis and show lid enable minimal flex. I’d as soon as once more place price range laptops from Lenovo and Dell above the MSI, as they make higher use of blended materials textures. Still, the Katana’s high quality is sweet for the value, and on par with Acer Nitro and Asus TUF laptops. 

MSI Katana GF66 12UD: Keyboard and trackpad

IDG / Matthew Smith

The MSI Katana’s keyboard is spacious and straightforward to make use of, with a numpad included for comfort. The numpad has half-sized keys, nonetheless, which may make it troublesome to make use of for greater than an occasional entry into an Excel spreadsheet. The general measurement of the keyboard might be bigger, as there’s a few half-inch of area on both measurement, nevertheless it’s akin to different price range laptops.

Key journey is lengthy, however the really feel is imprecise and springy. Gamers who like a extra tactile expertise will probably be dissatisfied. There’s noticeable flex within the keyboard, which contributes to the springy key really feel. The typing expertise is inferior to Lenovo’s Legion laptops however just like different price range gaming laptops together with Dell’s G7, Acer’s Nitro, and Asus’ TUF collection.

Keyboard backlighting is customary, although solely obtainable in crimson. The backlight affords three brightness ranges. The highest is straightforward to see in a lit room, whereas the dimmest is simply seen in a room with the lights off. 

The touchpad is cramped, measuring solely 4 inches large and a pair of.5 inches throughout. It feels small, and multitouch gestures may be troublesome to execute because of the restricted area obtainable. There’s loads of wasted area on the laptop computer’s palmrest that might be used for a bigger touchpad. Bad touchpads are widespread on price range gaming laptops, and the Katana isn’t an exception.

MSI Katana GF66 12UD: Display, audio

IDG / Matthew Smith

Every MSI Katana GF66 12UD has a 15.6-inch 1080p IPS show with a 144Hz refresh price. This is typical for a price range laptop computer, however not all 1080p shows carry out the identical—and, sadly, the Katana’s show finally ends up close to the underside of the pile.

Brightness is an issue. The show reaches solely 254 nits, which isn’t excessive sufficient to permit snug use in a brightly lit room. Gamers are prone to play in an area with dim lighting, in fact, however the dim display screen may be annoying in day-to-day use. 

The distinction ratio is healthier, reaching a most ratio of 1240:1. That’s akin to many laptops bought at quite a lot of value factors and higher than some dearer laptops I’ve examined, such because the Acer Predator Helios 300. The distinction ratio is excessive sufficient to offer a suitable sense of depth and realism, nevertheless it’s not beautiful.

Color efficiency is disappointing. The show can deal with simply 65 % of the sRGB coloration gamut and 48 % of DCI-P3. That’s a particularly restrained coloration gamut, and it results in a boring, muted expertise that lacks the vibrance and punch players count on.

Motion efficiency is first rate. Quick digicam pans in 3D video games result in noticeable blur, however the picture is way extra legible than on a laptop computer with a 60Hz IPS show. Fast-moving objects have solely slight movement blur behind them. G-Sync support isn’t listed within the laptop computer’s specs and wasn’t obtainable in Nvidia’s settings, so players should play with an uncapped framerate or use V-Sync. 

While the MSI Katana’s show isn’t nice, it’s (once more) typical of a price range gaming laptop computer. Many opponents, such because the HP Victus 15 and Acer Nitro, have an an identical show of their entry-level configuration. Lenovo’s Legion 5i has an edge, nonetheless, providing a barely higher 165Hz show with 300 nits of brightness in its present entry-level configuration.

The built-in audio system are mediocre, with a modest most quantity and lack of bass to fill out the sound stage in music and video games. To their credit score, nonetheless, they principally keep away from critical distortion when taking part in music at excessive quantity, offering a crisp and clear expertise. 

MSI Katana GF66 12UD: Webcam, microphone, biometrics

MSI bundles a primary 720p webcam into the Katana. It’s not nice. The picture seems to be mushy and serves up muted, pale colours. Any vital swing in lighting can confuse the webcam, inflicting large swings in publicity. It’s high quality for a Zoom name, however that’s about it. 

Microphone high quality holds up higher, choosing up my voice properly with out permitting background noise from an area heater to creep into the audio. Recorded audio sounds a bit tinny, however that’s true of almost all laptop computer microphones. 

The MSI Katana doesn’t supply biometric login or different biometric options.

MSI Katana GF66 12UD: Connectivity

IDG / Matthew Smith

A wholesome mixture of ports line the MSI Katana’s flanks. This contains one USB-C port, three USB-A ports (two of that are USB 3.2), HDMI, Ethernet, and a 3.5mm combo audio jack. 

The USB-C port is information solely, nonetheless, which suggests it could actually’t deal with DisplayPort video or cost the laptop computer. I confirmed this by testing the laptop computer with a USB-C monitor that gives Power Delivery, in addition to a USB-C energy brick. This is disappointing. The Dell G7 15 affords DisplayPort Alternate Mode and the newest Lenovo Legion 5 provides assist for as much as 135 watts of USB Power Delivery. 

Wireless connectivity contains Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, which is typical for a price range gaming laptop computer. I would like to see Wi-Fi 6E, the newest obtainable Wi-Fi customary, which may be present in some competing price range laptops. Most folks don’t personal a Wi-Fi 6E router, nonetheless, so its absence isn’t a significant situation.

MSI Katana GF66 12UD: Performance

The MSI Katana GF66 12UD I examined had an Intel Core i7-12650H processor, Nvidia’s RTX 3050 Ti, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB stable state drive. A wide range of Katana fashions can be found at on-line retailers, however that is the commonest variant of the 15-inch Katana. A inexpensive configuration with Intel Arc A370M graphics exists however comes outfitted with a much less highly effective processor and fewer RAM, and inventory seems restricted. 

I examined the laptop computer on the Balanced energy setting. MSI requested that I take a look at the laptop computer on the Extreme Performance setting, however I discovered this merely turns the followers as much as their most setting and leaves them there. It’s as annoying because it sounds and never how I count on most house owners would use the laptop computer. I additionally discovered the Extreme Performance mode had a negligible affect on efficiency in most conditions.

IDG / Matthew Smith

The checks begin with PCMark 10, a benchmark that makes an attempt to check a system’s general efficiency by way of quite a lot of situations that mimic-real world use, however which tends to lean in the direction of counting on CPU efficiency. The MSI Katana scores a decent 6,941. This basically ties the Ryzen 7 6800H and Ryzen 9 6900HS within the Acer Nitro 5 and Corsair Voyager, and is only a hair behind the Lenovo Legion 5i with Intel Core i7-12700H. This is a stable begin. 

IDG / Matthew Smith

It’s an identical story in Cinebench R15, the place the Katana maintains its third-place end. This is a good outcome for a laptop computer that’s bought for simply $1,050, and exhibits that sticking with the Intel Core i7-12650H, slightly than the dearer Core i7-12700H, doesn’t tank efficiency.

IDG / Matthew Smith

There’s no large shock in Handbrake, one other CPU-heavy workload, because the Katana as soon as once more slices its method to a third-place end. The quickest processors (Intel’s Core i7-12700H and AMD’s Ryzen 9 6900HS) handle to increase their lead on this benchmark, however the Katana’s efficiency stays admirable for a price range machine.

The focus now strikes on to GPU benchmarks. The Nvidia RTX 3050 Ti within the Katana I examined has a most graphics energy of simply 60 watts, which is way decrease than most gaming laptops with RTX 3060 or Radeon RX 6800M {hardware}. Unsurprisingly, this proves a drag on efficiency.

IDG / Matthew Smith

The MSI Katana’s 3DMark Time Spy rating of 5,862 earns it a fourth-place end, and the hole between opponents has widened. Choosing the MSI Katana with RTX 3050 Ti ends in efficiency about 30 % lower than an RTX 3060 various. However, the RTX 3050 Ti opens up an enormous lead over the older Nvidia GTX 1650 within the HP Victus 15. 

IDG / Matthew Smith

Trends proceed in Shadow of the Tomb Raider, with the Katana once more taking a fourth-place end. It does handle to realize 70 frames-per-second, nonetheless, which offering a easy expertise in real-world gameplay. The similar can’t be mentioned of the inexpensive HP Victus 15, which dips properly under 60 FPS.

IDG / Matthew Smith

Metro Exodus is a tough take a look at for the Katana, because it averaged simply 23 frames-per-second at Extreme element and with ray tracing turned off. That’s higher than the GTX 1650 within the HP Victus 15, but in addition not playable. A 30 FPS expertise is feasible by turning down element to Ultra (this boosts the typical to 42 FPS), and the sport nonetheless seems to be nice at this preset. 

I additionally gave the MSI Katana a spin in Cyberpunk 2077 with ray tracing turned on and DLSS turned off. It averaged simply 14 frames-per-second, which isn’t playable. Playable efficiency was solely attainable with DLSS set to its Performance mode and ray tracing high quality turned to Medium, and even these compromises netted a mean of 36 FPS with just a few transient detours into the kids.

Clearly, the Katana shouldn’t be a powerhouse, nevertheless it lands in a cushty spot for its value. And value, actually, is the story right here. The efficiency gaps between GTX 1650, RTX 3050/RTX 3050 Ti, and RTX 3060 laptops are giant, however the distinction in value is usually only a couple hundred {dollars}. Even a small discount in value will enormously enhance the Katana’s worth—so maintain an eye fixed out for gross sales. 

MSI Katana GF66 12UD: Battery life

The MSI Katana GF66 12UD has a 53 watt-hour battery. That’s not giant for any laptop computer, by no means thoughts a 15-inch gaming laptop computer with discrete graphics, and it results in lackluster battery life.

IDG / Matthew Smith

I measured 4 hours and 14 minutes of endurance whereas taking part in a 4K file of Tears of Steel on repeat, which isn’t a very demanding workload. Playing sport will drain the battery way more shortly. 

There is a silver lining: this outcome, although unimpressive, is about common for a gaming laptop computer. Most gamer laptops wrestle to interrupt 5 hours of endurance. The Acer Nitro 5 is an exception on this case, because the mannequin we examined was a 17-inch laptop computer with room for a a lot bigger 96 watt-hour battery.

MSI Katana GF66 12UD: Conclusion

MSI’s Katana GF66 12UD is a completely common price range to mid-range gaming laptop computer. It’s quick sufficient to deal with most fashionable titles at 30 to 60 frames-per-second, particularly in the event you’re prepared to compromise on element settings. It additionally packs sturdy processor efficiency. 

The laptop computer’s most critical flaws are present in particulars such because the show, keyboard, and touchpad. These shortcomings are shared with many cheap gaming laptops. However, the Katana’s value of $1,050 places it up in opposition to some options that may do higher. The Lenovo Legion 5 and Dell G17 15 are two examples.

So, must you purchase it? My recommendation is easy: search for a sale. The Katana would make a whole lot of sense below $1,000, and it’s a steal below $800. Microcenter, for instance, currently offers a model with an even better Core i7-12700H processor for $799.99.