The MSI Katana 15 (2025) is designed to deliver solid gaming performance in a relatively affordable gaming laptop form factor. Under the hood, it’s powered by a 14th-generation Intel Core i7-14650HX processor, which supplies plenty of multi-threaded muscle for games, streaming, and productivity work. Paired with this CPU is the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 GPU, which offers entry-level to mid-range ray-tracing support and is well-suited to gaming at 1080p with many modern games running smoothly at medium to high settings. Supporting the core hardware are 16 GB of DDR5 memory and a 512 GB NVMe solid-state drive, giving enough memory and fast storage for demanding applications and decent game libraries.

Visually, the laptop sports a 15.6-inch display with a refresh rate of 144 Hz. This higher refresh rate ensures smoother motion and better responsiveness in fast-paced gaming, helping reduce motion blur and enhancing the overall gaming experience. The screen is sufficient for 1080p competitive gaming and daily use, though its color gamut, brightness, and contrast are more modest compared to premium gaming panels. The design itself is typical MSI — aggressive styling, full-sized keyboard with gamer aesthetic touches, multiple cooling vents, and reasonably good airflow to keep the internals cool when pushed under load. Physically, it leans toward the heavier side (for a 15-inch laptop), but that is expected given both its gaming components and cooling hardware.

In terms of connectivity and utility, the laptop offers the ports one expects: USB-C, multiple USB-A, HDMI, Ethernet, a headphone jack, and wireless options like WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. Battery life is adequate for light use but drops significantly under gaming or heavy workloads. Cooling tends to work well when gaming, though the laptop can get loud and warm during extended heavy sessions. Overall, the MSI Katana 15 (2025) with i7-14650HX and RTX 5050 is a balanced machine for gamers who want good 1080p performance without spending at the upper end of the price spectrum. It trades off some display quality and premium features for value and gaming-capable performance.

Processor (CPU):
Model: Intel Core i7-14650HX
Architecture: 14th Generation
Cores: 8 cores
Threads: 16 threads
Base Clock: 2.2 GHz
Max Turbo Frequency: Up to 5.0 GHz
Cache: 24 MB Intel Smart Cache
Thermal Design Power (TDP): 45W (configurable up to 55W)

Graphics (GPU):
Model: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050
GPU Architecture: Ada Lovelace
Memory: 8GB GDDR7
Ray Tracing Cores: Yes
Tensor Cores: Yes
DLSS Support: Yes (Deep Learning Super Sampling)

Memory (RAM):
Capacity: 16GB DDR5
Type: DDR5-5600MHz
Configuration: 2 x 8GB modules
Upgradeability: Up to 64GB (2 x 32GB)

Storage:
Primary Storage: 512GB NVMe PCIe Gen4 SSD
Secondary Storage: Optional 2.5" SATA III slot (for additional SSD/HDD)

Display:
Size: 15.6 inches
Resolution: Full HD (1920 x 1080)
Panel Type: IPS-Level
Refresh Rate: 144Hz
Brightness: 250 nits (typical)
Color Gamut: 45% NTSC
Aspect Ratio: 16:9

Audio:
Speakers: Stereo speakers with Hi-Res Audio certification
Microphone: Built-in dual microphones array
Audio Technology: Nahimic Audio Enhancer

Connectivity:
Wi-Fi: Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 (2x2)
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.3
Ethernet: 1 x RJ-45 (Gigabit Ethernet)

USB Ports:
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (with DisplayPort 1.4 and Power Delivery)

Video Output:
1 x HDMI 2.1
Audio Jack: 1 x 3.5mm Combo (Headphone/Microphone)
Card Reader: 1 x MicroSD card reader

Keyboard:
Type: RGB Backlit Keyboard
Layout: Full-size with numeric keypad
Key Travel: 1.7mm
Anti-Ghosting: Yes, with 99-key rollover

Battery:
Capacity: 53.5Wh
Type: Li-Polymer
Charging: 180W AC adapter
Battery Life: Up to 6 hours (varies based on usage)

Operating System:
Pre-installed OS: Windows 11 Home

Physical Dimensions:
Dimensions (W x D x H): 359 x 262 x 25.9 mm (14.13 x 10.31 x 1.02 inches)
Weight: Approximately 2.25 kg (4.96 lbs)

Build & Design:
Material: Plastic chassis with matte finish
Color: Black
Cooling System: Cooler Boost 5 with dual fans and multiple heat pipes

Additional Features:
Security: TPM 2.0 support
Webcam: HD (720p)
LED Indicators: Power, Battery, and Charging status
Pre-installed Software: MSI Center, Dragon Center, Nahimic Audio, SteelSeries Engine (for keyboard customization)