MSI Katana 15 HX

Overview

The MSI Katana 15 HX offers solid 1080p gaming performance with an RTX 5050 and is available below $1,000. But the display isn't great, and you'll definitely want to crank the brightness.

– As reviewed by Tom's Hardware

TechSpot Metascore

Based on 7 expert reviews

Excellent:

0
Good:

6
Average:

1
Bad:

0

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Last revision on November 28, 2025

Reviewers Liked

Solid 1080p gaming performance
Good entry-level price
Lots of upgradeability and repair options
RTX 5050 stands up to demanding games with DLSS 4
Four-zone RGB is nice at this price
Varied connectivity

Reviewers Didn't Like

Washed out, dim display
Styling is a bit familiar
Middling battery life
Keyboard can get hot
720p webcam
No biometrics or Thunderbolt 4
512GB SSD fills up fast

Competitors and Related Products

Our editors hand-pick related products using a variety of criteria: direct competitors targeting the same market segment, or devices that are similar in size, performance, or feature sets.

Expert reviews and ratings

Teniendo esto en cuenta, los modelos recomendados serían el de 5060 con pantalla FHD si tenéis un presupuesto ajustado, y el de RTX 5070 + QHD si buscáis una experiencia gaming que aproveche la pantalla. No podemos darle el galardón de recomendado porque hay varios puntos con margen de mejora para su precio.

By ProfesionalReview on September 29, 2025

A tamer MSI gaming laptop, the Katana 15 HX, is an excellent addition to the brand’s 50 series range of laptops for a lot cheaper. But it does lack some of that extra power that would make the 1440p 165Hz screen worth it across the board.

By PCGuide on September 22, 2025

Powered by Nvidia’s entry-level GeForce RTX 5050, MSI's Katana 15 HX delivers smooth 60fps gaming with or without DLSS 4. Despite a few compromises, it's a winning recipe for budget gamers.

By PCMag on September 18, 2025

The MSI Katana 15 HX B14WGK-016US (2025) balances design and performance with a fairly affordable price for the hardware, making it a great option for gamers looking for a midrange gaming laptop for 1080p/1440p gaming. Everything is great, but you’ll definitely want to crank the brightness as far as it can go.

By Varge on September 07, 2025

The MSI Katana 15 HX B14W is a gaming laptop feels more premium than most budget rivals. It offers a great-value combination of performance, quality, features and value (especially in the current sale).

By HighPerformanceLaptops on August 26, 2025

The Katana 15 HX delivers on the top priority of any gaming laptop, providing good 3D performance for the price. But you don't have to look very far for very long to find its limitations. None are deal breakers, however, and if you have only $1,000 to spend on a gaming laptop and don't want one with previous-gen graphics, then the Katana 15 HX certainly fits the bill.

By cnet on August 21, 2025

The MSI Katana 15 HX offers solid 1080p gaming performance with an RTX 5050 and is available below $1,000. But the display isn't great, and you'll definitely want to crank the brightness.

By Tom's Hardware on July 28, 2025

MSI Katana 15 HX

Overview

Pros/Cons

Reviews

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Price: $999

TechSpot Metascore

Reviewers Liked

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Expert reviews and ratings