Are you looking for the most powerful gaming laptop? Yet unable to choose one? Well, you’re in the right place. Just for you, we conducted a non-sponsored, side-by-side comparison of the Katana GF76 and Sword 15. You can now choose the appropriate one based on your needs rather than purchasing puffs from merchants.
If not for their distinct hues, it would be difficult to distinguish between the MSI Sword 15 review and the MSI Katana GF66 when placed side by side. Ultimately, the only difference between the two gaming laptops is how they are designed; otherwise, they are identical.
In this succinct MSI Sword 15 review—which might just as easily be an MSI Katana GF66 review—we’ll discuss the key distinctions, drawbacks, and distinguishing qualities of both gaming laptops.
Compare katana vs sword msi laptop.
| Archetype | MSI Katana GF66 | MSI Sword 15 |
| Price | $1249 | $1329 |
| Screen | FHD 15.6-inch IPS, 144Hz, 1920 x 1080 FHD 1920 x 1080 IPS 15.6-inch | FHD 15.6-inch IPS, 144Hz, 1920 x 1080 FHD 1920 x 1080 IPS 15.6-inch |
| CPU | Core i5-11400H and Core i7-11800H from Intel | Core i5-11400H1 and Core i7-11800H from Intel |
| Illustration | NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 3050 (4GB, 60W), 3050Ti (4GB, 60W), 3060 (6GB, 85W), and 3070 (4GB, 60W) graphics cards (8GB, 85W) | NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 3050 (4GB, 60W), 3050Ti (4GB, 60W), 3060 (6GB, 85W), and 3070 (8GB, 85W) graphics cards |
| Memory | DDR4-3200, up to 64GB (2 slots) | DDR4-3200, up to 64GB (2 slots) |
| Keyboard | A bluish backlight | A reddish backlight |
| Camera | 720p+30fps | 720p+30fps |
| Connection | Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 6 | Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 6 |
| Terminals | One HDMI (4K, 60Hz), two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, one USB 2.0 Type-A, one RJ45 Ethernet port, and one 3.5mm audio connector. | One RJ45 Ethernet connector, one HDMI (4K, 60Hz), one 3.5mm audio jack, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, one USB 2.0 Type-A, and one USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C port. |
| Battery | 4-cell 90Whr with a 180W adapter and 3-cell 53.5Whr with a 150W or 180W adapter | 3-cell 53.5Whr and 4-cell 90Whr with 150W or 180W adapters, respectively. |
| Size | 14.13″ x 10.19″ x 0.98″ | 14.13″ x 10.19″ x 0.98″ |
| Color | Black | White |
Design.
The color and keyboard illumination of these gaming laptops are where the main distinctions lie.
There are six heat pipes and two fans in the Cooler Boost 5 mechanism to keep the wrist rest cold. Full-size keyboards with a Numpad are available from MSI; however, the spacing is tight and the travel is only 1.7mm. The click mechanism here on the touchpad is a tad shaky, but a mouse can quickly rectify that.
• The spacing is somewhat tight, especially in the num-key portion where the significant factor is awkwardly positioned behind the right key and under the zero key.
• The keyboards are full-size affairs with a numeric keypad.
• Each key has 1.7mm travel, which is passably responsive but unremarkable.
Weight.
For the record, each weighs 4.96 lbs. And measures 14.13 inches by 10.19 inches by 0.98 inches.
Camera.
A 15.6-inch FHD IPS screen with a 144Hz refresh rate is included on the Sword 15 and Katana GF66, however, their 180-degree hinge could be unsteady when typing. Although it lacks Windows Hello face recognition and the microphone doesn’t do an excellent job of isolating voices, the 720p webcam is adequate for video conferences.
Storage and performance.
The MSI Sword 15 specs and Katana GF66 can be configured with up to two DDR4-3200 sticks, up to 64GB of RAM, and two M.2 SSD slots for storage. Batteries can be powered by a three-cell 53.5Whr, 150W, or 180W brick, or a four-cell 90Whr battery with a 180W adapter. MUX switch not included.
Ports and connections.
Both Bluetooth 5.2 / Wi-Fi 6 are supported by the Sword 15 vs KGFa GF76, which are both very welcome improvements. The most impressive aspect is the fact that they feature an RJ45 Ethernet port for a reliable connection for gaming. Interestingly, this port is made to have the locking clip of the cable facing up. In other words, if you’re unplugging the laptop, you won’t need to lift it.
The remaining connectors consist of an HDMI port that supports 4K resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, one USB 2.0 Type-A, a 3.5mm audio input, and a USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C.
Pros and cons for Katana
- The component mix is priced aggressively.
- Strong 144Hz 1080p gaming performance
Cons for katana
- The screen isn’t particularly bright or colorful.
- Unimpressive CPU performance
Pros and cons of a sword
Good gaming
Acceptable price
Cons.
A bit plastic.
Shortened battery life
Conclusion.
In conclusion, the MSI Sword 15 vs MSI Katana GF66, with the exception that it has all-white backlighting rather than all-black backlighting. Other than that, they are identical in terms of display, build quality, power, connection, and port count. To cut a long story short, none of that is superior to the other; instead, it comes down to personal preference.
