MSI Katana 15 HXvsMicrosoft Surface Laptop 5

We compare these two popular phones to help you decide which one fits your needs and budget better.

MSI
MSI Katana 15 HX
Katana 15 HX

Quick Stats

The MSI Katana 15HX boasts exceptional performance with a powerful CPU and GPU combination for seamless gaming.
The MSI Katana 15HX boasts solid build quality with a sturdy feel, effective cooling, and numerous connectivity options available.
The MSI Katana 15HX boasts a sharp, fluid QHD+ display with a high refresh rate for seamless visuals experience.
The MSI Katana 15HX features a powerful CPU, high-end GPU, plenty of RAM, and excellent display capabilities.
Microsoft
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5
Surface Laptop 5

Quick Stats

The Surface Laptop 5 offers solid performance for everyday tasks, balancing battery life with productivity capabilities.
The laptop's all-aluminum case provides a premium feel, but lacks customization options for a more personalized build.
The most important takeaway is that the Surface Laptop 5 has a stunning, crisp 13.5-inch display with extra vertical space.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 features a 12th gen Intel Core i7 processor, impressive.
Key Differences

No significant specification differences found between these devices.

Rank
MSI Katana 15 HX
#426
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5
Winner
#422
Scores by Category
Rankings
Connectivity
MSI Katana 15 HX
#656
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5
#571
Winner
Display
MSI Katana 15 HX
#764
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5
#285
Winner
Performance
MSI Katana 15 HX
#69
Winner
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5
#575
Build
MSI Katana 15 HX
#797
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5
#335
Winner
Features
MSI Katana 15 HX
#605
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5
#592
Winner

Note: Lower rank number indicates a better position in category.

Specifications Comparison
Specification
MSI MSI Katana 15 HX
Microsoft Microsoft Surface Laptop 5
up to 96GB
up to 32GB
up to 4000GB SSD
up to 1000GB SSD
Intel Core i9-14900HX
Intel Core i7-1260P
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 (Laptop)
Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 (96EU)
1x 2280 M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 x4 
1x 2230 M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 x4 

Note: Highlighted specifications show differences between the two devices.

Pros and Cons

MSI Katana 15 HX

Strengths

The Intel Core i9-14900HX processor is one of the fastest laptop CPUs you can buy in 2025, with 24 cores and high clock speeds.
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 laptop GPU dominates AAA games like Cyberpunk 2077, Starfield, and Call of Duty at ultra settings.
The 15.6-inch QHD+ display features a 165Hz refresh rate, making gameplay sharp, fluid, and ultra responsive.
32GB of DDR5 RAM allows for smooth multitasking and fast game loading times.
The Cooler Boost 5 thermal system keeps CPU and GPU temperatures in check during long gaming sessions.

Weaknesses

No specific cons are mentioned in the text. However, it's worth noting that thermals can be a concern in powerful gaming laptops, but MSI has addressed this with its advanced cooling solution.
The high price point of such a powerful laptop may be a deterrent for some users.
Limited information is provided about the battery life and portability of the laptop.
The RGB backlit keyboard may not be to everyone's taste, although it does add a gamer-centric vibe.
No mention is made of any potential issues with overheating or thermal throttling, despite the advanced cooling system.

Microsoft Surface Laptop 5

Strengths

It has an all-aluminum case, which reminds me a little bit of the MacBook.
The laptop itself is very small and lightweight, coming in right under three pounds.
This is really perfect for on-the-go productivity, so say you're an office worker going off to a meeting or maybe you're a student going to work on a class project.
The screen looks fantastic. You can't detect any of the pixels.
The laptop has a touch screen, and I frequently find myself reaching to the screen to move around.
You have two microphones, so you would expect them to be pretty good.
It includes integrated speakers, and at least when I played some videos it sounded like it had some good volume and the quality was decent for speakers in a laptop.
Windows 11 is a pretty decent and solid operating system.

Weaknesses

The processor can probably not take care of playing triple A titles with high frame rates or doing heavy video editing or maybe even fluid simulations.
It uses an Intel Iris Xe graphics card, which handles things like productivity software, web browsing, or watching videos well, but may not be the best for heavy gaming or video editing.
The memory and storage space options may be limited for those who want more.
You can't get a better resolution webcam on this laptop, especially with working from home in mind.
The keyboard felt good to type on, but there's no mention of any specific features it has over other keyboards.
It depends on what type of user you are - office worker or student may find it suitable, but gamers and creators may not.
The price ranges between $900 up to $2,160 depending on how you customize the machine, which might be a bit steep for some users.
There's no mention of any specific features that make this laptop stand out from others in its class.
Read Full Reviews

MSI Katana 15 HX

The MSI Katana 15HX gaming laptop is a powerhouse built to handle the demands of modern gamers, creators, and professionals. Equipped with Intel's 14th gen Core i9-14900HX processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 graphics, and a 165Hz QHD+ display, this laptop delivers seamless performance and visuals. With intelligent cooling, generous RAM and storage, and advanced features like ray tracing and AI-enhanced rendering, the Katana 15HX is an excellent choice for those seeking a robust machine that can handle anything 2025 throws at it.

Microsoft Surface Laptop 5

The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 is a premium laptop designed for on-the-go productivity. Its sleek all-aluminum case and compact size make it ideal for office workers and students who need to stay productive while mobile. With its powerful 12th generation Intel Core i5 or i7 EVO processor, this laptop handles productivity software, web browsing, and light gaming with ease. But is it the right choice for you?

Need help choosing?

Read our detailed reviews to understand which device is better for your specific needs and budget.

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