MSI Katana GF66 evaluate | Laptop computer Magazine
In the event you’ve discovered your self in a Micro Heart with the MSI Katana GF66 staring you down, method with warning.
The MSI Katana GF66 boasts highly effective efficiency with its Intel Core i7-11800H processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 GPU packed in a $1,399 laptop computer. Sounds nice, proper? Effectively, while you’re hit with its uninteresting 15.6-inch show, shallow audio system and loud followers, you may rethink. Then once more, you may’t expertise it for lengthy, as this laptop computer lasts lower than three hours on a cost.
MSI’s Katana GF66 is an efficient selection when you’re searching for pure efficiency, are utilizing an prolonged show, and are continuously plugged in. In any other case, take a look at our finest gaming laptops web page for higher choices.
MSI Katana GF66 value and configuration choices
MSI Katana GF66 specs
Value: $1,399
CPU: Intel Core i7-11800H
GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 1TB SSD
Show: 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080, 144Hz
Battery: 2:30
Dimension: 14.1 x 10.2 x 1.0 inches
Weight: 5.1 kilos
The MSI Katana GF66 I reviewed prices $1,399 and comes with an Intel Core i7-11800H processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 GPU with 6GB of VRAM, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a 15.6-inch, 1080p at 144Hz show.
The subsequent step down places you at $999 (on sale; initially $1,199), and also you’re dropped to an RTX 3050 Ti GPU and a 512GB SSD. In the meantime, you will get the most affordable mannequin for $879, which will get you a Core i5-11400H CPU, RTX 3050 GPU, 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD.
In the event you’re searching for a laptop computer that’ll provide extra for a less expensive value, take a look at our finest low-cost gaming laptops web page.
MSI Katana GF66 design
In the event you’re searching for a discreet gaming laptop computer, the MSI Katana GF66 does you a favor by choosing a plain plastic black lid house solely to an engraved MSI emblem. The underside of the lid subtly curves downward and blends in with the hinge.
Opening the MSI Katana GF66 reveals a extra gaudy design. Most individuals will know this can be a gaming laptop computer from the edgy pink keyboard, to not point out to pink keyboard lighting. It additionally denotes that it’s an affordable one at that. The bezels on the show aren’t too thick, however we have seen slimmer. The design is easy, however an inexpensive gaming laptop computer doesn’t must look low-cost.
At 5.1 kilos and 14.1 x 10.2 x 1.0 inches, the MSI Katana GF66 11UE is heavier and thicker than its rivals. The Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 (4.2 kilos, 14 x 9.6 x 0.8 inches), Acer Predator Triton 300 SE (3.8 kilos, 12.7 x 9.0 x 0.7 inches) and MSI Stealth 15M (3.7 kilos, 14.1 x 9.8 x 0.6 inches) all featured sleeker profiles.
MSI Katana GF66 ports
There’s a first rate collection of ports on board the MSI Katana GF66, however it could have been good to see a Mini DisplayPort.
On the left aspect, there’s the ability jack and two USB Sort-A ports, whereas the precise options an RJ45 Ethernet port, an HDMI port, a USB Sort-C port, a USB Sort-A port and a headphone jack.
In the event you’re searching for extra ports, take a look at our finest USB Sort-C hubs and finest laptop computer docking stations pages.
MSI Katana GF66 show
The MSI Katana GF66’s 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080 show seems to be flat and isn’t brilliant sufficient to spotlight something on display. Its 144Hz refresh price can’t save the viewing expertise.
Within the trailer for Protégé, I couldn’t make out any element within the guard’s darkish fits as they had been looking out Maggie Q’s character. The rainforest shot of Maggie Q on a ship regarded uninteresting regardless of all the greenery round her. Nevertheless, the show was sharp sufficient to seize the person strands of hair on Michael Keaton’s head.
After I performed Murderer’s Creed Valhalla, I couldn’t see what was occurring within the cave I used to be combating in due to how dim the panel was. England’s countryside wasn’t almost as spectacular as I bear in mind, because the colourful grass and timber regarded muted on the Katana’s display. The 144Hz panel made the sport look easy, nevertheless it’s not price sacrificing coloration and brightness.
In keeping with our colorimeter, the MSI Katana GF66 lined a measly 43.9% of the DCI-P3 coloration gamut, falling properly beneath the 70% mainstream gaming laptop computer common. It was outclassed by all of its rivals, together with the Zephyrus M16 (75.8%), Triton 300 SE (80.6%) and Stealth 15M (45.3%).
At 247 nits of brightness, the MSI Katana GF66’s panel is disappointing in comparison with the typical mainstream gaming laptop computer (303 nits). It even fell behind the Zephyrus M16 (479 nits), Triton 300 SE (292 nits) and Stealth 15M (255 nits).
MSI Katana GF66 keyboard and touchpad
Typing on the MSI Katana GF66’s keyboard was OK. The keys journey a skinny line between clicky and mushy. I’m not a fan of the texture, nevertheless it definitely is not the worst gaming keyboard I’ve typed on. Actually, it’s what you’d anticipate from a funds gaming laptop computer.
I hit 80 phrases per minute on the 10fastfingers.com typing check, which is barely above my 78-wpm common. Whereas I don’t just like the keys themselves, the spacing between the keys made for a strong typing expertise.
The pink keyboard lighting is a drag as at all times on these gaming laptops — MSI ought to both go white or full RGB.
The 4.1 x 2.6-inch touchpad is easy however can generally really feel sticky. The clickers are stiff, too. Home windows 10 gestures, like two-finger scrolling and three-finger tabbing, labored properly.
MSI Katana GF66 audio
The MSI Katana GF66’s bottom-firing audio system are shallow and don’t have any enterprise being in a gaming laptop computer.
I listened to Elliot Lee’s “TV Head,” and the opening vocals sounded first rate, however there was some depth misplaced because of the lack of bass. The sharper percussion devices sounded nice, however the piano was muddy. Throughout the refrain, the devices clashed, solely highlighting the treble notes.
In Murderer’s Creed Valhalla, I had a dialog with the Norse Man musician, and the voices between Eivor and the NPC sounded raspy and sharp. After I fired an arrow at an enemy, there was an disagreeable bassy rumble upon influence. I switched to my axe and I used to be met with a uninteresting slicing sound.
MSI contains the Nahimic audio app by SteelSeries, and whereas it modified the sound, it nonetheless did not sound good. There are settings for encompass sound, quantity stabilization, voices, bass, and treble.
MSI Katana GF66 gaming, graphics and VR
Jam packed inside the MSI Katana GF66’s chassis is an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 GPU with 6GB of VRAM. It ran Murderer’s Creed Valhalla at 61 frames per second on Extremely, 1080p settings as I decapitated enemies alongside my approach via the villages of England.
On the Murderer’s Creed Odyssey benchmark (Extremely, 1080p), the Katana GF66 nailed 63 fps, climbing over the mainstream gaming laptop computer common (55 fps). Regardless of rocking the identical GPU, the Zephyrus M16 (59 fps), Triton 300 SE (51 fps) and Stealth 15M (55 fps) couldn’t break that 60-fps threshold.
The MSI Katana GF66 hit 69 fps on the Shadow of the Tomb Raider benchmark (Highest, 1080p), sliding previous the 66 fps class common. It matched the Zephyrus M16 (69 fps), however nonetheless surpassed the Triton 300 SE (61 fps) and Stealth 15M (64 fps).
On the Far Cry New Daybreak benchmark (Extremely, 1080p), the MSI Katana GF66 hit 94 fps, crushing the mainstream gaming laptop computer common (78 fps). It even killed the Zephyrus M16 (84 fps), Triton 300 SE (73 fps) and Stealth 15M (77 fps).
When operating the Borderlands 3 benchmark (Badass, 1080p), the Katana scored 61 fps, which is simply wanting the 62-fps class common. It nonetheless surpassed the Triton 300 SE (57 fps) and Stealth 15M (60), nevertheless it couldn’t match the Zephyrus M16 (64 fps).
MSI Katana GF66 efficiency
Outfitted with the most recent Intel Core i7-11800H processor and 16GB of RAM, the MSI Katana GF66 simply juggled 40 Google Chrome tabs and 5 1080p YouTube movies whereas operating Murderer’s Creed Valhalla within the background.
On the Geekbench 5.4 total efficiency check, the MSI Katana GF66 scored 8,897, crusing over the mainstream gaming laptop computer common (6,878). The Zephyrus M16’s Core i9-11900H (8,495), the Triton 300 SE’s Core i7-11375H (5,234) and the Stealth 15M’s Core i7-11375H (5,363) couldn’t fairly catch up.
The MSI Katana GF66 transcoded a 4K video to 1080p on our HandBrake benchmark in simply 6 minutes and 37 seconds, rushing previous the 9:20 class common. The Zephyrus M16 (7:58), Triton 300 SE (11:36) and Stealth 15M (11:03) had been minutes behind.
MSI’s 1TB SSD had a switch price of 651 megabytes per second, which isn’t as quick as the typical mainstream gaming laptop computer (750 MBps). It did outclass the Zephyrus M16’s 1TB SSD (567 MBps), and virtually matched the Stealth 15M’s 1TB SSD (652 MBps), nevertheless it fell behind the Triton 300 SE’s 993 MBps.
MSI Katana GF66 battery life
Battery life in gaming laptops has been getting higher, however there are nonetheless some fairly unhealthy apples, and the MSI Katana GF66 is certainly one of them.
On the Laptop computer Magazine battery check, the Katana lasted solely 2 hours and half-hour. You may’t even end Avengers: Endgame earlier than this factor dies. The mainstream gaming laptop computer common is twice as lengthy, at 6:04. The Zephyrus M16 (6:34), Triton 300 SE (6:41) and Stealth 15M (3:41) all have a lot better lifespan.
MSI Katana GF66 webcam
Laptops with 720p webcams often battle relating to picture and video high quality. Whereas the MSI Katana GF66’s webcam is proscribed by its decision, the picture it captures is not too unhealthy.
There was a variety of noise, nevertheless it captured the colour of my blue shirt properly. The distinction blew out my face, making me whiter than my tan pores and skin would have appreciated. It additionally made the textual content on my Blue Yeti X illegible. Whether or not you’re livestreaming video games, or taking part in D&D On-line like me, you’re going to need one of many finest webcams round to point out off that lovely face.
MSI Katana GF66 warmth
The MSI Katana GF66 has probably the most annoying followers I’ve heard shortly, however at the very least they’re good at managing warmth in the precise locations.
After taking part in a recreation for quarter-hour, the underside hit 96 levels Fahrenheit, just one diploma away from our 95-degree consolation threshold. The middle of the keyboard and touchpad averaged 106 levels and 80 levels, respectively. The most well liked it bought was 128 levels, situated on the F8 key. After streaming a 15-minute video, the underside measured 78 levels, the keyboard bought 87 levels and the touchpad hit 74 levels.
MSI Katana GF66 software program and guarantee
Not like most MSI gaming laptops, the MSI Katana GF66 options the MSI Heart as its central app. It displays CPU, GPU, disk and reminiscence utilization. It additionally has efficiency settings, basic Home windows settings and a piece to replace the laptop computer’s drivers, which is useful. Aside from that, MSI doesn’t embody different branded apps. There may be, nevertheless, Music Maker Jam, an audio-mixing software program.
Additionally put in on the GF66 is a few Home windows 10 bloatware, like Roblox, Solitaire and Hidden Metropolis.
The Katana GF66 comes with a one-year restricted guarantee. See how MSI carried out on our Tech Help Showdown and Greatest and Worst Manufacturers rating.
Backside line
There’s not quite a bit going for the MSI Katana GF66 aside from its sturdy efficiency. It overcame its rivals in most of our CPU and GPU benchmarks. However that’s not sufficient when the GF66 falters relating to the important thing pillars of a gaming laptop computer. The show is uninteresting, the battery life is shorter than a characteristic movie, and it’s not almost as transportable as different laptops.
For a similar value, you may choose up the Acer Predator Triton 300 SE, which options 6-plus hours of battery life, a colourful show and a modern chassis. Nevertheless, it didn’t carry out in addition to the Katana.
General, the MSI Katana GF66 isn’t a horrible selection if you wish to prioritize efficiency, however you are able to do a lot better for the worth.
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