MSI Katana 15 HX vs ASUS ROG Strix G18 (G815LR-IS97)
Comparison summary
- MSI Katana 15 HX is hands-down winner for gaming while also being better priced.
- For performance ASUS ROG Strix G18 has a lot better performing processor.
- For graphics performance ROG Strix G18 has a better performing graphics card.
- ROG Strix G18 has a higher resolution screen (WQXGA).
- ROG Strix G18 features a bigger display. For portability ROG Strix G18 is lighter.
- ROG Strix G18 has a bigger SSD.
MSI Katana 15 HX
ASUS ROG Strix G18 (G815LR-IS97)
Compare specifications
| MSI Katana 15 HX | ASUS ROG Strix G18 (G815LR-IS97) |
|---|---|
| Processor (CPU)?Central Processing Unit is the heart of a laptop and is responsible for executing programs. Read more | |
| Intel Core i7-14650HX | Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX |
| Memory (RAM)?Memory increases the general speed and multiprocessing capabilities of a laptop. Read more | |
| 32gb | - |
| Graphics card (GPU)?Graphics Processing Unit calculates 3D graphics and is essential for gaming and heavy programs. Read more | |
| GeForce RTX 5070 | GeForce RTX 5070 Ti |
| Screen size | |
| 15.6″ | 18″ |
| Screen resolution | |
| Quad HD (2560 x 1440 pixels) | WQXGA (2560 x 1600 pixels) |
| Weight | |
| 8 lbs (3.63 kg) | 6.61 lbs (3 kg) |
| Size (length x width x height) | |
| 15.71 x 11.73 x 1.26 inches | |
| (39.9 x 29.79 x 3.2 cm) | |
| Operating system (OS) | |
| Windows 11 Pro | Windows 11 Pro |
| Hard drives | |
| 1000gb SSD | 2000gb SSD |
| Release date | |
| September 18, 2026 | August 18, 2026 |
| Amazon.com List Price | |
| $3,669.00 | $3,699.99 |
| Amazon.com Lowest New Price | |
| $3,669.00 | $3,699.99 |
| Buy on Amazon.com | Buy on Amazon.com |
Compare MSI Katana 15 HX / ASUS ROG Strix G18 vs other gaming laptops:
MSI Katana 15 HX summary
MSI Katana 15 HX is a gaming laptop with Windows 11 Pro released in 2026. It has the GeForce RTX 5070 graphics card that is reasonable well-suited for gaming. You can run 80% of the games published this year on recommended settings. The laptop doesn't come with the top Intel processor and also less RAM than competitors for its price. Quad HD resolution is acceptable for the 15″ 165 Hz display. Your 1000gb SSD storage is ok leaves room for improvement. It is quite on the heavier side at 8 lbs (3.63 kg).
msi Katana 15 HX 15.6" 165Hz QHD Gaming Laptop, Intel Core i7-14650HX, GeForce RTX 5070 8GB GDDR7, 32GB RAM, 2TB Storage(1TB SSD+1TB Docking Station), Backlit Keyboard, Wi-Fi 6E, Window 11 Pro, Black
【Upgraded】Seal is opened for upgrade only, 1-Year warranty on Upgraded RAM/SSD from SnowBell, and original 1-Year Manufacture warranty on remaining components.【15.6" 165Hz QHD Display】Immerse yourself in sharp QHD visuals across the 15.6‑inch screen boasting a 165Hz refresh rate. It renders fluid motion alongside vivid, well‑defined imagery, ideal for gaming, media streaming and daily‑day‑to‑day tasks.
【Intel Core i7‑14650HX Processor】Built to handle heavy‑duty computing, this chip provides snappy, responsive performance for gaming, multi‑tasking, content production and other resource‑intensive tasks.
【32GB DDR5 RAM】Boasting high‑speed DDR5 memory, it delivers seamless multitasking and consistent performance for gaming, productivity work and daily computing operations.【1TB PCIe SSD】The PCIe‑based solid‑state drive grants snappy boot‑ups, rapid file retrieval and ample storage space for apps, games, documents and multimedia files.
【NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 8GB GDDR7 Graphics】Fueled by dedicated 8GB GDDR7 video memory, it brings fluid gameplay, intricate visual details and stable performance for gaming, content creation and AI‑powered applications.【4‑Zone RGB Keyboard】Comes with adjustable 4‑zone RGB backlighting for improved visibility, comfortable keystrokes and a fully customized gaming experience.
【Window 11 Pro】【Dimensions】14.13"x 10.31"x 0.98", 4.29 lbs.【Ports】3x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type A, 2x Thunderbolt, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x RJ45, 1x Headphone/Mic Combo, 1x SD card reader. 1080p camera. Wi-Fi 6 + Bluetooth 5.3.【Bonus Docking Station Set】1x 7-in-1 Docking Station with 1TB SSD, 1x 32GB MicroSD Card with Adapter, 1x Type-C Data Cable, 1x 3-in-1 Charging Cable, 1x Suede Cleaning Cloth.
ASIN: B0HGR2MWJV
ASUS ROG Strix G18 (G815LR-IS97) summary
ASUS ROG Strix G18 is an impressively priced gaming laptop with Windows 11 Pro released in 2026. It has the GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GPU that is brilliant great for playing games. The laptop has a great Intel processor for its price. WQXGA resolution is great for the 18″ 240 Hz screen. Your 2000gb SSD storage is decent. It is quite lightweight at only 6.61 lbs (3 kg).
ASUS ROG Strix G18 18” Gaming Laptop, Core Ultra 9 275HX, RTX 5070 Ti 12GB
Ultra-Powerful Gaming Performance: Dominate every title with the ASUS ROG Strix G18 gaming laptop, powered by the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor with 24 cores and 24 threads boosting up to 5.4 GHz. Paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti laptop GPU featuring 12GB GDDR7, this asus gaming laptop handles AAA games, 3D rendering, and AI-driven tasks with ease, delivering desktop-grade performance in a portable form factor
Stunning Visuals & Fluid Gameplay: Lose yourself in immersive gaming on the 18" ROG Nebula Display with 2.5K (2560x1600) resolution and a blazing-fast 240Hz/3ms refresh rate. With 500 nits brightness and a 16:10 aspect ratio, this Strix G18 screen delivers vivid colors and silky-smooth motion, ensuring every frame is crisp and responsive—perfect for competitive esports and cinematic single-player adventures
Massive Memory & Blazing Storage: Equipped with 64GB high-speed DDR5 RAM and a massive 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, this ASUS laptop offers seamless multitasking and lightning-fast load times. Switch between games, streaming apps, and background tasks without lag, while the tool-less upgrade design lets you expand storage or memory effortlessly—no screwdriver required—keeping your asus gaming laptop future-proof for years
Pro-Grade Connectivity & Advanced Cooling: Stay ahead with next-gen Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 for ultra-low latency online play, plus dual Thunderbolt 5 ports and HDMI 2.1 for multi-display setups. The ROG intelligent cooling system with Tri-Fan Technology keeps the ASUS ROG Strix G18 cool during marathon sessions, while the 90Wh battery and 280W adapter ensure sustained power when you need it most
Designed for Gamers & Creators: The Strix G18 combines a 4-zone RGB backlit chiclet keyboard with a 1080P FHD IR camera featuring Windows Hello for secure logins. Windows 11 Pro delivers a secure, productivity-rich environment, while the sleek Eclipse Gray chassis weighs just 6.61 lbs—making this RTX 5070 Ti laptop the ultimate companion for gaming, streaming, and content creation anywhere
ASIN: B0HFK5PW23