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Head-to-head · Best Gaming Laptops Under $1500

Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 9 vs MSI Katana 15

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 9 and MSI Katana 15 score essentially the same (3.9 vs 3.9). Pick the one whose trade-offs match your priorities — the strengths and watch-outs below are where they actually differ.

Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 9
Ranked #2 in Best Gaming Laptops Under $1500
Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 9
$2,859as of Jun 7

The Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 9 offers a compelling mix of performance and portability for gamers and professionals. PCMag editors praised its 12th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and 15.6-inch Full HD display, noting effective cooling for sustained gaming. While reviewers appreciated the responsive keyboard and overall build quality, some noted the laptop's weight at 4.3 pounds and limited port selection. This model is best suited for users seeking a powerful yet portable gaming laptop, though those needing extensive connectivity might look elsewhere.

Strengths
  • — Solid performance with 12th Gen Intel Core i7 processor
  • — Good display quality with 15.6-inch Full HD screen
  • — Effective cooling system for sustained gaming performance
Watch-outs
  • — Slightly heavy at 4.3 pounds
  • — Limited port selection on the right side
$2,859 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
MSI Katana 15
Ranked #3 in Best Gaming Laptops Under $1500
MSI Katana 15
$1,421.69as of May 29

The MSI Katana 15 delivers solid performance for its price range, thanks to its AMD Ryzen processor and dedicated graphics. Reviewers noted its sturdy build and effective cooling, though some found the weight a bit cumbersome. It's well-suited for content creators and gamers seeking a reliable laptop, but those needing extensive portability might look elsewhere.

Strengths
  • — Powered by AMD Ryzen 5000 series processor for strong performance
  • — 15.6-inch Full HD display with good color reproduction
  • — Solid build quality with a premium feel
Watch-outs
  • — Slightly heavy at around 4.5 pounds
  • — Limited port selection on the left side
$1,421.69 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

How they stack up

Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 9

The Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 9 stands out with its 12th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and effective cooling system, making it a strong contender against the ASUS TUF Gaming A15 FA507, which has a mushy keyboard and wobbly hinge. Unlike the ASUS ROG Strix G16, it offers a more balanced performance profile without the high internal temperatures and lacks the premium port selection and upgradeability of the ROG Strix G16.

MSI Katana 15

The MSI Katana 15 offers solid performance with an AMD Ryzen processor and good cooling, but its weight and limited ports make it less appealing than the Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 9, which provides better portability and build quality. Unlike the ASUS TUF Gaming A15 FA507, it lacks the 144 Hz display and keyboard issues, though it does offer a more premium feel.

Specs side-by-side

SpecLenovo Legion 5i Gen 9MSI Katana 15
Processor12th Gen Intel Core i7-12700HAMD Ryzen 5000 series
Display Size15.6-inch Full HD15.6-inch Full HD
Resolution2560 x 16001920 x 1080 or 2560 x 1440
Refresh Rate165Hz144 Hz or 165 Hz
GPUNvidia GeForce RTX 4060Dedicated GPU
RAM16GB DDR4Up to 96GB DDR5
Storage512GB NVMe SSDUp to 4000GB SSD
Weight4.3 pounds4.5 lbs
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