Alienware M15 R5 vs. MSI Katana 17 (B12UCXK)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests
Alienware M15 R5
Alienware M15 R5

Our Rating: 85 %

MSI Katana 17 (B12UCXK)
MSI Katana 17 (B12UCXK)

Our Rating: 75 %

Side by side comparison and review of Alienware M15 R5 and MSI Katana 17 (B12UCXK). Compare dimensions, processors, batteries, storage capacities and other key specifications and features to simplify the choice of your perfect laptop. Our goal is to make it easier for you to decide on the laptop that will best meet your expectations by revealing the main differences between the products.

Alienware M15 R5 Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Alienware M15 R5 based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

powerful gaming performance

high refresh rate display

customizable rgb lighting

advanced cooling technology

sturdy build quality

heavy and bulky

short battery life

expensive base model

loud fan noise

MSI Katana 17 (B12UCXK) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of MSI Katana 17 (B12UCXK) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

powerful gaming performance

full hd display

large 17-inch screen

decent cooling system

competitive price point

heavy build

average battery life

no thunderbolt support

limited color accuracy

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Alienware M15 R5 and MSI Katana 17 (B12UCXK)
87 % - Design
83 % - Display
86 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
65 % - Battery
82 % - Design
86 % - Display
80 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Alienware M15 R5 vs. MSI Katana 17 (B12UCXK) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Alienware M15 R5 MSI Katana 17 (B12UCXK)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 35.62 cm x 27.25 cm x 1.92 cm 39.8 cm x 27.3 cm x 2.52 cm
Weight 2.69 kg 2.6 kg
Colour Dark Side of the Moon -
DISPLAY Alienware M15 R5 MSI Katana 17 (B12UCXK)
Screen Size (Type) 15.6" 17.3"
Screen Resolution 2560 x 1440 (QHD) 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
Pixel Density (ppi) 188 -
V-Sync Rate at Max Res. 240 Hz 144 Hz
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 -
Image Brightness 400 cd/m² -
Colour Gamut 99% DCI-P3 45% NTSC
Features Anti-glare, Wide Viewing Angle, ±85° horizontal viewing angle, ±85° vertical viewing angle, 9 ms response rate, 240 Hz refresh rate IPS-level
PROCESSOR Alienware M15 R5 MSI Katana 17 (B12UCXK)
CPU AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX / 3.3 GHz Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 12650H / 2.3 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.6 GHz 4.7 GHz
Number of Cores 8-core 10-core
Cache L3 - 16 MB L3 - 24 MB
Features - Intel Smart Cache
MEMORY Alienware M15 R5 MSI Katana 17 (B12UCXK)
RAM 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) 8 GB
Max RAM Supported 32 GB -
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM DDR5 SDRAM
Speed 3200 MHz -
Rated Speed 3200 MHz -
Form Factor SO-DIMM 260-pin SO-DIMM 262-pin
Slots Qty 2 -
Empty Slots 0 -
STORAGE Alienware M15 R5 MSI Katana 17 (B12UCXK)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 1 TB SSD M.2 PCIe - NVM Express (NVMe) 1 TB SSD M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 - NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO Alienware M15 R5 MSI Katana 17 (B12UCXK)
Multi-GPU Configuration - 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU
Graphics Processor (GPU) NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 / Intel UHD Graphics
Video Memory 8 GB GDDR6 SDRAM -
Gaming - Yes
Camera Yes - HD Yes
Resolution 0.92 Megapixel -
Camera Features 74.9 degrees, RGB camera -
Image Sensor Type CMOS -
Video Resolutions 1280 x 720 -
Frame Rate 30 frames per second -
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3254 -
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio -
Audio Features Nahimic sound technology Output: Nahimic 3 sound technology, Hi-Res Audio
COMMUNICATIONS Alienware M15 R5 MSI Katana 17 (B12UCXK)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2
Wireless Controller Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX1650x Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX 201
Network Interface 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet Ethernet
Features - Dual stream (2x2)
BATTERY Alienware M15 R5 MSI Katana 17 (B12UCXK)
Technology 6-cell Lithium Ion 3-cell
Battery Capacity (Size) 86 Wh 53.5 Wh
Battery Life Up to 6.17 hours -
AC ADAPTER Alienware M15 R5 MSI Katana 17 (B12UCXK)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) -
Output 19.5 V -
INPUT Alienware M15 R5 MSI Katana 17 (B12UCXK)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, touchpad
Numeric Keypad - Yes
Keyboard Backlight Yes (RGB) Yes (RGB)
Features Multi-gesture touch pad, precision touchpad, 4 RGB zones 1.7mm travel distance, 4-Zone RGB backlight
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Alienware M15 R5 MSI Katana 17 (B12UCXK)
Slots 2 x M.2 Card (1 free) -
Interfaces HDMI
USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (supports DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery)
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (PowerShare)
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB 2.0
USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (supports DisplayPort Alt Mode)
HDMI (8K support)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
LAN
SOFTWARE Alienware M15 R5 MSI Katana 17 (B12UCXK)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Home 64-bit Edition Windows 11 Home
Software Included Microsoft Office 2013 (Trial) MSI APP Player, MSI Center
MISCELLANEOUS Alienware M15 R5 MSI Katana 17 (B12UCXK)
Included Accessories Power adapter Power adapter
Features AlienFX Lighting Zones Cooler Boost 5 technology
Compliant Standards DisplayPort 1.4 -
Max Operating Temperature 40 °C -
Min Operating Temperature 0 °C -
Humidity Range Operating 50 - 90% (non-condensing) -
Manufacturer Warranty Limited warranty - 15 months Limited warranty - 1 year
Model Number - 025UK
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