Alienware M15 R5 vs. MSI Katana 17 (B12UDXK)

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

Our Rating: 85 %

MSI Katana 17 (B12UDXK)
MSI Katana 17 (B12UDXK)

Our Rating: 85 %

Detailed comparison and review of Alienware M15 R5 and MSI Katana 17 (B12UDXK). With our comprehensive overview, you can simply compare dimensions, performance, storage, functions, but also other key features of both laptops and easily decide which one is the right choice for you. Our goal is to help you identify the main differences between products and find the laptop that best fits your needs and expectations.

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 (B12UDXK) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of MSI Katana 17 (B12UDXK) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

powerful gaming performance

large 17-inch display

high refresh rate

robust build quality

reasonable price point

heavier than competitors

average battery life

limited color accuracy

noisy under load

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Alienware M15 R5 and MSI Katana 17 (B12UDXK)
87 % - Design
83 % - Display
86 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
65 % - Battery
83 % - Design
85 % - Display
86 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
76 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Alienware M15 R5 vs. MSI Katana 17 (B12UDXK) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Alienware M15 R5 MSI Katana 17 (B12UDXK)
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 Black
DISPLAY Alienware M15 R5 MSI Katana 17 (B12UDXK)
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 (B12UDXK)
CPU AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX / 3.3 GHz Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) 12450H / 2 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.6 GHz 4.4 GHz
Number of Cores 8-core 8-core
Cache L3 - 16 MB 12 MB
Features - Intel Smart Cache
MEMORY Alienware M15 R5 MSI Katana 17 (B12UDXK)
RAM 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) 16 GB (2 x 8 GB)
Max RAM Supported 32 GB 64 GB
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM DDR5 SDRAM
Speed 3200 MHz 4800 MHz
Rated Speed 3200 MHz 4800 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 260-pin SO-DIMM 262-pin
Slots Qty 2 2
Empty Slots 0 0
STORAGE Alienware M15 R5 MSI Katana 17 (B12UDXK)
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 (B12UDXK)
Multi-GPU Configuration - 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU
Graphics Processor (GPU) NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 / Intel UHD Graphics
Video Memory 8 GB GDDR6 SDRAM 6 GB GDDR6 SDRAM
Video System Features - NVIDIA Optimus, Max-Q design, NVIDIA Resizable BAR, Dynamic Boost, MUX Switch, NVIDIA Reflex
Gaming - Yes
Camera Yes - HD Yes - 720p
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 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 3D audio, Hi-Res Audio
COMMUNICATIONS Alienware M15 R5 MSI Katana 17 (B12UDXK)
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 Gigabit Ethernet
Features - Dual stream (2x2)
BATTERY Alienware M15 R5 MSI Katana 17 (B12UDXK)
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 (B12UDXK)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50 - 60 Hz)
Output 19.5 V 180 Watt
INPUT Alienware M15 R5 MSI Katana 17 (B12UDXK)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, touchpad
Numeric Keypad - Yes
Keyboard Backlight Yes (RGB) Yes
Features Multi-gesture touch pad, precision touchpad, 4 RGB zones 4-Zone RGB backlight
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Alienware M15 R5 MSI Katana 17 (B12UDXK)
Slots 2 x M.2 Card (1 free) 2 x M.2 (PCI Express 4.0) (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 2.1 (8K support)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
LAN
SOFTWARE Alienware M15 R5 MSI Katana 17 (B12UDXK)
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 (B12UDXK)
Included Accessories Power adapter Power adapter
Security - Firmware Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip
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 - 071UK
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