Alienware M17 R4 vs. MSI Katana GF66 (12UC)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

Side by side comparison and review of Alienware M17 R4 and MSI Katana GF66 (12UC). 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 M17 R4 Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Alienware M17 R4 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 system

premium build quality

heavy and bulky

short battery life

expensive price point

loud under load

MSI Katana GF66 (12UC) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of MSI Katana GF66 (12UC) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

powerful gaming performance

affordable price point

high refresh rate display

robust build quality

decent thermal management

average battery life

dim display brightness

limited storage capacity

noisy under load

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Alienware M17 R4 and MSI Katana GF66 (12UC)
87 % - Design
85 % - Display
84 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
65 % - Battery
75 % - Design
72 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
65 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Alienware M17 R4 vs. MSI Katana GF66 (12UC) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Alienware M17 R4 MSI Katana GF66 (12UC)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 39.98 cm x 29.43 cm x 2.2 cm 35.9 cm x 25.9 cm x 2.49 cm
Weight 2.5 kg 2.25 kg
Colour Dark side of the moon with high endurance clear coat -
DISPLAY Alienware M17 R4 MSI Katana GF66 (12UC)
Screen Size (Type) 17.3" 15.6"
LCD Backlight Technology - LED backlight
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
Pixel Density (ppi) 127 -
V-Sync Rate at Max Res. 144 Hz 144 Hz
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Brightness 300 cd/m² -
Colour Gamut 72% NTSC 45% NTSC
Features Anti-glare, Wide Viewing Angle, ±85° horizontal viewing angle, ±85° vertical viewing angle, 7 ms response rate, 0.1989 mm pixel pitch Thin bezel design, IPS-level
PROCESSOR Alienware M17 R4 MSI Katana GF66 (12UC)
CPU Intel Core i7 (10th Gen) 10870H / 2.2 GHz Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 12700H / 2.3 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 5 GHz 4.7 GHz
Number of Cores 8-core 14-core
Cache 16 MB 24 MB
Chipset Intel HM470 -
Features Intel Thermal Velocity Boost Intel Smart Cache
MEMORY Alienware M17 R4 MSI Katana GF66 (12UC)
RAM 16 GB (provided memory is soldered) 8 GB (1 x 8 GB)
Max RAM Supported - 64 GB
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 SDRAM
Speed 2933 MHz 3200 MHz
Rated Speed 2933 MHz 3200 MHz
Form Factor - SO-DIMM 260-pin
Slots Qty - 2
Empty Slots - 1
STORAGE Alienware M17 R4 MSI Katana GF66 (12UC)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 512 GB SSD M.2 PCIe 3.0 x4 - NVM Express (NVMe) 512 GB SSD M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 - NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO Alienware M17 R4 MSI Katana GF66 (12UC)
Multi-GPU Configuration - 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU
Graphics Processor (GPU) NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 / Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Video Memory 6 GB GDDR6 SDRAM 4 GB GDDR6 SDRAM
Video System Features - Dynamic Boost
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 ALC3281-CG -
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio -
Audio Features - Nahimic audio
COMMUNICATIONS Alienware M17 R4 MSI Katana GF66 (12UC)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.1 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2
Wireless Controller Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX1650 Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX 201
Network Interface 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet
Ethernet Controller Killer E3100 -
Features Dual stream (2x2) Dual stream (2x2)
BATTERY Alienware M17 R4 MSI Katana GF66 (12UC)
Technology 6-cell Lithium Ion 3-cell
Battery Capacity (Size) 86 Wh 53.5 Wh
AC ADAPTER Alienware M17 R4 MSI Katana GF66 (12UC)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 240 Watt, 19.5 V, 12.31 A 180 Watt, 19.5 V, 9.23 A
INPUT Alienware M17 R4 MSI Katana GF66 (12UC)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, touchpad
Numeric Keypad Yes Yes
Keyboard Backlight Yes (RGB) Yes
Features Multi-gesture touch pad, 4 RGB zones Red backlighting
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Alienware M17 R4 MSI Katana GF66 (12UC)
Slots 2 x M.2 Card (1 free) -
Interfaces HDMI
Mini DisplayPort 1.4
USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 (supports Thunderbolt 3, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery)
USB 3.1 Gen 1 (PowerShare)
2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1
Graphics Amplifier Port
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Headphone/microphone combo jack
LAN
HDMI
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB 2.0
USB-C 3.2 Gen 1
Memory Card Reader Yes (microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC) -
SOFTWARE Alienware M17 R4 MSI Katana GF66 (12UC)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Home 64-bit Edition Windows 11 Home
Software Included Microsoft Office (30 days trial, excludes office licence) MSI APP Player, MSI Center
MISCELLANEOUS Alienware M17 R4 MSI Katana GF66 (12UC)
Included Accessories Power adapter Power adapter
Security Slot Type Noble Wedge security slot -
Theft/Intrusion Protection Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately) -
Features AlienFX Lighting Zones Cooler Boost 5 technology
Compliant Standards DisplayPort 1.4 -
Max Operating Temperature 35 °C -
Min Operating Temperature 0 °C -
Humidity Range Operating 10 - 90% (non-condensing) -
Manufacturer Warranty Limited warranty - 1 year - pick-up and return Limited warranty - 2 years
Model Number - 070UK
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