Alienware x17 R2 vs. MSI Katana 17 (B12UDXK)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests
Alienware x17 R2
Alienware x17 R2

Our Rating: 85 %

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

Our Rating: 85 %

Detailed comparison and review of Alienware x17 R2 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 x17 R2 Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Alienware x17 R2 based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

powerful gaming performance

high-refresh-rate display

advanced cooling technology

customizable rgb lighting

premium build quality

expensive price point

heavy and bulky

short battery life

limited upgradeability

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 x17 R2 and MSI Katana 17 (B12UDXK)
86 % - Design
85 % - Display
84 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
65 % - Battery
83 % - Design
85 % - Display
86 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
76 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Alienware x17 R2 vs. MSI Katana 17 (B12UDXK) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Alienware x17 R2 MSI Katana 17 (B12UDXK)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 39.923 cm x 29.957 cm x 2.09 cm 39.8 cm x 27.3 cm x 2.52 cm
Weight 2.99 kg 2.6 kg
Colour Lunar light Black
DISPLAY Alienware x17 R2 MSI Katana 17 (B12UDXK)
Screen Size (Type) 17.3" 17.3"
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
Pixel Density (ppi) 127 -
V-Sync Rate at Max Res. 480 Hz 144 Hz
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 -
Image Brightness 300 cd/m² -
Colour Gamut 100% sRGB 45% NTSC
Features Anti-glare, Wide Viewing Angle, 3 ms response rate, ±85° horizontal viewing angle, ±85° vertical viewing angle, 0.2 mm pixel pitch IPS-level
PROCESSOR Alienware x17 R2 MSI Katana 17 (B12UDXK)
CPU Intel Core i9 (12th Gen) 12900HK / 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) 12450H / 2 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 5 GHz 4.4 GHz
Number of Cores 14-core 8-core
Cache L3 - 24 MB 12 MB
Features Intel Smart Cache, Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 Intel Smart Cache
MEMORY Alienware x17 R2 MSI Katana 17 (B12UDXK)
RAM 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) 16 GB (2 x 8 GB)
Max RAM Supported 64 GB 64 GB
RAM Type DDR5 SDRAM DDR5 SDRAM
Speed 4800 MHz 4800 MHz
Rated Speed 4800 MHz 4800 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 262-pin SO-DIMM 262-pin
Slots Qty 2 2
Empty Slots 0 0
STORAGE Alienware x17 R2 MSI Katana 17 (B12UDXK)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 1 TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - NVM Express (NVMe) 1 TB SSD M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 - NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO Alienware x17 R2 MSI Katana 17 (B12UDXK)
Multi-GPU Configuration - 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU
Graphics Processor (GPU) NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 / Intel UHD Graphics
Video Memory 16 GB GDDR6 SDRAM 6 GB GDDR6 SDRAM
Video System Features NVIDIA G-SYNC, AMD FreeSync, Advanced Optimus NVIDIA Optimus, Max-Q design, NVIDIA Resizable BAR, Dynamic Boost, MUX Switch, NVIDIA Reflex
Gaming Yes Yes
Camera Yes - 1280 x 720 (standard), 640 x 360 (infrared) Yes - 720p
Resolution 0.92 Megapixel (standard), 0.23 Megapixel (infrared) -
Camera Features IR/RGB camera, 75.8 degrees -
Image Sensor Type CMOS -
Video Resolutions 1280 x 720 -
Frame Rate 30 frames per second 30 frames per second
Sound Two tweeters, two woofers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3281 -
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio -
Audio Features - Output: Nahimic 3D audio, Hi-Res Audio
COMMUNICATIONS Alienware x17 R2 MSI Katana 17 (B12UDXK)
Wireless Bluetooth 5.2, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E) 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2
Wireless Controller Killer Wi-Fi 6E AX1675 Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX 201
Network Interface 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet
Ethernet Controller Killer Ethernet E3100G -
Features - Dual stream (2x2)
BATTERY Alienware x17 R2 MSI Katana 17 (B12UDXK)
Technology 6-cell Lithium Ion 3-cell
Battery Capacity (Size) 87 Wh 53.5 Wh
Battery Life Up to 6 hours -
AC ADAPTER Alienware x17 R2 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 x17 R2 MSI Katana 17 (B12UDXK)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, touchpad
Numeric Keypad - Yes
Keyboard Backlight Yes (RGB) Yes
Features Multi-gesture touch pad, Per-Key illumination 4-Zone RGB backlight
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Alienware x17 R2 MSI Katana 17 (B12UDXK)
Slots - 2 x M.2 (PCI Express 4.0) (1 free)
Interfaces HDMI
Mini DisplayPort 1.4
USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery)
USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (supports DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery)
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (PowerShare)
LAN (RJ-45)
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
Memory Card Reader Yes (microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC) -
SOFTWARE Alienware x17 R2 MSI Katana 17 (B12UDXK)
Operating System (OS) Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Home
Software Included Microsoft Office 2013 (Trial) MSI APP Player, MSI Center
MISCELLANEOUS Alienware x17 R2 MSI Katana 17 (B12UDXK)
Included Accessories Power adapter Power adapter
Security - Firmware Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip
Features AlienFX Lighting Zones, retail packaging Cooler Boost 5 technology
Max Operating Temperature 35 °C -
Min Operating Temperature 0 °C -
Humidity Range Operating 10 - 90% (non-condensing) -
Manufacturer Warranty Limited warranty - 1 year Limited warranty - 1 year
Model Number - 071UK
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