Our opinion on the MSI Katana 15 B13VFK-2201FR
Multimedia, the scalable black gaming laptop MSI Katana 15 B13VFK-2201FR runs recent games thanks to its high-end GeForce RTX 4060 ray tracing NVIDIA Ada Lovelace graphics card. This GPU accelerates processing like the Intel Core i7-13620H Raptor Lake processor and 16 GB of efficient RAM as well as fast SSD storage with a large capacity of 1 TB which reinforces responsiveness. This versatile Windows 11 laptop designed for playing and creating has a 15-inch Full HD IPS anti-glare screen with a frequency of 144Hz improves fluidity in games, a backlit keyboard and even Wi-Fi connectivity 6E.
Features of the MSI Katana 15 B13VFK-2201FR
Screen(s) | 15.6 » Full HD LED IPS 144Hz (1920×1080, antireflet/mat) |
Processor | Intel Core i7-13620H Raptor Lake-H (10 cœurs : 6P 2.4 GHz / 4E 1.8 GHz) |
Installed RAM (max) | 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR5 4800 MHz (64 GB), 2 slots (occupied) |
Graphics card | NVIDIA Ada Lovelace GeForce RTX 4060 8GB GDDR6 dedicated, Intel Iris Xe integrated into the processor and Optimus |
Storage | 1TB M.2 SSD (NVMe PCIe 4.0 x4) + 1 free M.2 slot |
Connections | 2 USB 3.2 (Gen1) + 1 USB 2.0 + 1 USB 3.2 Type-C (Gen1), HDMI 2.1 (8K@60Hz, 4K@120Hz) |
Network | Wi-Fi 6E ax (2×2, Intel AX211), Bluetooth 5.3 + Ethernet Gigabit |
Backlit keyboard | Oui |
Numeric keypad | Oui |
Windows Hello | – |
Audio system | 2 speakers (2 x 2W), Nahimic 3 Audio Enhancer |
Operating system | Windows 11 64 bits |
Announced autonomy / Battery | 4 hours / Li-Polymer 3 cells 53.5Whr |
Poids / Dimensions (mm) | 2.25 Kg / 359 x 259 x 24.9 |
The MSI Katana 15 B13VFK-2201FR faces the competition
The MSI Katana 15 B13VFK-2201FR is currently on sale at Amazon and offers an attractive configuration/price ratio for its category where it is one of the least expensive to offer such a high-performance and recent processor as well as the graphics card as well as such a high capacity SSD.
If this MSI Katana 15 B13VFK-2201FR does not meet all your criteria, you will find other configurations for gaming with a similar budget in our gaming laptop guide. For the same budget, choose the model with the most powerful graphics card, it will have the greatest impact on performance.
Need a student laptop? Check out our guide.
Chassis, connectors, screen of the MSI Katana 15 B13VFK-2201FR
Cooled by Cooler Boost 5 technology via 2 fans, 6 heat pipes and ventilation grilles, this versatile laptop targeting gamers and creatives has a gamer appearance due to its angular black design.
The connectivity integrated into this creative gaming laptop is good, consisting of Ethernet and audio ports, a practical HDMI video output to easily connect it to a TV or monitor for example, Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi wireless modules. 6E ax to communicate and connect remotely, from a USB-C (not Thunderbolt, too bad!) or even 3 USBs including 2 USB 3.0 (USB 2.0 compatible) guaranteeing transfers up to 5 times faster than USB 2.0 if USB 3.0 devices are connected.
When you can barely see the keys, you can activate the backlighting of the chiclet keyboard.
To appeal to gamers, the screen is adorned with a frequency of 144Hz which clearly reinforces the overall fluidity, including in games, compared to the 60Hz standard.
Suitable for videos due to its 16:9 format, the Full HD screen adopts IPS technology giving it significant viewing angles, both horizontally and vertically.
As it is anti-reflective, the screen also offers better visibility in a bright environment (e.g. outdoors) than a shiny panel.
Performance, autonomy of the MSI Katana 15 B13VFK-2201FR
The MSI Katana 15 B13VFK-2201FR may appeal to those who wish to acquire a versatile 15-inch laptop that performs well in gaming and creation.
You can install and store multiple games, software and files on the high capacity SSD storage of 1000 GB integrated into this gaming laptop.
The SSD offers the advantage of being silent, energy efficient, shock resistant and fast.
It provides great responsiveness and fluidity on a daily basis, which translates in particular into rapid launches of games/software as well as processing and starts/stops, or even by the fact that we can quickly access online game maps.
You can play recent games on this versatile laptop thanks to its dedicated high-end GeForce RTX 4060 ray tracing NVIDIA Ada Lovelace graphics card on board.
Players will appreciate it. And creative people too since the GeForce RTX 4070 accelerates multimedia processing under software using GPU computing power, such as the Adobe suite, VSDC or Vegas.
Depending on the tasks carried out, NVIDIA Optimus technology automatically activates/deactivates the GeForce RTX 4060 in real time. It prefers as much as possible the Intel Iris Xe solution inserted in the processor. And this even though it is much less powerful because it consumes little energy, which promotes autonomy.
Expect approximately 4 hours of battery operation in light use.
Optimus actually uses the GeForce RTX 4060 to carry out graphics work deemed too heavy for the Iris Xe, typically for gaming. With one or the other, watching HD photos and videos is obviously possible.
The Iris
In games, the GeForce RTX 4060 is well supported by this core which will delight creators since it ensures faster processing than a classic Quad/Hexa Core. Particularly in areas requiring CPU and RAM resources taking advantage of multi-core, such as 3D rendering, video editing or photo editing.
Let us also mention the potential expandability of this laptop which benefits from a free M.2 slot to accommodate a second SSD if necessary.
Finally, this versatile multimedia gaming laptop PC heats up and makes itself heard when pushed hard (e.g. games, treatments).
If necessary to limit its temperatures, it can be coupled with a ventilated support (remember to check the dimensions carefully!).