ASUS TUF Gaming A14 (FA401) vs MSI Katana 15 HX
The ASUS TUF Gaming A14 has the edge: it is lighter, is more compact and has Thunderbolt or USB4 and an SD card reader. The MSI Katana 15 HX still has a bigger screen and has more accurate colour, so it's worth a look if that matters more to you.
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Key differences
- Weight ASUS TUF Gaming A14 wins
The ASUS TUF Gaming A14 is 0.9 kg lighter: 1.46 kg against 2.4 kg.
- Screen size Depends on you
The MSI Katana 15 HX has the bigger screen (15.6" against 14"), while the ASUS TUF Gaming A14 is more compact.
- Colour MSI Katana 15 HX wins
The MSI Katana 15 HX's screen shows a wider range of colour (100% DCI-P3 (Typical) against 100% sRGB), so photos and films look richer and truer.
- Ports Depends on you
Only the ASUS TUF Gaming A14 has Thunderbolt or USB4 and an SD card reader, while only the MSI Katana 15 HX has USB-A and Ethernet.
- Extras ASUS TUF Gaming A14 wins
Only the ASUS TUF Gaming A14 has Copilot+ AI features.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the ASUS TUF Gaming A14 if…
- You'll carry it every day: at 1.46 kg it's easy to take everywhere.
- You want something compact for small bags and train tables: it has a 14-inch screen.
- You plug things in: it has Thunderbolt or USB4 (for fast docks and drives) and an SD card reader (for camera cards).
- You want Copilot+ AI features, handy for Windows' newest AI tools.
Choose the MSI Katana 15 HX if…
- You want more room to work: its 15.6-inch screen fits two windows side by side.
- You edit photos or care about colour: its screen covers 100% DCI-P3 (Typical).
- You plug things in: it has USB-A (for older USB accessories) and Ethernet (for wired internet).
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsThe ASUS TUF Gaming A14 leads on battery and weight and extras, while the MSI Katana 15 HX leads on the screen. Highlighted values mark the better spec in each row, and you can hide the rows where they match.
Performance
The MSI Katana 15 HX is ahead on performance.
It can be upgraded, and the ASUS TUF Gaming A14 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | ASUS TUF Gaming A14 (FA401) | MSI Katana 15 HX |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | AMD Ryzen AI 9 465 | Intel Core i7-14650HX |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop |
| Graphics memory | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Graphics power (TGP) | 105 W | 115 W |
| AI engine (NPU) | 50 TOPS | — |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory type | LPDDR5X-7500 | DDR5-5600 |
| Maximum memory | 16 GB | 96 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Soldered (not upgradeable) | Upgradeable (slots) |
| Storage | 1 TB | 1 TB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
| Storage interface | PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 2280 | PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 |
| Storage slots | 2 | 1 |
Screen
The MSI Katana 15 HX is ahead on the screen.
The MSI Katana 15 HX has the bigger screen (15.6" against 14"), while the ASUS TUF Gaming A14 is more compact. The ASUS TUF Gaming A14 is more compact, while the MSI Katana 15 HX has a bigger screen and has more accurate colour.
| Spec | ASUS TUF Gaming A14 (FA401) | MSI Katana 15 HX |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 14" | 15.6" |
| Resolution | 2.5K (2560 x 1600) | 2.5K (2560 x 1440) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:10 | — |
| Panel | IPS | IPS |
| Refresh rate | 165 Hz | 165 Hz |
| Variable refresh (VRR) | Yes | — |
| Brightness | 400 nits | — |
| Colour range | 100% sRGB | 100% DCI-P3 (Typical) |
| Finish | Matte | Matte |
| Touchscreen | No | — |
Battery and size
The ASUS TUF Gaming A14 is ahead on battery and weight.
It is lighter and is slimmer, and the MSI Katana 15 HX doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | ASUS TUF Gaming A14 (FA401) | MSI Katana 15 HX |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 73 Wh | 75 Wh |
| Charger | 200 W | 240 W |
| Charges via | 200 W rectangular barrel adapter; USB-C power delivery (USB4 port) | — |
| Fast charging | 50% in 30 min | — |
| Weight | 1.46 kg | 2.4 kg |
| Dimensions | 311 x 227 x 16.9-19.9 mm | 359 x 262 x 25.5 mm |
| Materials | aluminium lid, aluminium underside | — |
| Durability | MIL-STD-810H | — |
| Hinge | 180-degree lay-flat | — |
| Colour | Jaeger Gray | Black |
| Colours available | — | Black |
Ports and wireless
On ports and wireless, it comes down to what you need.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A14 has Thunderbolt or USB4 and an SD card reader, while the MSI Katana 15 HX has USB-A and Ethernet.
| Spec | ASUS TUF Gaming A14 (FA401) | MSI Katana 15 HX |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A (10Gbps), 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (10Gbps, DisplayPort, G-SYNC; no power delivery listed), 1x USB4 Type-C (40Gbps, DisplayPort, power delivery - charges), 1x HDMI 2.1 FRL, 1x microSD (UHS-II), 1x 3.5 mm combo audio | 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (DisplayPort, Power Delivery 3.0), 1x HDMI 2.1 (8K@60Hz / 4K@120Hz), 1x Gigabit Ethernet, 1x 3.5 mm mic-in/headphone-out combo |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | USB4 40Gbps | None |
| External displays (max) | — | 3 |
| Card reader | microSD (UHS-II) | None |
| Ethernet | None | Gigabit Ethernet |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Wi-Fi card | — | Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
The ASUS TUF Gaming A14 is ahead on extras.
It has Copilot+ AI features and has a sharper webcam, and the MSI Katana 15 HX doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | ASUS TUF Gaming A14 (FA401) | MSI Katana 15 HX |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 1080p + IR | 720p |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | Yes |
| Keyboard | backlit chiclet, 1.7 mm travel, Copilot key, 4 hotkeys | 4-Zone RGB Gaming Keyboard with Copilot Key |
| Login | Face | — |
| Number pad | No | — |
| Touchpad | glass-topped, 16:10, 240 Hz report rate | — |
| Speakers | 2-speaker system, Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio (headphones) | 2x 2W, Nahimic 3 Audio Enhancer, Hi-Res Audio Ready |
| Microphones | array microphone with AI noise cancelation | — |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | Firmware TPM, Secured-core PC (Level 3), BIOS administrator and user password | Firmware TPM (fTPM) 2.0 |
Software and model
The ASUS TUF Gaming A14 is ahead on software and updates.
It is newer, and the MSI Katana 15 HX doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | ASUS TUF Gaming A14 (FA401) | MSI Katana 15 HX |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Model number | FA401GM-RG005W | B14WFK-810US |
| Released | 2026 | 2025 |