MSI Cyborg 15 vs MSI Katana 15 HX
The MSI Katana 15 HX is the better laptop on paper: it is faster, is faster in games and lasts longer on a charge. Pick the MSI Cyborg 15 only if it matters to you that it is lighter.
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Key differences
- Speed MSI Katana 15 HX wins
The MSI Katana 15 HX is quicker. Its Intel Core i7 14th gen HX is built for heavy creative work, while the Intel Core 7 240H in the MSI Cyborg 15 has the power for photo and video editing.
- Gaming MSI Katana 15 HX wins
Both have an RTX 5060, but the MSI Katana 15 HX lets it run at 115 W against 55 W, so it's faster in games.
- Battery life MSI Katana 15 HX wins
The MSI Katana 15 HX should last longer on a charge: it has a 75 Wh battery against 55.2 Wh.
- Weight MSI Cyborg 15 wins
The MSI Cyborg 15 is 0.3 kg lighter: 2.1 kg against 2.4 kg.
- Sharpness MSI Katana 15 HX wins
The MSI Katana 15 HX's screen is sharper: 2.5K against Full HD.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the MSI Cyborg 15 if…
- You'll move it around the house or office: it's 0.3 kg lighter.
- You want a slim laptop that slips into a bag: it's 22.2 mm thick.
- You keep lots of tabs and apps open: it has 16 GB of memory.
Choose the MSI Katana 15 HX if…
- You edit photos or video, or keep a lot open at once: its Intel Core i7 14th gen HX is the more powerful processor.
- You want the most from the RTX 5060: it runs at 115 W, so games run faster.
- You work away from a plug: it should last longer on a charge.
- You read, write or edit photos a lot: its 2.5K screen makes text and images crisper.
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsThe MSI Katana 15 HX leads on performance and the screen; elsewhere the two are closely matched. 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 is faster and is faster in games, and the MSI Cyborg 15 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | MSI Cyborg 15 | MSI Katana 15 HX |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core 7 240H | Intel Core i7-14650HX |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop |
| Graphics memory | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Graphics power (TGP) | 55 W | 115 W |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory type | DDR5-5600 | DDR5-5600 |
| Maximum memory | 96 GB | 96 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Upgradeable (slots) | Upgradeable (slots) |
| Storage | 1 TB | 1 TB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
| Storage interface | PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 | PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 |
| Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Screen
The MSI Katana 15 HX is ahead on the screen.
It has a sharper screen and has a smoother screen, and the MSI Cyborg 15 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | MSI Cyborg 15 | MSI Katana 15 HX |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 15.6" | 15.6" |
| Resolution | Full HD (1920 x 1080) | 2.5K (2560 x 1440) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 | — |
| Panel | IPS | IPS |
| Refresh rate | 144 Hz | 165 Hz |
| Colour range | — | 100% DCI-P3 (Typical) |
| Finish | — | Matte |
| Touchscreen | No | — |
Battery and size
Each laptop has its strengths on battery and weight.
The MSI Cyborg 15 is lighter and is slimmer, while the MSI Katana 15 HX lasts longer on a charge.
| Spec | MSI Cyborg 15 | MSI Katana 15 HX |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 55.2 Wh | 75 Wh |
| Charger | 120 W | 240 W |
| Charges via | DC barrel; USB-C PD also charges | — |
| Weight | 2.1 kg | 2.4 kg |
| Dimensions | 359.3 x 245.25 x 22.15-23.15 mm | 359 x 262 x 25.5 mm |
| Durability | MIL-STD-810H/G | — |
| Colour | Translucent Black | Black |
| Colours available | Translucent Black | Black |
Ports and wireless
Both have much the same ports and wireless.
You can plug in the same things on either.
| Spec | MSI Cyborg 15 | MSI Katana 15 HX |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (DisplayPort, Power Delivery 3.0, charging), 1x HDMI 2.1 (4K@60Hz), 1x RJ-45, 1x 3.5 mm combo headphone/mic, 1x DC-in, 1x Kensington lock | 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 | None | None |
| External displays (max) | — | 3 |
| Card reader | None | None |
| Ethernet | 1 GbE RJ-45 | Gigabit Ethernet |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Wi-Fi card | Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 | Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
Both have much the same extras.
From the keyboard to the webcam and login, there is little between them.
| Spec | MSI Cyborg 15 | MSI Katana 15 HX |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 720p | 720p |
| Webcam privacy | physical shutter | — |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | Yes |
| Keyboard | 4-zone RGB backlight, Copilot key, numpad | 4-Zone RGB Gaming Keyboard with Copilot Key |
| Number pad | Yes | — |
| Speakers | 2x 2 W, DTS Audio Processing, Hi-Res Audio Ready | 2x 2W, Nahimic 3 Audio Enhancer, Hi-Res Audio Ready |
| Microphones | array microphone | — |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | fTPM 2.0, Webcam shutter, Kensington lock | Firmware TPM (fTPM) 2.0 |
Software and model
Both run Windows.
So the same apps work on both, and they get the same kind of updates.
| Spec | MSI Cyborg 15 | MSI Katana 15 HX |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Model number | 9S7-15Q342-840 | B14WFK-810US |
| Released | 2025 | 2025 |