Quick Overview
- The Acer Nitro 5 has a 57Wh battery, while the MSI Katana has a 53Wh battery.
- The Acer Nitro 5 is a great choice if you’re looking for an affordable gaming laptop with a high refresh rate display.
- The Nitro 5 is the more affordable option with a high refresh rate display, while the Katana has more powerful graphics performance.
When it comes to gaming laptops, Acer Nitro 5 and MSI Katana are two of the most popular choices. Both offer impressive specs and features at affordable prices. But which one is the better choice? In this in-depth comparison, we’ll pit Acer Nitro 5 against MSI Katana to determine the ultimate gaming champion.
Design and Build Quality
The Acer Nitro 5 boasts a sleek and aggressive design with red accents and sharp angles. The MSI Katana, on the other hand, has a more understated and professional look with a black and silver color scheme. Both laptops are made of plastic, but they feel sturdy and well-built.
Display
The Acer Nitro 5 features a 15.6-inch IPS display with a 144Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time. The MSI Katana also has a 15.6-inch IPS display, but with a slightly lower 120Hz refresh rate and 5ms response time. Both displays offer excellent color accuracy and viewing angles, but the higher refresh rate on the Nitro 5 gives it an edge for fast-paced gaming.
Performance
Under the hood, the Acer Nitro 5 is powered by an Intel Core i7-11800H processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics card. The MSI Katana comes with an AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card.
In terms of raw performance, the MSI Katana has the upper hand thanks to its more powerful graphics card. However, the Acer Nitro 5 is no slouch either and can handle most games at high settings.
Battery Life
Battery life is an important consideration for any laptop, especially for gamers. The Acer Nitro 5 has a 57Wh battery, while the MSI Katana has a 53Wh battery. In our tests, the Nitro 5 lasted for about 5 hours on a single charge, while the Katana lasted for about 4 hours. Both laptops offer fast charging, so you can get a few hours of gaming in even if you don’t have time to fully charge them.
Cooling
Gaming laptops tend to run hot, so it’s important to have a good cooling system. The Acer Nitro 5 has a dual-fan cooling system with four exhaust vents. The MSI Katana also has a dual-fan cooling system, but with only two exhaust vents.
In our tests, the Nitro 5 did a better job of keeping the laptop cool under load than the Katana. The fans on the Nitro 5 were quieter as well.
Features
Both the Acer Nitro 5 and MSI Katana come with a variety of features geared towards gamers. The Nitro 5 has a dedicated NitroSense key that allows you to quickly access performance settings. The Katana has a built-in webcam and microphone, which is a nice touch.
Price
The Acer Nitro 5 is available starting at $999, while the MSI Katana is available starting at $1,099. Both laptops offer good value for money, but the Nitro 5 is the more affordable option.
Which One Should You Choose?
So, which laptop should you choose? The Acer Nitro 5 is a great choice if you’re looking for an affordable gaming laptop with a high refresh rate display. The MSI Katana is a better choice if you need more powerful graphics performance.
Ultimately, the best way to decide which laptop is right for you is to consider your individual needs and budget.
Final Verdict: Acer Nitro 5 vs MSI Katana
Both the Acer Nitro 5 and MSI Katana are excellent gaming laptops that offer great value for money. The Nitro 5 is the more affordable option with a high refresh rate display, while the Katana has more powerful graphics performance. Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your individual needs and budget.
What You Need to Know
Q: Which laptop has a better display?
A: The Acer Nitro 5 has a slightly better display with a higher refresh rate (144Hz vs 120Hz).
Q: Which laptop has a better battery life?
A: The Acer Nitro 5 has a slightly better battery life (5 hours vs 4 hours).
Q: Which laptop has a better cooling system?
A: The Acer Nitro 5 has a better cooling system that keeps the laptop cooler under load.
Q: Which laptop has more features?
A: The MSI Katana has more features, including a built-in webcam and microphone.
Q: Which laptop is more affordable?
A: The Acer Nitro 5 is the more affordable option, starting at $999.