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The MSI Katana GF66 is a really low cost gaming laptop computer, and regardless of the worth it gives strong 1080p gaming efficiency and a very good Intel processor. Nonetheless, the low value means an absence of high quality, with the display screen and battery disappointing
Execs
- Strong 1080p gaming potential
- A good Intel processor
- Very low cost
- Cool and quiet, regardless of the scenario
Cons
- Washed-out, underwhelming display screen
- Very poor battery life
- Not many further options
- Boring design
Availability
- UKRRP: £1199
- USARRP: $1199
- EuropeRRP: €1199
Key Options
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Mainstream 1080p graphics:The Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 delivers constantly clean efficiency in large video games and esports titles.
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A flexible Intel processor:The brand new Intel Core i7-11800H is spectacular in most conditions, from web-browsing to photo-editing
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Cheaper than the competitors:The Asus undercuts its rivals, so it’s an awesome worth possibility for mainstream gaming
Introduction
The MSI Katana GF66 is without doubt one of the most reasonably priced big-brand gaming laptops round, however that doesn’t imply you’ve obtained to undergo with outdated, bargain-basement parts both.
This machine pairs a Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 graphics with one among Intel’s newest 11th Gen processors. Elsewhere, the Katana serves up a 144Hz show and a surprisingly versatile keyboard.
Can this reasonably priced possibility punch above its weight to turn into among the best gaming laptops available on the market as we speak?
Worth and availability
The MSI Katana GF66 (11UE) is the mannequin reviewed right here, and it’s out there for simply £1199. It’s popping out within the US and Europe, too, however on the time of writing it’s not out there at retail. When it arrives, count on it to land at costs much like the UK determine.
MSI can also be producing extra reasonably priced fashions. The GF66 (11UD) will price £999 and it contains RTX 3050 Ti graphics alongside the identical Core i7-11800H processor because the machine I’ve reviewed.
If you happen to want much less firepower, the £999 GF66 (11UC) combines the Core i7 CPU with an RTX 3050. The entry-level mannequin prices £899 and pairs the RTX 3050 with a Core i5-11400H CPU.
The MSI’s nearest rival is the Asus ROG Strix G15. After I reviewed that gaming pocket book, it paired an RTX 3070 with an AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor at the next value of £1699 / $1799 / €1999.
Nonetheless, it’s attainable to purchase the Asus with an RTX 3060 for £1399 / $1499 / €1499. A extra reasonably priced Asus mannequin with RTX 3050 Ti graphics can also be within the pipeline.
Design and keyboard
- Cheap construct high quality in an uninspired chassis
- Primary connectivity and options, however nothing extra
- The keyboard is sturdy and comfy: a very good on a regular basis possibility
The MSI Katana GF66 will not be bad-looking, however its value does imply it’s fairly plain. There aren’t any RGB LEDs, as an example, and this machine is essentially constructed from plastic. The one illumination is the single-zone purple keyboard backlight. Fortunately, it’s obtained strong construct high quality that’ll stand up to being carted round the home or LAN events. Its weight of two.25kg and 25mm thickness are unremarkable and never horrible.
The MSI has two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports alongside a USB-C connector with DisplayPort. Elsewhere, the MSI has an HDMI port and an audio jack. That’s fairly restricted, although: the USB ports are restricted to a modest high pace of 5Gbps and the MSI doesn’t have card or fingerprint readers.
There’s a webcam, nevertheless it doesn’t assist Home windows Hey, and on the within the MSI has dual-band Wi-Fi 6, Gigabit Ethernet and Bluetooth 5.0. It’s commonplace stuff, so it’s high-quality for gaming and on a regular basis use, however the absence of additional options imply this machine isn’t the most suitable choice for productiveness.
It’s an analogous story with the audio equipment: the audio system don’t have a lot bass, however they’ve an correct mid-range and the high-end isn’t tinny, in order that they’re completely usable. A headset will all the time be higher, although.
The Asus ROG Strix G15 could also be pricier, nevertheless it’s higher in a number of areas. It has extra RGB LEDs and bolder design, a thinner physique, and extra versatile USB-C connectivity – though it nonetheless misses out on a webcam, fingerprint reader and card reader.
The MSI’s keyboard is respectable. It’s obtained a numberpad – albeit with smaller keys – which is more and more uncommon on mid-range gaming laptops. There’s a great deal of secondary performance, and the keys supply loads of journey, a quick and constant typing motion and a strong base.
The trackpad has barely mushy buttons, however anybody who needs to take pleasure in gaming will likely be utilizing a USB mouse anyway.
Display
- The 144Hz refresh charge handles mainstream gaming nicely
- The show has good distinction, so it’s usable for gaming
- Poor colors go away video games wanting washed-out and pallid
The MSI Katana GF66 11UE has a 1080p panel with a 15.6in diagonal and a 144Hz refresh charge. There’s no G-Sync, however this show is quick and clean sufficient to deal with mainstream video games and esports titles.
Its black level of 0.19 nits and distinction stage of 1274:1 are good, and so they ship affordable depth. Look past this, although, and the MSI falters.
The Delta E of 4.9 is common, undermining the color temperature of 6,673K, and the panel solely rendered 57.7% of the sRGB color gamut. That’s poor, and it signifies that this show can’t render the complete vary of colors utilized by as we speak’s video games. The show appears to be like pallid and underwhelming, with washed-out colors.
This panel is usable for on a regular basis gaming and shopping, however nothing will look significantly good. The Asus was much better, with full sRGB protection and correct colors, and also you’ll typically get higher high quality on any big-brand gaming pocket book for those who spend just a bit extra.
Efficiency
- The RTX 3060 is a superb mainstream gaming GPU
- Intel’s newest CPU is quick, and never far behind AMD for multi-tasking
- The MSI is constantly cooler and quieter than different gaming laptops
Graphical grunt comes from an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060. Within the MSI Katana GF66 (11UE) it has a peak energy stage of 85W, which is correct in the course of Nvidia’s vary for this GPU.
The Core i7-11800H is a newer 11th Gen processor that’s obtained eight multi-threaded cores alongside speeds of two.3GHz and 4.6GHz. It compares nicely to different Intel chips which might be widespread in the mean time.
The remainder of the Katana’s specification is okay, if unsurprising. There’s 16GB of dual-channel reminiscence and a 512GB NVMe SSD. That’s satisfactory for mainstream gaming and work, though just a few sport installs will see that SSD getting stuffed up rapidly.
The RTX 3060 is a strong Full HD gaming chip. It performed Horizon: Zero Daybreak at a clean 74fps and dealt with Borderlands 3 at 57fps. These are good outcomes, and so they imply that you simply’ll be capable of play as we speak’s large releases at clean speeds. You’ll solely should dial again the graphics settings within the hardest titles.
The MSI additionally performed Filth Rally at 103fps, and that bodes nicely for esports video games – many of the large esports titles are much less demanding, so that you’ll be capable of run video games like Fortnite, League of Legends at Overwatch on the triple-figure framerates required by the 144Hz panel.
The RTX 3060 managed to often compete with the RTX 3070 contained in the Asus. That beefier GPU was solely three frames faster in Horizon, and the RTX 3060 was two frames faster in Filth Rally. The MSI’s RTX 3060 was 22 frames behind in Borderlands 3, although, and its rating of 6907 in 3D Mark Time Spy was masses slower than the RTX 3070.
MSI’s processor is great in single-threaded duties, and which means you’ll don’t have any points with Workplace functions and web-browsers – and that bodes nicely for video games, too. AMD’s chips are nonetheless higher for multi-threaded workloads like content-creation, however this Intel chip can nonetheless deal with these duties with out an excessive amount of slowdown.
MSI’s machine delivered these benchmarks whereas performing nicely in thermal exams. This is without doubt one of the quietest gaming laptops I’ve examined in ages – in lots of duties you’ll barely discover the fan noise, and it makes much less racket than each competitor. Clock speeds have been constantly good, and not one of the exterior panels turned too heat. It’s very simple to reside with.
The SSD speeds have been disappoint nonetheless, delivering learn and write outcomes of 1984MB/s and 977MB/s. Most fashionable gaming laptops seemingly purpose for a 3000MB/s rating, so that is fairly far off the tempo, which suggests you might encounter longer loading screens and lengthier installs.
Battery
- You’ll get a few hours from this machine whereas gaming – not dangerous
- However in different duties the MSI gained’t final three hours, so keep near a plug
The battery is the realm the place the the MSI Katana GF66 11UE’s cheaper price is clear – the Katana has a tiny 53.5Wh cell.
If you wish to play video games utilizing this machine count on round 1hr 45mins of longevity. That’s affordable, however the Katana solely lasted for simply over two hours throughout a piece take a look at with lowered display screen brightness and round three hours when watching a film.
No gaming laptop computer has good battery life when taking part in video games – as normal, this machine is best when leashed to the mains. However it’s disappointing to see a gaming laptop computer not present higher ends in less-demanding duties. It’s an space the place spending extra cash will certainly see a greater return.
Greatest Provides
Do you have to purchase it?
You need an reasonably priced, mainstream gaming laptop computer:
The most effective side of the MSI Katana GF66 is its low value. If you happen to simply need an inexpensive gaming laptop computer that may do the naked minimal, this can be a nice selection.
You want a very good display screen, battery, or set of options:
MSI has made plenty of compromises to make it so reasonably priced. Its display screen appears to be like washed out, battery life is poor and it’s missing options reminiscent of a fingerprint sensor
Ultimate Ideas
The MSI’s low value, strong 1080p gaming tempo, respectable Intel processor and good-quality keyboard make this a great possibility for on a regular basis gaming on a decent price range. However the poor display screen and battery and the shortage of options are a hindrance, and could be rectified by solely spending a little bit extra elsewhere.
Trusted Rating
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