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Head-to-head · Best Gaming Laptops Under $1500

Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 9 vs MSI Katana 15

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 9 and MSI Katana 15 score essentially the same (3.9 vs 3.9). Pick the one whose trade-offs match your priorities — the strengths and watch-outs below are where they actually differ.

Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 9
Ranked #3 in Best Gaming Laptops Under $1500
Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 9
3 sources

The Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 9 balances performance and portability for gamers and professionals alike. PCMag editors praised the 12th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and 15.6-inch Full HD display, and found the cooling effective enough to sustain long gaming sessions. The keyboard is responsive and the build quality holds up, though reviewers flagged the 4.3-pound weight and a limited port selection. Buyers who want a powerful laptop that still travels are the fit; anyone who needs extensive connectivity should look elsewhere.

Strengths
  • — Solid performance with 12th Gen Intel Core i7 processor
  • — Good display quality with 15.6-inch Full HD screen
  • — Effective cooling system for sustained gaming performance
Watch-outs
  • — Slightly heavy at 4.3 pounds
  • — Limited port selection on the right side
Check Price on AmazonFull review →
MSI Katana 15
Ranked #2 in Best Gaming Laptops Under $1500
MSI Katana 15
4 sources1 derived$1,459as of Aug 1

The MSI Katana 15 HX delivers solid 1080p gaming performance around $1,035–$1,134 with its Intel Core i7-14650HX processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50-series GPU. Reviewers praised its sturdy build quality and effective cooling system for the price, though several criticized the dim, washed-out display as inadequate for creative work or media consumption.

Strengths
  • — Intel Core i7-14650HX processor delivers strong gaming performance
  • — 15.6-inch Full HD display with good color reproduction
  • — Solid build quality with a premium feel
Watch-outs
  • — At approximately 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg), it's on the heavier side for a laptop in this category
  • — Limited port selection on the left side
$1,459 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 9

The Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 9 stands out with its 12th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and effective cooling system, making it a strong contender against the ASUS TUF Gaming A15 FA507, which has a mushy keyboard and wobbly hinge. Unlike the ASUS ROG Strix G16, it offers a more balanced performance profile without the high internal temperatures and lacks the premium port selection and upgradeability of the ROG Strix G16.

MSI Katana 15

The MSI Katana 15 HX offers solid performance with an Intel Core i7-14650HX processor and good cooling for its price tier, but its heavy weight (5.3 lbs) and limited port selection make it less appealing than the Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 9, which provides better portability and build quality. Unlike the ASUS TUF Gaming A15 FA507, it lacks the 144 Hz display and keyboard issues, though it does offer a more premium feel.

Specs side-by-side

SpecLenovo Legion 5i Gen 9MSI Katana 15
Processor12th Gen Intel Core i7-12700HIntel Core i7-14650HX
Display Size15.6-inch Full HD15.6-inch Full HD
Resolution2560 x 16001920 x 1080 or 2560 x 1440
Refresh Rate165Hz144 Hz or 165 Hz
GPUNvidia GeForce RTX 4060Dedicated GPU
RAM16GB DDR4Up to 64GB DDR5
Storage512GB NVMe SSDUp to 4000GB SSD
Weight4.3 lb~5.3 lb
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