MSI Katana 15 B13V: Still a Worthy Gaming Laptop Option

For those on the lookout for a new gaming laptop, the MSI Katana 15 B13V is still very much an interesting proposition, even when you look at MSI’s current lineup.

Recently, MSI unveiled its new lineup of gaming laptops that are powered by the latest Intel processors and NVIDIA GPUs. Even with these new models though, the Katana 15 B13V from last year is a good option based on our time with it.

To be exact, we recently got to test the Katana 15, and if you’re in the market for a gaming laptop that can play today’s popular multiplayer titles and triple-A games, it definitely has enough power for these. Plus, the laptop’s other features make it quite a good deal, especially as its price is well below PHP 100k (which is how much you’ll need to shell out for the latest gaming laptop models).

In case you need more convincing though, here’s a rundown of what makes the Katana 15 worth a look even in 2025.

Intel® Core™ i7 (13^th Gen) + RTX 4060 is Still a Good Combo

Powering the MSI Katana 15 B13V is an Intel 13th-generation processor. Specifically, the model that we got to test packs an Intel® Core™ i7-13620H. This is paired with an NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4060 GDDR6 graphics card. Again, these might not be the newest GPUs and CPUs, but they’re still great for most games that you’ll want to play given the laptop’s 1080p display.

For starters, we tried out multiplayer games like Dota 2 and Marvel Rivals. As expected, Dota 2 ran with no issues even at the highest graphics settings, with an average framerate of well above 100 FPS.

As for Marvel Rivals, this hit hero shooter also ran smoothly on the laptop. In our tests, the game ran at around 70 FPS on the High graphics preset; that’s with DLSS turned off. When you turn it on, you can get up to 100 FPS on average, all while still enjoying great visuals (at least, in our eyes).

Meanwhile, triple-A games also won’t be an issue with this laptop. We ran various titles like Hitman 3 and Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, and all of them had an average of over 100 FPS, and that’s with DLSS turned off. Even Control ran at 70 FPS with DLSS off and at 1080p. With DLSS on, you can get even better results (even at the DLSS Quality mode setting).

Cooling also shouldn’t be an issue as the laptop’s keyboard area did not get uncomfortably hot while playing. Thus, the Katana 15 B13V should be a great gaming partner, especially if you’re looking for a laptop that can serve as a desktop replacement of sorts.

As a bonus, it also has a 1TB SSD, meaning you should be able to install your favorite games, with extra space to spare.

Yes, it Packs 16GB RAM as Standard

A problem with more budget-friendly gaming laptops is that many still pack only 8GB of RAM. At this point, 8GB is definitely not enough for gaming. Thankfully, that’s not an issue with the Katana 15, as it packs 16GB by default.

Of course, more RAM is better, but 16GB is enough to play both esports titles and triple-A games at 1080p. You may want to close your browser to be sure, but we found 16GB to be adequate for the games we tried.

Plus, if you do want to upgrade, you can do so by swapping the RAM modules to 2x 16GB for 32GB in total (you can even go up to 64GB). This should be something to consider if you’re planning to use the laptop with a high-resolution monitor.

Fast 144Hz IPS-level Display for Gaming and Binge-watching

If you’re fine with playing on a laptop screen though, the Katana 15’s 15.6-inch display won’t disappoint. That’s because it has a fast 144Hz refresh rate, making it a great match for esports games.

Given that the CPU + GPU combo has enough power to run most games at over 100 FPS on average (with DLSS on, at least), you can enjoy the benefits of having a monitor with a high refresh rate.

Gaming aside, the laptop’s screen is also a good partner for binge-watching as it’s an IPS-level panel, meaning you get pretty good viewing angles, not to mention that the colors are quite vibrant for an LCD screen.

A Wealth of Connectivity Options

Connectivity also won’t be an issue with the Katana 15 as this laptop has a wealth of I/O options. To be exact, it has a one Type-C (USB3.2 Gen1 / DisplayPort), two Type-A USB3.2 Gen1, one Type-A USB2.0, one HDMI 2.1 (8K @ 60Hz / 4K @ 120Hz) , and an RJ45 port.

Essentially, the laptop has 3 USB-A ports – great if you’re connecting peripherals like a mouse and webcam, as you still have one port to spare. Plus, we like the fact that it has an HDMI 2.1 port, as you can hook it up to a high-res display while still taking advantage of a fast refresh rate.

Eye-Catching Design with a Good Keyboard to Boot

Finally, the MSI Katana 15 B13V is a pretty well-designed laptop. The laptop definitely has a gamer look, though it’s sleek enough that it’ll still look professional when you bring it to an office or school.

If you want to make it pop more though, the laptop has a 4-Zone RGB Gaming Keyboard that has a variety of lighting modes that make it stand out. Of course, you can turn the lighting off if needed.

Lights aside, the keyboard feels great to type and game on thanks to its 1.7mm key travel. Plus, it has a full number pad and highlighted WASD keys.

MSI Katana 15 B13V: Price and Availability in the Philippines

With its combination of good display, nice design, and great gaming performance, the MSI Katana B13V is still worth adding to your shopping list if you’re looking to upgrade your existing gaming laptop.

At its price tag of PHP 76,995 (Katana 15 B13VFK-2011PH) for the Intel® Core i7™ 13620H + RTX 4060 8GB combo, the Katana 15 is still a pretty good deal in 2025. If you want a bit of extra performance though, MSI also has an RTX 4070 version (Katana 15 B13VGK-2064PH) which is included in MSI’s Valentine’s Promo with a price tag of  PHP 79,995.

The MSI Katana 15 B13V is now available in the Philippines in MSI Concept Stores and partner retailers nationwide.