Msi katana gf66 reviews

I've reviewed a lot of MSI gaming laptops over the last few years. And MSI has consistently impressed msi katana gf66 reviews its lineup of gaming laptops that go from the ultra-thin to the ultra-big and everything in between. So I guess it's only right that once in a while there's a laptop that's not truly impressive, but more does just enough to get by. It does its job, msi katana gf66 reviews, but there's nothing noteworthy about how it does it.

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more. Gaming laptops are an ever expanding breed, especially in when machines with powerful graphics cards extend far beyond the traditional hefty devices with flashing RGB you may expect in this field. As a result, there are a few compromises to accept.

Msi katana gf66 reviews

Budget gaming laptops often struggle to stand out. This particular rig offers strong performance, plentiful connectivity options, a reasonable price point, and more. For more options, check out our roundup of the best gaming laptops available today. Shoppers should be careful to stick with the latest configurations: variants with outdated Intel Core 10th-gen and Core 11th-gen processors are still sold by third-party sellers on Amazon and other retailers. The MSI logo is small enough to be easily overlooked, which could be a plus for those who prefer a laptop that seems unbranded. MSI undercuts the competition slightly on weight, however, dipping just below 5 pounds. Many alternatives in this price bracket weigh a half-pound to a pound more. Build quality is best described as functional. The plastics used look and feel basic, but the chassis and display lid allow minimal flex. The numpad has half-sized keys, however, which can make it difficult to use for more than an occasional entry into an Excel spreadsheet. Key travel is long, but the feel is vague and springy.

With the game set to Ultra, msi katana gf66 reviews dropped to 79fps. The GF66 looks like MSI mailed this one in, slapping some modern components in a laptop housing and calling it good enough. Build quality is best described as functional.

The MSI Katana offers almost everything the top of the line laptops can at a fraction of the price. When I say a fraction of the price I really mean it. It has just the right amount of click and pressure behind the keys, and even manages to squeeze in a miniature number pad for extra convenience. The screen is a bit of a mixed bag too. Now onto the most important part of any laptop review, the aesthetics. This is obviously at its worst when playing modern and more graphically intensive games, but even just browsing Twitter or watching a few YouTube videos will drain the battery far too damn quickly. Sticking by a plug is a must if you want to make the most of your time with this lovely machine.

Why you can trust T3 Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test. The MSI Katana GF66 does double duty as a contender for not only one of the best gaming laptops on the market but also for one of the best student laptops on the market — assuming you're a student with a decent budget who likes to do some regular gaming. Whether you're interested in the battery life or the typing experience of the MSI Katana GF66, our review should answer all your questions — and help you to figure out whether or not this affordable gaming laptop from MSI should be your next computer upgrade. It does the job nicely — whether you're gaming, spreadsheeting, streaming movies or anything else — and while there are certainly better panels out there, this is good enough for the price you're paying. There's a thick chin at the bottom, but the side and top bezels are respectably thin, and you get an integrated webcam above the screen.

Msi katana gf66 reviews

I've reviewed a lot of MSI gaming laptops over the last few years. And MSI has consistently impressed with its lineup of gaming laptops that go from the ultra-thin to the ultra-big and everything in between. So I guess it's only right that once in a while there's a laptop that's not truly impressive, but more does just enough to get by. It does its job, but there's nothing noteworthy about how it does it. It's a shame it doesn't do a better job of directly competing with similarly priced laptops. Before I get into what I did and didn't like about the GF66, here's a quick look at the specs of the review unit I was sent. Maybe it's the boring black exterior.

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Opening the lid you see the Whenever a gaming laptop lands on my desk, and it's a true gaming laptop, not one of those super thin portable wannabes, I try to guess whether the manufacturer prioritized battery life over performance or vice-versa. However, that performance comes at the expense of battery life. And the battery followed the same approach — good, not great, with a final time of 3 hours and 12 minutes. As a result, there are a few compromises to accept. The Nitro 5 was the next-closest challenger at 45 fps, while the IdeaPad Gaming 3 pulled up the rear of the pack at a meager 21 fps. Microphone quality holds up better, picking up my voice well without allowing background noise from a space heater to creep into the audio. Then there's MSI Center, an app that you can use to change the performance settings of the GF66, monitor the system and its current level of resource use, as well as contact MSI support should you run into any issues. That was nearly an hour and a half shorter than the third-place Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3, which gave up after four hours and three minutes. Shoppers should be careful to stick with the latest configurations: variants with outdated Intel Core 10th-gen and Core 11th-gen processors are still sold by third-party sellers on Amazon and other retailers. Small trackpad. Editor Rating. The MSI Katana 15 delivers class-leading gaming and productivity performance until its short battery life spoils the show. Icons by Fontello. MSI faces two key hurdles with this gaming machine—taking on some stiff competition and an increasingly nonbudget price as laptop costs get a bump across the board.

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The built-in speakers are mediocre, with a modest maximum volume and lack of bass to fill out the sound stage in music and games. Editor Rating. For more, learn more. The laptop is constructed of high-sheen plastic all around, with a high level of flex in the display lid and keyboard deck. Photograph: MSI. At a glance Expert's Rating. MSI faces two key hurdles with this gaming machine—taking on some stiff competition and an increasingly nonbudget price as laptop costs get a bump across the board. MSI is prioritizing a high refresh rate to appease gamers over outright quality, and it shows. Trends continue in Shadow of the Tomb Raider , with the Katana again taking a fourth-place finish. There's not a lot of extra software installed on the GF66 out of the box.