October 16, 2025 – MSI’s Katana 15 HX has stormed the charts, earning PCMag’s top spot as the best gaming laptop for most people in their October 2025 update. Priced at $1,299, this 15.6-inch beast packs an RTX 4060 GPU for 100+ FPS in AAA titles, outshining pricier rivals in value and thermals.
The accolade replaces the Acer Nitro V 15, highlighting MSI’s leap in cooling and build quality. TechRadar’s early hands-on echoes this, praising the 144Hz display for esports sharpness. For US students or European streamers, it’s a $1,300 sweet spot amid Prime Day echoes.
Gadget Tech Zone dives into benchmarks, design wins, and why it crushes the competition.
PCMag’s October Update: Why Katana 15 HX Takes the Crown
PCMag refreshed their best laptops list on October 6, swapping the Acer for MSI’s Katana. The i7-14700HX (20 cores) and 16GB DDR5 RAM handle multitasking, while the RTX 4060 (8GB) hits 1080p ultra at 100 FPS in Cyberpunk – 20% faster than Nitro V.
Cooler Boost 5 tames heat to 78°C. 512GB SSD upgrades easy.
Diving deeper, the 144Hz IPS covers 100% sRGB for creators too.
Benchmark Breakdown: Katana’s Performance Edge
Tom’s Hardware clocked 140 FPS in Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Against rivals:
| Test | MSI Katana 15 HX | Acer Nitro V 15 | HP Omen 16 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 1080p High (FPS) | 102 | 85 | 95 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 22,500 | 20,000 | 21,200 |
| Thermals (Peak °C) | 78 | 82 | 80 |
| Battery (Mixed, hrs) | 5.5 | 4.5 | 5 |
Katana wins efficiency. PCVarge notes stable 240W PSU.
Design and Features: Everyday Gamer’s Dream
At 5.7lbs, it’s backpack-ready. RGB keyboard glows 16.8M colors.
Nahimic audio boosts immersion. MUX switch adds 10% FPS.
Against rivals, plastic build flexes less than HP Omen. Webcam? 1080p FHD for streams.
Market Impact: Deals and Rival Shake-Up
Prime Day lingers. Amazon $150 off Katana ($1,149).
TechRadar tips Dell XPS 13 for non-gaming, but Katana steals for value. EU? MediaMarkt bundles.
Verdict: Katana’s 2025 Throne
PCMag’s pick cements Katana as entry king. RTX 4060 value shines.
Gadget Tech Zone: Upgrade now? Comment!
