"Review of MSI Katana 17 HX Gaming Laptop: Delivering 1080p Gaming Performance with Nvidia's RTX 5070 Graphics Card"
In the ever-evolving world of gaming, affordability and performance often seem like contradictory terms. However, in 2025, several gaming laptops have managed to strike a balance, offering current-generation RTX 50 Series GPUs, strong CPU and RAM configurations, and good displays at competitive prices.
Top Picks Under $1,300
Gigabyte Aero X16
The Gigabyte Aero X16, available for as low as $1,100 for the RTX 5060 version and $1,300 for the RTX 5070, is a standout choice. It boasts a Ryzen 7 3500 CPU, a 16-inch 1600p 165Hz IPS screen, 32 GB DDR5 RAM, and 1 TB SSD, providing a solid gaming performance package at a very competitive price[1].
Thunderobot STORM 17
One of the cheapest RTX 5070 laptops available, the Thunderobot STORM 17, priced around $1,300, offers a latest-gen GPU and CPU combo, a sleek design, and upgradability[2].
Asus TUF A16
The Asus TUF A16, available for around $1,350 after discounts, sports a Ryzen 9 270 CPU, a 16-inch 1200p 165Hz display, 32 GB DDR5 RAM, and 1 TB SSD, delivering solid gaming performance at a price point comparable to many RTX 4070 laptops[4].
Gigabyte G6X
The Gigabyte G6X, while details are scarce, is mentioned as a budget choice alongside others in the context[1].
A Closer Look at the MSI Katana 17 HX
For those seeking a sub-$1000 option, the MSI Katana 15 HX with RTX 5050 is a decent choice, although not RTX 50 series. However, the MSI Katana 17 HX, priced at $1,300, is worth considering as it offers an RTX 5070 GPU, a Core i7 14650HX processor, 16GB of DDR5-5600 RAM, a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, and a 144 Hz 17.3-inch 1080p IPS display[5].
The MSI Katana 17 HX's battery life, during benchmark tests, lasted 6 hours and 21 minutes. Its webcam, however, is 720p, which is subpar compared to most current laptops. The highest temperature recorded during a stress test was 115 F near the mute button[5].
The laptop features a dot matrix motif wrapping around the lid and chassis, measuring 15.66 x 10.85 x 1.09 inches and weighing 5.95 pounds. It has a pair of 2-watt speakers, Gigabit LAN, HDMI 2.1, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack on the right side[5].
The display hinge is strong and stiff, with minimal wobble. The lid and keyboard deck feature a smooth, palm-friendly finish, while the lower chassis has a slightly textured finish. The laptop's chassis is made of thick, premium plastics with minimal flex or deformation[5].
The touchpad sensitivity can be adjusted in the Control Panel, and adjusting it to High sensitivity mostly solved the issues with delayed or non-responses[5]. The laptop comes with several apps installed, including MSI Center, Nahimic audio utility, and Norton 360 for Gamers[5].
The audio quality, when playing music like Toto's "99", had a somewhat hollow and echo-infused quality[5]. Despite this, these affordable gaming laptops offer a compelling value proposition for gamers on a budget in 2025.
[1] Source: https://www.techradar.com/best/best-gaming-laptops [2] Source: https://www.notebookcheck.net/ [3] Source: https://www.pcgamer.com/ [4] Source: https://www.tomshardware.com/ [5] Source: https://www.techspot.com/review/2693-msi-katana-17-hx-14650hx/page3.html
The Gigabyte Aero X16 and MSI Katana 17 HX are affordable gaming laptops with strong performances, featuring the RTX 50 Series GPUs and advanced technology. Specifically, the Gigabyte Aero X16 offers a Ryzen 7 3500 CPU, a 16-inch 1600p 165Hz IPS screen, 32 GB DDR5 RAM, and 1 TB SSD, while the MSI Katana 17 HX provides an RTX 5070 GPU, a Core i7 14650HX processor, 16GB of DDR5-5600 RAM, a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, and a 144 Hz 17.3-inch 1080p IPS display, all priced competitively under $1,300.
