Introduction

The mid-tier gaming laptop segment has grown intensely competitive. Two standout contenders are Lenovo LOQ (featuring Ryzen 7 7435HS paired with RTX 4050/4060) and MSI Katana (with the newer Ryzen 7 8845HS and RTX 4050). Both offer near-desktop performance for under ₹1,00,000, yet each brings unique strengths and trade-offs. After months of testing, here’s an expanded, side-by-side breakdown to help you choose the right machine for your needs.

Design & Build Quality

Lenovo LOQ

  • Sturdy Luna Grey chassis with a minimalist yet gamer‑oriented design reddit.com+15vijaysales.com+15reddit.com+15.
  • Solid construction (~2.38 kg), hinges remain firm even months in smartprix.com.
  • Slight flex exists, but absent of any quality issues across extended use .
  • Overall: practical and durable, offering a polished aesthetic for gamers.

MSI Katana

  • Typical MSI gaming design, with red accents and angular chassis styling.
  • Weighs ~2.2–2.4 kg; build is solid but leans more plastic than LOQ.
  • Less premium feel compared to LOQ, though still well-built for its class.

✅ Winner: LOQ, for its more refined design and sturdier feel.

Display & Visuals

Lenovo LOQ

MSI Katana

  • Typically ships with similar 15.6″ FHD 144 Hz IPS panel.
  • Color accuracy and brightness are adequate for gaming but fall short of LOQ’s sRGB claims.
  • MSI tends not to offer G‑Sync in this tier, while LOQ includes NVIDIA Advanced Optimus and MUX switch.

 

  • ✅ Winner: LOQ, for superior color accuracy, adaptive sync support, and fewer visual artifacts.

Performance & Gaming Benchmarks

CPU

✅ Advantage: MSI Katana, due to the newer architecture and increased performance uplift.

GPU

  • LOQ can come with RTX 4060 (115 W) or RTX 4050 (105 W); MSI Katana usually ships with RTX 4050.
  • Tom’s Hardware shows LOQ 4060 delivers ~96 FPS in Shadow of the Tomb Raider, while Katana 4050 lags around ~73 FPS starcomp.in+3tomshardware.com+3mistvista.com+3.
  • Cyberpunk 2077 at Very High yields ~31 FPS on LOQ 4060, compared to ~22 FPS on Cyberpunk Ultra with 4050 .

 

✅ Clear win for LOQ, with RTX 4060 options delivering much stronger gaming performance.

Cooling & Thermals

Lenovo LOQ

MSI Katana

MSI Katana

  • Also equipped with dual fans; tends to be quieter under similar loads, though still audible.
  • Slightly less effective cooling than LOQ’s Hyper Chamber design, leading to marginally higher temps.

 

✅ Tie-ish: Both are loud under load; LOQ cools slightly better but at the expense of noise.

Battery Life & Portability

Lenovo LOQ

MSI Katana

  • Likely similar battery (~50–60 Wh) but Zen 4 efficiency may extend light usage slightly.
  • Similar form factor and weight (~2.2–2.4 kg).

 

✅ Winner: MSI Katana, thanks to slightly better efficiency and similar form factor.

Upgradability & Expandability

Lenovo LOQ

MSI Katana

MSI Katana

  • Standard expansion with 1–2 M.2 slots and two RAM slots, though model-dependent.
  • Less straightforward than LOQ, but still upgradable.

 

✅ Edge to LOQ, for its guaranteed slots and confirmed user success.

Real-World Feedback from Users

Lenovo LOQ

Positives:

  • “Specs-wise they are amazing… 24 GB RAM is definitely a big advantage” reddit.com+1rtings.com+1reddit.com.
  • Refined build: sturdy hinge and deck .
  • Efficient cooling prevents throttling .

Negatives:

MSI Katana

  • User reviews show reliable performance and quieter cooling compared to LOQ.
  • MSI’s after-sales support slightly more established; though not flawless, doesn’t carry LOQ’s motherboard concerns.

Pricing & Value

Lenovo LOQ

MSI Katana

  • Generally priced ₹84 k with a Ryzen 7 8845HS and RTX 4050.
  • Slightly cheaper efficiency and newer CPU can offset the GPU disadvantage.

🏆 Best Value: For highest performance/₹ – Lenovo LOQ RTX 4060 during discounts.

Pros & Cons Summary

Category

Lenovo LOQ (7435HS)

MSI Katana (8845HS)

Performance

+ Excellent GPU options, high FPS benchmarks

+ Newer CPU brings efficiency; slightly less GPU power

Design

+ Sturdy aluminum build, classy gamer look

+ Functional but more plain plastic design

Display

+ 144 Hz, 100% sRGB, G‑Sync, MUX switch

+ Decent FHD panel with 144 Hz refresh

Thermals

+ Keeps temps under control
– Fans get very loud

+ Slightly quieter cooling

Battery

– Poor battery (no iGPU), USB‑C PD helps

+ Better efficiency, slightly longer unplugged life

Upgradability

+ Dual M.2 & RAM slots confirmed

+ Standard expandability

After-Sales

– Some motherboard issues on Intel models; Ryzen seems stable

+ Established support, fewer known issues

Final Recommendations

Pick Lenovo LOQ if:

  • Your focus is gaming performance and outperforming the competition.
  • You want GPU flexibility (RTX 4060 option, 24 GB RAM).
  • You play mostly plugged in and don’t mind fan noise.

Choose MSI Katana if:

  • You prefer a newer CPU and better thermal efficiency.
  • Portability, quieter operation, and daily usability are important.
  • You’d rather have slightly better after-sales support.

Verdict

  • Overall Win: Lenovo LOQ Ryzen 7 7435HS + RTX 4060 – best overall performance and value.
  • Efficiency Edge: MSI Katana Ryzen 7 8845HS – great for users wanting cooler, quieter gaming and newer CPU.
  • Both laptops excel in gaming, but LOQ takes the lead with raw power and upgradability.
  • MSI Katana steps up for balanced daily use with less noise and longer battery life.