Deal | RTX 5060, 16-core CPU, QHD panel: 15-inch MSI gaming laptop reaches attractive price

Gone are the days when you could buy an upper mid-range/high-end gaming laptop for just over $1,000. The RTX 5070-powered MSI Katana 15 HX, for instance, was on sale for $1,099 back in August 2025. Everything from RAM and storage to CPUs has become considerably more expensive since then. So, gaming laptop discounts have gotten worse in both quality and quantity. 

With this reality check out of the way, we are here to inform you that you can still buy a decent gaming laptop at a good price. The MSI Katana 15 HX that we mentioned above is currently on sale with an RTX 5060 for $1,133.67 on Amazon. This price is disappointing compared to what you got a year ago. But in today’s market, an RTX 5060 gaming laptop with 16 GB of DDR5 RAM and 1 TB of storage for $1,333 is a pretty decent option.

In addition to the RTX 5060, the MSI Katana 15 HX features a 16-core Core i7-14650HX CPU, a 4-zone RGB-backlit keyboard, and a 15.6-inch QHD display. The display boasts a smooth 165 Hz refresh rate and 100% DCI-P3 coverage.

Finally, the laptop is powered by a moderately sized 75 Wh battery that can be charged with a 240 W power brick included in the box.

MSI Katana 15 HX is built for 1080p gaming

Based on the performance of the 16-core Core i7-14650HX and the RTX 5060 laptop GPU, the MSI Katana 15 HX is meant primarily for 1080p gaming. The laptop should easily hit 60 FPS at 1080p with high/ultra graphics in most AAA titles. Folks who love to play eSports games will also be able to take advantage of the 165 Hz refresh rate.

Looking at some numbers, the RTX 5060 should deliver:

• Around 60 FPS at 1080p/ultra in 007 First Light
• Around 60 FPS at 1080p/ultra in Crimson Desert
• 90+ FPS in Arc Raiders at 1080p/high

Now, the MSI Katana 15 HX is a budget-focused gaming laptop and not a premium machine. So, the chassis won’t be as stable, the battery life likely won’t be good, and the machine won’t be easy to carry around due to its 2.4 kg (5.29 lbs) weight. If you accept these compromises, you’ll get a decently powerful gaming laptop that will last for years to come, as you can upgrade the RAM and storage down the line.