Worth, specs, options, and extra

The hand-held PC gaming scene is heating up rapidly. The Steam Deck obtained issues began in 2022. Since then, we have seen the Asus ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and the Logitech G Cloud. MSI is throwing its hat into the ring with the MSI Claw, which the corporate introduced at CES 2024.

Associated

Lenovo Legion Go vs Asus ROG Ally: Which handheld gaming PC is best?

These are two of one of the best handheld gaming PCs available on the market, and we have put them face to face.

MSI Claw: Worth and launch date window

MSI has three variants of the Claw that vary from $699 to $799 and will launch someday within the first half of 2024, based on the corporate. The official spec sheet solely lists the specs for the top-end $799 mannequin. MSI will probably share particulars on the opposite configurations nearer to launch.

MSI

MSI Claw: Specs and options

The MSI Claw is the primary handheld gaming PC to characteristic Intel’s Meteor Lake CPUs, with the high-end mannequin set to incorporate an Intel Core Extremely 7. Right here is the total spec sheet:

• CPU – As much as an Intel Core Extremely 7
• OS – Home windows 11 Residence
• Show – 7-inch FHD (1920 x 1080), 120 Hz IPS contact display screen
• Graphics – Intel Arc Graphics
• Reminiscence – As much as 16GB of LPDDR5-6400 RAM
• Storage – As much as 1TB
• Connectivity – Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 5.4
• Audio – Two 2W audio system and a 3.5mm combo jack
• Battery – 53Whr
• Dimensions – 294 x 117 x 21.2mm
• Weight – 675 grams

Another goodies included within the combine are a fingerprint sensor constructed into the facility button, a Thunderbolt 4 port, a microSD card reader, and two macro buttons behind the grips. The entrance of the show additionally options an MSI Middle M button for fast entry to customizations.

Associated

Steam Deck vs Asus ROG Ally: What’s the difference between the gaming handhelds?

Here is how the 2 PC gaming handhelds maintain up towards one another.

MSI

MSI Claw: Design and {hardware}

The MSI Claw appears to be like much like different PC handhelds. You could have the everyday two-joystick structure with ABXY buttons on the proper and a d-pad on the left. All of the ports, together with the amount rocker and energy button, are alongside the highest backbone, whereas the underside is usually empty. The left and proper joysticks have RGB lighting that you would be able to nearly actually customise by way of MSI Middle.

The again and a part of the highest of the gadget is principally one huge vent that helps the Claw keep cool. MSI’s cooling system, which the corporate calls Hyperflow, brings air in, redirects a part of it to the inner elements, after which makes use of the remaining to chill the CPU and GPU earlier than venting the new air out of the highest. The again venting has pink accents, which look cool.

Associated

9 Asus ROG Ally tips and tricks: Level-up your handheld console

The ROG Ally is a strong handheld console, and with these options, you may get much more out of your expertise.

MSI

MSI Claw: Battery life and efficiency

We cannot know pure efficiency numbers till benchmarks come out. Nevertheless, we all know that Meteor Lake compares favorably towards the prior era, so efficiency must be fairly good. The larger query is Intel’s built-in Arc graphics. Even when the Arc platform is best than it was prior to now, some avid gamers could scoff on the lack of higher-end graphics.

With that mentioned, the Claw ought to nonetheless play video games fairly effectively, even when they don’t seem to be on the highest potential settings. Certainly, the Core Extremely 7 isn’t any joke and CPU-bound video games must be dealt with adequately by Intel’s newest choices. Once more, benchmarks will inform the total story.

When it comes to battery life, MSI boasts that the Claw will rise up to 50% extra battery life than competing handhelds. For starters, it consists of an industry-leading 53Whr battery. Moreover, Meteor Lake CPUs are available an enormous.LITTLE configuration, so the CPU’s effectivity cores will assist draw out as a lot battery life as potential. It ought to do fairly effectively with battery life, however additional testing will probably be wanted.

Associated

Steam Deck tips and tricks: Get more from your PC gaming handheld

The Steam Deck has been a revolution, however should you solely simply obtained one, listed here are some suggestions and tips that will help you have a fair higher time with it.

Do you have to attempt MSI Claw when it releases?

MSI has positioned itself moderately effectively inside the echelon of handheld gaming PCs. It has a bigger battery than all of its main rivals, together with the latest CPU from Intel. That is excellent news as a result of it is also costlier than all of its rivals. Thus, if MSI has a winner right here, it’s going to must do higher than everyone else. It actually appears primed to do exactly that.

MSI Claw

MSI Claw is a handheld gaming gadget powered by Intel Core Extremely processors that promies a clean and immersive gameplay expertise even on AAA titles.