MSI Claw: A New Rival for the Steam Deck?

MSI is a well-known brand for gaming laptops and accessories. Now, they are entering the handheld gaming market with their new device: the MSI Claw. The Claw is a portable gaming PC that runs on Windows 11. It has a powerful processor, a high-quality graphics card, and a fast display. How does it compare to other handheld gaming devices, such as the Valve Steam Deck? Let’s find out.

The Claw’s Features and Specs

The Claw has some impressive features and specs that make it stand out from other handheld gaming devices. Here are some of them:

• Processor: The Claw has an Intel Core Ultra processor, which is a new chipset that offers advanced AI capabilities and high performance. MSI says that the Claw is the world’s first gaming handheld with Core Ultra.
• Graphics: The Claw has an Intel Arc graphics card, which supports ray tracing, a realistic lighting technique that enhances the visual quality of games. The Claw also uses Intel XeSS, a technology that uses AI to upscale the resolution and frame rate of games, resulting in smoother and more immersive gameplay.
• Display: The Claw has a 7-inch 1080p display with a 120Hz refresh rate, which means that it can show more frames per second and reduce motion blur. The display is also touch-sensitive, which adds more interactivity and convenience.
• Cooling: The Claw has a cooling system that is designed to handle the high temperatures and power consumption of the processor and the graphics card. The Claw has multiple vents and fans that ensure optimal airflow and heat dissipation, as well as a thermal pad that covers the entire motherboard. MSI says that the Claw can run for up to two hours on a single charge under full workload conditions.
• Design: The Claw has a lightweight chassis, offset thumbsticks, and RGB lighting. The Claw weighs 675 grams, which is slightly heavier than the Steam Deck and the Asus ROG Ally, but still comfortable to hold. The Claw has a D-Pad, face buttons, trigger buttons, and shoulder buttons, as well as two additional buttons on the back. The Claw’s controls are responsive and precise, according to MSI.

The Claw’s Price and Availability

The Claw is expected to launch in the second quarter of 2024, with a starting price of $700 for the base model with a Core Ultra 5 processor and 512GB of storage. There will also be two other models, one with a Core Ultra 7 processor and 512GB of storage for $750, and another with a Core Ultra 7 processor and 1TB of storage for $800. MSI says that the Claw will be compatible with Steam, Epic Games Store, and other PC gaming platforms, as well as MSI’s own gaming software and services.

The Claw’s Potential and Challenges

The Claw is one of the most anticipated products of CES 2024, as it represents a new direction for MSI and a new challenge for the handheld gaming market. The Claw promises to deliver a powerful and portable gaming experience that rivals the Steam Deck and other competitors. However, the Claw also faces some potential challenges, such as:

• Competition: The Claw is not the only handheld gaming PC in the market. The Valve Steam Deck, the Asus ROG Ally, and the Lenovo Legion Go are some of the other devices that offer similar features and performance. The Claw will have to prove that it can offer something unique and better than its rivals.
• Demand: The Claw is targeting a niche market of PC gamers who want to play their favorite games on the go, without compromising on quality or performance. However, the demand for such a device may be limited, as some PC gamers may prefer to play on their laptops or desktops, or switch to other platforms, such as consoles or mobile devices.
• Quality: The Claw is a new product from MSI, and it may have some issues or bugs that need to be fixed or improved. The Claw will have to ensure that it can deliver a smooth and reliable gaming experience, without any glitches, crashes, or overheating.

The MSI Claw is a device to watch out for in 2024, as it may change the landscape of handheld gaming. Whether the Claw can live up to its hype and meet the expectations of PC gamers remains to be seen, but it is certainly a device to be excited about.