Value, specs, options, and extra

Key Takeaways

• MSI Claw is a brand new handheld gaming PC competing out there, with three variants starting from $699 to $799.
• The high-end mannequin options Intel’s newest Meteor Lake CPUs and spectacular specs, together with a 7-inch FHD show and as much as 16GB RAM.
• MSI Claw boasts a bigger battery and claims to have as much as 50% extra battery life than its opponents, making it a powerful contender within the handheld PC gaming scene.

The hand-held PC gaming scene is heating up shortly. 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.

MSI Claw: Value 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, in keeping with 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 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 Dwelling
• Show – 7-inch FHD (1920 x 1080), 120 Hz IPS contact display
• 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 Heart M button for fast entry to customizations.

MSI Claw: Design and {hardware}

The MSI Claw seems much like different PC handhelds. You have got the standard two-joystick format with ABXY buttons on the correct 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 generally empty. The left and proper joysticks have RGB lighting that you would be able to nearly definitely customise by way of MSI Heart.

The again and a part of the highest of the machine is mainly one large 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 purple accents, which look cool.

MSI Claw: Battery life and efficiency

We can’t know pure efficiency numbers till benchmarks come out. Nonetheless, we all know that Meteor Lake compares favorably in opposition to the prior technology, so efficiency ought to be fairly good. The larger query is Intel’s built-in Arc graphics. Even when the Arc platform is best than it was up to now, some players could scoff on the lack of higher-end graphics.

With that stated, the Claw ought to nonetheless play video games fairly effectively, even when they are not on the highest attainable settings. Certainly, the Core Extremely 7 is not any joke and CPU-bound video games ought to 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 contains an industry-leading 53Whr battery. Moreover, Meteor Lake CPUs are available a giant.LITTLE configuration, so the CPU’s effectivity cores will assist draw out as a lot battery life as attainable. It ought to do fairly effectively with battery life, however additional testing can be wanted.

Must you strive MSI Claw when it releases?

MSI has positioned itself moderately effectively throughout the echelon of handheld gaming PCs. It has a bigger battery than all of its main opponents, together with the newest CPU from Intel. That is excellent news as a result of it is also dearer than all of its opponents. Thus, if MSI has a winner right here, it will should do higher than all people else. It definitely appears primed to just do that.