MSI Claw: A Powerful Handheld Gaming Console Powered By Intel
1/05/2024
MSI Claw: A Powerful Handheld Gaming Console Powered By Intel
If you are looking for a handheld gaming console that can run the latest PC games at high settings, you might want to check out the MSI Claw. The MSI Claw is a new device that features Intel’s next-generation Meteor Lake-H CPUs, also known as Core Ultra 100H, and Intel’s Arc Graphics 5 integrated GPU. These components make the MSI Claw one of the most powerful handheld gaming consoles on the market, rivaling the likes of the Valve Steam Deck, the Asus ROG Ally, and the Lenovo Legion Go.
What is the MSI Claw?
The MSI Claw is a handheld gaming console that runs on Windows 11 and is designed to offer a PC-like gaming experience on a portable device. The MSI Claw has an 8-inch LCD touchscreen with a resolution of 1920 x 1200 and a 16:10 aspect ratio. The device also has a built-in stand that allows you to use it in tablet mode, as well as detachable controllers that attach to the sides of the screen, similar to the Nintendo Switch.
The MSI Claw is powered by an Intel Meteor Lake-H CPU, which is a 10nm processor that features up to 16 cores and 22 threads, with a TDP range of 20W to 35W. The CPU can boost up to 5.1 GHz for the performance cores and 3.8 GHz for the efficiency cores. The CPU also has an integrated Arc Graphics 5 GPU, which is based on the Alchemist architecture and has 8 Xe-Cores with a boost frequency of 2.35 GHz. The GPU supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, Vulkan, and ray tracing, and can deliver up to 4.5 TFLOPs of FP32 performance.
The MSI Claw also has up to 32 GB of LPDDR5x memory and up to 2 TB of PCIe Gen 4x4 M.2 SSD storage. The device has two USB Type-C ports, one USB Type-A 2.0 port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The device also has stereo speakers certified by Harman AudioEFX and supports fingerprint and Windows facial recognition.
How does the MSI Claw compare to other handheld gaming consoles?
The MSI Claw is not the only handheld gaming console that aims to offer a PC-like gaming experience. There are several other devices that have similar or comparable features, such as the Valve Steam Deck, the Asus ROG Ally, and the Lenovo Legion Go. Here is a table that summarizes the main specifications and features of these devices:
| Device | CPU | GPU | Memory | Storage | Screen | OS | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSI Claw | Intel Core Ultra 9 185H (16C/22T, 20-35W, 5.1/3.8 GHz) | Intel Arc Graphics 5 (8 Xe-Cores, 2.35 GHz, 4.5 TFLOPs) | Up to 32 GB LPDDR5x | Up to 2 TB PCIe Gen 4x4 M.2 SSD | 8-inch LCD touchscreen, 1920 x 1200, 16:10 | Windows 11 | TBA |
| Valve Steam Deck | AMD Ryzen 7 7840U (8C/16T, 9-30W, 4.6/3.4 GHz) | AMD Radeon RX Vega 8 (8 CUs, 1.6 GHz, 1.6 TFLOPs) | 16 GB LPDDR5 | 64 GB eMMC / 256 GB NVMe SSD / 512 GB NVMe SSD | 7-inch LCD touchscreen, 1280 x 800, 16:10 | SteamOS 3.0 | $399 / $529 / $649 |
| Asus ROG Ally | AMD Ryzen 7 7840U (8C/16T, 9-30W, 4.6/3.4 GHz) | AMD Radeon RX Vega 8 (8 CUs, 1.6 GHz, 1.6 TFLOPs) | 16 GB LPDDR5 | 512 GB NVMe SSD | 7-inch OLED touchscreen, 1920 x 1200, 16:10 | Windows 10 | $899 |
| Lenovo Legion Go | AMD Ryzen 7 7840U (8C/16T, 9-30W, 4.6/3.4 GHz) | AMD Radeon RX Vega 8 (8 CUs, 1.6 GHz, 1.6 TFLOPs) | 16 GB LPDDR5 | 512 GB NVMe SSD | 8-inch LCD touchscreen, 1920 x 1200, 16:10 | Windows 10 | $799 |
As you can see, the MSI Claw has a clear advantage over the other devices in terms of CPU and GPU performance, as well as memory and storage capacity. The MSI Claw also has a larger and higher-resolution screen than the Steam Deck, and a more flexible design than the ROG Ally and the Legion Go. However, the MSI Claw also has a higher TDP range than the other devices, which could mean lower battery life and higher heat output. The MSI Claw also does not have a confirmed price or release date yet, while the other devices are already available for pre-order or purchase.
What games can the MSI Claw run?
The MSI Claw is capable of running most PC games at high settings and resolutions, thanks to its powerful CPU and GPU. The device has been shown running games such as God of War, Cyberpunk 2077, and Fortnite, with smooth and stable frame rates. The device also supports various gaming features, such as ray tracing, DLSS, and FSR, which can enhance the graphics quality and performance of the games.
However, the MSI Claw is not a perfect gaming device. The device may face some compatibility issues with some games that are not optimized for Windows 11 or Intel Arc graphics. The device may also have some limitations in terms of battery life, cooling, and ergonomics, which could affect the gaming experience. The device may also be more expensive than the other handheld gaming consoles, which could make it less accessible to some gamers.
Conclusion
The MSI Claw is a promising handheld gaming console that offers a PC-like gaming experience on a portable device. The device features Intel’s next-generation Meteor Lake-H CPUs and Arc Graphics 5 integrated GPU, which make it one of the most powerful handheld gaming consoles on the market. The device also has a large and high-resolution screen, a flexible and detachable design, and a generous amount of memory and storage. The device can run most PC games at high settings and resolutions, and supports various gaming features, such as ray tracing, DLSS, and FSR.
However, the MSI Claw is not without its drawbacks. The device has a higher TDP range than the other handheld gaming consoles, which could mean lower battery life and higher heat output. The device also does not have a confirmed price or release date yet, while the other devices are already available for pre-order or purchase. The device may also face some compatibility issues with some games that are not optimized for Windows 11 or Intel Arc graphics. The device may also have some limitations in terms of cooling, ergonomics, and accessibility, which could affect the gaming experience.
The MSI Claw is a device that appeals to gamers who want the best performance and graphics quality on a handheld gaming console. The device is a showcase of Intel’s latest CPU and GPU technologies, and a potential competitor to the other handheld gaming consoles, such as the Valve Steam Deck, the Asus ROG Ally, and the Lenovo Legion Go. The device is still in development, and we hope to see more details and updates from MSI soon.