The MSI Claw’s Rocky Start: A Tale of High Hopes and Hard Realities
By Dexter Stone
In the ever-competitive realm of handheld gaming PCs, the arrival of a new contender is always met with a mix of excitement and skepticism. The MSI Claw, with its promising Intel Arc A-series GPU and Meteor Lake CPU cores, entered the arena with the ambition of challenging the reigning champions, the Valve Steam Deck and the ROG Ally. However, recent reviews have cast a shadow over its potential to claim the throne.
The battle of handheld gaming PCs heats up
The MSI Claw was anticipated to be a game-changer, offering a unique blend of power and portability. Yet, as it turns out, the reality is far from the expectation. Critics and users alike have voiced their concerns, pointing out the device’s shortcomings in performance, battery life, and overall value.
One of the most vocal critics, The Phawx, described the MSI Claw as “literally impossible to recommend.” This damning assessment stems from comparative benchmarks, where the Claw’s performance, while competitive in frame rates, falls short when considering power efficiency and battery life. The device required an additional 10W to match the performance of its rivals, a significant drawback for a handheld device where every watt counts.
Performance comparison of top handheld gaming PCs
The pricing of the MSI Claw further complicates its position in the market. At $749.99, it is significantly more expensive than both the Steam Deck and the ROG Ally, making it a tough sell to budget-conscious gamers.
As the gaming community continues to weigh in, it’s clear that the MSI Claw has a steep hill to climb. The consensus suggests that the only true successor to the Steam Deck will come from Valve itself. With the Steam Deck 2’s release on the horizon, the competition is only getting fiercer.
In the world of handheld gaming PCs, innovation and value are key. The MSI Claw’s journey serves as a reminder that even with the best intentions, not every challenger can become a champion.
