One of the standout trends in the PC market has been the rise of handheld gaming PCs. While big players like ASUS and Lenovo have already made their mark with offerings like the ROG Ally and Legion Go, MSI has taken a different approach with the Claw A1M by opting for an Intel chip over AMD. This decision has its pros and cons, as we’ll explore below.
Design and Display – Familiar Yet Effective
The design of the Claw A1M may seem familiar, resembling the ROG Ally with a few subtle changes. The grips are more pronounced for added comfort, and the rear paddles have been repositioned to prevent accidental presses. The Claw also features Hall effect joysticks for improved precision, though the springs inside may feel a bit light. The device boasts a vented rear panel for optimal cooling, along with a variety of ports including a USB-C port with Thunderbolt 4 support.
Performance – Promising Yet Underwhelming
Equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage, the Claw A1M seems well-equipped on paper. However, real-world performance falls short of expectations set by MSI, with benchmarks trailing behind rival handhelds like the ROG Ally. Despite multiple updates and optimizations, the Claw struggles to match the promised performance gains.
Battery Life – Average at Best
With a 53Wh battery, the Claw offers decent battery life but falls short compared to competitors like the Steam Deck. While the device can handle gaming sessions reasonably well, it doesn’t quite stand out in terms of longevity.
Software – Room for Improvement
The MSI Center app, designed for game launching and settings tweaks, feels clunky compared to competitors’ software solutions. While Windows 11 operates smoothly, the MSI Center app could use some polishing to enhance the user experience.
Wrap-up
The MSI Claw A1M enters a crowded market of handheld gaming PCs, facing tough competition from established players like ASUS and Lenovo. Despite its solid design and features, the Claw struggles to stand out due to its late arrival and performance issues. With a successor already on the horizon, MSI may need to refine its approach to stay competitive in the handheld gaming PC space.
