As the handheld gaming trend continues to catch on, more companies are looking to have a slice of the pie. The MSI Claw is the latest wrestler in the ring, offering yet another alternative in an already crowded market that includes the Steam Deck, ROG Ally, and Lenovo Legion Go.
Running an Intel Core i7 processor with a Neural Processor Unit, or NPU, it boasts a seven-inch 120Hz FHD display (1,920 x 1,080), and can go up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. The device comes in at a good weight and feels comfortable in the hand, promising quality ergonomics for users.
But there’s a catch. The MSI Claw is the first Intel-equipped handheld PC to date, which presents the perfect opportunity to put it through its paces in the real world. Interestingly enough, it plays better on battery than when it’s plugged in – an observation that proved consistent across different games.
Check out the S$1,069 device in action above, as it goes up against the likes ofCyberpunk 2077, Helldivers 2, Armored Core VI, Hades, and Spec Ops: The Line.
GEEK REVIEW SCORE
Summary
The MSI Claw gets many things right amongst its peers, but its core offering of playing games reliably needs more work to truly reach its potential.
Overall
6.2/10-
Aesthetics - 8/10
8/10
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Build Quality - 8/10
8/10
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Performance - 5/10
5/10
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Value - 5/10
5/10
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Geek Satisfaction - 5/10
5/10
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
