After the earlier teaser, MSI has just made an official announcement that the MSI Claw is real. The portable gaming PC from MSI is also the world’s first device featuring the new Intel Core Ultra processors, different from its competitors which usually sport AMD Z1 series SoCs.
MSI Claw powered by Intel
The Claw runs on up to an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 155H, which houses six performance cores, eight efficient cores and 2 ultra-efficient cores for processing content on the Claw. The CPU can boost up to 4.8 GHz and has an on-paper max turbo power of 115 watts. Like everything else in 2024, there is built-in AI support using the on-board NPU with Intel’s NPU called Intel AI Boost.
Graphics are handled by the built-in ARC cores on board the SoC – 8 Xe cores that can boost up to 2.25 GHz. It is supported and enhanced by XeSS super-sampling tech to deliver smoother gameplay at 1080p resolution at medium graphics settings. It also comes with 16GB of RAM and replaceable onboard storage thanks to the support for m.2 2230 NVMe storage via the PCIe Gen 4 slot.
As this is set to be a global product, we may see different specifications between markets, as well as different SKUs to be offered by MSI when the Claw is officially available.
Similar yet different with the rest
Like the ROG Ally, the MSI Claw comes with a 7-inch FHD display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Unlike the Ally, the USB C port is a full-service Thunderbolt 4 port, so you can connect the Claw to any Thunderbolt dock to expand its functionality.
The software suite from MSI to control the Claw is called the MSI Center M UI, designed to give users easy access to key features and settings as well as act as a quick launcher for games. The UI can manage both Windows and Android gaming on the launcher.
Power and connectivity
Power is provided by a built-in 53Whr battery. In comparison, the Asus ROG Ally and the Valve Steamdeck has a battery capacity of 40Whr while the Lenovo Legion GO comes with a 49.2Whr battery. On paper, the MSI Claw should have a longer battery life when compared to the Ally and GO.
Other notable features include Intel Killer Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, a 6-axis vibration motor, and MSI’s HyperFlow cooling system and MSI’s Mystic Light RGB system. The whole system weighs 675 grams, which sits in between the ROG Ally and the Valve Steamdeck and is way lighter than the Legion GO.
There is no price yet for the MSI Claw, and the company is targeting an H1 2024 global release window.
