MSI Claw Review – Promising Portable Gaming But?

Gaming has always been an important part of life for many enthusiasts. Portable gaming devices like the GameBoy Advance, Advance SP, and PSP have been staple companions. The introduction of the MSI Claw, a new portable gaming device, has generated significant excitement. Initially, the idea of a portable device running PC games seemed unusual, especially for those accustomed to powerful PCs. However, curiosity led to the purchase of the Steam Deck OLED, which quickly became a favorite, surpassing even the PS5 and Switch OLED.

The MSI Claw arrived with high expectations, and it largely delivered with its 120Hz display, hall-effect analog sticks, and a powerful Intel processor. But how does it perform in real-world gaming scenarios? Let’s find out.

MSI Claw Review – Design

The MSI Claw’s design has much to offer. Its ergonomic shape, similar to an Xbox controller, makes it comfortable to hold. The analog sticks, buttons, and D-pad are well-placed and easy to reach. The Claw also features RGB lighting around the analog sticks and buttons, which can be controlled or turned off to save battery using the MSI Centre app.

A standout feature is the hall-effect joysticks, which use magnets to register input, preventing Stick Drift, a common issue in gaming controllers. This advanced technology is a significant improvement over traditional joysticks. The Claw also includes a fingerprint sensor in the power button, eliminating the need to type in passwords. However, at 675 grams, the Claw is quite heavy, more so than the Steam Deck OLED and ASUS ROG Ally, which can cause wrist fatigue during long gaming sessions. Additionally, the bumpers feel spongy and have an awkward division that can be uncomfortable.

MSI Claw Review – Display and Audio

The MSI Claw boasts a 7-inch Full HD IPS display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 500 nits brightness. The display is vibrant and covers 100% of the sRGB color space, making it ideal for games like Hades and Hollow Knight, which benefit from the high refresh rate. The display also has wide viewing angles, perfect for watching videos while working on a PC.

The Claw’s speakers are the loudest on any gaming handheld. They offer strong bass and clear highs, enhancing the gaming experience and drowning out the device’s fans. Overall, the Claw excels in the display and audio departments. Future iterations could benefit from an OLED display with slimmer bezels.

Ports, Buttons, and Connectivity

The Claw has a Thunderbolt 4 connector, a microSD card slot, and a 3.5mm jack for wired earphones. It supports Bluetooth v5.4 and Wi-Fi 7, ensuring reliable connectivity. Downloads and video streaming are seamless, and it pairs well with wireless controllers.

The bumper buttons have room for improvement, but the A, B, X, and Y buttons, along with the D-pad, offer good tactile feedback. The analog sticks are precise and have a comfortable textured grip.

MSI Claw Review – Software

The Claw features quick access buttons for various settings, and the MSI Centre app allows for detailed adjustments, such as changing RGB effects and fan speeds. Running on Windows 11, the Claw functions like a regular PC. However, Windows is not optimized for touchscreen gaming, causing occasional issues with the on-screen keyboard and settings.

Despite these quirks, a Windows handheld like the Claw allows for easy access to games requiring anti-cheat services, such as EA FC 24, which the Steam Deck doesn’t support.

Performance and Battery Life

The review unit included an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor, Intel Arc GPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. The Claw’s performance varied, struggling with demanding games until the latest Intel driver update. Post-update, games like Hogwarts Legacy ran at around 40FPS at 800P resolution with fewer stutters.

GhostRunner 2 and Cyberpunk 2077 also performed well after the update, with GhostRunner 2 reaching 80-90FPS during idle moments and around 60FPS in combat. However, some games like NFS Unbound and EA FC 24 still had performance issues.

Lighter games like Stardew Valley and Hades ran smoothly, and the Claw can also serve as a laptop replacement when docked. Battery life, however, was disappointing, lasting only 1.5-2 hours for demanding games. The 53Wh battery didn’t match the performance of the Steam Deck OLED.

Verdict

The MSI Claw is priced at Rs 89,990 in India, with an introductory offer increasing to Rs 99,990. There’s also a less powerful version with a Core Ultra 5 135H processor for Rs 78,990. While the Claw is pricey and has some performance issues, it has potential with future updates. Currently, other options like the ASUS ROG Ally might offer better value. Continued updates and a price cut could help the MSI Claw secure a strong position in the market.