Micro-Star International (MSI), a well-known manufacturer of gaming hardware, has thrown its hat into the portable gaming ring with the announcement of a new device called the Claw. Revealed at their CES 2024 showcase, the Claw is geared to stand toe-to-toe with Valve’s pioneering Steam Deck and other similar handheld gaming devices.
In the competitive market of portable gaming systems, the Claw strikes as an intriguing entry. It diverges from the pack by opting for a Windows 11 operating system instead of Valve's specialized SteamOS. Equally notable is the absence of certain features found in other devices like the Lenovo Legion Go's detachable controllers. Yet, the Claw aims to distinguish itself with two key attributes: a substantially large 53Whr battery and the use of an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H APU, which is an industry first for such devices.
The decision to incorporate the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H is particularly noteworthy because, until now, the Steam Deck and its market competitors have predominantly employed APUs from AMD. The Intel chip in question is what you'd typically find in high-end gaming laptops, complete with integrated Arc graphics for GPU power. MSI promotes the Claw’s Intel Core Ultra 7 155H as being more than capable of providing a "smooth and immersive gameplay experience" for AAA game titles, although only time and user experience will tell if it lives up to these claims.
Power is another area where the Claw makes bold promises. Its 53Whr battery is an attempt to overshadow even the most recent Steam Deck OLED’s 50Whr battery. The manufacturer conveys that the Claw should maintain a "2-hour battery life under full workload conditions" which implies draining the battery through intense gaming sessions. Comparatively, similar battery tests on the Steam Deck OLED align closely with these projections.
Moreover, the Claw doesn't spare any expense on its display, which is higher resolution and less power-friendly than its contenders. Featuring a 1920x1080 IPS display that measures 7 inches and boasts a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, the screen outperforms the 90Hz display on the Steam Deck OLED. Still, such perks raise questions about how the device balances performance with power consumption.
While consumers and gaming enthusiasts may be eager regarding pricing and release details, MSI has kept such information under wraps for the moment. Speculation suggests that the Claw would need to price competitively with the Asus ROG Ally, considering their similar specifications. It remains to be seen how the Intel Arc graphics will measure up and whether any additional price would be justifiable. Potential buyers will also be curious to see if the Claw's larger battery does more than just counterbalance the Intel APU’s higher energy demands.
Beyond the reveal of the Claw, MSI took the opportunity at the CES 2024 event to announce new additions to their gaming laptop line. These latest models will be powered by 14th-gen Intel CPUs and feature the latest Nvidia GeForce RTX 40 series GPUs. Although not named as flamboyantly as the Claw, updated versions of MSI's Titan, Raider, Vector, Crosshair, and Pulse series laptops are due to hit the market, ensuring a wide range of options for gamers preferring a more traditional gaming setup.
The announcement of the Claw signifies MSI's foray into an evolving market and reflects a growing trend towards portable, powerful gaming solutions. As the boundaries between desktop performance and on-the-go gaming continue to blur, devices like the Claw are poised to appeal to gamers who demand high performance in a portable format.
While specifics regarding performance, efficiency, and overall user experience remain a topic of anticipation, the promise of the Claw and its push towards innovation in portable gaming computees is an exciting prospect. Players looking to get their hands on this new competitor in the handheld gaming space will keenly await more details, including performance reviews and comparisons to its established rivals. With MSI stepping into the arena, the future of handheld gaming looks more dynamic and competitive than ever.
You must be logged in to post a comment!
