MSI has unveiled the Claw, marking its debut in the gaming handheld arena and claiming the title of the first to incorporate an Intel chip.
Pioneering a departure from the prevalent AMD chipset trend in gaming handhelds, the MSI Claw is powered by the Meteor Lake Intel Core Ultra chips. Although specific configuration details remain undisclosed, MSI has hinted at offerings that include the Core Ultra 7 155H variant. This particular model boasts 6 P-cores, 8 E-cores, and 2 Low power E-cores, featuring a maximum turbo clock of 4.8GHz and a substantial 24MB total cache.
The Intel Core Ultra chips showcase the cutting-edge Intel Arc graphics, with the 155H GPU clocked at 2.25GHz. Noteworthy features include support for modern rendering techniques such as ray tracing and native XeSS support.
In terms of memory and storage, the MSI Claw is equipped with 16GB of LPDDR5 memory and an M.2 2230 NVMe PCIe Gen4 SSD with a capacity of up to 1TB. A microSD slot is also available for seamless expansion.
The Claw sports a 7-inch, 1920×1080 resolution, 120Hz VRR IPS LCD with touch functionality. The display boasts 100% sRGB coverage and a brightness of up to 500 nits. Connectivity options include USB-C, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 5.4. The device is complemented by built-in 2x2W stereo speakers and an audio jack.
Featuring a robust 53Wh battery, the MSI Claw claims the title of the largest battery in its class. MSI asserts that the device can deliver a two-hour gaming experience on a single charge. This longevity is attributed to its 65W charger, included in the package.
Similar to its counterpart, the ROG Ally, the MSI Claw will come pre-loaded with Windows 11. The device incorporates the MSI Center M app for convenient management of settings and installed games, featuring a dedicated launch button. Additionally, the MSI APP Player allows users to emulate Android apps and games.
The MSI Claw will be available in three variants, starting at $699. The top-tier model, equipped with the 155H processor and 1TB storage, will be priced at $799. Anticipated to hit the market in the first half of 2024, the MSI Claw is poised to redefine the gaming handheld landscape.