MSI Claw A1M Review

Technology may appear to advance in a linear fashion, but it often experiences cycles of revival. Classic gadgets like flip phones, instant cameras, and record players have all seen a resurgence. Now, the focus is shifting back to handheld gaming devices. While Nintendo has consistently offered handhelds, recent years have seen a surge in Windows-based portable gaming devices, with major manufacturers eager to enter the market.

MSI is among those manufacturers. At CES 2024, the Taiwanese company introduced the MSI Claw A1M, its Intel-powered handheld gaming PC, amid a sea of AMD-powered alternatives. Launched in India in March, shortly after its global debut, the Claw faced some initial availability issues. It is now offered in India in three versions: a base model with an Intel Core Ultra 5 processor and 512GB of SSD storage, a mid-tier model with a Core Ultra 7 chipset and the same storage, and a high-end model with a Core Ultra 7 processor and 1TB of SSD storage.

The pricing for the Core Ultra 5 model was initially set at Rs. 88,990, while the Core Ultra 7 models were priced at Rs. 96,990 and Rs. 99,990 for the 512GB and 1TB versions, respectively. MSI has since significantly reduced the prices to Rs. 59,990 for the base variant and Rs. 66,990 and Rs. 69,990 for the two Core Ultra 7 models.

But does the Intel-powered MSI Claw A1M stand up to its competitors, such as the Asus ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go, which use AMD Ryzen Z1 series processors designed specifically for handheld gaming? After extensive testing, I found that while the Claw A1M has some strengths, it also has notable shortcomings.

### MSI Claw A1M Design: A Familiar Fit

- Dimensions: 294mm (width) x 117mm (depth) x 21.2mm (height)

- Weight: 675g

- Color: Black

If you picked up the Claw A1M without noticing the MSI branding, you might mistake it for the Asus ROG Ally due to its similar design. Released shortly after the ROG Ally, the Claw A1M bears a striking resemblance to the ROG Ally X, especially with Asus’s refreshed black version.

The Claw A1M is comfortable to hold despite its weight of 675g. The sturdy all-black plastic construction and ergonomically curved grips make it feel secure in your hands. However, its design lacks distinctiveness, with uncolored ABXY buttons and a generally dull appearance. The ABXY face buttons and Hall-Effect analog sticks are responsive, but the D-pad and bumpers are less satisfying. The quick action buttons near the display also lack tactile feedback.

The 7-inch touch screen is one of the Claw’s highlights. While slightly small for general Windows tasks, it’s sufficient for gaming, particularly for indie titles and platformers. The screen reaches up to 500 nits of brightness, which is good for outdoor use but may require adjustment indoors to conserve battery. The display is clear with accurate colors and responsive touch functions, though it does attract fingerprints quickly.

### MSI Claw A1M Software: More PC than Console

The Claw A1M runs on Windows 11 Home, but the operating system isn’t ideally suited for a 7-inch touchscreen. Frequent updates and bugs can disrupt the gaming experience. Issues like persistent driver update notifications and taskbar problems can be frustrating.

The device includes MSI Center M software, designed to streamline the user experience, but it often falls short. The interface can be laggy and unreliable, with issues like failure to register inputs or delayed menu responses. Additionally, the Quick Settings overlay is problematic, often failing to appear promptly and misinterpreting touch inputs.

The Claw A1M offers two control modes—Desktop and Gamepad—but switching between them is inconsistent. The handheld often doesn’t switch to Gamepad mode when entering a game, resulting in unresponsive controls and requiring manual adjustments that can be frustrating.

### MSI Claw A1M Performance: Not Quite There

- Processor: Up to Intel Core Ultra 7

- RAM: 16GB LPDDR5-6400

- Storage: Up to 1TB NVMe SSD PCIe Gen4 + M.2 2230 SSD slot

- Graphics: Intel Arc graphics

Performance on the Core Ultra 7 model is inconsistent. The Claw A1M can handle triple-A titles at decent framerates but often experiences stuttering and lag. For example, Ghost of Tsushima runs at 40-45fps on High settings, but drops to the low 30s in busy areas. Lowering settings improves performance, but it remains inconsistent. The Claw performs better with less demanding or older games, such as Portal 2 and Spiritfarer, which run smoothly with high framerates.

### MSI Claw A1M Battery: Insufficient Power

- Capacity: 53Whr

- Charger: 65W PD adapter

Battery life is a significant drawback. Playing demanding games on the Performance profile drains the battery in less than an hour. Even on the Super Battery profile, you get just over an hour of use. For better battery life, stick to older or indie games with lower settings.

### Verdict

The MSI Claw A1M feels like a rushed first-generation product, especially in the face of competition from the Asus ROG Ally X and Lenovo Legion Go, which offer more features and improved performance. The Claw A1M’s inconsistent performance, short battery life, and generic design make it a less compelling choice compared to its rivals. MSI’s announcement of future Claw generations suggests that the company is already moving beyond this model. Given the current competition and the Claw A1M’s shortcomings, it’s challenging to recommend this handheld over other options available today.

Pros:

- Good display

- Effective audio

- Solid build quality

- Responsive haptics

Cons:

- Inconsistent performance

- Poor battery life

- Unremarkable design

- Software and OS issues