MSI Claw Review: A Brave Gambit in the Handheld Gaming Gauntlet

The handheld PC gaming space has, until now, been a story written almost exclusively by AMD. From the pioneering Steam Deck to the powerhouse ROG Ally and Legion Go, Ryzen processors have been the undisputed heart of the revolution. Enter MSI, a veteran of PC gaming, with a bold and disruptive contender: the MSI Claw. Instead of following the pack, MSI has placed a daring bet on Intel’s new Core Ultra platform, making the Claw the first major handheld of its kind. It’s a move that promises fresh competition but also carries the immense risk of treading an unproven path. The question is, does this gambit pay off?

Design and Ergonomics: Built for Comfort

Picking up the Claw, the first impression is one of familiar comfort and robust quality. MSI clearly studied the competition, delivering a device that feels like a refined blend of its peers. The sculpted grips fit naturally in the hands, and at 675 grams, it has a reassuring heft that feels premium without being overly burdensome for extended play sessions. The matte black plastic resists fingerprints well, and the overall construction is solid, with no discernible creaks or flex.

The control layout is standard asymmetrical fare, but the components are top-notch. MSI made the excellent decision to equip the Claw with Hall effect joysticks and triggers right out of the box. This is a significant advantage, rendering the dreaded “stick drift” a non-issue and providing smooth, precise inputs. The face buttons are responsive, the D-pad is serviceable, and the customizable macro buttons on the back are a welcome addition for pro-level control. Of course, it wouldn’t be an MSI product without a splash of RGB lighting around the thumbsticks, which adds a bit of gamer flair that can be easily customized or disabled.

Display: A Fast and Fluid Window

The Claw’s visual centerpiece is its 7-inch, 1920×1080 IPS touchscreen, and it’s a genuine highlight. Boasting a 120Hz refresh rate and support for Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), gameplay is exceptionally smooth and tear-free. Colors are vibrant and viewing angles are strong, making games look fantastic. With 500 nits of peak brightness, the screen is usable in most indoor environments, though it can still struggle under direct sunlight. For a first-generation device, MSI has nailed the display; it’s sharp, fast, and every bit as good as the panel on its closest rival, the ROG Ally.

The Intel Core Ultra Elephant in the Room

Here we arrive at the heart of the matter: performance. The Claw is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor with integrated Intel Arc graphics. On paper, this is an exciting, modern architecture. In practice, the results are a mixed bag and underscore the challenges of being a trailblazer.

In titles that are well-optimized for Intel’s architecture or can leverage its XeSS upscaling technology, the Claw holds its own. However, in a broad swathe of the gaming landscape, it currently lags behind the AMD Z1 Extreme-powered competition, particularly at the lower 15-20W power levels where handhelds spend most of their time. While you can certainly run demanding AAA games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Baldur’s Gate 3, you’ll often have to settle for lower frame rates or more aggressive settings compared to its rivals.

This performance gap isn’t necessarily a permanent indictment of the hardware, but rather the current state of its software and drivers. Intel’s Arc graphics drivers are far less mature than AMD’s, and the Claw’s BIOS and control software are still undergoing frequent updates to unlock the chip’s full potential. The Claw is a device you buy based on the promise of future improvement, requiring a degree of patience that not all users will possess.

Software and Battery: A Work in Progress

Like its Windows-based peers, the Claw’s user experience is a tale of two parts. You have the full, uncompromised power of Windows 11, but also the navigational awkwardness of a desktop OS on a small screen. MSI attempts to bridge this gap with its MSI Center M software, a launcher and settings hub. It provides quick access to game libraries and performance settings, but it feels less polished and intuitive than competing solutions like ASUS’s Armoury Crate.

On the battery front, MSI equipped the Claw with a generous 53Wh battery, the largest in its immediate class. This should be a clear win, but the Core Ultra chip can be power-hungry under load. As a result, the real-world battery life is merely competitive rather than class-leading. You can expect around 1.5 to 2 hours in a demanding modern title, stretching to 4-5 hours with lighter indie games and lower screen brightness. It’s a respectable showing, but the larger battery doesn’t quite translate into a dramatic real-world advantage over the competition just yet.

Final Verdict

The MSI Claw is a fascinating, well-built, and deeply ambitious handheld. Its ergonomics are superb, the Hall effect controls are a forward-thinking inclusion, and the 120Hz display is a joy to behold. It is a fantastic piece of hardware that is currently being held back by its software. The decision to partner with Intel makes it unique but also places it on the bleeding edge, where performance is inconsistent and heavily dependent on future driver and firmware updates.

So, who is the MSI Claw for? It’s for the tech enthusiast, the early adopter, and the MSI faithful who are willing to be patient and grow with the platform. It’s for the user who is excited by the potential of the Core Ultra architecture and trusts in Intel and MSI to unlock it over time. For those seeking the absolute best out-of-the-box performance for their money today, the more mature AMD-powered handhelds remain the safer and more predictable choice. The Claw is a commendable first effort and a bold challenger, but it has a few more rounds to fight before it can claim the championship belt.

Where to Buy:

Check it out on Amazon