MSI Claw Review: Intel Core Ultra Gaming Handheld

The handheld PC gaming market has rapidly expanded over the last two years, dominated almost entirely by devices running AMD processors. The MSI Claw A1M represents a significant shift as the first major handheld to feature Intel architecture. While the hardware design offers some premium features like Hall Effect joysticks, the device faced a difficult launch due to the driver issues mentioned in early reports. This review breaks down the specs, the performance struggles, and the current state of the MSI Claw.

The Hardware: Intel Core Ultra Meets Ergonomics

MSI built the Claw around the Intel Core Ultra “Meteor Lake” processor. Depending on the model you choose, you get either the Core Ultra 5 135H or the more powerful Core Ultra 7 155H. This is a distinct departure from the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme found in rivals like the ASUS ROG Ally and the Lenovo Legion Go.

On paper, the specifications are competitive:

• Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7 155H (16 cores, 22 threads) or Ultra 5 135H.
• Graphics: Intel Arc Graphics (8 Xe-cores on the high-end model).
• Memory: 16GB LPDDR5-6400 (soldered, not upgradeable).
• Storage: 512GB or 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD.
• Display: 7-inch IPS-level touch panel, 1920x1080 resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, 500 nits brightness, and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support.
• Battery: 53Whr.

Build Quality and Controls

Physically, the MSI Claw is comfortable. It mimics the shape of the ROG Ally but adds slightly deeper grips which assist users with larger hands. The standout feature here is the inclusion of Hall Effect triggers and joysticks. Unlike standard potentiometers used in controllers like the Nintendo Switch or the original Steam Deck, Hall Effect sensors use magnets. This physical design makes them immune to “stick drift” over time, adding significant longevity to the device.

Performance: The "Driver Issues" Explained

The snippet highlights driver issues holding the device back, and this is the most critical part of the MSI Claw story. When the device launched, Intel’s Arc graphics drivers were not optimized for the low-power environment of a handheld.

The Core Ultra 7 155H is essentially a laptop chip. It is designed to run efficiently at higher wattages, typically between 28W and 45W. Handhelds, however, often need to run at 15W or lower to preserve battery life.

The Launch Struggles

At launch, reviewers and early adopters experienced severe performance deficits compared to AMD-based competitors.

• Stuttering: Games reliant on older APIs (like DirectX 11) suffered from noticeable frame pacing issues.
• Low FPS at Low Wattage: At 15W TDP, the MSI Claw significantly underperformed the ROG Ally. The Intel chip simply required more power to “wake up” its graphics cores.
• Incompatibility: Some popular titles refused to launch or crashed frequently due to immature GPU drivers.

For example, in Cyberpunk 2077, the ROG Ally (Z1 Extreme) could maintain playable frame rates at 1080p using FSR upscaling. The MSI Claw struggled to match those frames without dropping settings significantly lower, despite costing the same or more at launch.

The “Game On” Driver Updates

It is important to note that Intel and MSI have been aggressive with updates. Since the initial release, multiple BIOS and driver updates have been deployed. Intel claims performance increases of up to 30% in titles like Forza Horizon 5 and Fortnite.

While these updates have stabilized the device and improved frame rates, the efficiency gap remains. The MSI Claw still generally requires more power (battery drain) to achieve the same frame rates that the Steam Deck or ROG Ally can achieve at lower power settings.

Software Experience: MSI Center M

The device runs on Windows 11 Home, which ensures compatibility with all major launchers including Steam, Epic Games Store, Xbox Game Pass, and GOG. To navigate the OS with a controller, MSI includes its proprietary overlay software called MSI Center M.

Center M allows you to:

• Switch between performance modes (Super Battery, Balanced, Performance).
• Adjust RGB lighting on the thumbsticks.
• Map buttons and macros.
• Launch installed games from a unified library.

The software is functional but feels less polished than Valve’s SteamOS or ASUS’s Armory Crate. Windows 11 itself remains clunky on a 7-inch touchscreen, requiring users to rely on the touchscreen often to navigate distinct Windows menus or installers.

Battery Life and Thermals

The MSI Claw houses a 53Whr battery, which is physically larger than the 40Whr battery found in the original ROG Ally. However, due to the power-hungry nature of the Intel Core Ultra chip, real-world battery life does not see a massive benefit from this extra capacity.

• Heavy Gaming (AAA Titles): Expect roughly 1.5 to 2 hours of gameplay when running demanding games at high TDP (35W+).
• Light Gaming (Indie Titles): You can squeeze out 3 to 4 hours if you lower screen brightness and limit the TDP, but the Intel chip becomes less efficient than AMD chips at these lower power levels.

The thermal solution, however, is robust. MSI utilizes its “Cooler Boost HyperFlow” technology, which keeps the device surprisingly cool and quiet, even under load. The fan noise is generally less pitchy and intrusive than competitors.

Current Value Proposition

At its launch price of $699 to $749, the MSI Claw was difficult to recommend over the ASUS ROG Ally or the Lenovo Legion Go. However, the market has shifted. Retailers have frequently discounted the MSI Claw, sometimes dropping the price to near $400 or $500.

At these lower price points, the calculations change. You are getting a 120Hz VRR screen, 512GB of storage, and Hall Effect sticks for a mid-range price. For users who are comfortable updating drivers and tweaking settings, the post-launch updates have made it a usable device, even if it doesn’t claim the performance crown.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the MSI Claw support Thunderbolt 4?

Yes. One major advantage of the Intel platform is the inclusion of a Thunderbolt 4 port. This allows for high-speed data transfer and makes it very easy to connect the Claw to an external GPU (eGPU) dock for desktop-level performance when stationary.

Can the MSI Claw play all Steam games?

It can play the vast majority of games on Steam because it runs Windows 11. However, due to the Intel Arc graphics architecture, you may still encounter graphical glitches or poor optimization in older titles that have not been updated for Intel GPUs.

Is the RAM upgradeable?

No. The 16GB LPDDR5 RAM is soldered to the motherboard and cannot be upgraded. Users looking for more memory should ensure 16GB is sufficient for their needs before purchasing.

How does XeSS compare to FSR?

The MSI Claw utilizes Intel XeSS (Xe Super Sampling) in supported games. XeSS is Intel’s answer to NVIDIA DLSS and AMD FSR. In many comparisons, XeSS offers slightly better image quality than AMD FSR 2.0, providing a sharper image when upscaling from lower resolutions to 1080p.