MSI unveiled its first gaming handheld at CES 2024 at present. The Intel Core Extremely-powered Claw A1M is the world’s first gaming handheld with Intel’s processor in response to MSI.
Up till final yr, PC handheld gaming was dominated by Valve’s Steam Deck. Whereas there are quite a few different handhelds out there, most of them produced by corporations in China or Taiwan, it was Valve’s Steam Deck that pushed PC handheld gaming to the mainstream.
Then got here Asus with its Rog Ally machine, which promised higher efficiency and {hardware} at the next worth and Lenovo with its Legion Go.
Now it’s MSI with its Claw A1M that steps into the ring. It’s powered by an Intel Core Extremely processor, whereas Asus’ , Lenovo’s and Valve’s handhelds are powered by AMD Zen processors.
In line with MSI, the hand held will launch in several configurations and a worth vary between $699 and $799. Costlier than Valve’s Steam Deck however about the identical worth as Asus’ Rog Ally and Lenovo’s Legion Go handheld units.
Listed here are the {hardware} specs of the MSI Claw A1M as reported by MSI:
- Processor: (as much as) Intel Core Extremely 7 processor 155H.
- Reminiscence: 16GB LPDDR
- Show 7″ full HD 1920×1080, 120 Hz refresh fee, contact display screen, 500 nits, 100% sRGB.
- Graphics: Intel Arc Graphics
- Storage: NVMe M.2 2230 SSD
- Intel Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
- Ports: Thunderbolt 4 port, 1 microSD card reader, 1 audio combo jack.
- Battery: 53Whr, 65W USB Kind-C
- Home windows 11 Dwelling
- Weight: 675g
The Claw A1M resembles Asus’ Rog Ally on first look. Particularly the button format seems related while you examine the 2 units. There are different similarities. Each units characteristic a 7-inch contact display screen with 1920×1080 decision and 120Hz, however the similarities finish there.
The Legion Go then again was in comparison with the Nintendo Change when it first launched due to its design.
MSI’s first gaming handheld is available in black and MSI picked Intel to energy its machine. Avid gamers have the selection between two Intel Extremely processors on launch, the Intel Core Extremely 5 135H and the Intel Core Extremely 7 155H.
MSI revealed that the machine is powered by Intel’s Arc graphics know-how, however didn’t reveal specifics at this level. It is going to be attention-grabbing to see how this fares performance-wise in opposition to the AMD-powered units.
The Claw A1M weights 675g, which implies that it’s 67g heavier than the Rog Ally. Its dimensions, 294 x 21.2 mm and 117 mm depth make it a bit bigger than Asus’s providing, which has 280 x 21.2 mm and 111 mm depth.
The hand-held is powered by customized software program, MSI Heart M, that acts as a launcher app. It gives entry to video games and linked recreation shops, resembling Valve’s Steam or Epic’s Retailer.
The launcher is designed to make issues extra snug for players. Whereas it’s too early to inform how nicely it really works.
There are not any exams or critiques of the machine on the market at this level. These will come within the coming months. It is going to be attention-grabbing to see how the gaming handheld fares in opposition to the AMD-powered choices. Benchmarks will present how nicely it does with regards to video games, how good the buttons and controls are, and the way nicely the launcher works.
Closing Phrases
Competitors is all the time good for customers. Valve’s Steam Deck 2 will not be launched this yr and it’s unsure if it’s going to be launched in 2025. Avid gamers who desire a Home windows gaming handheld have now three units from main PC producers that they will select between. All are bought at about the identical worth vary.
Should you look past these corporations, you discover numerous Home windows-powered gaming handhelds. There may be GPD, which creates high-end Home windows gaming handhelds just like the GPD Win 4. It’s nearly twice the worth of the aforementioned handhelds, if you happen to purchase the highest configuration, however even the most cost effective configuration is priced at about $1000 at the moment.
One other producer of PC gaming handhelds is Aya Neo. Its Air 1S AMD 7840U begins at $899 and goes as much as $1129 for the two TB model with 32GB of RAM.
Now You: would you purchase a PC gaming handheld?
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