Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
Do n’t buy the new MSI Claw handheld , at least not yet . After being announce in January , MSI confirmed that its Windows - based handheld gaming PC would set up on March 8 through the official MSI shop — today , if you ’re interpret this article the daylight it ’s published . It says unit will start shipping on March 12 , with retail merchant sell them by March 15 . MSI has confirmed that there wo n’t be any reviews for the handheld in the near hereafter , unless a medium sales outlet happens to get their hands on what is described as a “ very limited ” initial run .
Buying any new product before third - party reader can poke and stab it is problematic , but the MSI Claw is an even riskier venture . It ’s not only MSI ’s first handheld gaming PC ever , but it ’s also launching with one of Intel ’s Core Ultra CPUs . We do n’t know how this cow chip will perform inside the Claw , and that ’s a trouble for the Claw without any sovereign reviews .
Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
A new challenger
We ’ve ascertain the Core Ultra 7 155Hat play in a right laptop , and it gives performance that can rival chips like the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme that you ’ll find inside theAsus ROG Ally . That ’s in a laptop , however . The constrained form factor of the Claw will likely limit some functioning . We ’ve see some of that already in the OneXPlayer X1,with some reader pointingto potential driver proceeds with the integrate Arc graphics .
The highest buffalo chip MSI will offer in the Claw is the Core Ultra 7 155H , but a tawdry reading with the Core Ultra 5 135H is also available . The Core Ultra 5 135H is weaker than the Core Ultra 7 155H on paper , but I ’m timid how that will recreate out in real - world public presentation . As I reckon with the Asus ROG Ally with thebase Ryzen Z1 , two variants of standardised chips can have vastly different performance .
All of this is just meditation right now — for all I know , the Claw could add up out and wipe the floor with the challenger from Asus and Lenovo . The problem is that we do n’t know , and it will likely be quite a few weeks before we see multiple in - astuteness reviews of MSI ’s first handheld . It could be a great performing artist ; it could have number one wood issues ; or it could trade snow back and forth with devices like the ROG Ally . The only room to fuck for sure is through third - party reviews , and we wo n’t have any of those for the first few weeks while the equipment is useable for sale .
The software difference
carrying out is n’t my elementary concern , however . We ’ve already find out multiple prison term how important the areas outside of carrying into action are for a handheld gaming PC . There was the military issue ofmicroSD circuit board fryinginside the Asus ROG Ally , as well as the terribly around the bend software in theLenovo Legion Gowhen it was first let go . There was even the fan on the Steam Deck , which was notoriously gaudy and whiney on the first product streamlet .
There are always spring up pain in the neck with unexampled gadget categories , but these problems avail luff reviewer in the right guidance . With a machine like the MSI Claw , reviewer know how significant software program is , how big of a difference fan haphazardness can make in the experience of playing , and to verify if the microSD circuit board actually works as intended . Although customer inspection can render a glimpse into how the MSI Claw role , I doubt they ’ll be able to place these specific emergence with concrete testing .
These exit are a openhanded deal for the MSI Claw , too . particularly on Windows — whichhas many problemsin a handheld form factor — the software experience can make or expose using the gadget . Our initialhands - on with the MSI Clawearlier this year was convinced , but it ’s hard to thread any conclusions about experience with a handheld after using it for 30 instant .
Don’t be an early adopter
I ’m aroused to see what MSI can pull off with the Claw . The ROG Ally proved that Windows on a handheld gaming PC is n’t a completely lost cause , and Lenovo has elevated that design with a slew of unequalled features . Now , MSI is introducing Intel to the world of handhelds , which could have significance for carrying into action and electric battery life .
It ’s just not cleared if those implications are positive or disconfirming , and the only way to know is to expect for third - party reviews . It rarely devote to be an early adopter , and we might see that sentiment keep back with the MSI Claw .
As shortly as we can get our handwriting on a twist , we ’ll start work on a full critique to see how it holds up to the ROG Ally , Legion Go , and Steam Deck . For now , though , it ’s best to waitress to grease one’s palms it . If you ca n’t help yourself , just hump that you ’ll credibly have to ache through a few bug — that ’s sure what we ’ve seen with previous handhelds .
