The MSI Claw seems set to be one other admirable PC gaming handheld, however whether or not or not it dethrones the Steam Deck OLED stays to be seen. As the primary main Intel handheld, it feels as if there may be extra driving on the success of the Claw A1M.
On paper, the MSI Claw has the makings of probably the greatest PC gaming handhelds, even when it could battle to catch as much as the Steam Deck instantly. Now, following a launch date leak, we predict we could know after we’ll be getting our palms on a retail unit, however that comes with a caveat.
MSI Claw launch date rumors
Because it stands, the MSI Claw A1M launch date seems set to be Monday, April 1, 2024. That is in line with Spanish on-line retailer PC Elements, who’ve each Intel Core Extremely 7 fashions up on the market with costs and a supply date of between April 1-2.
It’s notable that the Intel Core Extremely 5 A1M mannequin is lacking from the net retailer, however in any other case, the 2 Core Extremely 7 are current, one being 512GB, the opposite 1TB.
MSI Claw value
The MSI Claw value will range based mostly on there being three fashions, beginning at $699.99 for the Intel Core Extremely 5 mannequin and rising to $799.99 for the 1TB Core Extremely 7 specs.
As a part of the discharge date leak on PC Elements, the value for each Intel Core Extremely 7 fashions is proven as €879 for the 512GB and €929 for the 1TB. This might imply that US pricing is nicely beneath the anticipated MSRP in Europe though it must be famous that US costs usually are not inclusive of gross sales tax, both. Costs usually, nevertheless, are at all times topic to vary up till a product is launched.
MSI Claw specs
MSI is releasing three Claw A1M fashions, one in all which is an entry-level spec with an Intel Core Extremely 5 135H CPU with built-in Arc graphics. This mannequin additionally options 16GB LPDDR5 RAM and a 512GB SSD.
| Claw A1M 052US | Claw A1M 051US/050US | |
| OS | Home windows 11 | Home windows 11 |
| CPU | Intel Core Extremely 5 135H | Intel Core Extremely 7 155H |
| GPU | Intel Arc graphics | Intel Arc graphics |
| Show | 7 Inch, FDH, IPS, 1920×1080, 500 nits | 7 Inch, FDH, IPS, 1920×1080, 500 nits |
| RAM | 16GB LPDDR5 | 16GB LPDDR5 |
| Storage | 512GB SSD | 512GB SSD (051US) 1TB (050US) |
The 2 remaining fashions undertake the Intel Core Extremely 7 155H APU, with the one variation between them being that one has 512GB of storage and the opposite has 1TB. All fashions will run on Home windows 11.
On its show, the MSI Claw has a 7-inch FHD IPS display, able to 120Hz with VRR (variable refresh fee) included between 48-120Hz. The battery is a class-leading 53WHr, which equates to round three hours of gaming even at full energy draw. With brightness being vital for PC gaming handhelds to make sure the display stays seen whereas out and about, the MSI Claw packs in 500 nit. That doesn’t fairly rival the newest smartphones however is greater than typical gaming displays, as an example.
It has two 2W audio system and a 3.5mm audio combo jack whereas additionally supporting Bluetooth audio peripherals. The facility button has a built-in fingerprint sensor, similar to the ROG Ally, and for extra storage, you should use a microSD card however there isn’t any extra inside slot for additional SSDs.
If you wish to try our early impressions of the newest gaming handheld, learn our MSI Claw preview from CES the place we have been mightily impressed by the moveable, even when it could battle to surpass the Steam Deck.
