While we’ve seen many dive into Windows-powered handheld gaming, it demonstrates the advancements of technology that have helped to pack performance into a smaller physical packaging. Looking to disrupt, the MSI Claw joined the fray when unveiled at CES 2024; following its official release in March, it’s now available across the Middle East region.
Claw-ing with Intel Inside
Remember when Intel had the phrase “Intel inside” for promoting its processors (in the 90s)? While others have used a different SoC, MSI stands out by working with Intel using the new Core™ Ultra chipset with its new silicon architecture (i.e. Meteor Lake), AI capabilities, and the ARCTM integrated graphics (boasting up to 8 Xe cores). This configuration delivers twice the graphical performance of previous generations. Pairing it with the Intel XeSSTM super-sampling technology, the ARCTM offers smooth gameplay at 1080p resolution and medium settings.
Keeping the thermals under control, the MSI Cooler Boost Hyperflow technology features dual fans and heat pipes to efficiently dissipate heat. An intraflow thermal design optimizes airflow to cool internal components, ensuring top gaming performance.
You know how gaming PCs popularized the concept of RGB lighting for visual personalization? It also comes to this handheld, with some of the physical controls across its layout sporting RGB lighting. Kind of gives you that ‘cool’ look when you game on a PC but in your hands.
| Tech | Details |
|---|---|
| Processor | Up to Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 processor 155H |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home |
| Chipset | Integrated SoC |
| Memory | 16GB LPDDR5 (dual channel) |
| Display | 7″ FHD (1920 x 1080), 120 Hz Refresh Rate, Touch Screen, 120 Hz Refresh Rate, 100% sRGB(Typical), 500nits(Typical), IPS-Level panel |
| Graphics | Intel Arc Graphics (w/ Intel XeSS) |
| Storage | 1 x NVMe M.2 2230 SSD by PCIe Gen 4 x4 |
| Sensor | 6-Axis IMU Vibration Motor |
| Wireless connectivity | Intel® Killer™ Wi-Fi 7 BE1750, Bluetooth v5.4 |
| Audio | 2 × 2W Speakers / 1× Audio combo jack / Hi-Res Audio ready |
| I/O | 1 x Thunderbolt™ 4 / DP/ USB Type-C (w/ PD 3.0 Charging) 1 x microSD Card Reader 1 x Audio combo jack 1 x Power button with Finger Print Sensor |
| Battery/Adapter | 6-Cell, Li-Polymer, 53Whr / 65W USB Type-C PD 3.0 |
| Control Buttons | RGB ABXY buttons RGB L & R Hall Effect analog sticks D-pad L & R Hall Effect analog triggers L & R bumpers View button Menu button MSI Center M button Quick Settings button Macro button (M1/M2) HD haptics |
| Dimensions/weight/colour | 294 (W) x 117(D) x 21.2(H) mm/675g/black |
Powered by Windows 11, PC gamers can bring their gaming catalog from popular digital storefronts to the device: Steam, Ubisoft Connect, Epic Games Store, EA Play, Battle.net, and more. They are all consolidated under the MSI Centre M (accessible with a dedicated physical button), once you install the respective clients.
Overall, it still functions as a laptop/desktop PC excluding a keyboard and mouse. Should you want to use it docked, the Thunderbolt 4 helps to expand connectivity when hooked up to a powerful hub (even an external GPU when you want more graphics power).
Availability, and there’s more
Turns out that there is also a Core-i5 model of the Claw being sold. MSI Middle East have keenly shared the below pricing and the official retail partners stocking the device.
| Country | Core Ultra 5 | Core Ultra 7 | Retail partners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qatar | QAR 2799 | QAR 3199 | Store974, Jarir Bookstore, Virgin Megastore |
| UAE | AED 2799 | AED 3199 | SharafDG, Jumbo Electronics, Virgin Megastore, Geekay Games, Eros Electronics |
| Saudi Arabia | SAR 3299 | SAR 3799 | Jarir Bookstore |
| Kuwait | KWD 244.00 | KWD 294.00 | Xcite |
| Bahrain | BHD 306.90 | BHD 358.90 | SharafDG |
To ramp up the excitement, a new purchase of the MSI Claw provides users with one month free of PC Game Pass (for a limited time).
As COMPUTEX recently took place, MSI and Bethesda (makers of Fallout, Elder Scrolls, and the recent Starfield) jointly launched the limited edition Claw x Fallout co-branded special edition. Taking cues from some of the popolar concepts from the game itself, making it a dream item for Fallout fans and players worldwide.
As for the availability in the Middle East region, it should be sometime later in the summer once it releases in the US and Europe markets.
Image credit: MSI Middle East
