Exploring the realm of gaming handhelds, the concept of “redecos” is quite prevalent. This term refers to when a manufacturer takes the mold of one figure but alters the color of the plastic or paint to create a new variant. As I delved into testing the MSI Claw, a gaming handheld from a well-known PC manufacturer, it became evident that it bore a striking resemblance to the Asus ROG Ally, akin to a redeco in the Transformers toy universe.
This similarity was concerning, considering my previous unfavorable review of the Ally (although the recent ROG Ally X showed slight improvement). The implication of the Claw feeling like an iteration of an already subpar product, compounded by other issues, only served to exacerbate its shortcomings. Notably, shortly after the Claw’s launch, MSI announced not one but two new successors, scheduled to hit the market in fall. Despite the lukewarm reception and the impending release of newer versions, the Claw remains available for purchase. In light of this, a piece of advice: steer clear of it.
Outdated Hardware
The differences between the MSI Claw and the original ROG Ally are marginal. While the Claw utilizes an Intel processor instead of AMD, boasts a 53-watt-hour battery, and positions the power button with a built-in fingerprint sensor on the left side rather than the right, the core specifications remain largely unchanged. From button layout to screen size (7-inch 1,080p, 120-Hz), memory (16 GB LPDDR5), and storage (512 GB SSD), the similarities are glaringly apparent.
Photograph: Eric Ravenscraft
An upgraded variant with a 1-terabyte SSD and Intel Core Ultra 7 processor is available (the model I tested), but with the recent debut of the ROG Ally X, opting for the Claw seems unwise. The forthcoming MSI Claw 8 AI+ surpasses the Claw in terms of performance.
Despite the swift evolution of hardware, it remains unusual for a company to announce a successor so soon after a product launch. The prudent choice would be to await the newer version rather than settling for the MSI Claw. However, let’s delve into its performance as it stands, even though the initial impressions are far from impressive.
Square One
Opening a new Windows-based gaming handheld, one anticipates grappling with the interface to get basic functionalities to work. While I typically avoid grading on a curve, the user interface challenges experienced with devices like this would be unequivocally unacceptable on consoles such as the Nintendo Switch or the Steam Deck. Despite adjusting my expectations, the lingering frustration was hard to ignore.
Photograph: Eric Ravenscraft