The MSI Claw is now available to pre-order and, via UK retailer Currys, has an expected release date of March 20, 2024.
Three variations of the handheld are currently available, with the main differences being the SSD size and how much processing power you want.
| Configuration | SSD Size | Price |
| Intel Core Ultra 5-135H | 512GB | $699/£699 |
| Intel Core Ultra 7-155H | 512GB | $749* |
| Intel Core Ultra 7-155H | 1TB | $799/£799 |
At the time of writing, the pre-orders only seem to be live for the UK. When that changes, I’ll be sure to let you know.
MSI Claw Recap
For those yet to hear the name, the MSI Claw is the first handheld PC to make use of an Intel processor. Outside of the Steam Deck, most handhelds go with the Ryzen Z1 Extreme or a variation of. By using the Intel Core Ultra 7-155H processor, the MSI Claw has the potential to be more powerful than everything that came before it. It’ll also come equipped with Thunderbolt 4, meaning hooking up an eGPU may be a possibility for those looking to push the limits even further.
What also separates the MSI Claw is the inclusion of a 53Wh battery. As anyone who’s used a handheld will tell you, the biggest drawback right now is how fast the battery drains. The original Steam Deck shipped with a 40Wh battery, which lasted between one hour for the latest AAA games and four-ish hours when it comes to general play. That 13Wh difference should offer more up-time before you need to move to the nearest plug outlet.
| MSI Claw Specs | |
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 5-135H / Intel Core Ultra 7-155H |
| RAM | 16GB LPDDR5 |
| Display | 7-inch HD at 1920 x 1080, 120 Hz Refresh Rate, Touch Screen, 100% sRGB, 500nits, IPS-Level Panel |
| Storage | 512GB/1TB PCIe Gen 4 x4 M.2 2230 SSD |
| Connectivity | Intel Killer Wi-Fi 7 BE1750 |
| Battery | 53Wh / 65W USB Type-C PD 3.0 |
| Size | 294 (W) x 117(D) x 21.2(H) mm |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home Plus for Claw Ultra 5 |
| Misc | Thunderbolt 4 / DP/ USB Type-C, MicroSD Card Reader1 x Audio combo jack1x Power button with Finger Print Sensor |
This is the part where I would normally throw up some rough numbers, but as testing the ROG Ally has shown me, different configurations yield different results. The MSI Claw can run games in 1080p and up to 120Hz, but many of us prefer to play games in 720p at 60 or 30Hz to conserve battery life. With everything cranked up to the max, the battery life is likely to be similar to the Steam Deck and ROG Ally. It’s when you drop the settings down, I reckon, where the battery gains are going to be most apparent.
Lastly, MSI has partnered with Microsoft and Ubisoft for an exclusive offer. Those who pre-order the MSI Claw in the UK can get one month of Xbox Game Pass, a seven-day trial of Ubisoft+, and Skull and Bones for free. Not bad, eh?
