MSI Claw A1M

MSI Claw A1M

MSI Claw A1M with illuminated sticks and buttons
Developer	MSI
Manufacturer	MSI
Product family	Claw
Type	Handheld gaming computer
Release date	WW: March 8, 2024  (512 GB, Intel Core Ultra 7 155H) WW: March 15, 2024  (1 TB, Intel Core Ultra 7 155H) WW: March 15, 2024  (512 GB, Intel Core Ultra 5 135H)
Introductory price	US$699.99 (Intel Core Ultra 5 135H model-Claw A1M-021SG) (512 GB) US$749.99 (Intel Core Ultra 7 155H model-Claw A1M-020SG) (512 GB) US$799.99 (Intel Core Ultra 7 155H model-Claw A1M-020SG) (1 TB)
Media	Digital distribution
Operating system	Windows 11 Home (Core Ultra 5 & 7 models) or Pro (Core Ultra 7 model only)
CPU	Intel Core Ultra 5 135H[a] Intel Core Ultra 7 155H[b]
Memory	16 GB LPDDR5-6400, Dual-channel 64-bit (128-bit), 102.4 GB/s
Storage	NVMe PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 2230 512 GB (Core Ultra 5 & 7 models) or 1 TB (Core Ultra 7 model only) SSD (expandable)
Removable storage	microSD/SDHC/SDXC via UHS-II
Display	7-inch, 1920 × 1080 FHD Touchscreen IPS LCD @ 120 Hz, 16:9, 500 nits (SDR) with 48-120 Hz with VRR
Graphics	Intel Arc (Alchemist-based) Xe-HPG (High Performance Graphics), 8 Xe cores up to 2.2 GHz, up to 4.5 TFLOPS (Intel Core Ultra 5 135H) or up to 2.25 GHz, up to 4.6 TFLOPS (Intel Core Ultra 7 155H) [c]
Sound	2 × 2W Stereo Speakers, Hi-Res Audio ready
Input	RGB ABXY buttons 2x RGB 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 Armoury Crate button Volume +/− buttons Power button with fingerprint scanner
Touchpad	Touch Screen (10-point multi-touch)
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.4, Intel Killer BE1750 Wi-Fi Tri-band 2.4, 5 & 6 Ghz 7, 1x USB-C port with Thundebolt 4, USB4 & DisplayPort 1.4 alt-modes & Power Delivery 3.0, 1x 3.5 mm combo audio jack
Power	6-Cell, Li-Polymer, 53Whr / 65W USB Type-C PD 3.0
Dimensions	294 (W) x 117(D) x 21.2(H) mm
Weight	675 grams (1.488 lb)
Website	Official website

The MSI Claw A1M is a handheld gaming computer developed by Micro-Star International (MSI), released in March 2024.

Technical features

It has a 7-inch 120HZ LCD IPS display, and is powered by a Meteor Lake-based Intel Core Ultra 5 135H or Ultra 7 155H, with 8 Xe GPU cores and 12 CPU cores (4 performance + 8 efficiency, 135H) or 14 CPU cores (6 performance + 8 efficiency, 155H). Other hardware includes a 53 watt-hour Li-ion battery and 16 GB of RAM, based on information from previews.[1][2][3][4]

The Claw comes with Wi-Fi,[5] two speakers, a Thunderbolt 4-capable USB Type-C port, HDMI output and an audio jack. It runs Windows 11 Home and MSI Android App player. It weighs 675 grams and has a black outer coating.

Reception

The device was criticized by reviewers for high power draw and lower performance than competing handheld PCs.[6]

Wired called the hardware outdated and battery life poor next to competitors.[7]

See also

• Steam Deck
• Asus ROG Ally

Notes

1. Meteor Lake with 4 nm process, 14-cores/18-threads, 18 MB cache, 0.7 GHz to 4.60 GHz boost
2. Meteor Lake with 4 nm process, 8-cores/16-threads, 24 MB cache, 0.7 Ghz to 4.80 GHz boost
3. each Xe core has 16 Xe Vector Engines or XVEs & each XVE has 8 ALUs

References

1. "MSI Claw is a rumored Steam Deck rival with a twist – it'll use an Intel CPU, and that might be a key advantage". TechRadar. January 5, 2024. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
2. "MSI's Steam Deck competitor has leaked, and it's powered by an Intel Meteor Lake chip". The Verge. January 5, 2024. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
3. "MSI Claw leaks as fierce competition for portable PC gaming handheld consoles". Windows Central. January 5, 2024. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
4. "MSI Gaming Teases Its Own Steam Deck Competitor". GameSpot. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
5. "MSI Unveils World's First Gaming Handheld with Core™ Ultra at CES 2024". MSI. January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
6. https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/20/24106945/my-expectations-for-the-msi-claw-have-hit-rock-bottom
7. https://www.wired.com/review/msi-claw/