On the planet of Transformers toys, there’s an idea generally known as “redecos.” That is when the producer takes the mildew for one determine however makes use of a distinct coloration plastic or paint and calls it a brand new determine. As I used to be testing the MSI Claw, a gaming handheld from a PC producer, all I might consider was that it felt like a redeco of the Asus ROG Ally.
That is not nice as a result of I rated the Ally fairly poorly (although Asus’ new ROG Ally X fared a bit higher). So we’re left with what looks like a reskin of a poor product, however different elements make the Claw even worse. Our overview unit took a while to reach at our doorstep, but in June—mere months after the launch of the Claw—MSI introduced two new successors anticipated to reach this fall. Bizarrely, regardless of the poor reception at launch and the push of sequels coming quickly, the Claw stays on the market. So here is a PSA: Do not buy it.
Outdated {Hardware}
The place the MSI Claw differs from the unique ROG Ally is minimal. It makes use of an Intel processor as a substitute of AMD on the Ally, has a 53-watt-hour battery as a substitute of 40 Wh, and the ability button with a built-in fingerprint sensor is on the left as a substitute of the precise. Sure, there are a few different minor {hardware} variations, however the similarities are a lot extra outstanding. The button format is sort of equivalent, proper all the way down to the 2 rear, customizable paddles. It has the identical 7-inch 1,080p, 120-Hz display screen, the identical 16 GB of LPDDR5 reminiscence, and the identical 512 GB solid-state drive.
{Photograph}: Eric Ravenscraft
You may get a barely upgraded mannequin with a 1-terabyte SSD and an Intel Core Extremely 7 processor (which is the mannequin I examined), however with the latest launch of the ROG Ally X, you most likely shouldn’t. The Claw’s alternative, the MSI Claw 8 AI+, has higher specs and it isn’t far off.
Frankly, I might finish the overview right here. {Hardware} iterations would possibly transfer quick, but it surely’s uncommon to see an organization announce a product’s successor three months after the unique drops. There’s no good purpose to purchase the MSI Claw moderately than wait till the follow-up. However we must always nonetheless speak about how this one performs as a baseline. And, nicely, the bar is already set fairly low.
Sq. One
At this level, once I open up a brand new Home windows-based gaming handheld, I do know to anticipate a prolonged interval of wrestling with the interface to get even basic items working. I don’t like grading on a curve—the type of consumer interface points that get a go on units like this might be inexcusable on, say, the Nintendo Change and even the Steam Deck—however even with my expectations adjusted, I used to be consistently pissed off.
{Photograph}: Eric Ravenscraft
