MSI Claw A1M

MSI Claw A1M
MSI Claw A1M with illuminated sticks and buttons
DeveloperMSI
ManufacturerMSI
Product family
Claw
TypeHandheld game console, handheld gaming computer
Released
  • 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-051US) (512 GB)
  • US$799.99 (Intel Core Ultra 7 155H model-Claw A1M-020SG) (1 TB)
MediaDigital distribution
Windows 11 Home (Core Ultra 5 & 7 models) or Pro (Core Ultra 7 model only)
CPU
Memory16 GB LPDDR5-6400, dual-channel 64-bit (128-bit), 102.4 GB/s
StorageNVMe PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 2230 512 GB (Core Ultra 5 & 7 models) or 1 TB (Core Ultra 7 model only) SSD (expandable)
microSD/SDHC/SDXC via UHS-II
Display7-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)
Sound2 × 2W stereo speakers, hi-res audio ready
Input
  • RGB ABXY buttons
  • 2× RGB Hall-effect analog sticks
  • D-pad
  • L & R Hall-effect analog triggers
  • L & R bumpers
  • View button
  • Menu button
  • MSI center M button
  • QuicksSettings button
  • Macro button (M1/M2)
  • HD haptics
  • Armoury crate button
  • Volume +/− buttons
  • Power button with fingerprint scanner
TouchpadTouch screen (10-point multi-touch)
Connectivity
Power6-cell, li-polymer, 53Whr / 65W USB Type-C PD 3.0
Dimensions294(W) × 117(D) × 21.2(H) mm (11.6(W) × 4.6(D) × 0.8(H) inches)
Weight675 grams (1.488 lb)
SuccessorMSI Claw A8
WebsiteOfficial 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 14 CPU cores (4 performance + 10 efficiency, 135H) or 16 CPU cores (6 performance + 10 efficiency, 155H). Other hardware includes a 53 watt-hour Li-ion battery and 16 GB of RAM, based on information from previews.

The Claw comes with Wi-Fi, two speakers, a Thunderbolt 4-capable USB Type-C port, HDMI output and an audio jack. It runs with Microsoft's Windows 11 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.

Wired called the hardware outdated and battery life poor next to competitors.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Meteor Lake with 4 nm process, 14-cores/18-threads, 18 MB of L3 cache, 0.7 GHz to 4.60 GHz boost
  2. ↑ Meteor Lake with 4 nm process, 16-cores/22-threads, 24 MB of L3 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. ↑ "My expectations for the MSI Claw have hit rock bottom". March 20, 2024.
  7. ↑ Ravenscraft, Eric (August 2, 2024). "MSI Claw Review: Don't Buy This Gaming Handheld". Wired.