The handheld gaming PC market is ablaze with competition, and MSI has emerged as a key player with its groundbreaking Claw design, unveiled at CES. Harnessing the power of Intel Core Ultra hardware, the MSI Claw joins the ranks of portable gaming devices alongside the likes of Asus ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go. While questions linger about the commitment of other companies to the Steam Deck format, MSI is boldly stepping forward with plans for not just a follow-up but multiple iterations of the Claw.
In an illuminating interview with IGN, MSI’s System Product Manager, Clifford Chun, shared insights into the creation of the Claw and the company’s strategic vision. Chun disclosed a two-to-three-year lifecycle for the gaming handheld, aligning with the company’s laptop product cycle. The revelation that generated excitement was Chun’s confirmation of upcoming versions: “So, this will be only the first version of our Claw. We are anticipating to come out version 2, version 3, version 4 down the road and it’s already in the pipeline.” Despite being in early development stages, Chun acknowledged the reliance on yet-to-be-released CPU and integrated graphics upgrades. The company’s forward-looking approach, however, indicates a strong belief in the enduring appeal of PC gaming handhelds.