In the competitive landscape of handheld gaming, the MSI Claw, Steam Deck, and Asus Ally emerge as contenders following a shared template of dimensions and layouts. While their similarities are evident, nuanced distinctions set each device apart. The MSI Claw, for instance, introduces hall effect thumbsticks and rear triggers, offering a notable advantage—immunity to stick drift—compared to its counterparts. With an augmented aesthetic featuring double the rear-mounted modifier buttons and additional RGB flair on the ABXY buttons, the Claw stands out in the design department. Adam’s firsthand experience highlights the Claw’s larger battery and a grip superior to the Ally, albeit not as deep as the Steam Deck.
In the realm of displays, both the ROG Ally and MSI Claw outshine the Steam Deck with 1080p resolution screens, surpassing the latter’s 1280×800, even in its new OLED iteration. The Claw, particularly in its non-final version, impresses with heightened brightness and contrast on its approximately 7-inch screen. Notably absent from the hands-on comparison is the Lenovo Legion Go, featuring an 8.8-inch QHD screen that steals the spotlight.
Custom software for game management, launch, and control customization is a commonality among the trio. However, the Steam Deck deviates with its Linux-based interface, courtesy of Valve. In contrast, both the ROG Ally and Claw rely on Windows natively, with custom software providing a distinct visual identity.
The most significant shift for the MSI Claw lies in its foundation on Intel hardware, housing either a Core Ultra 5 or Core Ultra 7 processor with integrated Arc graphics. On paper, this promises a potential power advantage over the Steam Deck and Ally, although the true capabilities of Intel’s integrated graphics remain to be fully unveiled. The Intel architecture also grants the Claw access to Thunderbolt 4 via its USB-C port, expanding the potential for external graphics and display enhancements.