MSI’s Claw is an Intel-powered Windows competitor to Valve’s Steam Deck

theverge.com:

By Jon Porter, a reporter with five years of experience covering consumer tech releases, EU tech policy, online platforms, and mechanical keyboards.

MSI is the latest PC manufacturer to attempt to take on Valve’s Steam Deck with the Claw, a new Windows-based gaming handheld it’s announcing at CES. The Claw is powered by Intel’s new Meteor Lake Core Ultra processor announced last month and can be specced with “up to” an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, according to MSI’s press release. At CES 2024, MSI tells us it plans to ship three models ranging from $699 to $799 when it arrives in the first half of the year — with the base tier shipping with an Core Ultra 5 and 512GB of storage.

Update: You can check out our hands-on impressions right here,

Although Valve didn’t invent the handheld gaming PC form factor, its release of the Steam Deck in early 2022 has been followed by a wave of releases from major manufacturers. We’ve seen Asus release the ROG Ally, Lenovo came out with the Legion Go, and even Logitech got involved with the streaming-focused G Cloud.

MSI has a couple of different pitches for why its Claw is worth paying attention to. It’s equipped with a new processor from Intel, which supports Intel’s XeSS upscaling technology in compatible titles. MSI claims this processor allows the handheld to play “AAA titles effortlessly.” Then, there’s the 53Wh battery, which MSI claims is the largest in its class and offers two hours of battery life under full load as well as a cooling system with air vents that are a claimed 50 percent larger than its competitors. 

Despite its name, which makes me think of any number of uncomfortable hand positions, MSI says that the Claw has been optimized for comfort over long gaming sessions. At