The mobile game console wars have begun after Valve launched the Steam Deck. Many manufacturers try to offer the best alternatives such as Ayaneo with various models, ASUS with ROG Ally, Lenovo with Legion Go and most recently MSI with Claw A1M.
I have tried almost all of them and I can say by far the MSI Claw A1M is the most disappointing. It's not because of the design or the selling price, but the chip used is not powerful enough to handle games with high graphics.
SPECIFICATION AND DESIGN
MSI CLAW A1M INTEL CORE ULTRA 7
7″ screen, 1920×1080 FHD IPS, 120Hz
Touch Screen
Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor (7nm)
AI Boost (NPU)
Intel Arc
Intel Arc GPU
RAM 16GB RAM LPDDR5-6400
Storage 1TB SSD M.2 2230
Battery 53 Whr
6-Cell
Audio 2x 2W Stereo Speakers
Control And Other 1x USB-C (DP / Thunderbolt 4 / PD)
1x Micro SD Card Reader
1x ABXY RGB Button
1x Analog Hall Effect Left & Right RGB
1x D-Pad
1x Left & Right analog trigger
1x Left & Right Bumper
1x View button
1x Menu Button
1x MSI Center M Button
1x Quick Settings Button
1x Button Macro button (M1/M2)
1x HD haptic system
Scan Fingerprint scanner on the power button
Selling Price MSI Claw A1M-044 (16/512 GB Intel Core Ultra 5) – RM3,499
MSI Claw A1M-045 (16/1000 GB Intel Core Ultra 7) – RM3,999
The Claw A1M screen is a 7-inch IPS FHD resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate. It is also a touch screen which looks normal. This is because mobile consoles already use OLED screens such as Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch OLED. That being said, it's the 120Hz feature that makes this console interesting to try out compared to the competition.
The design of Claw A1M looks like ASUS ROG Ally. In my eyes the design changes are quite small like the corners look a little strange and the arrangement of ports and buttons on the top is different. This makes me start thinking if MSI and ASUS use the same factory? Every button feels great to press and is responsive enough for everyday use.
MSI also includes many buttons, switches, fingerprint scanner and RGB lights to highlight the aesthetics of the Claw A1M is a gaming device. Although this console is a Windows 11 device, it is not suitable to be used as a portable computer due to the design that focuses on video games rather than productivity like the models offered by Ayaneo.
In Malaysia, MSI offers two models, the Claw A1M-044 with an Intel Core Ultra 5 chip. While the second model is the Claw A1M-045 with an Intel Core Ultra 7. MSI is one of the manufacturers that dare to use Intel chips compared to competitors that use AMD chips that have optimized for video games. Intel's new chip is more about optimization for productivity.
USAGE EXPERIENCE
My intention when I first received this device was to replace the laptop and Switch when working abroad. It's easy to carry just one capable device, a few accessories and a USB-C charger. But because the design and my first glance experience were not satisfactory, I decided to test the device as I used the Nintendo Switch before.
I turned it on, set up Windows, signed in directly to my Xbox account for Game Pass and started installing and downloading various video games. Others I tried flipping through MSI's AI game launcher interface. I did not explore the whole system of this device as it is just a Windows device without keyboard and touchpad.
Most video games with high graphics for Windows can already be installed on most devices. The difference is whether the CPU and GPU are able to process it? What I experienced with the Claw A1M was similar to when I used a Xiaomi ultrabook a few years ago. It's just equipped with an Intel HD GPU and when I tried to run PUBG, the graphics looked nice but the movement was very slow and stuttering. On this Claw I tested it with Gotham Knights and the experience was the same.
For other games like Resident Evil 2, the movement looks good but the graphics look like old generation consoles. Mortal Kombat 11 looks like slightly better PlayStation 3 graphics with very smooth controls. As for the Control game, the graphics are beautiful but the controls are not consistent, sometimes smooth and sometimes slow.
I also disliked that most of the video games I tested were not able to take advantage of the 120Hz screen. Many games also prevent touchscreen controls because MSI's AI system automatically sets a control profile for button-only control if no accessories are connected.
Surprisingly, the MSI Claw A1M does not heat up when playing games for about 1 hour continuously. Just to exit go to the game launcher and then to the Windows desktop, there will be a slight delay of around a minute. The device is also quite heavy and because of that for my use one 1 hour game session is enough.
Another problem is Windows 11 itself. For example there are game sessions that require me to log into an account but the keyboard doesn't appear by itself because Claw thinks I'm using a controller. Things could be solved if Microsoft had a special Windows operating system for mobile consoles.
GAME COLLECTION
This is a Windows 11 device so anything from Capcom to Epic to Ubisoft can theoretically be played. Just can the Intel Arc GPU and Intel Ultra 5/7 CPU on the MSI Claw A1M be able to handle heavy games? While using the device, I only subscribed to Xbox Game Pass for a month and tried out some of the latest games on offer.
BATTERY
MSI claims that the Claw A1M can last up to two hours of continuous use. This is to be expected for devices with higher power Intel Core Ultra 7 chips. In my usage, the device can only last around 75 minutes of playing Mortal Kombat 11. While the battery lasts around 1 hour when playing Resident Evil 2, Control and Gotham Knight. Charging takes around 90 minutes to fully charge depending on the device. It's the battery life that's a little disappointing as the Legion Go and ROG Ally can last up to two hours.
ECOSYSTEM?
As this review was written, MSI still lacked accessories to complete the ecosystem like the ASUS ROG Ally. It doesn't support eGPU, it doesn't have an extra USB-C port, there are no other interesting gadgets that could make this portable Windows gaming console more interesting. It simply has a dock to connect to the screen and only protective or decorative accessories are offered. This is a weakness for me because the selling price has already reached more than RM3000. Compared to ROG Ally, it has many interesting gadgets such as additional GPU or Legion Go with removable controller.
CONCLUSION
I have been using this MSI Claw A1M for a few weeks and for the first time using a Windows mobile console as my daily gaming gadget. Claw A1M provides an interesting experience. This is probably because it's been months since I played Playdate since selling the Nintendo Switch OLED. What I experienced, the experience of playing with the Claw A1M is like playing a 3D game on a slightly faster Switch. I have also tried Legion Go and ROG Ally before, these two competitors provide a better experience with roughly the same selling price.
However if you think you won't take advantage of the various gimmicks on the Legion Go, don't want to be poisoned by buying various accessories for the ROG Ally, this MSI Claw A1M is a good choice. It's just that for now Intel Ultra 7 and Intel Arc are not yet optimized for devices like this. If given a chance and given time, I am sure MSI can "sharpen" this console to be more "sharp" in order to be able to scratch competitors until they run in pain.
PROS AND ADVANTAGES
Beautiful screen and fast.
Control buttons are nice to press and responsive.
The device does not heat up easily even after playing for more than 1 hour.
Fast charging PD 3.0 65W.
Good and balanced audio.
Fast fingerprint scanner.
CONS AND DISADVANTAGES
This beautiful and fast screen can only be used when not playing games.
A touchscreen full of bugs.
The battery does not last long, about 1 hour of use only.
No interesting accessory support.
Windows 11 is still not suitable as a mobile game console operating system.