MSI is making a grand entrance into the handheld gaming arena, and its arrival holds more significance than you might initially perceive. At first glance, the MSI Claw might resemble competitors like the Asus ROG Ally or the Steam Deck OLED, but beneath its familiar exterior lies a handheld gaming PC with groundbreaking specs. Equipped with a fresh chipset, an ergonomic design, and specialized software addressing Windows-related handheld issues, the Claw seems poised to claim the title of the go-to portable gaming PC this year.

Underneath its sleek design, the Core Ultra 7 155H processor reigns supreme, morphing this device into a gaming powerhouse with its integrated Arc graphics. Building upon that foundation, the Claw incorporates built-in Intel XeSS support, promising a performance boost for demanding games through AI-driven super resolution. However, optimal gaming isn’t the only focus here.

MSI has emphasized the importance of battery life, embedding a robust 53 watt-hour battery that purportedly sustains two hours of gameplay under a full load. The Claw's thermal solution introduces an intriguing approach with the entire back covered in mesh vents, ensuring the device remains cool and quiet even during intense gaming sessions.

When it hits the market, MSI plans to offer three variants of the Claw. The lineup includes a version with a Core Ultra 5 and 512GB storage priced at $700, while two Core Ultra 7 models, featuring 512GB or 1TB of storage, will be available for $750 or $800, respectively. MSI anticipates the device hitting shelves sometime in the first few months of the year, targeting a release around March.