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The PC gaming handheld market continues to increase, with the newest handheld coming from MSI, a widely known and trusted identify within the PC market. Sporting a extra highly effective set of specs and Home windows 11, the MSI Claw is a strong handheld PC, however is extra energy sufficient to unseat the Steam Deck from its place as the most effective handheld gaming PCs? Right here’s what it’s worthwhile to know.
Design and specs
When put side-by-side, the Steam Deck and the MSI Claw share quite a lot of similarities. Each characteristic giant 7-inch shows within the heart of their our bodies (with a 7.4-inch show within the Steam Deck OLED). In addition they each characteristic the identical two-sided controller system, although they appear a bit totally different because the Steam Deck’s joysticks and buttons are located in a different way. The Steam Deck can also be the one of the 2 to supply the touchpads on the controllers, making it simple to simulate mouse actions with only a swipe of your finger.
From there, although, issues begin to deviate a bit of. The MSI Claw, as an example, has rather more pointed corners, whereas the Steam Deck stays rounded on the edges. Relying on what type you like, one could also be extra comfy than the opposite. I personally choose the extra rounded look of the Steam Deck, and it has by no means felt uncomfortable to carry, even after I’ve performed for hours at a time. These pointy corners on the Claw, although, could dig into your fingers a bit when you maintain onto the console tightly.
As for specs, I’ve already talked about that the MSI Claw options extra spectacular specs, taking notes from the ASUS ROG Ally. Regardless of these improved specs, the Steam Deck affords simpler gaming entry due to its extra streamlined Linux-based SteamOS system. Right here’s an entire take a look at the specs for every handheld.
MSI Claw specs:
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Intel-based Extremely Core processor
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CPU: Intel core CU7 155H-Intel Arc, Intel core CU5 135H-Intel Arc
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GPU: Intel Arc Graphics
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RAM: 16GB LPDDR5
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DISPLAY: 7-inch, 1920 x 1080 LED show with 120Hz refresh fee
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SD CARD SLOT: Sure
Steam Deck specs:
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AMD APU (upgraded 6nm APU within the Steam Deck OLED)
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CPU: Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz (as much as 448 GFlops FP32)
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GPU: 8 RDNA 2 CUs, 1.0-1.6GHz (as much as 1.6 TFlops FP32)
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RAM: 16GB LPDDR5
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DISPLAY: 7.4-inch, 1280 x 800 HDR OLED show, with 90 Hz refresh fee and 1,000 nits peak HDR brightness (Steam Deck OLED); 7-inch 1280 x 800 LCD show with 60Hz refresh fee)
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SD CARD SLOT: Sure
As you possibly can see, each units characteristic some key variations, with essentially the most notable being the upper refresh fee on the MSI Claw, in addition to the rather more highly effective Intel processor. The Steam Deck’s included AMD APU is already growing old, and it doesn’t provide as a lot energy, however it does include some perks, which we are going to talk about shortly. Not a lot on the unique LCD Steam Deck is totally different than the upgraded Steam Deck OLED (the show is the largest improve), however you possibly can see the full record of Steam Deck OLED upgrades in order for you a extra in-depth look.
Simply taking a look at issues from a technical and {hardware} perspective, there’s nearly no purpose to decide on to Steam Deck over the MSI Claw. However, as everyone knows, what’s written down on paper isn’t at all times the complete story.
Ease of gaming
To really get essentially the most out of your handheld gaming PC, you’re going to need one thing that’s simple to work with and that you would be able to simply navigate. In that respect, the MSI Claw and the Steam Deck couldn’t be anymore totally different. Positive, when you determine to do any sort of modding or emulating, you’re going to want to get extra accustomed to Linux. However, when you simply care about putting in Steam video games and taking part in them, the Steam Deck affords the simplest pick-up-and-play choices.
That’s as a result of SteamOS is constructed from the bottom as much as make it as simple as doable to leap in and begin gaming. And it does that basically effectively. Then again, the MSI Claw, as a result of it makes use of Home windows as an alternative of SteamOS, requires you to bumble your approach via the clunkiness of Microsoft’s prized working system. It isn’t essentially essentially the most troublesome factor to do, however it does require extra clicks and actions to get video games downloaded and to launch them.
These additional steps do include a bonus, although: As a result of the Claw works off Home windows, it’s suitable with much more video games, like these exterior of the Steam market. This implies video games like Fortnite, Genshin Influence, and some other sport that hasn’t launched on Steam are a lot simpler to obtain and play on the MSI Claw. You possibly can nonetheless play them on the Deck, however it’ll require much more work to get it taken care of.
Additionally, the Steam Deck has a ton of efficiency profiles freely accessible on the internet that can assist you optimize your video games for the Deck, and plenty of are even beginning to launch with “Steam Deck” setting choices that enable you to get essentially the most efficiency with out dropping an excessive amount of visible high quality. Not all video games are fairly to that time but, however it’s a leg-up that the Deck has over the Claw. Nonetheless, the extra highly effective CPU and GPU discovered within the Claw will completely present higher efficiency and visuals in most video games. In the end, it’s about selecting which working system you like to work out of. If you happen to simply need the quickest and smoothest possibility that permits you to bounce into video games as rapidly as doable, the Steam Deck is the clear winner, although.
Value
With regards to value, the Steam Deck and the MSI Claw aren’t all that totally different. The Steam Deck OLED retails for $549 for a 512GB storage possibility, however there may be additionally a 1TB storage possibility that you would be able to choose up for $649 when you really feel you want the additional area. The MSI Claw, alternatively, begins at $699.99 for a mannequin with an Intel Core CU5 135H and 512GB of storage however goes as much as $799.99 for the very best mannequin, which options an Intel Core CU7 155H with 1TB of storage. There’s additionally a center possibility with the CU7 that solely has 512GB of storage for $749.99.
Each the Steam Deck and the MSI Claw provide strong PC gaming experiences, and each include expandable reminiscence by way of SD playing cards that may enable you to carry extra video games round. In order for you essentially the most highly effective of the 2 and don’t thoughts paying a bit of extra, the MSI Claw is a surefire wager that may repay in the long term. However, when you simply need the easiest-to-use gaming PC handheld in the marketplace, the Steam Deck stays my clear advice.
