specifications, price, release date and news about the MSI laptop

Powerful, versatile and with the attractive promise of playing PC or Game Pass hits without having to keep an eye on whether there is a plug in sight. The Claw A1M is MSI’s proposal when it comes to taking your game library with you, and that the most attractive models offer a processor of Intel Core Ultra 7 155GH Not only does it make a difference compared to other portable systems, but it is a declaration of intent: if the brand logo is a dragon, This machine is your claw.

The idea of MSI Claw A1M It’s simple: rather than reinventing the wheel, they seek to offer a PC with console shapes and controls that eliminates one by one the disadvantages of laptops by reinforcing autonomy, making it more versatile and promoting gaming marathons, offering comfort both at the level of ergonomics like in use and without getting too hot. From there, make comparisons with ASUS or Lenovo work in your favor.

The next contender to unseat Steam Deck or something else? You could say that both machines work for the same thing. However, MSI’s true intentions are to establish itself in a market in which its direct rival manufacturers have already established themselves. What’s more, MSI Claw A1M seeks to have its specifications measured with machines like the Asus ROG Ally or the Lenovo Legion Go. Promoting comparisons to be made for the most demanding players and consumers with hardware: PC users.

At a glance, and without taking a look at its specifications, it is undeniable that MSI Claw A1M It looks like a dark gray Asus ROG Ally. Their design is remarkably similar and the button layout is identical. Once you start investigating, the differences between one laptop and another appear. To what extent are there margins? At iGamesNews we have gathered all the information about the MSI Claw A1M in one place.

Design and details of MSI Claw A1M

That MSI focuses entirely on the Xbox controller when designing the distribution of MSI Claw A1M is something that is not new to us: they are the standard for PC video games. The parallels between its front and the Asus ROG Ally are another story: its two asymmetric sticks illuminated with RGB (we can adjust the color and light), its crosshead and its size are identical. What’s more, both systems have the same touch screen, so 7-inch IPS panel and 120 Hz refresh rate.

Regarding the buttons, it is worth noting that it has a fingerprint reader on the top, as well as two fully programmable buttons on the back. Triggers and analog sticks They bet on the Hall effect (reducing future wear significantly) and, in addition, it has the already standardized HD haptic vibration in laptops.

To be fair, if it weren’t for the color, the layout of the speakers and the shape of the central buttons of the MSI Claw A1M, they would be identical to the Asus machine. However, when you look at the MSI alternative and turn it around, the differences begin to be noticed. And we are not referring to the dragon logo, but to the fact that under its casing we come across a 53Whr battery which, on paper, gives us about eight hours of play in saving mode and, if we get unruly, it gives us two hours of play with the quality settings at maximum. Something that other laptops already wanted.

Inside we find that the battery of the MSI Claw A1M is huge, but that does not increase the weight too much compared to the Asus ROG Ally (675 grams for the MSI laptop compared to 608 grams for the Asus). However, the big difference lies in its two possible chips that, together with the storage, determine the price difference:

• The model with Intel Core Ultra 5 processor and 512 GB of storage (valued at $699.99)
• Models with Intel Core Ultra 7 processor with 512GB Intel AI Boost (rated at $749.99) y 1TB ($799.99)

The 100 dollar difference between the three models justifies itself and it is worth investing in something more: it should be noted that we are talking about the processor Intel Core Ultra 7 155H what we saw in December 2023, with which MSI has assembled its machine with the latest technology since its own announcement. And be careful, when it comes to graphics we are talking about an Intel Arc.

It cannot be said that it is a light machine, but it is just as committed to avoiding overheating with a dual cooling system with technology Cooler Boost HyperFlow which also promises to be very quiet. And those are small, big differences in the gaming experience.

And what about the sound? The speakers, placed on both sides and under the screen, are Hi-Res Audio certified. In any case, we have the always grateful jack at the top to put regular headphones or a Bluetooth 5.4 system if we prefer wireless headphones.

In addition, of course, to a Type-C port (USB / DP / Thunderbolt 4) that, together with its Micro SD card slot, asks PC fans to tinker with their options. In addition to opening the door to connecting the MSI Claw A1M itself to an external screen to have an experience similar to that of desktop games. However, the most interesting connection is the one that we will not be able to see: MSI is betting on Wi-Fi 7, which translates into speeds of 5.8 GBps on 5 and 6 GHz connections.

MSI Claw A1M Specifications

The MSI Claw A1M seeks to be the alternative to both the Steam Deck and the Asus ROG Ally, so – in the absence of putting its games to the test – the big differences arise from sharing and in an organized manner its specifications which, as you can see, are quite aligned with a PC with an Intel processor and graphics.

Once the MSI Claw A1M is turned on, and if we want to use it as a PC, its screen is not very different from that of a Windows 11 desktop. What’s more, we will only notice the changes in the settings of the small touch interface with which we can adjust through the options screen or manage the quick settings shortcuts.

In fact, as we mentioned in the specifications, there is a Quick Settings Button where we can place the functions that we use most frequently, such as Bluetooth, switch between multiple screens, airplane mode or add new functions.

However, the “consoling” philosophy of the MSI Claw A1M involves the MSI Center, which for practical purposes is not very different from the Nintendo Switch interface in the sense that we will see the games in the central area and the options and settings under them, although with a somewhat more elaborate design.

What’s more, among the accessories announced by MSI it has been confirmed that, like the Switch or Steam Deck, the MSI Claw A1M has its own base (MSI Claw Docking Station) which will be sold separately with its own USB-C cable. Although its functions still need to be clarified and whether it will only be used to load or will make the game easier on other screens.

And where do the games come from? The MSI Claw A1M unifies Windows and Android game libraries through its application MSI App Player, which is compatible with Microsoft Game Pass and, as seen in the promotional images, with Ubisoft Plus. In addition to all the advantages of Windows 11, of course.

MSI Claw A1M enters the field of laptops: what options does it have against Valve, ROG and Lenovo?

The new focus of video game manufacturers in this decade is to bring any game to portable format. Nintendo opened the season with Switch and Valve made a strong commitment to offering hardware that would take the Steam platform beyond traditional PCs. Even Sony has its own solution with PlayStation portal. And what about Microsoft? In this area, Windows 11, Game Pass and Android OS have become the common denominators of all other systems. Including the MSI Claw A1M.

Unlike the Steam Deck, the MSI Claw A1M lacks trackpads that enable jumping any Steam game, although it benefits from the standardization of Xbox controls, the enormous presence of Windows and the opportunities that the Android store gives you to have access to a strong library, access to huge and current game catalogs. However, it is striking that it is the only alternative within its characteristics that declines AMD solutions for redouble its commitment to Intel both in processors and graphics.

Unlike systems like the Steam Deck (which is an extension of Steam and its versatility) or the Joy Con-like functions of the Lenovo Legion Go; It is more than clear that the objective of MSI Claw A1M is to go head to head with the Asus ROG Ally. Playing in the same league in design, features and even screen. With the advantage of offering WiFi 7 and an element that can make a huge difference: the 53Whr battery of the MSI laptop will enable longer gaming sessions in the highest quality and true marathons if we demand less from its hardware. At least on paper.

In any case, the price of MSI Claw A1M It is quite aligned with Steam Deck OLED, Asus ROG Ally. It will be the gaming experience, ergonomics and its way of offering good performance for longer that will determine the real difference and, by extension, that differentiating factor that makes the MSI alternative the most attractive or, on the contrary, another Another alternative to continue playing our favorite obsessions.

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