Sneak MSI Claw deal at Best Buy clearance
The handheld gaming PC market is heating up, and while some devices command premium prices, a serious contender has emerged that is redefining what a portable gaming experience can be. Enter the MSI Claw (A1M), a device that doesn’t just offer portable gaming, it brings the full power of an Intel CPU into a handheld package.
This innovative machine, which holds the distinction of being the first handheld from MSI and the first to feature an Intel processor—specifically the Core Ultra 7 155H from the Meteor Lake family—has recently landed in the mainstream market at an astonishingly accessible price. Right now, this powerhouse is available for a remarkable $562.99 at retailers like Best Buy, positioning it as perhaps the most budget-friendly option available in the current handheld landscape.
When you look at the competitive pricing, the Claw immediately commands attention. For comparison, other high-end handhelds, such as the ROG Xbox Ally featuring the Ryzen Z2 A processor, start at a price point of around $600. Furthermore, handhelds equipped with 1TB of storage and the more powerful Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip generally start north of $1,000. This places the MSI Claw firmly at the entry point for high-performance, portable computing.
In terms of design, the Claw offers a familiar and streamlined experience. It mimics the layout and build quality of its competitors, sporting a 7-inch 1080p display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. The physical design mirrors that of the original Asus ROG Ally, featuring a single USB-C port for power and peripherals, and a convenient microSD card slot for storage expansion.
Under the hood, the internal architecture is built for performance, featuring 16GB of memory and a 1TB SSD. While the Meteor Lake chip offers decent performance, it’s important to understand the trade-offs. Because this architecture was not originally designed specifically for handheld gaming, the system runs at relatively high power draw.
When put through demanding titles, the Claw delivers solid, achievable results. In games like Horizon Zero Dawn, it manages to hit around 30 FPS at native 1080p using the Balanced power plan, which targets a 30W power budget. Similarly, in demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077, it can achieve around 30 FPS using the Steam Deck preset. While it falls slightly behind the performance ceiling of rival chips like the Z1 Extreme, the performance is more than sufficient for many users.
The primary considerations for potential buyers often shift from raw performance to endurance. The biggest difference between the MSI Claw and other options lies in battery life. The power demands of the Meteor Lake chip mean that managing playtime requires careful attention, making a quality USB-C charger an essential companion for maximizing your gaming session.
Ultimately, the MSI Claw is a compelling proposition. While the software ecosystem might not be as polished as some competitors, MSI has steadily rolled out numerous firmware and overlay updates since its launch. Given the outstanding price and the powerful hardware packed inside, the MSI Claw offers a truly great deal, proving that high-end handheld gaming is becoming genuinely accessible to everyone.
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