A detailed comparison of two leading handheld gaming PCs to help you make the right choice
Introduction
The handheld gaming PC market has seen remarkable growth, with Valve’s Steam Deck leading the charge since 2022. Now, MSI has entered the arena with the Claw, promising to challenge the Steam Deck’s dominance. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which device better suits your gaming needs in 2024.
Design and Build Quality
Steam Deck
- Ergonomic design with comfortable grips
- 669g weight
- Durable plastic construction
- Well-placed controls and buttons
- Built-in trackpads for precise control
MSI Claw
- Modern, aggressive gaming aesthetic
- 675g weight
- Premium build quality with better thermal design
- Customizable RGB lighting
- More compact form factor
Display and Visual Experience
Steam Deck
- 7-inch LCD touchscreen
- 1280 x 800 resolution
- 60Hz refresh rate
- Good color accuracy
- Anti-glare etched glass (on premium model)
MSI Claw
- 7-inch IPS LCD touchscreen
- 1920 x 1080 resolution
- 120Hz refresh rate
- Superior brightness levels
- Better color reproduction
Performance and Hardware
Steam Deck
- Custom AMD APU
- RDNA 2 graphics
- Up to 16GB RAM
- Maximum 512GB NVMe SSD
- SteamOS (Linux-based)
MSI Claw
- Intel Core Ultra 7 155H
- Intel Arc Graphics
- 16GB LPDDR5 RAM
- Up to 1TB NVMe SSD
- Windows 11
Battery Life and Charging
Steam Deck
- 40Wh battery
- 2-8 hours gameplay
- 45W charging
- Better power optimization
MSI Claw
- 53Wh battery
- 2-6 hours gameplay
- 65W fast charging
- Higher power consumption
Gaming Experience
Steam Deck
Pros:
- Vast Steam library compatibility
- Superior Linux gaming optimization
- Better control customization
- Established community support
Cons:
- Some Windows games require tweaking
- Lower resolution gaming
MSI Claw
Pros:
- Native Windows game support
- Better for newer titles
- Superior display quality
- Xbox Game Pass compatibility
Cons:
- Less optimized for handheld gaming
- Battery drains faster during intensive gaming
Price and Value Proposition
Steam Deck
MSI Claw
Verdict
The choice between Steam Deck and MSI Claw depends on your specific needs:
Choose Steam Deck if you:
- Want better value for money
- Prefer longer battery life
- Don’t mind Linux-based gaming
- Want extensive community support
Choose MSI Claw if you:
- Need Windows compatibility
- Want better display quality
- Prefer newer hardware
- Don’t mind paying premium
Expert Rating
Steam Deck: 8.5/10 MSI Claw: 8.3/10