Comparing MSI Claw and ROG Ally: Which Handheld Gaming Machine Should You Buy Now?

Today's gaming world extends beyond just PC or console. Thanks to the advancement of technology, handheld gaming devices are becoming more powerful, offering top-notch gaming experience anytime, anywhere.

Standing out in this promising market are two warriors, MSI Claw and ROG Ally, promising to bring a battle for dominance. However, each device has its own strengths and weaknesses, suitable for different needs. This article will compare the two devices in detail to help you choose the most suitable warrior.

Design and Display

MSI Claw and ROG Ally are two highly popular handheld gaming devices today. Although manufactured by two completely independent companies, both have many noteworthy similarities.

In terms of design, both follow ergonomic principles to provide comfort and precision during use. MSI Claw features a gaming-oriented design and a sturdy look thanks to its all-black frame with striking red backlit keys. Meanwhile, ROG Ally, with its white tone, offers a more elegant and futuristic appearance.

MSI Claw is slightly taller and heavier than ROG Ally, but ROG Ally is thicker than Claw. Despite some differences, overall, the dimensions of both devices are similar. Claw is heavier than Ally, weighing 675g compared to Ally's 608g.

Both devices feature analog sticks, buttons, and triggers similar to those on conventional gaming controllers. Both give you the feel of a premium product, with sleek designs, unlike the Nintendo Switch - a gaming device that seems more like a toy.

Regarding the display, both devices feature a 7-inch 120Hz IPS screen with a 1080p resolution. While their screens may not rival the native image quality of a handheld device like the Steam Deck with an OLED screen, they offer higher resolution and refresh rates compared to competitors like the Deck or Switch. However, they still can't compete with the Legion Go's QHD+ 144Hz display.

Simply put, both MSI Claw and ASUS ROG Ally are well-designed handheld devices optimized for their price range. While their screens may not be the best on the market, it's hard to complain about the 1080p 120Hz resolution on a 7-inch screen, where higher resolutions aren't really necessary, and pushing higher refresh rates is what matters.

Configuration

MSI Claw and ROG Ally may look quite similar on the outside, but there's a noticeable difference in the processor. MSI Claw is equipped with an Intel processor, specifically choosing between Intel Core Ultra 5 or Ultra 7, with 16GB of RAM and storage options of 512GB or 1TB.

On the other hand, ROG Ally takes the AMD route with a standard Ryzen Z1 or the more powerful Ryzen Z1 Extreme, also coming with 16GB of RAM and storage capacities between 512GB or 1TB.

It will be intriguing to see how these two products compete in terms of overall performance, especially considering that MSI Claw has a higher TDP at 65W, at least 10W more than the 9 - 30W range from ROG Ally.

Considering its value proposition, MSI Claw seems to promise a higher handheld gaming experience speed. However, one should also consider battery consumption and heat dissipation.

While MSI Claw and ROG Ally can deliver a perfect handheld gaming experience, they are not the most powerful gaming machines on the market today. ASUS has tried to address this by introducing the XG , providing access to a more powerful eGPU than the integrated chipset in the device.

MSI learned from ASUS's mistakes with ROG Ally, supporting Thunderbolt 4 connection with MSI Claw to bring fast and stable performance transmission, allowing connection to various eGPU solutions, many of which are cheaper than ASUS's XG Mobile system.

Software

MSI Claw operates on Windows 11, bringing gamers the convenience of a rich game library from the Steam platform. Claw's focused software, MSI Center M, provides gamers with various customization options for game settings and system performance monitoring.

Moreover, Center M becomes even more appealing by offering a section dedicated to top gaming apps and platforms like Steam, EA Play, Xbox, or Epic Games.

Meanwhile, ASUS's ROG Ally comes with Armory Crate software capable of system control, lighting, as well as providing updates and other customizations. Armory Crate ensures that the gaming system is always updated and customized to the individual preferences of gamers.

However, navigating through Armory Crate may be slow to respond and even challenging. Nevertheless, its game launcher efficiently navigates and offers various setting options for the device to operate as desired.

Battery Life

ROG Ally is equipped with a 40Wh battery, enough to sustain 1 to 2 hours of playing a AAA game, which seems short. However, battery life performance will vary depending on the game you play. It seems the device will last longer on lighter games, but if you want to play games like Starfield or Cyberpunk 2077, the long-term playing capability on ROG Ally is not very good.

On the other hand, MSI Claw comes with a larger 53Wh battery, expected to have better battery life. However, a potential issue that may arise is Claw's 65W TPD, much higher than ROG Ally's 30W TDP. This means Claw will consume more power when in use, which may negate the benefit of having a larger battery.

Price

Both MSI Claw and ROG Ally are leading personal computer models in the Vietnamese market. They both offer features and technologies that users love such as fast processing speed, excellent display quality, and easy upgradability.

MSI Claw is priced at around 21.49 million at some distributors in Vietnam, slightly higher than ROG Ally. However, for some people, the quality and technology of MSI Claw may be convincing. Nevertheless, users also need to consider the price factor when choosing MSI Claw.

ROG Ally comes in two different versions: the Z1 Extreme version priced at 17.49 million and the regular Z1 version priced at 12.99 million. ROG Ally may be the perfect choice for those looking for a quality handheld gaming machine at a reasonable price. Especially with the regular Z1 version, users can experience ROG Ally's leading technology without having to spend too much money.

Conclusion

When comparing MSI Claw and ROG Ally, users need to consider both quality and price. While MSI Claw may have a higher price, the quality and technology of the product may attract users. ROG Ally offers equally good value with two price levels and similar quality.

Unfortunately, the MSI Claw is not yet available for users to choose from. However, the system is only distributing the ROG Ally at a very attractive price. For those of you interested in this product, be sure to quickly click on the link below to buy it now!