The world’s first gaming handheld powered by an Intel Core Ultra processor has been launched in the form of the MSI Claw A1M.
The Claw A1M features advanced Intel ARC integrated graphics with up to eight Xe cores, XeSS super-sampling, and AI capabilities, all of which work together to ensure a smooth AAA gaming experience at medium settings with 1080p resolution. Additionally, it comes with MSI’s proprietary Cooler Boost HyperFlow cooling system for efficient thermal management, along with a 53Wh battery that guarantees a 2-hour battery life under heavy workload.
The Claw A1M marks MSI’s entry into the gaming handheld market, competing with the likes of the Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally. It is designed with an emphasis on ergonomics to suit a variety of hand sizes and includes a 7-inch 120Hz full HD touchscreen display. In the press release announcing the device, MSI Executive Vice President Eric Kuo claimed the Claw sets a new standard in the handheld market and is a testament to the company’s dedication to better gaming experiences.
As part of the processor family known as Meteor Lake, the Intel Core Ultra processor inside the Claw A1M is notable for having a new silicon architecture. Per the official specs list, the most powerful configuration of the Claw features the Core Ultra 7 155H processor, boasting a max turbo frequency of 4.8GHz and a base clock rate of 1.4GHz in performance mode. Also onboard is the 16GB dual-channel LPDDR5 memory.

Connectivity options of the Claw A1M include Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and a microSD card reader. Windows 11 Home or Pro comes preinstalled, customized by the MSI Center M UI. MSI App Player is available for mobile gaming.
The base version of the MSI Claw A1M is priced at $699 (~Php39,000), slated for release in H1 2024.