The MSI Claw A1M handheld gaming PC is available for $563 at Best Buy, a price drop that makes it a strong contender against the now pricier Steam Deck offerings, especially with Amazon Prime Day underway. This deal positions the MSI Claw as a potentially superior choice over Valve's hardware for budget-conscious consumers.
The Steam Deck's LCD model has been discontinued, leaving only the OLED versions, which now start at $789 for the 512GB configuration. While the Steam Deck OLED is a refined device, its AMD APU is beginning to show its age, and the higher entry price is a notable barrier.
The MSI Claw A1M on sale features an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor, part of Intel's Meteor Lake generation. This chip includes integrated Intel Arc graphics with eight Xe cores, which, while not the most powerful on the market, should be sufficient for typical handheld gaming experiences. The device also comes equipped with 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM and a 1TB SSD, offering ample storage for a game library. Its 7-inch display boasts a 120Hz refresh rate and Full HD resolution, providing a crisp and fluid visual experience.
While newer MSI Claw models like the Claw 8 AI+ A2VM and Claw 8 EX AI+ CG3EM offer improved performance, they remain significantly more expensive, often exceeding $1,000. In the current market, where memory-induced price increases are impacting handheld gaming PCs, the MSI Claw A1M at $563 represents a significant value proposition.
Compared to the similarly priced ROG Xbox Ally, which starts at $599 for its non-X variant, the MSI Claw offers double the storage at 1TB. For gamers prioritizing storage capacity and a competitive price, the MSI Claw A1M emerges as a compelling option. This deal is particularly relevant during Prime Day, offering a chance to acquire a capable handheld gaming PC at a substantial discount.