MSI Claw vs Steam Deck: Which one is better

If you are a fan of handheld games, the MSI Claw VS Steam Deck is a battle of the giants that you don’t want to lose out on as both the devices come with features that target different sections of the market.

So in this MSI Claw vs. Steam Deck comparison, let’s discuss the MSI Claw and Steam Deck’s specifications, compare it with ‘real life’ scenarios provided by some of the most credible industry sources and then take a look at the prices to finally give you a little hint on who comes out on top.

What is the MSI Claw?

The MSI Claw is a recent product by MSI, one of the leading companies know for manufacturing quality gaming products. This handheld gaming product is a true giant with its extensive functionalities and a highly perfected handling in an attempt to change the way mobile gaming is being embraced.

What is the Steam Deck?

On this side of this ring, we have Steam Deck, another portable game from the industry’s giant, Valve Corporation.

Designed to provide easy navigation for Steam library, steam deck is a portable gaming console with complete features of a PC and boasts PC gaming benchmark results.

Comparing Specs:

Ok, let’s focus on the details and list key specifications for the battle of these both MSI Claw and Steam Deck.

MSI Claw vs Steam Deck: Processor Comparison

The MSI Claw is the first PC gaming handheld to use the Intel Core Ultra processors – Intel Core Ultra 5 and Ultra 7, which are Meteor Lake series chips.

It also has an integrated Neural Processing Unit (NPU), boosting artificial intelligence operations and performance.

The Steam Deck, in contrast, relies on an AMD APU- Zen 2 CPU and RDNA 2 GPU- not quite as new as the latest Intel and Nvidia chips out in the market, but still very power full.

Display:

The MSI Claw comes equipped with a 7-inch 1080p 120Hz LCD display ensuring clarity and smooth visuals.

On the other side, the Steam Deck provides a 7-inch LCD screen with bright, clear, and sensitive images. The display of Steam Desk is 7-inch LCD that has a pixel resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels and a refresh rate of 60 Hz

The newer version of Steam Deck is the Steam Deck OLED and it comes with a 7-inch screen. 4-inch OLED display with an increased refresh rate, 90Hz, higher color accuracy, and contrast ratio. The Steam Deck is also available in display 7-inch LCD with 1280 x 800 pixel resolution and 60 Hz refresh rate.

MSI Claw versus Steam Deck: Software and Compatibility

MSI Claw:

The MSI Claw runs on Windows 11 Home. This makes it compatible with a wide range of games, so it is not compatible with steam ecosystem only but beyond.

With this flexibility you have the liberty of accessing platforms like Xbox Game Pass and the Epic Games Store through the MSI Center M launcher. This is a great plus.  

Steam Deck:

The Steam Deck operates on SteamOS which is a Linux-based operating system designed to provide unified access to the Steam library. Linux is renowned to be optimized for gaming that offers an easy pick-up-and-play experience. Steam library access is a plus but it is more limited in terms of compatibility with non-Steam games compared to the MSI Claw.

Comparing Design and Ergonomics:

MSI Claw

The MSI Claw comes with better grips, this makes it easier for you to hold it for extended gaming sessions.  

MSI Claw is also equipped with a variety of ports, such as Thunderbolt 4, which is a unique addition in the list of similar handheld gaming devices.

Steam Deck:

The Steam Deck is slightly heavier than the MSI Claw. It comes equipped with haptic touchpads, so you are in more control with for precise mouse input.

Performance:

With the MSI Claw, you’ve got an AMD Ryzen 5 processor and Radeon RX Vega 8 graphics, making sure your gaming is smooth and you can multitask without any hiccups. Multi-tasking is certainly a big deal.  On the other hand, the Steam Deck is packed with a custom AMD APU, claiming it is like having a desktop in the palm of your hand.

Storage:

With the MSI Claw, you can choose between 256GB to a gigantic 1TB of SSD storage, giving you plenty of room for all your games. On the other hand, the Steam Deck has three options: 64GB eMMC, 256GB NVMe SSD, and 512GB NVMe SSD, which is nice because it offers choices for different storage needs and pocket sizes. Personally, having more options with the MSI Claw sounds great to me but everybody is different so you can have your own choice.

Battery Life:

MSI Claw

The MSI Claw is equipped with a 53Whr battery. MSI claims it lasts 50% longer than some of its competitors.

In practical terms, the Claw lasted around 6 hours and 8 minutes during testing, which is very good actually.

Steam Deck

The Steam Deck comes with a 50Whr battery, offering between 3 to 12 hours of gameplay depending on the usage and game options chosen by you.

The OLED model of Steam Desk also includes a 50Whr battery, but since OLED screens are more efficient, you might squeeze a bit more battery life in certain scenarios.

Gaming Experience:

Let’s take a closer look at what it’s like to game on these portable powerhouses.

MSI Claw Experience

MSI claw offers a very comfortable long play sessions as it comes with ergonomic design and controls that are very responsive.

Whether you are conquering virtual worlds or engaging in intense multiplayer battles, the MSI Claw delivers very good performance without breaking a sweat.

Steam Deck Experience

The Steam Deck makes gaming even better by teaming up smoothly with the Steam platform. It is like having a ticket to a huge collection of games. That means you will never run out of fun, even when you are out and about. Furthermore, it is very comfortable to hold and change the controls to suit your own play style. So, whether you are at home or on the move, the Steam Deck is ready to dive into gaming adventures with you, making every session feel like you are right in the action.

Price and Availability

Let’s talk money! The MSI Claw and Steam Deck target different wallets. The MSI Claw gives you lots of options at good prices, while the Steam Deck costs more because it feels like having a PC in your hands and hooks up smoothly with Steam. But, both are super popular, so keep your eyes peeled for chances to grab one before they fly off the shelves!

MSI Claw vs Steam Deck: Comparison Chart

Lets wrap up our comparison with the chart.

MSI Claw vs Steam: Who is the winner

Well, it finally boils down to the two ifs.

• If you need a game that is compatible with a wide range of games beyond just the Steam ecosystem, along with access to other platforms like Xbox Game Pass and the Epic Games Store, then the MSI Claw might be the better option for you.
• if you like the access to Steam platform with wide range of options and a Linux-based operating system that is know to be optimized for gaming then the Steam Deck might be more appealing for you.