MSI Claw A1MPC Handheld
PC HandheldAvailable now
MSI Claw A1M
MSI · Released Mar 2024 ·
The MSI Claw A1M is a 7.0" IPS handheld from MSI powered by the Intel Core Ultra 5 135H. It launched at around $695.
7.4
out of 10
$695
Launch price $695
Pros
- +Screen refresh rate can be changed
- +Powerful enough for high-end emulation
- +Stable emulation for all systems
- +Huge 53 Wh battery
- +Very smooth gameplay thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate
- +Access to modern PC games in a handheld format
- +Can be connected to a larger display
- +The touchscreen is useful for navigation and touch/stylus-based games
- +Very smooth navigation thanks to 16 GB of RAM
- +The ergonomic grips allow for more comfortable long play sessions
- +Hall Effect analog sticks are more durable and precise
Cons
- −Black bars when playing older retro systems
- −Big device, portable but not pocketable
What can it play?
Emulation performance by platform, based on real-world testing.
Full speedPlayableLimitedNot supported
Game BoyFull speed
Game Boy AdvanceFull speed
NESFull speed
SNESFull speed
Nintendo 64Full speed
GameCubeFull speed
WiiFull speed
Wii UFull speed
Nintendo DSFull speed
Nintendo 3DSFull speed
Nintendo SwitchPlayable
Sega GenesisFull speed
Sega SaturnPlayable
DreamcastFull speed
PlayStationFull speed
PlayStation 2Full speed
PlayStation 3Playable
PSPFull speed
Full specifications
Hardware
- Chipset (SoC)
- Intel Core Ultra 5 135H
- CPU
- Intel Meteor Lake 4x P Cores, 14 cores, 700 MHz - 4.6 GHz
- GPU
- Intel Arc, 2.2 GHz
- RAM
- 16 GB LPDDR5
- Storage
- 512GB Internal
- Weight
- 675 g
- Dimensions
- 294 x 117 x 21.2 mm
- Cooling
- Active (fan)
Display
- Size
- 7″
- Resolution
- 1920 x 1080
- Panel
- IPS
- Refresh rate
- 120 Hz
- Touchscreen
- Yes
Battery & Connectivity
- Battery
- 0 mAh
- Real-world life
- ~0 hours
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 7
- Bluetooth
- Bluetooth 5.4
- Ports
- USB-C, Video out, 3.5mm headphone, microSD
- Expandable storage
- Yes (microSD)
Controls
- Analog sticks
- 2
- D-pad
- Yes
- Face buttons
- Yes
- Analog triggers
- Yes
- Gyroscope
- Yes
- Hall effect sticks
- Yes
Software & custom firmware
Ships with: Windows 11
Also plays natively: Windows
No third-party custom firmware tracked for this device.
Our verdict
Value1.0
Build7.7
Screen9.0
Performance9.5
The MSI Claw A1M is a 7.0" IPS handheld from MSI powered by the Intel Core Ultra 5 135H. It launched at around $695. It carries 16 GB of RAM and runs Windows 11. Highlights include: Screen refresh rate can be changed; Powerful enough for high-end emulation; Stable emulation for all systems; Huge 53 Wh battery. Trade-offs to note: Black bars when playing older retro systems; Big device, portable but not pocketable.