Can THE CLAW Compete?

The MSI Claw is an interesting device. It's different than lots of the devices out there in many ways, but is that a good thing?
Binge TechDweeb: • All TechDweeb Vids (Ne...
BUY THE CLAW
CANADA: This exact model is only available at Costco.ca: msi.gm/SD887F08
(comes with accessory pack that I showed!)
USA: amzn.to/3wg5P5N
MORE INFO: msi.gm/SD4B1621
AOHi Ultra Thin 65w GaN+ Charger: amzn.to/4aeOrMq
OLED STEAM DECK REVIEW: • Should you upgrade to ...
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
- SOCIAL LINKS techdweeb.straw.page/
- SHOP HERE TO SUPPORT MY WORK (please?) - amzn.to/3vWVZ4E
- MY GEAR -
Camera: amzn.to/47H8C4t
Keyboard: amzn.to/3OhKIpt
Mini PC: amzn.to/4aUnHmd
Monitor: amzn.to/3S0LSqm
Controller: amzn.to/49166Y2
Retro Handheld: bit.ly/MMPlusLITNXT
- PATREON / techdweeb -
Check out my Patreon if you'd like to support the nonsense that I do...
- BECOME A CHANNEL MEMBER / @techdweeb -
Help me make better content and get some fun perks at the same time!
- DISCORD / discord -
Stop by my Discord Server to say chat with me and the rest of the tech dweebs!
- MUSIC CREDITS -
Intro: Captive Portal - Intro For A Nonexisting Video Game
Outro: RoccoW - Chipho instrumental
Background: Background Track by Bryan Fletcher ( / bryanfletchermusic )
- CHAPTERS -
00:00 And then there's The Claw...
00:46 Steve and Amanda
01:22 MSI Claw Review
02:21 Unboxing
04:05 Specs
04:48 Tour
05:20 Controls
07:11 Ergonomics
07:34 Screen and Sound
08:42 The System
09:57 Gaming on the Claw
13:13 The saving grace (VT-d)
13:51 Important updates
14:22 Final thoughts
15:48 Wrap up
DISCLAIMER: Product was sent to me for the purpose of review. No company had any say in the video content, and did not get the chance to see the video before it was published. No money exchanged hands and all opinions are my own.

[@da3726]

Thank you for saving my junk. That deserves a like

[@thefoxhouse]

It’s nice to see an actual positive review on the MSI Claw

[@illustriouschin]

Is it positive or is it accurate?

[@jackdoobie]

I fought the claw and the claw won.

[@ItWasAllPartOfMyPlan]

Claw? More like mittens

[@SeldomSeen-if4pq]

The msi flipper.

[@kylespevak6781]

Claw related to gaming is a bad thing

[@_Majoras]

gonna hold off until the successor, the msi hook

[@CrashD6]

MSI PAW

[@MrREAPERsz]

The MSI finger

[@SeldomSeen-if4pq]

😂

[@SeldomSeen-if4pq]

​@@CrashD6 😂

[@crystal_is_cozy]

I like that you’re giving this one a chance and making a point that a huge chunk of its shortcomings are price related. Interesting and entertaining as always! Thanks for the vid!

[@TechDweeb]

Thanky! Yeah I had good fun with this. I was expecting to hate it from the sentiment online but it's a really nice gaming experience. I don't doubt that they'll cut the price. MSI is usually the 'budget midrange' option when it comes to PC stuff like laptops, monitors, etc. I'm sure they'll undercut the competition once their initial push trails off.

[@beowolf410]

This just adds to competition which benefits the consumer in the long run. It isnt for me but I'm sure theres intel purists that have been waiting for this thing to hit the market.

[@imaginalex5850]

it is just e waste to launch a handheld so weak, they should know better

[@SirCaco]

"The Claw" in the world of handhelds has a different meaning if you were a part of the oldschool PSP Monster Hunter scene. I wonder who the genius was that came up with that technique.

[@poultrylord7300]

I could never get into the MH games on the PSP despite loving the series, holding the console like that was sooo uncomfortable after even like 5 minutes. Couldn't even kill a Gendrome before cramping up!

[@Seikatsu]

@@poultrylord7300 I just pretend its a zelda game and constantly use L to put the camera behind you every 10 seconds

[@SirCaco]

​@@poultrylord7300That's unfortunate. It wasn't a comfortable grip by any means, but it was the meta and we powered through the pain. At some point it just kinda stopped hurting. Never stopped getting me some weird looks in the train though.

[@chronossage]

The claw has never died. People are currently using it in Helldivers 2 on modern controllers for inputting stratagems.

[@arondyte318]

My left hand suddenly cried in pain when I read this comment

[@the_nerdbucket]

all hail, TechDweeb! SAVIOR OF JUNKS!

[@dementedp]

The Claw needs to be at least 550-600 USD to be competitive. At that price point the Ally or the Steam Deck are way better choices.

[@pspsmallz]

Finally a reasonable review for this that isnt pure hyperbole. The shoulder buttons, software for tuning power usage and the price seem like the biggest set backs based on what you said. Hopefully their next version of the claw can fix all that and the first claw gets heavily discounted. Thanks for the fair review, techdweeb.

[@gnarlyblasterboys4123]

I love how you haven’t blown your nose since 1986… subbed!

[@eldercristian7329]

Tech D. froze for a moment 😆 one of my favourite channel about Retro and technology!

[@BandoidView]

I like the paddle buttons. They can come in very handy, especially when you need to add UI functions when streaming games. For instance, I use the right back paddle as the Xbox home button when I'm streaming from there. Edit: I have a ROG Ally

[@garethevans2499]

"among the worst bumpers i have ever felt" title of your mum's... Oh forget it.

[@borf42]

Thank you for saving my junk! You're the best!

[@TechDweeb]

Always lookin out for ya Borf

[@Hubwood]

Finally somebody beside me critisizing the terrible RB/LB Buttons...

[@AppNasty]

The amount of quality in Tech Dweebs vids deserve at LEAST 250k subs by the end of 2024.

[@baoquoc3710]

tbh, after the whole Asus ROG Ally SD card melting and troublesome RMA reputation, the MSI will now at least have some chance to be the Ally alternative aside from the Lenovo Legion Go, which is a more solid handheld than the other two, but spotty availability held it back

[@andyredfearn3002]

The main issue is this is still worse than the Rog Ally (as a whole), so the price has to actually be even lower than the already discounted Ally to make anyone take a serious look. Good review. Maybe if they bundle a Steve and a Amanada version together in one giant package, along with a less junk destroying Claw, they'll have a winner.

[@TechDweeb]

Yeah the price is the biggest flaw here. Good device, at the wrong price.

[@JermundOttermo]

Liked and subscribed, thanks for the laughs and valuable security ..tip.

[@shto4782]

why do you need to send it back? msi what are you doing? let the guy keep it, he freaking promotes it.... If I would be them I would send you 3 at least

[@user-yg2dm5sf9r]

Do you have the RGB20SX coming in for review? I'm waiting for your take on the device. 😊

[@xbostonboyiZfirex]

I’m having trouble with picking this the rog ally of the legion go. Which is best u think? I think the hall effect sticks are the 1tb drive and sd card that works are most important to me. But I also don’t think asus will drift if I do get it. But the legion go looks sick too. Is the intel cpu worse then the amd chipset?

[@GameplayTubeYT]

You have a Lenovo Legion Go Content can't find it? Can you give me link?

[@Joloxx]

Letsgooo new Vid!!

[@ZwickTheEditor]

Ain't on law when you're drinking the Claw! 😎

[@cameraman1234567890]

Waiting for better OLED version to come out

[@washuai]

Sold at Costco? When? Where? What price?

[@jamesmannion7560]

My junk is safe for another week 😀 great video man. Looking at a handheld while I'm travelling.

[@geerhead]

I seen the thumbnail and thought of Jim Carrey in the movie liar liar and got a good chuckle.

[@CRAgamer]

I haven't slept in two days. I genuinely thought this video was about claw gripping on handhelds.

[@steveweinberg462]

As a "Steve" I have to say... yeah.

[@Sadtiric]

Interesting points, sir! You may have just sold me on one after the inevitable price drop 💚. I know I want a Windows handheld eventually..

[@TechDweeb]

I think after the price drop, this'll be a great choice. MSI products are usually compelling because of the price:performance. This isn't there yet but I don't doubt it will be.

[@Dracossaint]

If the claw dropped $200. It probably wouldn't be the worst value, I am doubtful though that we will see a price drop. They really need to optimize low power usage mode a lot. I also think overall the software needs a lot more cooking and I have my doubts with MSI. Hopefully hand held companion picks up the slack

[@bembelknecht]

That thumbnail had some "Nightmare on Dweeb-Street"-vibes...

[@I4get42]

Good morning TD! hee hee, I see that playdoh toy knife you got on your desk so that Aden Walls gets a chuckle. 😀

[@TechDweeb]

Adin and I are going to knife fight with fisher price toys

[@I4get42]

@@TechDweeb:-P Maybe his DnD character could hold it 😀

[@Ben-pi8nd]

I have All 4 Big Devices testet and the Claw fits the Best in the hand

[@DemocracyJones]

Hey TD! Have you tried out the new bios (E1T41IMS.106) and gpu driver (31.0.101.5445) that got released yesterday? I don't have a Claw but MSI is claiming a 150% increase in performance in certain situations

[@Dracossaint]

Typically if something goes up. 150%. It's because it was fundamentally broken beforehand. Like I'm talking 15 fps to 45 fps broken

[@DemocracyJones]

​@@DracossaintI don't know about broken but definitely not organized enough before release. This is a new thing from Intel like TechD mentions in the video. I'm just curious if he's tried out the new updates and got similar results. Tom's Hardware had an article about it yesterday but it read like they were just reporting on the updates and haven't tested it themselves

[@MrTurtlebird]

I am interested in seeing how the Claw improves over time. They really are gonna have to plummet that price though, especially with Asus getting ready to launch their Ally revision.

[@supergooglelee]

I have just pre-ordered the new iPad Pro with OLED screen. Can’t wait to try some retro stuff on it. I hope the M4 chip can cope with PS2 emulation if an emulator eventually becomes available on iOS.

[@TechDweeb]

I'm jealous.

[@Stef2050]

Why'd TechDweeb just describe me in the intro??

[@NoiseRockGamer]

$700 is an absolute deal breaker.

[@Metal-Josh]

Good looking machine. Too bad about price though. And I know this isn’t the place for my question, but I’m asking anyway. Would you recommend the 256gb lcd Steam Deck still? On a budget here

[@TechDweeb]

Oh definitely, the 256gb LCD deck is one of the best deals in gaming right now!

[@Metal-Josh]

@@TechDweeb (In a Mr Burns voice) “excellent!” Thanks TechDweeb, you could be a counsellor. Having the answers.

[@rometherevenant8749]

Immediate love the video for the Jim Carrey reference

[@meisner-effect]

solid review, I done buying handhelds this year, the claw closed the deal, lol. funny as hell, hey that dude was your boring uncle Todd already , lol

[@TechDweeb]

Yeah Todd makes the rounds huh

[@charleshon6835]

is this the latest bios?

[@Dads1stTime]

I sense much Canada in TexhDweeb...

[@Dracossaint]

3:56 jokes on you! I'm into that! (Not really, but i found it funny)

[@hadamana]

Where's that OLED Steam Deck review link in the description?

[@washuai]

It's the third link, did you click more to read the description?

[@bullymaguire243]

Can wait for the successor, the Msi papercut

[@kumaSOevl]

I thought u we’re describing me in the beginning

[@Moatiz]

Definitely an interesting device with lots of.... criticism but hopefully MSI and Intel will both take notes as this felt more like an experimental device rather than a fully baked one

[@Yeshuah6]

Love that im not the only one that jokes about eating the silica gel packs

[@fredericmanson441]

In the end, nothing beats the Steam Deck OLED...

[@Mr4real0316]

The I-5 version with a terabyte and a case for 700 dollars might be compelling.

[@ralphmcmahan2139]

Lanyards are a big deal to me. Like I don't use my Steam Deck anywhere in the house that doesn't have carpet, important. My claws don't work great.

[@danielwaters3188]

I feel like this is an evolution of a product that will be better in the future. That's not a critique, that's just my opinion, man.

[@sacredvolt69]

I've watched a ton of reviews of the claw just because I like to see people dunk on this thing, and you're the first one I've heard mention the Vt-d issue. Feel like this needs to be more widely known, a 10% performance bump takes this thing from hot trash to actually possibly competitive. Still overpriced but not so terribly much

[@TechDweeb]

Yeah totally, although the responsibility is on MSI. If this really does provide such a big performance boost they need to include it as an update and enable it by default. The user shouldn't be expected to go into the BIOS just to get their games to run better! Hopefully if we can get the word out those that have a Claw can benefit in the meantime.

[@KevinAdams06]

My name is Kevin, I am a claw. Or that is what my wife says.

[@Curse0fMandos]

A bowl is concave, not convex. Love your content.

[@TechDweeb]

OMG I can't believe I goofed that up. I feel like a dweeb 🤓

[@ryanfowlow8034]

Poor Steve's.

[@GNARUTOx]

Baaaaabe, TD dropped the claw video. Grab the root beers!

[@Rockysbeats]

its monstrous id take a pocket go any day and save a fortune

[@cangel8563]

Windows handhelds aren't exactly inviting to me for some reason..

[@moister3727]

Because of Windows, duh

[@CandyChannel1966]

The price is way too expensive for me. It has no OLED screen either and the screen is too small for me

[@erictrauman2879]

real cool pimp

[@ranielnascimentoferreira8808]

Was hoping to see a toy story reference

[@inovade]

i still dont get why does it look very similiar with ally???

[@WIImotionmasher]

All I've heard about the claw is that it's way worse and is useless. I'm glad to see your review show me what's actually going on: nearly identical performance to ROG Ally on battery power. TDP doesnt change but lower end games actually last longer on the claw. This changed my mind about the Claw. While I still would prefer the Steamdeck for it's steam input options with the touchpads and gyro. I would be willing to get a Claw too now. Atleast its build quality is better than the rog

[@TechDweeb]

Actually the claw is worse on battery power for high end games, but much better for lower end games. That's the big tradeoff I think. And the Ally has games that work better on it, for example cyberpunk is faster on the ally. But in the big picture they are very close.

[@Chrisdumm1]

That’s fair. 😉

[@decisionparalysis7856]

Nothing can touch the Trackpads on the Steam Deck, those are pretty much standard in my eyes now. That being said I don't hold anything against these other devices and would still try them. Waiting for a Steam Controller modeled after the Deck now, it seems so simple to do, not sure what is taking so long. Valve please take my money!

[@gdot1803]

Yep. I'm playing RTS games, TBS and old school CRPG on Deck and the trackpads are essential for playing them on handheld. You can try to use the touchscreen, but if the games were designed for mouse pointer, that feels janky and inaccurate and trying to use the analog stick feels even worse.

[@kylespevak6781]

It's a shame Steamdeck isn't very powerful

[@decisionparalysis7856]

@@kylespevak6781 Price to performance it is pretty powerful. It will play about anything you throw at it. It really doesn't need to be too overpowered to be honest. I am sure the next iteration will be better also, and they have given us a pretty good window between release. The oled was kind of a Nintendo move but not too bad, and totally worth it. The Steam Deck seems to be the winner of this cycle of devices, which is pretty experimental as it is at this point in time.

[@kylespevak6781]

@@decisionparalysis7856 Literally it's power is the only thing I'm not sure about, otherwise I'd grab it as a second device. Kind of like the ROG for Windows as well so I could use an OS I'm more comfortable with.

[@kylespevak6781]

@@decisionparalysis7856 Can it run Cemu well? That's a good gauge of what I'd be doing

[@sahabatgamerID]

2:41 is that a coded message?🧐 Do we need to call 911? 🤔

[@MiguelDeMarchena]

If i can get a handheld pc i will go for steam deck because of linux.

[@kmjsuperfly1]

As a fellow Steve I resemble that comment.

[@nrimichael4046]

If you are kidnapped show some hand gestures like the sos to call for help in your next video

[@cameraman1234567890]

I love MSI, but would have loved for AMD to be in this console, intel hasn’t really helped make things affordable for the price. Thats why this console struggles with price is because intel is more expensive.

[@nickentros]

The MSI Steve

[@TechDweeb]

And the ASUS Amanda 🤣

[@FPSmodz-]

Nothing beats the steam deck. Valve please just give us all the drivers for windows. Also, it seems that all the steam deck alternatives try to be too 'gamery' with RGB and sleek edges.

[@kylespevak6781]

ROG Ally with the extreme processor is more powerful though

[@triage9082]

lol they want 1200 for it? ill stick to the z1 extreme ally lol.

[@superscatman4236]

The Claw thinks it's Fletcher Reede but really, it's Jerry.

[@X862go]

I can't. INTEL is a no-go🙅‍♂️

[@Brammen007]

Meh, to each their own I suppose. I think most peeps would be better served by a Legion Go, Ally, or SD oled.

[@adinwalls]

You’re scared of the claw… on a serious note in South Africa (and other countries I’m sure global brands like MSI and Asus) are able to get their more powerful Windows devices to use cheaper than the Steamdeck. That really changes the argument for a lot of people.

[@Tubes78]

The price is it's biggest problem. It's almost 250 euro 💶 more expensive then a ROG Ally.

[@SeldomSeen-if4pq]

"Variable refresh rate" means you aint playing aaa game at 1080p and think it will run smoothly.

[@ogrejd]

Hmm. I dunno if I'd want Wi-Fi that promises to kill my Intel...

[@axelgear666]

Not with that crappy intel processor and shitty igpu. Amd ryzen is still the champ, own a gpd win mini 2023. I set the TDP at 18 watts

[@washuai]

I wish I had a budget to deal with the risk proposition of GPD Win mini 2024. Steam Deck OLED support, repair, software gives more confidence

[@axelgear666]

@washuai the lack of oculink is why I opted for the win mini 2023 version. Gpd win mini 2024 feels more or less a downgrade. Until thunderbolt 5 arrives to the scene, egpu bandwidth bottlenecks will continue to persist these devices. But I will never buy an Intel UMPC, they're graphic drivers stink

[@washuai]

@@axelgear666 great point about OCuLink, thanks

[@axelgear666]

@washuai the only risk i see are the batteries, sooner or later aftermarket win mini batteries will arrive at the scene. (Especially on aliexpress) The joystick nubs are aftermarket k-silver hall effect sensor pads found on a few of the premium ambernic Linux handheld devices. In fact asides from gulikit, the aftermarket k-silvers are being utilized as replacement joycon sticks for the Nintendo switch

[@steves.2576]

Why did you choose violence?

[@lalamove8712]

Idnt like claw. . I recomend asus deck or go

[@RockDeer-Island]

not trusting intel igpu and driver over amd offering for now, waiting intel catching up first

[@kw9209]

Hmmm so that’s your secret to success…… silicon gel

[@donovan3562]

Not sure why any handheld manufacturer would go Intel. The TDP is always trash. Simply pumping more power into the device for better performance is not a viable play for handheld PCs

[@Lycan3303]

Steam Deck OLED is best girl

[@coolhawk2003]

Cost. Thats why i dont have any

[@dimmufan88]

Lol I'm Steve

[@anthonylowe8819]

Nah the internals and battery aren’t up to par IMO. Let alone that price tag. It’s a pass.

[@jadedshard9650]

yay halls of torment great game so much like gauntlet

[@Retrofire-47]

There are *other* individuals that are average, or below average, roughly 50% of the population, but that wouldn't be me. Of course not ;)

[@eatereater6312]

WE NEED A rg28xx REVEIW

[@TechDweeb]

I don't have it yet but I'm DEFINITELY gonna get my hands on one soon and will do a review :)

[@eatereater6312]

@@TechDweeb I’ve seen other people cover it, but I won’t make a final decision until your review 😎 I’ll be waiting!

[@rushmore3927]

Nope. Next question!