Msi Claw Vs Rog Ally In 2024 Is The Rog Ally Still Worth It

In 2024, the handheld gaming PC market has evolved rapidly, with new entrants challenging early leaders. The ASUS ROG Ally, launched in mid-2023, was among the first serious Windows-based contenders against Valve’s Steam Deck. Now, MSI enters the ring with its Claw A1M, powered by Intel’s new Lunar Lake processors and Intel Battlemage graphics. This raises a critical question for gamers: Is the ROG Ally still worth buying, or has the MSI Claw surpassed it?

The answer depends on what you prioritize—raw compatibility, ecosystem maturity, price, or future-proofing. Let’s break down both devices across key categories to help you make an informed decision.

Design and Build Quality

The ROG Ally and MSI Claw take different approaches to ergonomics and materials. The ROG Ally features a matte black finish with angular grips, slightly bulkier than the Steam Deck but more compact than many competitors. Its build uses durable polycarbonate with metal-reinforced shoulder buttons, offering a solid feel without being overly heavy at 608g.

In contrast, the MSI Claw feels sleeker and more refined. It weighs in at approximately 570g, making it lighter despite similar dimensions. The Claw uses a soft-touch coating that resists fingerprints better than the ROG Ally’s matte surface. Both units feature full-sized analog sticks, Hall-effect joysticks (which resist drift), and responsive triggers.

One advantage the ROG Ally holds is its customizable button layout via Armoury Crate software, allowing remapping and macro functions. The Claw, while supporting some customization through MSI Center, doesn’t yet offer the same depth. However, MSI includes a built-in kickstand—a feature absent on the ROG Ally—which improves tabletop usability.

Tip: Use a protective case when traveling with either device—both have exposed screens and sensitive controls.

Performance and Hardware Comparison

This is where the battle gets technical. The ROG Ally launched with AMD’s Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip—an optimized version of Zen 4 architecture paired with RDNA 3 graphics. In real-world use, it delivers performance comparable to a mid-tier laptop GPU, handling modern titles at medium-to-high settings when docked or in local play.

MSI Claw arrives with Intel’s next-generation Lunar Lake platform, specifically the Core Ultra 255V processor. Intel claims this chip offers competitive frame rates and superior power efficiency thanks to its advanced 18W Battlemage iGPU. Early benchmarks suggest the Claw matches the ROG Ally in games like *Hades* and *Doom Eternal*, but falls slightly behind in CPU-heavy titles such as *Cyberpunk 2077*.

However, the Claw benefits from Intel XeSS upscaling support natively integrated into its drivers, giving it an edge in resolution scaling. Meanwhile, the ROG Ally supports FSR 3 with frame generation in select titles, though implementation remains spotty outside of specific patches.

“While AMD still leads in raw IPC efficiency, Intel’s progress with Battlemage closes the gap meaningfully—especially for lower-power scenarios.” — David Ng, Senior Analyst at TechPulse Insights

Display and Controls

Feature	ROG Ally	MSI Claw
Screen Size	7 inches	7 inches
Resolution	1080p (1920x1080)	1080p (1920x1080)
Refresh Rate	120Hz	120Hz
Panels Type	IPS LCD	OLED (expected)
Brightness	500 nits peak	600 nits peak (estimated)
Touch Support	Yes	Yes

The display difference may be decisive for some users. While the ROG Ally uses a high-quality IPS panel with excellent color accuracy, the MSI Claw reportedly features an OLED screen—offering deeper blacks, infinite contrast, and improved HDR performance. If confirmed, this would give the Claw a clear visual advantage, particularly in dim environments or media consumption.

Control-wise, both systems include gyro aiming, rear paddles, and precise thumbsticks. The ROG Ally’s sticks are slightly taller and more ergonomic for long sessions, whereas the Claw’s are flusher and may require adjustment for larger hands.

Software, Ecosystem, and User Experience

Here, the ROG Ally shines due to maturity. Launched over a year earlier, it runs Windows 11 with ASUS’s custom Gamepass UI overlay, which allows quick access to Steam, Xbox, and other launchers. Firmware updates have steadily improved battery life, fan noise, and controller responsiveness.

MSI Claw ships with Windows 11 Home and MSI Center integration. While functional, the software suite lacks polish compared to Armoury Crate. Features like game filtering, session recording, and remote wake-on-LAN are either missing or underdeveloped. Additionally, driver optimization for Lunar Lake is still catching up—some users report stuttering during transitions in *Elden Ring* or *Horizon Zero Dawn*.

On the plus side, MSI promises longer-term support for cloud gaming services, including pre-installed GeForce NOW and xCloud shortcuts. The ROG Ally supports these too but requires manual setup.

Real-World Usage Example

Consider Sarah, a college student who commutes daily and plays indie RPGs and retro titles. She values portability, battery life, and ease of use. After testing both devices, she found the ROG Ally lasted reliably through her two-hour train ride playing *Disco Elysium* on 40% brightness. The interface remembered her last session, and sleep/resume worked flawlessly.

With the MSI Claw, she enjoyed richer visuals on the OLED screen but encountered a crash when switching between Game Pass and Steam. Updates also took longer to install. For her needs, the ROG Ally provided a smoother day-to-day experience despite lacking the latest hardware.

Battery Life and Thermal Management

Battery performance varies significantly based on workload. The ROG Ally packs a 40Wh battery, delivering around 1.5–2 hours in AAA titles at native resolution and up to 4–5 hours in less demanding games like *Stardew Valley*. Efficient cooling means sustained performance without throttling, though fans can become loud under load.

The MSI Claw uses a smaller 38Wh battery but benefits from Lunar Lake’s aggressive power gating. In mixed usage, it achieves similar longevity, sometimes exceeding the ROG Ally by 15–20 minutes thanks to better idle efficiency. Heat output is lower, resulting in quieter operation—but sustained loads still trigger noticeable fan ramp-up.

• ROG Ally: Best for consistent performance; louder fans, proven thermal design
• MSI Claw: Slightly cooler and quieter; newer chipset enables smarter power management

Price and Value Proposition

As of Q2 2024, the ROG Ally starts at $599 for the 512GB model, down from its original $699 launch price. This makes it one of the most affordable high-performance handhelds on the market. Refurbished units are even available below $500.

The MSI Claw launches at $649 for the base 512GB configuration, positioning itself as a premium alternative. There’s no word yet on potential discounts or bundles. Given its newer tech, the pricing isn’t unreasonable—but it does make the ROG Ally more attractive for budget-conscious buyers.

Tip: Wait for holiday sales—both brands typically offer $100+ discounts during Black Friday or back-to-school periods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the ROG Ally run emulators smoothly?

Yes. Thanks to its powerful Ryzen CPU, the ROG Ally handles PS2, GameCube, Wii, and even Switch emulation exceptionally well using tools like DuckStation, Dolphin, and Ryujinx. Performance exceeds Steam Deck in most cases.

Does the MSI Claw support external GPUs?

No current handheld PC officially supports eGPUs due to bandwidth limitations over USB-C. While technically possible via Thunderbolt (available on Claw), driver and latency issues make it impractical. Both devices rely on internal processing.

Is Windows better than SteamOS for handhelds?

It depends. Windows offers broader compatibility with non-Steam platforms (Origin, Epic, etc.) and modding tools. SteamOS is leaner, faster to boot, and receives Valve-specific optimizations. Power users prefer Windows; casual players may appreciate SteamOS simplicity.

Conclusion: Is the ROG Ally Still Worth It in 2024?

Absolutely—if your priority is reliability, value, and a mature ecosystem. The ROG Ally has undergone multiple firmware revisions, third-party accessory support (like Kunai controllers and mobile docks), and proven durability in real-world conditions. It runs nearly every PC game available and excels in emulation.

The MSI Claw represents the future: lighter, potentially better displays, and Intel’s push into discrete-level integrated graphics. But it’s launching into a space where expectations are already high. Software immaturity and higher pricing make it harder to recommend outright over the ROG Ally unless you specifically want OLED or are betting on Intel’s long-term roadmap.

If you’re upgrading from a Steam Deck or entering the handheld market now, the ROG Ally remains one of the smartest investments in 2024. For early adopters eager to test Intel’s new architecture, the Claw is promising—but not quite ready to dethrone the current champion.

🚀 Ready to choose your next handheld? Share your thoughts on the MSI Claw vs ROG Ally debate—we’d love to hear which one fits your gaming lifestyle!