Why I’m Sticking With My Steam Deck Over MSI’s New Claw
▼ Summary
– The article is a first-impressions piece, not a full review, from a Steam Deck OLED user comparing the MSI Claw 8 EX AI Plus to Valve’s handheld.
– The MSI Claw 8 EX AI Plus is the first gaming handheld to feature Intel’s new Arc G3 Extreme chip, which has been called a “next-gen handheld.”
– The author questions whether the Claw is a worthwhile upgrade for Steam Deck fans and if it justifies its high $1,799 price point.
– The writer notes that the $789 Steam Deck OLED sets a high bar for the Claw to surpass.
– The piece acknowledges that colleague Sean Hollister will provide a deeper review of the Claw in the future.
I’ve spent months with the Steam Deck OLED as my go-to gaming handheld, so when MSI launched its new Claw 8 EX AI Plus , the first portable device powered by Intel’s Arc G3 Extreme chip , my curiosity was immediate. My colleague Sean Hollister has already called it the “next-gen handheld,” and after spending some time with it myself, I needed to know: Is this a genuine upgrade for dedicated Deck users, or just an expensive curiosity?
Let’s start with the obvious hurdle. The Claw carries an eye-watering $1,799 price tag, which is more than double what I paid for my Deck. For that kind of money, the device needs to deliver a transformative experience , not just incremental gains. My own $789 Steam Deck OLED has set a high bar for comfort, battery life, and seamless integration with my library.
Right away, the Claw feels different. It’s larger, heavier, and the build quality is undeniably premium. The screen is bright and sharp, and the Intel chip promises performance that could surpass AMD-based handhelds in certain titles. But raw power isn’t everything. The Steam Deck’s strength lies in its software ecosystem, its custom SteamOS, and the way it just works without tinkering. The Claw, running Windows 11, introduces friction that the Deck largely avoids.
Battery life is another concern. Early impressions suggest the Claw’s high-performance chip demands more power, and while MSI has packed in a sizable battery, real-world gaming sessions may fall short of what I get from my OLED Deck. And then there’s the fan noise , the Claw’s cooling system is audible even during lighter games, whereas the Deck stays whisper-quiet.
I’m not saying the Claw is a bad device. For someone who needs maximum graphical fidelity in a handheld and doesn’t mind the premium, it could be a compelling option. But for me, the Steam Deck remains the better value , and the better experience. Until MSI can match Valve’s software polish, battery efficiency, and price-to-performance ratio, I’ll be sticking with what I’ve got.
(Source: The Verge)
