The MSI Claw 8 AI+ is one of the newest Windows 11 handhelds and features a next-gen Intel Core Ultra 7 integrated SoC. It comes with 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, and features two Thunderbolt 4 ports for your charging and accessory needs. After conducting testing, I can say it offers the very best gaming performance that I've seen on a handheld by far, but it is rather expensive. If you have the money and want to more easily play the latest graphically intensive PC games on the go, then this is the best premium handheld to get right now.
For
- Excellent game performance
- Features Hall Effect joysticks that won't drift
- Has a larger 8-inch display that supports VRR
- Offers more RAM and larger SSD than Ally X
Against
- Software isn't as customizable as Ally X's
- It's rather expensive
The ASUS ROG Ally and its updated ROG Ally X use the first-gen AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chips, making it an older handheld than the MSI Claw 8 AI+. It's partially due to this fact that it has a lower starting price than MSI's handheld. Like the original Ally, the Ally X features a 7-inch IPS touchscreen that produces decent coloring, supports VRR, and offers up to a 120Hz refresh rate. While it's not as powerful as the latest handhelds, it's still a fantastic portable gaming device that comes with a solid 24GB RAM and either 1TB or 2TB SSD
For
- Has a lower starting price than MSI Claw and frequently goes on sale
- Offers good handheld performance
- Provides more customization options
Against
- Only has one Thunderbolt Port and then a USB-C port
- Doesn't have Hall Effect joysticks
- Smaller screen, RAM, and SSD
When the original white ASUS ROG Ally launched in 2023, I was extremely eager to check out this gaming handheld. I eventually conducted both Windows Central's ROG Ally review and then later the ROG Ally X review.
More recently, I got my hands on the elusive MSI Claw 8 AI+ and was able to run it through a series of benchmark tests for my MSI Claw 8 AI+ review.
Now that I've officially tested both Windows 11 devices, I can compare them and show you how similar they are in certain respects, as well as point out the ways in which they outdo each other. Let's dive in.
I have conducted testing on several gaming handhelds including the MSI Claw 8 AI+, ASUS ROG Ally, ROG Ally X, Lenovo Legion Go, and much more. Each evening, I unwind by playing my favorite PC games on one of these portable devices. I know what to look for when evaluating gaming hardware and understand that each handheld can fit a specific use case.
MSI Claw 8 AI+ vs ROG Ally X: Specs
Before we compare these handhelds in different categories, take a gander at the MSI Claw 8 AI+ specs and the ASUS ROG Ally X's specs. I've included the original white ROG Ally's info as well.
| Header Cell - Column 0 | MSI Claw 8 AI+ | ROG Ally X | ROG Ally |
|---|---|---|---|
Price | $899.99 | $799.99 | $899.99 | $499 | $649 |
OS | Windows 11 | Windows 11 | Windows 11 |
Display | 8-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200), 16:10, IPS Touchscreen, 100% sRGB (Typical), 500nits (Typical) IPS-Level panel | 7-inch (1920 x 1080) 16:9 IPS LED touchscreen, 500nits, 73% DCI-P3 | 7-inch (1920 x 1080) 16:9 IPS LED touchscreen, 500nits, 73% DCI-P3 |
Refresh rate / VRR | 120Hz / Yes | 120Hz/ Yes | 120Hz/ Yes |
Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 258V Integrated SoC | Z1 Extreme | AMD Ryzen Z1 | Z1 Extreme |
Graphics | Intel Arc 140V GPU | AMD Radeon RDNA 3 Graphics | AMD Radeon RDNA 3 Graphics |
Memory | 32GB LPDDR5x-8533 | 24GB LPDDR5X | 16GB LPDDR5X |
Storage | 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD | 1TB | 2TB | 512GB |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth v5.4 | Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth 5.2 | Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth 5.2 |
Ports | 2 x Thunderbolt 4 / DP/ USB Type-C (w/ PD 3.0 Charging), 1 x microSD Card Reader, 1 x Audio combo jack, 1 x Power button with Finger Print Sensor | 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, 1x USB 4 (Thunderbolt 4 compliance), 1x microSD card reader, 1x audio jack | 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, 1x ROG XG Mobile Interface, 1x microSD card reader, 1x audio jack |
Touchpad | No | No | No |
Detachable controllers | No | No | No |
Color | Sandstorm (light brown and black) | Black | White |
Dimensions | 299 (W) x 126 (D) x 24 mm (H) | 279.9 (W) x 111.0 (D) x 24.6mm (H) | 279.9 (W) x 111.0 (D) x 21.2mm (H) |
Weight | 795 g | 678g | 608g |
Battery | 80Whr | 80Whr | 40 Whr |
Now that you've taken a look, I'll discuss what these handhelds' differences and similarities mean for you as a prospective owner.
MSI Claw 8 AI+ vs ROG Ally X: Price & value
The ROG Ally X comes with 24GB RAM, an 80Whr battery, and an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip.
It has a starting price of $799.99 at Best Buy for the 1TB SSD configuration, or you can go up to $899.99 for the 2TB SSD version.
Of course, there's also the option of going with the original Z1 Extreme ROG Ally, which sells for $649.99 at Best Buy due to it only having 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, and a 40Whr battery.
Meanwhile, the 1TB MSI Claw 8 AI+ with its $899.99 MSRP is $100 more than ROG Ally X's starting price.
There's also the new MSI Claw 7 AI+, which is relatively similar to the 8 AI+ but with a black casing, smaller 7-inch IPS display, and 512GB SSD. It sells for $799.99 at Best Buy.
We'll dive more into specs and performance later, but suffice it to say that the price differences between these devices is relatively understandable given the much stronger gaming capabilities of MSI's handhelds.
That said, there's no denying that the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is far more expensive.
I thoroughly enjoy gaming on my ROG Ally X handheld and find that a 1TB SSD is honestly enough space for most people, so going with the starting configuration might be best for many people.
TL;DR: PRICE WINNER: The ASUS ROG Ally X starting price is $100 less than MSI Claw 8 AI+. If you want to save money, you can even go with the original Z1 Extreme ROG Ally, which is $400 less than the Claw. Just expect shorter battery life, less RAM, and a smaller SSD.
MSI Claw 8 AI+ vs ROG Ally X: Performance
I can easily say the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V-toting MSI Claw 8 AI+ is one of the very best gaming handhelds and outshines the ROG Ally X's AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme in terms of performance.
In fact, I've tested quite a few gaming handhelds over the last few years, and none of them have performed nearly as well as the Intel Lunar Lake MSI Claw 8 AI+ when running more intensive and graphically demanding games.
There can still be stuttering and some screen tearing depending on what titles I'm playing, but the FPS (frames per second) is notably higher on MSI Claw 8 AI+, and games tend to run smoothly overall.
Default Graphics Setting | MSI Claw 8 AI+ Avg. FPS | Legion Go Avg. FPS | Ally X Avg. FPS* | Ally Avg. FPS* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Low | 59.01 FPS | 36.43 FPS | 26.45 FPS | 21.64 FPS |
Steam Deck | 59.27 FPS | 36.43 FPS | 29.13 FPS | 23.86 FPS |
Ray Tracing: Low | 57.20 FPS | 35.76 FPS | 27.22 FPS | 21.86 FPS |
*The handhelds achieved these results when AFMF 2 was not enabled.
As one example, when I ran the MSI Claw 8 AI+, Lenovo Legion Go, ROG Ally X, and original ROG Ally through the same Cyberpunk 2077 benchmark test multiple times at different default graphics settings, MSI's handheld tended to get nearly double the FPS that the ROG Ally X managed.
To be fair, I usually use my ROG Ally X with AMD Fluid Motion Frames 2 (AFMF 2) enabled, which tends to double the FPS results. So, there are still ways to get the Ally X to perform much better than it does out of the box if you're willing to make adjustments.
Still, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ impressively does higher FPS and provides better overall performance without me needing to go into the software and tweak settings, which makes it more convenient.
TL;DR: PERFORMANCE WINNER: The MSI Claw 8 AI+ offers the most impressive performance I've ever seen in a handheld to date. If you want the smoothest playing experience possible right now, you'll want the latest MSI Claw rather than the ROG Ally X.
MSI Claw 8 AI+ vs ROG Ally X: Display
Both handhelds have IPS displays that offer relatively similar picture quality, VRR (variable refresh rate) support, and a max 120Hz refresh rate. Because of this, motion clarity isn't perfect, but it is good on both.
When seen side-by-side, it's easy to see how much more of a presence the MSI Claw 8 AI+'s larger 8-inch IPS touchscreen has compared to the smaller ROG Ally X 7-inch IPS touchscreen. I feel more pulled into my games using the larger MSI display.
I used a colorimeter on both screens and discovered that they produce a relatively similar color gamut, but the MSI Claw did produce slightly better results overall.
| Row 0 - Cell 0 | MSI Claw 8 AI+ | ROG Ally X |
Color gamut results | 99% of sRGB, 76% of AdobeRGB, and 77% of P3 | 98% of sRGB, 73% or AdobeRGB, and 75% of P3 |
Aspect ratio | 16:10 | 16:9 |
Max Brightness | 469 nits | 536 nits |
This test also showed me that the MSI Claw produces a max brightness of 469 nits while the Ally X produces a max of 536 nits, which isn't a huge difference. It is possible to play these devices outside and make out the details on the screen, but only if it isn't too bright out.
One thing I have noticed in person is that the glass over the MSI Claw 8 AI+ screen tends to reflect gray more than the ROG Ally X's glass does. So, blacks and dark tones look more accurate on the Ally X.
TL;DR: DISPLAY WINNER: Thanks to its larger 8-inch display, VRR support, and respectable color gamut, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ offers the nicer display.
MSI Claw 8 AI+ vs ROG Ally X: Controls and ports
The overall layout for button and offset joystick placement is basically the same between the ROG Ally X and the MSI Claw 8 AI+, but the latter handheld is a bit wider, taller, thicker, and heavier (more on that in the next section).
It's worth noting that the MSI Claw features Hall Effect joysticks and triggers, while the ROG Ally X does not. This means the Claw cannot experience stick drift and offers better precision overall.
I'm going to preface this next part by saying that I've put several dozen, if not hundreds, of hours on my ROG Ally X, so I'm not sure if I've reduced the fresh feel of the button presses or not.
That said, when comparing the resistance and feel of the handhelds' various buttons, I noticed that the MSI Claw 8 AI+ D-Pad and bumpers felt a little snappier and a bit more satisfying to use. Otherwise, there isn't much of a difference between the devices' button responsiveness.
As is common with handhelds, both the Claw and the Ally X have a button on either side of the display to bring up either a command program or a quick side menu for adjusting settings (more on that later).
Along the top of either handheld is a power button that doubles as a fingerprint reader. Both of these biometric readers regularly have issues and don't work all of the time, but they can be a convenient way to log in when they do work.
Outside of that, both handhelds have a microSD card reader, volume buttons, and a headphone jack on top.
One big difference is that the ROG Ally X has one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port and a USB4 port, while the MSI Claw 8 AI+ has two superior Thunderbolt 4 ports.
You'll be able to charge either device with one connection and use the other one for an accessory, but Thunderbolt 4 offers faster link speeds than USB-C and USB4.
TL;DR: CONTROLS & PORTS WINNER: Unlike the ROG Ally and Ally X, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ houses Hall Effect joysticks that won't drift, and it features two Thunderbolt 4 ports for your charging and accessory needs.
MSI Claw 8 AI+ vs ROG Ally X: Grip ergonomics and comfort
When it comes to dimensions, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ measures 11.77 inches wide, 4.96 inches tall, 0.94 inches deep, and weighs 1.75 pounds.
Meanwhile, the ROG Ally X is 11.02 inches wide, 4.37 inches tall, 0.83 inches deep, and weighs 1.49 pounds.
I personally find the ROG Ally X the more comfortable handheld to hold between the two because its grip areas are more rounded, and the back buttons don't get in the way of my grip as much.
Additionally, I don't like the feel of the hard textured plastic on the back of the MSI Claw 8 AI+ casing. The ROG Ally X is smoother and feels better in my hands.
Of course, grip accessories like the one seen in my JSAUX ModCase for ROG Ally X review can add texture and better ergonomic grips to handhelds.
The MSI Claw 8 AI+ is still relatively new at the time of writing, but it's likely that similar third-party grip accessories will release for it as well.
TL;DR: COMFORT WINNER: This will largely be a matter of preference, but I find that the ROG Ally and ROG Ally X are more comfortable to hold for long stretches.
MSI Claw 8 AI+ vs ROG Ally X: Software and games
Both the ROG Ally X and MSI Claw 8 AI+ are Windows 11 devices that function like a small gaming laptop with controllers attached.
This means they both can be used to surf the web, access various gaming services, run programs, and more.
As I mentioned earlier, there's a button on the left side of either handheld display that brings up a full command program; it's called MSI Center M on Claw 8 AI+, and Armoury Crate on ROG Ally X.
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These programs give quick access to system setting adjustment, RGB customization, a game launcher, a game store, user assistance, and more.
Additionally, pressing a button on the right side of the screen brings up a smaller side menu filled with things like a real-time monitor, on-screen keyboard, screen recording, and more that are easier to access during games.
Armoury Crate and MSI Center M are useful, but they can both be a bit limited and clunky.
Of the two, the Ally X's Armoury Crate is designed better and provides far more manual customization options, so it's the best choice if you want to have more control over your handheld.
I also like that the ROG Ally X allows me to manually adjust VRAM, which is something I cannot do on MSI Claw 8 AI+.
That all said, MSI Center M is clean and easy to navigate. This device also has an AI Engine mode, which automatically optimizes the system so you don't have to make adjustments yourself.
As such, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ might be more appealing for people who just want something that works well and doesn't require as much fine-tuning.
TL;DR: SOFTWARE & GAMES WINNER: Although both devices run Windows 11 and can access the same gaming services, the ROG Ally and Ally X provide more customization options to help you get the device running the way you want it.
MSI Claw 8 AI+ vs ROG Ally X: Battery life
During battery life testing for both my ROG Ally X review and my MSI Claw 8 AI review, I learned that these devices tend to last for roughly the same amount of time.
They both house 80Whr batteries and tend to run for about two hours and 10 minutes when the screens are around 200 nits brightness and either is playing a game like Cyberpunk 2077.
That said, they can last a few hours longer if on lower settings and if you're playing a less straining game.
While two hours and 10 minutes isn't very long in terms of gaming sessions, this considerably longer battery life than many other handhelds on the market can provide.
TL;DR: BATTERY LIFE WINNER: We have a tie. Both the ROG Ally X and the MSI Claw 8 AI+ utilize an 80Whr battery that tends to last two hours and 10 minutes when running more graphically demanding games. This is longer than the 45 minutes that the ROG Ally's 40Whr musters.
MSI Claw 8 AI+ vs ROG Ally X: Comparison chart
Category | Winner |
|---|---|
Price | The ASUS ROG Ally X has a more affordable starting price than the MSI Claw AI+. |
Performance | Due to its newer Intel SoC and higher RAM, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ offers much better performance than the ROG Ally and Ally X. |
Display | This category goes to MSI Claw 8 AI+ due to its larger 8-inch touchscreen that produces a respectable color gamut while offering up to 120Hz and VRR support. |
Controls & ports | Thanks to its Hall Effect joysticks and triggers, as well as its dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is the winner here. |
Software & games | Both devices might run Windows 11 and can largely access the same games, but the ROG Ally and Ally X provide more customization options to help you get the system running the way you want. |
Battery life | Tie. The ROG Ally X and MSI Claw 8 AI+ both have 80Whr batteries that run longer than the original ROG Ally. |
Grip | This might change depending on your preferences, but I personally find that the ROG Ally and Ally X are more comfortable to hold due to their ergonomic grip shapes. |
Best overall | If you want to play the latest AAA games and have them run as smooth as possible then the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is the better choice. However, if you don't tend to play more demanding games the ROG Ally X is cheaper and still offers solid performance. |
MSI Claw 8 AI+ vs ROG Ally X: Which should I buy?
In all honesty, I love and can recommend both the ROG Ally X and MSI Claw 8 AI+, but they do fit slightly different situations.
You should get ROG Ally or ROG Ally X if...
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✅ You tend to play older titles or games with simpler PC requirements
While I can and have used my ROG Ally and Ally X to play the latest and greatest AAA games, the handhelds can sometimes stutter and struggle in the process. Meanwhile, if I play classic titles, 2D platformers, or cute pixel-graphics games my Ally handhelds can handle them a lot more easily.
You should get MSI Claw 8 AI+ if...
✅ You love playing the latest AAA games and intensive titles
Obviously, I can't promise that every PC game will run smoothly on a Windows handheld, but it's more likely to be able to run well on MSI Claw 8 AI+ over all other handhelds currently on the market.
The MSI Claw 8 AI+ is a gaming handheld beast that provides better game performance than its competitors. It features an Intel Core Ultra 7 200 Series processor, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Hall Effect joysticks and triggers, and has a large 8-inch display that supports 120Hz and VRR.
The ROG Ally X is a Windows 11 gaming handheld that can access all of the gaming services that your gaming laptop can. It has twice the battery capacity and doubles the storage space of the original ROG Ally. It has the same VRR-supporting 7-inch 120Hz IPS touchscreen as ROG Ally, but it also has 24GB RAM and comes in either a 1TB or 2TB configuration.
You might also want to consider getting the ROG Ally with either a Z1 or Z1 Extreme chip, but we suggest going with the latter if you want better local performance. It comes with 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, and a 7-inch touchscreen. It's a great value for the configuration and features that it offers.
