I tested MSI Claw 8 AI+ and compared it against Steam Deck — Here's why one of these handhelds reigns supreme

I've spent the last couple of weeks testing and comparing the Steam Deck versus the MSI Claw 8 AI+ to see how these gaming handhelds compare against each other and to figure out the best use cases for each.

So, if you're trying to decide for yourself if you should get the newer MSI Claw 8 AI+ or the older Steam Deck, I'm here to help.

On this page, I compare handheld performance, game compatibility, battery life, displays, controls, and more. Let's dive in.

TL;DR: I've included quick comparison sections throughout this article, so you only have to read as much as you want.

• RELATED: Steam Deck review | MSI Claw 8 AI+ review

Why you should trust me

Why you should trust me

Rebecca Spear (She/Her)

I've owned a Steam Deck since the first wave launched in Feb 2022 and have been able to thoroughly test the new MSI Claw 8 AI+ in my own home. I take into account performance results as well as use cases when determining whether or not a device is worth buying to help you find the best handheld for your needs.

MSI Claw 8 AI+ vs Steam Deck: Specs

I'll compare the MSI Claw 8 AI+ against the Steam Deck in several categories throughout this page, but let's start off by looking purely at their specs.

Now that you've been able to compare the basic specs, I'll elaborate on them and discuss what these differences mean for you as a potential handheld owner.

Back to the top ^

MSI Claw 8 AI+ vs Steam Deck: Price & value

Over the last few years, gaming handhelds have become an increasingly popular way to enjoy PC games. Hell, these days, I do the vast majority of my PC gaming sessions on one of these portable devices rather than my gaming laptop.

It's important that a gaming handheld provides the necessary features and conveniences to make these gaming sessions enjoyable. But, arguably more importantly, you need to choose one that fits into your budget.

As you saw in the previous spec table, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ sells at an astronomical $899.99 at Best Buy, which makes it one of the most expensive handhelds currently on the market.

There's also technically an MSI Claw 7 AI+ that's relatively similar but with a 7-inch display and only 512GB SSD, which sells for $799.99 at Best Buy.

Meanwhile, the Steam Deck is available in the lower-priced LCD version with 256GB RAM, which starts at just $399.00 at Steam and the costlier OLED version with 512GB RAM, which starts at $549.00 at Steam. The costliest Steam Deck OLED comes with 1TB SSD and has a $649.00 MSRP.

Depending on the kind of games you intend to play on your handheld, a Steam Deck could suit your needs while costing a lot less.

TL;DR: PRICE WINNER: Even the most expensive Steam Deck OLED only gets as high as $649.00, making it much less expensive than the MSI Claw 8 AI+. So, the $399.00 Steam Deck LCD is the significantly less expensive option here.

Back to the top ^

MSI Claw 8 AI+ vs Steam Deck: Performance

While the low-priced Steam Deck — with its relatively modest semi-custom AMD APU (accelerated processing unit) with 8 RDNA 2 graphics — has been optimized to work incredibly well with compatible games, it doesn't offer nearly as powerful internals as the Intel Lunar Lake-toting MSI Claw 8 AI+.

You see, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ has one of the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 258V AI-boosted processors with integrated Intel Arc 140V Graphics.

As I stated in my MSI Claw 8 AI+ review, it's one of the few handhelds right now that uses an AI-boosted Intel CPU (central processing unit), which technically makes this handheld an AI PC.

• RELATED: AI PC guide | Copilot+ PC guide | TOPS guide | NPU guide

When it comes to game performance, the Steam Deck can usually handle a wide range of titles, including classics and simple graphics games like 2D platformers (think Ori and the Blind Forest) or pixel graphics titles (like Stardew Valley), but it can also struggle with some of the latest AAA games.

For instance, the new Claw can run STALKER 2, Avowed, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, but on Steam Deck, these same games can fail to boot up, suffer from extreme stuttering, or even cause the Steam Deck to crash repeatedly, which is obviously frustrating.

That said, many developers optimize their games for Steam Deck — even more graphically demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077.

The good news is that if a game has been optimized for Steam Deck, then it usually runs very well on Valve's handheld, providing controller support, good-sized text, and running with respectable frames per second (FPS).

In case you don't know: Steam game pages have "Steam Deck Compatibility" sections that clarify how well a game will run (or if it will run) on Valve's handheld.

• A green checkmark means a game works great and is "fully functional on Steam Deck."
• A yellow i means a game is playable but might have certain issues like small text.
• A grey circle with a slash through it means a game is unsupported.
• A grey question mark indicates that compatibility is unknown.

As a Steam Deck owner, these symbols are very helpful. However, you sometimes have to take a gamble with a game and hope that it plays well on Deck.

So, what is game performance like on Steam Deck versus MSI Claw 8 AI+?

*These FPS results were achieved on ROG Ally and Ally X with AFMF2 turned off. Enabling AFMF2 on Ally handhelds increases FPS significantly.

As one example, during Cyberpunk 2077 benchmark testing, the Steam Deck LCD was able to get an average 29.48 FPS when on the Steam Deck graphics default. This is similar to the results of the ASUS ROG Ally and Ally X.

However, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ runs games far more smoothly and managed to get an average of 59.27 FPS when also running Cyberpunk 2077's benchmark at the same Steam Deck graphics default.

That's slightly more than double the FPS the Steam Deck LCD achieved, and looks a whole lot smoother in person.

Of course, you can also use a program like NVIDIA GeForce NOW on Steam Deck to run a graphically demanding game like Cyberpunk 2077 on a distant server while streaming locally on your handheld to reach much higher FPS on the handheld.

You'll just want to make sure you have a good internet connection to take advantage of this.

TL;DR: PERFORMANCE WINNER: It depends. If you tend to play less graphically-intensive games or older classics, then the Steam Deck should suit you just fine. However, if you want to play the latest and greatest AAA titles on handheld, then MSI Claw 8 AI+ will serve your needs better.

Back to the top ^

MSI Claw 8 AI+ vs Steam Deck: Display

There are a lot of tradeoffs when comparing the Steam Deck's 7-inch LCD or OLED touchscreens against the MSI Claw 8 AI+'s larger 8-inch IPS touchscreen.

Size is the most immediately obvious difference, and I can tell you that I feel more mesmerized by my games when using the larger 8-inch MSI Claw screen over the smaller 7-inch Steam Deck displays.

Of course, having a larger screen can also make it easier for people with visual impairments to make out details.

Color, contrast, resolution, and motion clarity

Why you can trust Windows Central Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

On a different note, OLED panels like the one in the Steam Deck OLED offer some major visual improvements over IPS LCD displays such as more vibrant hues, TrueBlack, crisp details, etc,

So, if you really care about color and picture quality, an OLED display might be the best choice for you.

• RELATED: OLED vs other display types

For my MSI Claw 8 AI+ review, I conducted both a color gamut test and a brightness and contrast test on the handheld's screen using a colorimeter.

In my testing, the Claw's 8-inch display produced 99% of sRGB and 77% of P3, which aren't as good as an OLED's color gamut results but still respectable (the closer to 100%, the better).

The Claw also produced a max brightness of 469 nits, which is pretty standard.

Meanwhile, in our sister site Tom's Guide's Steam Deck OLED review, they found that the Steam Deck LCD produced 68% sRGB, 48% P3, and a max brightness of only 169 nits, while the Steam Deck OLED produced 143% sRGB, 101% P3, and a max brightness of 597 nits.

This being the case, the Steam Deck LCD, while still decent looking in person, has the worst color gamut of the three, followed by MSI Claw 8 AI+ and unsurprisingly topped by Steam Deck OLED.

However, color isn't the only important factor for a gaming display.

MSI Claw 8 AI+ provides a much higher 1920x1200 resolution and impressive 120Hz refresh rate compared to the Steam Deck's 1280x800 resolution and LCD 60Hz refresh rate or OLED 90Hz refresh rate.

Plus, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ supports VRR (variable refresh rate), which helps improve game motion clarity by syncing frame rates with system output to eliminate screen tearing.

For this reason, I always value screens that promote smoother gameplay over better color and contrast.

TL;DR: DISPLAY WINNER: There's no denying that the 7-inch Steam Deck OLED offers the best color and contrast. However, the larger 8-inch MSI Claw 8 AI+ display does a better job of reducing screen tearing and stuttering thanks to VRR support and its higher refresh rate. Plus, it also offers a much crisper resolution along with its respectable color gamut, brightness, and contrast.

Back to the top ^

MSI Claw 8 AI+ vs Steam Deck: Controls and ports

Simply by looking at the Steam Deck LCD / OLED and MSI Claw 8 AI+, you can see there are some pretty notable control differences, but some of these go deeper than surface level.

I'll start off by saying that both versions of the Steam Deck have inline joysticks in order to accommodate the touchpads underneath. Many people love these touchpads since they can give more minute control in menus and more mouse-heavy titles.

It's definitely not a bad setup. However, I much prefer the feel of MSI's offset joysticks. Not to mention, Claw 8 AI+ offers Hall Effect joysticks and triggers to prevent drift issues and provide more precision, so you can count on them to last longer.

As for ports, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ offers two Thunderbolt 4 ports, while the Steam Deck only has the one USB-C port.

This is a big difference not only because Thunderbolt 4 is notably faster than a basic USB-C, but also because this means you can plug an accessory into the MSI Claw and still have the other port ready for another accessory or even recharge the handheld at the same time.

TL;DR: CONTROLS & PORTS WINNER: The MSI Claw 8 AI+ offers Hall Effect joysticks, which means they won't suffer from stick drift. Plus, the joysticks are offset, which feels better then the Steam Deck's inline sticks. Meanwhile, it also offers two Thunderbolt 4 ports instead of just one USB-C port. If the Claw had Steam Deck's touchpads it would be absolutely perfect in this area.

Back to the top ^

MSI Claw 8 AI+ vs Steam Deck: Software and games

One of the biggest differences between these handhelds is that the Steam Deck runs the Linux-based SteamOS while the MSI Claw 8 AI+ runs Windows 11, just like a basic gaming laptop.

If you know how to use them, SteamOS and Windows 11 can both offer a lot of freedom in their own ways.

SteamOS accesses your library of games from your Steam account.

From a user perspective, this makes the Steam Deck feel more console-like with a simplified interface that can easily launch games, shop for more titles, or adjust settings.

While the Steam Deck only works with Steam out of the box, going into the Steam Deck's desktop mode allows you to surf the web and download new apps or workarounds (like Decky Loader) for accessing other gaming services outside of Steam.

Meanwhile, MSI Claw 8 AI+ runs Windows 11, which means it can do anything that a Windows laptop can do. I used mine to surf the web right out of the box, download programs, and access any other gaming services (such as Battle.net, Epic Games, and more).

There's no denying that the computer world mostly runs on Windows over Linux. As such, it's a lot easier to find compatible apps and programs for Windows 11 over SteamOS.

The problem is that Windows 11's interface isn't optimized for handhelds, so it can feel weird to navigate at first, and you might need to turn off bloatware or troubleshoot a lot more than on Steam Deck.

By the way, we can help you troubleshoot with our Windows guides.

If I connect my Windows 11 handhelds to a docking station (like the one in my JSAUX 6-in-1 Multifunctional Docking Station review), I can connect a display, keyboard, and mouse and easily use my handheld like a normal Windows computer.

You can also do this with Steam Deck (and there's a large community of Linux lovers out there who do), but it might be less intuitive for people who don't know how to use the Linux desktop mode. Still, it's never too late to learn.

I'm an outlier in that I like the freedom using Windows 11 on my handhelds gives me over SteamOS. However, the vast majority of people I've talked to prefer the simplicity SteamOS on handheld offers over Windows 11.

That said, SteamOS is supposed to be coming to more handhelds in the near future, so you could install it on MSI Claw 8 AI+ once it's available. In the meantime, there are workarounds like Bazzite to bring SteamOS to MSI Claw.

On a different software note, the Claw comes with MSI Center M installed, a program that works as a game launcher, setting adjustment tool, and more.

However, I was disappointed to find that it doesn't give me as many options for manually adjusting system settings as ROG Ally does. For instance, as of the time of writing, there's no way to manually set VRAM on the Claw.

TL;DR: SOFTWARE & GAMES WINNER: While having Windows 11 on the MSI Claw 8 AI+ provides more freedoms, it also adds a lot of unnecessary bloat. Meanwhile, Steam Deck's SteamOS is far simpler and easier to navigate for basic gaming purposes.

Back to the top ^

MSI Claw 8 AI+ vs Steam Deck: Battery life

MSI's handheld has the largest battery capacity between the Steam Deck LCD 40Whr battery, Steam Deck OLED 50Whr battery, and Claw 8 AI+ 80Whr battery.

That said, the battery life you get out of your handheld will be different depending on the settings you put the system at and the intensity of the programs you're running.

Graphically demanding games pull more power than simple 2D pixel graphics games.

For instance, when I put my MSI Claw 8 AI+ screen at roughly 200 nits and had it to do average office tasks like surf the internet, run Gimp, join video calls, and more, it was able to last up to 14 hours, but when I had it run Cyberpunk 2077, it only lasted about two hours and 10 minutes.

To be clear, this is about an hour and 15 minutes longer than many other Windows handhelds can play Cyberpunk 2077, which is impressive in comparison. However, battery life still feels short for people who prefer long gaming sessions.

Meanwhile, the Steam Deck LCD tends to run between two and eight hours, while the Steam Deck OLED only tends to run between seven and 10 hours, depending on the kind of game being played and the settings they are set at.

I personally tend to play with my handhelds plugged in or connected to a docking station if I want to enjoy longer gaming sessions.

TL;DR: BATTERY LIFE WINNER: The MSI Claw 8 AI+ can last longer than the Steam Deck LCD and Steam Deck OLED, even when playing more graphically demanding titles.

Back to the top ^

MSI Claw 8 AI+ vs Steam Deck: Grip ergonomics and comfort

Many people I know experience numbness or at least discomfort when holding handhelds, especially ones with lacking grip areas.

Unfortunately, neither the Steam Deck nor the MSI Claw 8 AI+ are ideal when it comes to comfort; the internals feel relatively balanced, but the devices are still somewhat bulky and don't have the most ergonomic grips.

Additionally, both devices are on the heavier side within the handheld world, with the Steam Deck weighing in at 1.47 pounds and the Claw 8 AI+ coming in at 1.75 pounds.

For comparison, the extremely popular (though gripless) Nintendo Switch only weighs 0.71 pounds.

Being under two pounds might not sound like a lot, but remember that you'll be holding these things at an angle the whole time, which puts strain on your hands and wrists.

That's why many people turn to grip case accessories like the one seen in my Satisfye StylthGrip for Steam Deck review.

This all said, I personally think that the Steam Deck feels better in my hands due to its more grabbable case design and lighter weight.

Plus, I prefer it when my fingers feel the Steam Deck's flat back casing rather than the textured hard plastic found on the back of the MSI Claw 8 AI+.

TL;DR: COMFORT WINNER: Honestly, neither the Steam Deck nor the MSI Claw 8 AI+ are all that comfortable to hold for long stretches, but I'd argue that the Deck's lower weight and more grabbable grips makes it the winner here.

Back to the top ^

MSI Claw 8 AI+ vs Steam Deck: Community and tutorials

The Steam Deck was the first PC gaming handheld to go mainstream. That, combined with its many quality features, has helped it develop a relatively humongous and loyal community.

If you need to find a tutorial for your own Steam Deck, it probably already exists. If you simply want to geek out with other owners, it's very easy to do so.

For starters, I recommend looking at our own Steam Deck guides or joining the Steam Deck subreddit, which has 865K members as of writing.

Now, there is an MSI Claw following, but it's significantly smaller than the Steam Deck community.

This means it might be harder to find solutions to specific Claw problems you might encounter, and there are fewer people to talk about the system with, but they are still out there.

If interested, you can join the MSI Claw subreddit, which currently has 5.2K members.

TL;DR: COMMUNITY WINNER: There is a massive and loyal Steam Deck community out there, which makes it easier to find tutorials, talk with fellow Deck owners, and learn more about the system. Meanwhile, there is an MSI Claw community, but it isn't nearly as large, so there isn't as big of a resource to pull from.

Back to the top ^

MSI Claw 8 AI+ vs Steam Deck: Comparison chart

Back to the top ^

MSI Claw 8 AI+ vs Steam Deck: Which should I buy?

Both the Steam Deck and the MSI Claw 8 AI+ can be a fantastic fit depending on what you're looking for in a gaming handheld, but they do solve very different problems.

You should get Steam Deck if...

✅ You mostly play classics and less processor-straining titles

The Steam Deck can play a wide variety of titles, but its internals aren't very powerful compared to MSI Claw. If you don't see yourself trying to play the latest and most graphically demanding games, then Steam Deck could suit you perfectly.

✅ You want the most inexpensive PC gaming handheld available

Compared to ROG Ally, Legion Go, MSI Claw, and other PC gaming handhelds, the Steam Deck LCD is still one of the most affordable devices out there.

You should get MSI Claw 8 AI+ if...

✅ You love playing the latest AAA games and intensive titles

There's no guarantee that every game that comes out will run smoothly on handhelds, but of the devices out right now, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ offers the very best gaming performance by far. So, if a game is going to be able to run on a handheld, it will be MSI Claw 8 AI+.

✅ You want a handheld that won't have drift issues

Since the MSI Claw 8 AI+ has Hall Effect joysticks and triggers, it won't experience stick drift and will offer finer precision than the Steam Deck controls.

In terms of overall performance, there's no denying that the MSI Claw 8 AI+ blasts the older Steam Deck out of the water.

Its newer internals can not only run titles that the Steam Deck fails to boot up, but it far outperforms other handhelds in terms of FPS and motion clarity as well.

Plus, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ has a larger 8-inch display and an 80Whr battery to help you enjoy games in a more immersive fashion for longer.

That all said, the Steam Deck can still be a great choice for you if you simply want something that's more affordable and doesn't need it to play the latest and greatest titles.

Plus, many people prefer the simple SteamOS interface to dealing with Windows 11.

Of course, SteamOS is supposed to become available for more handheld devices in the future, so you might still be able to put SteamOS on your MSI Claw 8 AI+ down the road.

Back to the top ^