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GAMING FEATURE

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course, power on/off (with built-in fingerprint sensor). When it comes to connectivity, the Claw delivers a Type-C USB/ Thunderbolt 4/DP port with fast charging capability. There’s also a classic 3.5mm combo audio connection for wired headgear

or microphones. Inside the MSI Claw Unlike its current competitors, the MSI Claw features an Intel processor

at its heart, specifically a choice of either the

Core Ultra 5 125U or more powerful Core Ultra 7 155H, with AI Boost. Processing power wise it’s a beast for basically

GET HOOKED ON THE CLAW !

anything that you can throw at it, from the main attraction in gaming, through to such pursuits as productivity and content creation. Intel Arc Graphics power is coupled with a standard 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and the storage department delivers 512GB of SSD space to fill up. There’s also a built-in MicroSD card reader if you crave even more storage space. Of course, you want your rig to keep cool when you’re in the heat of battle, and to this end MSI have us covered with their Cooler Boost HyperFlow. This proprietary system of thermal design redirects some of the airflow in order to cool the Claw’s internals. Staying inside, what MSI claim is a best in-class 53Whr battery is set to deliver a decent amount of action on a single charge – apparently around two hours with full performance dialled in. Other top specs include Wi-Fi 7 readiness, offering multi-gigabit performance, and impressive gains in throughput. More speed means less latency, which is critical for good gaming. The Claw also includes up-to-the minute Bluetooth v5.4 support. MSI Claw software Being a Windows 11 machine – the Home version comes preinstalled – the entire world of Windows software is at your beck and call with the Claw. When it comes to what we’re all here for though, gaming, MSI’s dedicated Center M software keeps settings at your fingertips. Whether it’s performance, macro key assignment, general tweaking or adjusting the RGB, you’re just a button press away. It also collates all of your various game launchers such as Steam and Xbox, and automatically updates your installed games into one easy to find spot. There’s even a media gallery, and the ability to run Android apps.

MSI have joined the portable Windows 11 gaming PC fray with their impressive Claw. Let’s take a look at the specs and goodies that it’s set to bring us. Words Amy Flower

Outside the MSI Claw The Claw has been

thumbsticks. Together with the ABXY

buttons these both feature adjustable RGB lighting, and, along with the left and right triggers, utilise Hall Effect technology. Through the use of magnets and electrical

thoughtfully designed, with curvy ergonomic grips at the back designed for optimal comfort, even during longer gaming sessions. The unit with battery weighs in at 675 grams, so it’s certainly no heavyweight. As for further vital statistics on the

• The MSI Claw is out on Mar 28

conductors, this means there’s no contact like with typical controller parts, so there’s little by way of wear and tear. In the case of the thumbsticks, this system is renowned for making them drift-proof. As well as the usual array of controller buttons, there are extras on the Claw for various functions such as volume up and down, assorted settings such as bringing up the menu, programmable macros and, of

outside, we’re talking a seven-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) IPS touchscreen with VRR that delivers up to 120Hz, and 500 nits of brightness. This is coupled with a pair of two-watt speakers for the sonic department, which feature Hi-Res Audio certification. Control-wise, the Claw apes the typical Xbox controller layout, with asymmetrical

MARCH 2024

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