Head-to-head · Best Handheld Gaming PCs

ASUS ROG Ally X vs MSI Claw 8

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

ASUS ROG Ally X and MSI Claw 8 score essentially the same (4.3 vs 4.3). Pick the one whose trade-offs match your priorities — the strengths and watch-outs below are where they actually differ.

Ranked #3 in Best Handheld Gaming PCs

ASUS ROG Ally X

4.3

4 sources2 derived

The ROG Ally X is an incremental but meaningful update to ASUS's handheld PC, pairing a Ryzen Z2 A with reworked grips that reviewers repeatedly single out as the most comfortable in the x86 handheld class. Digitally Downloaded and Ultrabook Review both rate the refined build above the raw silicon, which is the trade this generation makes. The Xbox-branded front end pulls Steam, Epic and Xbox libraries into one list and boots straight into it, though Windows is still underneath with all the driver and update friction that implies. Battery endurance remains the limit on long sessions.

Strengths

— Slightly more powerful than predecessor with AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor
— Refined build with comfortable hand grips and improved button layout
— Better battery life compared to original model

Watch-outs

— Battery life still insufficient for extended use
— Xbox UI may not appeal to non-Microsoft ecosystem users

Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #4 in Best Handheld Gaming PCs

MSI Claw 8

4.3

2 sources$1,079as of Jul 1

The Claw 8 AI+ is MSI's second attempt and a much better one, built on Intel's Core Ultra 7 258V with Arc 140V graphics. HotHardware measured consistent gains over the first Claw and strong endurance from the 80Wh battery. The 8-inch 120Hz IPS panel is the biggest screen in this group. There is no OLED option at this price.

Strengths

— Strong APU performance with Intel Core Ultra 7 258V and Arc 140V graphics
— Large, smooth 8-inch 120Hz display with VRR support
— Comfortable and ergonomic design with scalloped grips and balanced weight

Watch-outs

— No OLED panel despite the price
— Full Windows 11 brings desktop clutter and software rough edges to a handheld
— Gyro aim is poorly tuned out of the box and needs hand-built sensitivity profiles

$1,079 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

ASUS ROG Ally X

The ASUS ROG Ally X stands out with its Xbox-branded UI and Game Pass integration, which differentiates it from competitors like the Valve Steam Deck OLED that focuses on SteamOS. However, while it offers slightly better battery life than its predecessor, it still falls short compared to the MSI Claw 8's 80WHr capacity and lacks the raw performance of the Lenovo Legion Go S with its Z1 Extreme chipset.

MSI Claw 8

Bigger screen and more battery than the ROG Ally X, and at matched wattage roughly the same frame rates with better performance per watt. The Steam Deck OLED is cheaper, smaller and runs SteamOS rather than Windows 11, which for a lot of buyers settles the argument on its own. This is the option for people who want the large panel.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	ASUS ROG Ally X	MSI Claw 8
Processor	AMD Ryzen Z2 A	Intel Core Ultra 7 258V
Display	7 inch, 1920 x 1080 px	8in IPS (19201200 / 120Hz)
Memory	16 GB LPDDR5-6400	32GB LPDDR5X-8533
Storage	512 GB NVMe PCIe gen 4	Kioxia BG6 1TB
Battery	40 Wh	80WHr
Graphics	12 RDNA 3 CUs, up to 2.7 GHz	Intel Arc 140V
Refresh Rate	120Hz	120Hz

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