Asus
Asus ROG Ally X
$799
Released 2024-07
Best Game Consoles · head-to-head
Asus ROG Ally X vs MSI Claw A1M
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. MSI Claw A1M is cheaper at $699. Every spec and price links to its source.
MSI
MSI Claw A1M
$699Cheaper
Released 2024-03
Which is better: the Asus ROG Ally X or MSI Claw A1M?
The Asus ROG Ally X wins 3 of the 3 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The MSI Claw A1M is the cheaper at $699. Get the Asus ROG Ally X for the stronger spec sheet, the MSI Claw A1M to spend less.
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Key specs, head to head
The numbers that decide it, drawn to scale — longer bar wins, the accent bar is the stronger figure.
Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Asus ROG Ally X | MSI Claw A1M |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $799 | $699 |
| Brand | Asus | MSI |
| Released | 2024-07 | 2024-03 |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme (Zen 4, 8-core @ up to 5.1 GHz) | Intel Core Ultra 5 135H (Meteor Lake @ up to 4.6 GHz) |
| GPU (TFLOPS) | 8.29 | 4.5 |
| RAM (GB) | 24 | 16 |
| Storage (GB) | 1000 | 512 |
| Max resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
| Max (fps) | 120 | 120 |
| Optical drive | No | No |
| Release | 2024-07 | 2024-03 |
Sources — Asus ROG Ally X: en.wikipedia.org (verified 2026-06-15). MSI Claw A1M: en.wikipedia.org (verified 2026-06-15).
What's the difference between the Asus ROG Ally X and MSI Claw A1M?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (4 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.
- CPU: Asus ROG Ally X AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme (Zen 4, 8-core @ up to 5.1 GHz) vs MSI Claw A1M Intel Core Ultra 5 135H (Meteor Lake @ up to 4.6 GHz)
- GPU (TFLOPS): Asus ROG Ally X 8.29 vs MSI Claw A1M 4.5
- RAM (GB): Asus ROG Ally X 24 vs MSI Claw A1M 16
- Storage (GB): Asus ROG Ally X 1000 vs MSI Claw A1M 512
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Asus ROG Ally X
All three whitelisted testers (Tom's Hardware, Engadget, TechPowerUp) rate the 2024 ROG Ally X the best Windows handheld at launch, praising its doubled 80Wh battery, 24GB RAM performance gains and comfier grips. All flag the $799 price and clunky Windows. A newer rival (MSI Claw 8) later out-lasted its battery. Excludes the separate 2025 Xbox Ally X. (3 sourced reviews, 3 lab-tested.)
Praised: Doubled 80Wh battery delivers much longer runtime than the original Ally; 24GB of faster RAM lifts gaming performance on the same Z1 Extreme chip; Improved ergonomics, larger grips and better build comfort.
Flagged: $799/$800 price is steep, especially versus the cheaper Steam Deck; Windows 11 still feels clunky with a controller on a small handheld screen; Armoury Crate software remains buggy / less cohesive than SteamOS.
MSI Claw A1M
Four whitelisted testers (Notebookcheck, Engadget and Digital Trends full reviews, plus a Tom's Guide hands-on) broadly agree the Intel-based Claw A1M is overpriced versus cheaper AMD rivals like the ROG Ally and Legion Go, while praising its ergonomics, Hall-effect sticks and bright 120Hz 1080p display. The three full reviews fault its gaming performance and clunky MSI Center software / immature Intel drivers; Notebookcheck and Digital Trends also flag weak battery life, though Engadget rated battery 'decent'. Tom's Guide found raw performance roughly on par with rivals and blamed the software above all. (4 sourced reviews, 4 lab-tested.)
Praised: Comfortable ergonomics, good to hold; Bright, colorful 120Hz 1080p display; Quality Hall-effect joysticks/triggers and solid build.
Flagged: Gaming performance trails cheaper AMD rivals and doesn't justify the price; Clunky/buggy MSI Center software and immature Intel drivers; Overpriced versus ROG Ally / Legion Go.