# Microsoft Xbox Series X vs MSI Claw A1M: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Microsoft Xbox Series X (Microsoft) and MSI Claw A1M (MSI) among game consoles. Microsoft Xbox Series X is the cheaper of the two at $499.

## Side by side

| Spec | Microsoft Xbox Series X | MSI Claw A1M |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $499 | $699 |
| Brand | Microsoft | MSI |
| Released | 2020-11 | 2024-03 |
| CPU | Custom AMD Zen 2 8-core @ 3.8 GHz | Intel Core Ultra 5 135H (Meteor Lake @ up to 4.6 GHz) |
| GPU (TFLOPS) | 12.155 | 4.5 |
| RAM (GB) | 16 | 16 |
| Storage (GB) | 1000 | 512 |
| Max resolution | 4K | 1920x1080 |
| Max (fps) | 120 | 120 |
| Optical drive | Yes | No |

## Key differences

- CPU: Microsoft Xbox Series X Custom AMD Zen 2 8-core @ 3.8 GHz vs MSI Claw A1M Intel Core Ultra 5 135H (Meteor Lake @ up to 4.6 GHz)
- GPU (TFLOPS): Microsoft Xbox Series X 12.155 vs MSI Claw A1M 4.5
- Storage (GB): Microsoft Xbox Series X 1000 vs MSI Claw A1M 512
- Max resolution: Microsoft Xbox Series X 4K vs MSI Claw A1M 1920x1080
- Optical drive: Microsoft Xbox Series X Yes vs MSI Claw A1M No

## What reviewers say

**Microsoft Xbox Series X** — Two whitelisted hands-on reviews (TechRadar, Tom's Guide) rate the Series X highly: both measured dramatic load-time cuts (Sea of Thieves 100s to 35s; RDR2 88s to 38s), praise its quiet, powerful hardware, Quick Resume and backward compatibility. Both flag a launch exclusives gap and a barely-changed Xbox One UI. Digital Foundry and RTINGS not used. (2 sourced reviews.)

**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.)

## Sources

- Microsoft Xbox Series X: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox_Series_X_and_Series_S (en.wikipedia.org, verified 2026-06-15)
- MSI Claw A1M: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MSI_Claw_A1M (en.wikipedia.org, verified 2026-06-15)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/game-consoles/microsoft-xbox-series-x-vs-msi-claw-a1m/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Microsoft Xbox Series X ($499) vs MSI Claw A1M ($699) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/game-consoles/microsoft-xbox-series-x-vs-msi-claw-a1m/
License: CC BY 4.0.