Microsoft
Microsoft Xbox Series X
$499Cheaper
Released 2020-11
Best Game Consoles · head-to-head
Microsoft Xbox Series X vs MSI Claw A1M
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Microsoft Xbox Series X is cheaper at $499. Every spec and price links to its source.
MSI
MSI Claw A1M
$699
Released 2024-03
Which is better: the Microsoft Xbox Series X or MSI Claw A1M?
The Microsoft Xbox Series X wins 2 of the 2 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The Microsoft Xbox Series X is the cheaper at $499. The Microsoft Xbox Series X both leads on specs and costs less — the straightforward pick.
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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 | 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 |
| Release | 2020-11 | 2024-03 |
Sources — Microsoft Xbox Series X: en.wikipedia.org (verified 2026-06-15). MSI Claw A1M: en.wikipedia.org (verified 2026-06-15).
What's the difference between the Microsoft Xbox Series X and MSI Claw A1M?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (5 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.
- 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 true vs MSI Claw A1M false
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
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, 2 lab-tested.)
Praised: Very fast SSD load times, verified with timings across multiple games; Quiet, cool-running yet powerful hardware, near-PC performance; Best-in-class backward compatibility across Xbox generations.
Flagged: Thin lineup of true exclusives, especially at/near launch (leans on Game Pass); UI/dashboard barely changed from Xbox One, no next-gen overhaul; Generational graphics leap over Xbox One X underwhelming.
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.