ROG Ally X vs MSI Claw 8 Ai: Which Windows Handheld Reigns Supreme?

Summary

This video compares the MSI Claw 8 AI Plus and the Asus ROG Ally X, focusing on performance, battery life, and overall usability. Both handhelds feature similar 80Wh batteries, variable refresh rate displays, and competitive pricing, but differ in size, weight, and ergonomics. The MSI Claw 8 AI Plus offers a larger 8-inch screen, Hall-based analog sticks, and slightly better synthetic and high-TDP gaming performance, while the ROG Ally X is lighter, more portable, and has a preferred D-pad for some users. Real-world game benchmarks show mixed results, and battery life is comparable. Ultimately, the choice comes down to personal preference in form factor and design.

Takeaways

• 😀 The MSI Claw 8 AI Plus and Asus Rog Ally X are both high-performance handheld devices, each with its own strengths, especially when it comes to form factor, performance, and battery life.
• 😀 Choosing between the two comes down to personal preferences, such as size, weight, controls, and performance on specific games.
• 😀 The MSI Claw 8 AI Plus is larger and heavier (795g) compared to the Asus Rog Ally X (678g), but offers better ergonomics for larger hands.
• 😀 The Claw 8 AI Plus features Intel's 140v GPU and 32GB of RAM at 8533 MHz, while the Rog Ally X uses the Ryzen Z1 Extreme with 24GB of RAM at 7500 MHz.
• 😀 Both devices come with a 1TB SSD, but the Ally X uses a cheaper 2280 form factor for upgrades, while the Claw 8 AI Plus uses a 2230 form factor, which can be more expensive.
• 😀 The Ally X has a 7-inch 1080p 120Hz display with VRR, whereas the Claw 8 AI Plus has an 8-inch 1200p IPS 120Hz display with VRR, providing a slightly better visual experience.
• 😀 The battery life of both devices is similar, but the Claw 8 AI Plus is slightly heavier on power usage, and its charging speed is limited to 65W (compared to the Ally X's 100W).
• 😀 In gaming performance, the Claw 8 AI Plus generally outperforms the Rog Ally X in synthetic benchmarks, particularly in single-core performance and GPU power.
• 😀 Real-world gaming benchmarks reveal that the Claw 8 AI Plus achieves better FPS in titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Red Dead Redemption 2, especially at higher power levels.
• 😀 The battery life under heavy gaming load (30W TDP) is around 2 hours for both devices, with minor differences in energy draw, with the Claw 8 AI Plus pulling slightly more.
• 😀 Both handhelds feature USB-C ports, with the MSI Claw 8 AI Plus offering two USB4 ports, while the Rog Ally X has one USB4 and one USB 3.2 port.

Q & A

Which two handheld gaming devices are compared in the video?

The video compares the MSI Claw 8 AI Plus and the Asus ROG Ally X.

What are the main factors considered in this comparison?

The main factors considered are overall performance, battery life, ergonomics, screen size, and control usability.

How do the screen sizes of the two devices differ?

The MSI Claw 8 AI Plus has an 8-inch display, while the ROG Ally X has a 7-inch display.

Which device is heavier and by how much?

The MSI Claw 8 AI Plus is heavier at 795 grams (1.75 lb), compared to the ROG Ally X at 678 grams (1.49 lb).

What types of CPUs and GPUs do each of the devices use?

The ROG Ally X uses an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme CPU with RDNA 3 iGPU, while the MSI Claw 8 AI Plus uses an Intel Ultra 7258 V CPU with an Intel 140v GPU featuring 8 Xe2 cores.

How do the RAM configurations compare between the two handhelds?

The ROG Ally X has 24GB of RAM, while the MSI Claw 8 AI Plus has 32GB of faster RAM integrated into the CPU, running at 8533 MHz.

Which device generally performed better in synthetic benchmarks like 3DMark Time Spy?

The MSI Claw 8 AI Plus performed better, scoring higher than the ROG Ally X at both 17W and 30W TDP settings.

How does real-world gaming performance compare between the devices?

Performance varies by game. The Claw 8 AI Plus generally outperforms the Ally X in Cyberpunk 2077 and Red Dead Redemption 2, while the Ally X leads in Forza Horizon 5 at higher TDPs.

What are the battery life differences between the two devices at lower and higher TDP settings?

At low TDP settings (5W), both devices last around 12 hours. At medium TDP (17W), the Claw 8 AI Plus lasts about 3 hours 20 minutes and the Ally X around 3 hours 15 minutes. At high TDP (30W), both devices last just over 2 hours, with minor differences in total battery draw.

Are there differences in charging capabilities between the devices?

Yes, the Ally X supports 100W fast charging, reaching full charge in about 1 hour 45 minutes, while the Claw 8 AI Plus charges at 65W, taking approximately 2 hours 35 minutes.

How do the devices compare in terms of USB connectivity?

The MSI Claw 8 AI Plus has two USB4 ports, whereas the ROG Ally X has one USB4 port and one USB 3.2 port.

Which device has hall-based analog sticks and what is their advantage?

The MSI Claw 8 AI Plus has hall-based analog sticks, which use magnets instead of a physical connection, offering more precise movement and reducing the risk of drift.

What is the reviewer’s perspective on choosing between the two devices?

The choice ultimately comes down to personal preference, such as preferred screen size, ergonomics, device weight, and control feel, as performance and battery life are generally close between the two.