After I known as MSI Claw embarrassing in my evaluate on Could 18, one reviewer identified that their benchmark rating was greater than mine. Positive sufficient: MSI had rolled out a brand new graphics card driver and BIOS replace between my benchmarking and our launch.
I’ve now examined these updates. In a few of my assessments, they had been higher. In different methods, I truly discover them worse! General, they do not change my conclusion: the MSI Claw is the worst alternative amongst shopper handheld gaming PCs at present and must be prevented.
Beneath, you may discover my new benchmark ends in all Claw’s normal energy modes in the identical video games. In nearly each check, you may see that the Claw lags far behind the competitors when it comes to pace whereas utilizing extra energy.
New outcomes are bolded. All assessments had been performed at 720p low decision, DiRT Rally was examined at 720p extremely excessive decision.
To make issues worse, I nonetheless discover that Claw makes an enormous distinction between being playable and utterly unplayable in additional demanding video games, whereas the cheaper Steam Deck has no points. exist Shadow of the Tomb Raider, I noticed the sport at 720p and medium specs repeatedly and inexplicably drop to twenty fps in a cave with no enemies, then return to a strong 60 fps.
I noticed one thing like Cyberpunk 2077though MSI Claw typically has greater framerates on this recreation after updates.
And I am additionally now seeing some very unusual habits with the Claw concerning energy modes. You would possibly anticipate MSI’s “Efficiency” mode to be sooner than “Balanced” mode, proper? This isn’t what I noticed Cyberpunk 2077 — After I seemed intently at framerate drops, I seen that they all the time coincided with sudden energy drops.
Whereas the Intel Meteor Lake chip consumed a reasonably regular 30 watts in balanced mode, it tried to hit 35, 36, and even 37 watts in efficiency mode, however could not maintain it, dropping to 29 watts many times. Efficiency mode works higher when plugged right into a USB-C energy supply, consuming between 37 and 45 watts of energy repeatedly. It isn’t that the additional energy introduced enchancment cyberpunk, Sadly.
If you happen to’re seeing greater scores than I’m, I extremely suggest you run this benchmark three or 4 extra instances, because it appears to be like like MSI is now working its die at an unsustainable pace for some time after you turn energy modes after which slows down once more pace. The identical trick works with the ASUS ROG Ally, the place I all the time must run my benchmarks an additional variety of instances earlier than beginning to rely, so I do not deviate from the common because of outliers. After I first reviewed Claw, I did not want to do that.
A minimum of that is what MSI and Intel deserve diver dave In contrast to my preliminary evaluate, it now looks like I can play the sport at a easy 60 fps with solely the occasional dropout.
General, I do not suppose the MSI Claw must be available on the market in any respect. I am glad I by no means had the urge to purchase it when it first got here out. I’d really feel cheated, identical to customers on MSI’s personal boards mentioned they felt cheated, and now MSI has introduced not one, however two improved variations lower than three months after the unique launch.
It actually does not assist that the corporate offered it earlier than giving reviewers an opportunity to warn anybody.
If MSI is critical in regards to the handheld area, and it seems like the corporate is, I feel it ought to provide a trade-in program for patrons of the unique Claw. If you wish to repair that drawback, MSI, allow them to choose up one in all their revisions this fall at a big low cost.
