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ASUS ROG Ally (2023) vs MSI Claw A1M

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

ASUSROG Ally (2023)MSIClaw A1M
Overview
ReleasedJune 2023March 2024
Performance
TypeHandheldHandheld
CPUAMD Ryzen Z1 or Ryzen Z1 Extreme (Zen 4)Intel Core Ultra 5 135H or Core Ultra 7 155H
GPUAMD Radeon RDNA 3 (4 CUs with Z1; 12 CUs with Z1 Extreme)Intel Arc Graphics (integrated)
Memory16 GB16 GB
Storage512 GB512 GB, 1 TB
Disc driveNoNo
CPURyzen Z1 Extreme has 8 cores, 16 threads, 24 MB total cache and up to 5.10 GHz boost; Ryzen Z1 has 6 cores, 12 threads, 22 MB total cache and up to 4.90 GHz boost. Both use a 4 nm process and have a published 9–30 W TDP range.UK models use Intel Core Ultra 7 155H or Core Ultra 5 135H, with Intel AI Boost NPU. MSI lists up to 4.8 GHz for the 155H and up to 4.6 GHz for the 135H in its US configuration table.
GPURyzen Z1 Extreme has 12 RDNA 3 compute units at up to 2.7 GHz and up to 8.6 TFLOPS; Ryzen Z1 has 4 compute units at up to 2.5 GHz and up to 2.8 TFLOPS. These figures depend on the processor configuration. The three reviews cover the Z1 Extreme model.Integrated Intel Arc Graphics with shared system memory; MSI lists 8 Xe cores for both US processor variants and supports Intel XeSS upscaling
Memory detail16 GB LPDDR5-6400 onboard memory in dual channel, shared with integrated graphics16 GB LPDDR5-6400 on-board dual-channel memory in the listed UK and US models. The current global page states a maximum of 32 GB, but does not identify a matching configuration.
Storage detail512 GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 2230 SSD. The Z1 Extreme version first went on sale on 13 June 2023; ASUS announced the Z1 version as available on 18 September 2023. Both current US specification entries list 512 GB; an early 256 GB mention in reviews is not used here.One NVMe PCIe 4.0 M.2 2230 SSD slot; MSI's US table confirms Core Ultra 5 with 512 GB, and Core Ultra 7 with 512 GB or 1 TB. Configuration availability varies by market. First US sale on 8 March 2024 is documented by GamersNexus; dates differed by region.
Storage expansionUHS-II microSD card reader supports SD, SDHC and SDXC. ASUS's ROG community administrator confirmed in July 2023 that the reader could malfunction under certain thermal stress conditions, announced fan-speed changes and advised affected owners to seek inspection and repair.microSD card reader
Display and video
Built-in screen7″ LCD, 1920 × 1080, 120 Hz7″ LCD, 1920 × 1080, 120 Hz
Built-in screenIPS-level touchscreen with 10-point touch, 500 nits brightness, 100% sRGB and 75.35% Adobe RGB coverage; 7 ms response time; Gorilla Glass Victus and Gorilla Glass DXC; anti-glare and low-reflection finishIPS-level touchscreen, 1920 × 1080 at 120 Hz; MSI states typical 100% sRGB coverage and typical 500 nits brightness
Video outputUSB-C supports DisplayPort 1.4. The proprietary XG Mobile interface supports ASUS external GPUs; an external GPU's output capabilities are separate from the handheld's integrated graphics.Thunderbolt 4 USB-C supports DisplayPort; MSI's separately sold Nest docking station provides HDMI 2.0 at 4K 60 Hz
Variable refresh rateAMD FreeSync Premium variable refresh rate–
AudioTwo speakers with Smart Amplifier Technology, Dolby Atmos, built-in microphone array and AI noise cancellation; Hi-Res certification for headphonesTwo 2 W speakers with Hi-Res Audio support, array microphone and 3.5 mm microphone/headphone socket
Design and power
Weight608 g675 g
Battery life detail40 Wh, four-cell lithium-ion battery; ASUS does not publish a gaming runtime in the current specification53 Wh six-cell lithium-polymer battery. MSI's January 2024 announcement claims two hours under full workload, without publishing the game or test conditions.
Power use65 W USB-C AC adapter, 20 V DC at 3.25 A, with universal 100–240 V input. ASUS says charger inclusion varies by country, region and model.65 W USB-C Power Delivery adapter. While running or sleeping, MSI states charging support from 45 W at 20 V to 65 W; charging speed and performance depend on power source and battery state. Cooler Boost HyperFlow uses dual fans and heat pipes.
ColoursWhite. Dimensions are 28.0 × 11.1 × 2.12–3.24 cm (width × depth × height).Black; 294 × 117 × 21.2 mm and 675 g including battery
In the box–65 W power adapter; accessories vary by country. MSI sells its travel case, Nest dock and screen protector separately.
Connections
PortsOne USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C connector within the ROG XG Mobile combo interface; one 3.5 mm headphone/microphone socket; one UHS-II microSD readerOne Thunderbolt 4 USB-C port with DisplayPort and Power Delivery 3.0; one microSD reader; one 3.5 mm audio combo socket
Wi-Fi and BluetoothTri-band Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), 2×2 antennas. Current ASUS specifications list Bluetooth 5.4 subject to OS version; the May 2023 launch specification and contemporary reviews list 5.2.Intel Killer Wi-Fi 7 BE1750 and Bluetooth 5.4; wireless performance depends on configuration and local spectrum availability
ControllerOffset analogue sticks, D-pad, ABXY buttons, Hall effect analogue triggers, shoulder buttons, two assignable rear grip buttons, View and Menu buttons, Command Center and Armoury Crate buttons; HD haptics, 6-axis IMU and Aura Sync lighting. Fingerprint sensor in the power button and Microsoft Pluton security processor.Hall effect analogue sticks and triggers, D-pad, RGB ABXY buttons, left and right bumpers, View and Menu buttons, MSI Center M and Quick Settings buttons, two rear macro buttons and HD haptics
Backward compatibilityWindows 11 Home with Armoury Crate SE; supports compatible PC games from launchers including Steam, Xbox, Epic Games Store, EA and GOG. Game compatibility and performance vary by title.Windows 11 Home with MSI Center M and supported PC game stores; MSI App Player supports compatible Android games. The current maker page also offers Xbox Full Screen Experience for Claw models.

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