Two new gaming handhelds that you can buy are the MSI Claw and the Lenovo Legion Go. Both have powerful specs, small sizes, and unique features that make them appealing to gamers who are always on the go. But the two devices are also very different in some important ways. Intel Core Ultra processors power the MSI Claw, while AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chips power the Lenovo Legion Go.
For these reasons, the Claw might work better in some games, while the Legion Go might last longer on a single charge. The battery in the MSI Claw is also bigger than the one in the Lenovo Legion Go. This means that you should be able to play games for longer. The Legion Go, on the other hand, has a bigger and better-resolution screen, which may make the experience better for some gamers.
In the end, your needs and preferences will determine which gaming handheld is best for you. The MSI Claw is a good choice if you want the most powerful handheld with the longest battery life. The Lenovo Legion Go is a better choice if you want a handheld that is easier to carry around and has a great screen.
MSI Claw vs Lenovo Legion Go Comparison Table
The MSI Claw is a lot like the ROG Ally and not at all like the Legion Go. To put it simply, it has the same 7-inch 120Hz screen, one USB-C port, and a MicroSD card reader. It’s interesting that the Claw has an up to an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor instead of the Go and Ally’s AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU.
| Specification | MSI Claw | Lenovo Legion Go |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 7” FHD (1920×1080), 120Hz | 8.8″ QHD (2560×1600), 144Hz |
| Dimensions | 294 x 117 x 21.2mm | 298.83 x 131 x 40.77mm |
| Weight | 675 g | 640 g |
| CPU | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme |
| Graphics | Intel Arc | AMD Radeon |
| RAM | 16GB | 16GB |
| Display | 7-inch, 120Hz, 1080p LCD | 8.8-inch, 144Hz, QHD LCD |
| Battery Capacity | 53wHr | 49.5wHr |
| Storage | Up to 1TB SSD | Up to 1TB SSD |
| Memory | 16GB LPDDR5-6400 RAM | 6GB LPDDR5X |
| Operating Software | Windows 11 | Windows 11 |
| Check Price | Check Price |
MSI Claw vs Lenovo Legion Go: Design and Display
The MSI Claw looks a lot like the Asus ROG Ally. It has a 7-inch FHD screen with a thick bezel, but the MSI Claw has bigger ergonomic grips and two extra shoulder buttons that make it weigh 675 grammes more. The Claw has an extra edge over its competitors because it has Hall effect triggers and thumbsticks that are not affected by stick drift. Its front buttons also have eye-catching RGB lighting.
It also adds Intel’s XeSS upscaling technology, which uses AI to try to boost frame rates. While the MSI Claw’s full HD LCD panel, 120 Hz refresh rate, and upscaling are all great, the Legion Go’s display is one area where it falls short. The Legion Go has a better screen than the other two because it has a bigger 8.8-inch LCD panel with a QHD 2560×1600 resolution and an amazing 144Hz refresh rate. The Legion Go’s face buttons are set up similarly to the Claw’s, but the design is a little different.
Not only is it bigger, but gamers can separate the controllers from the main body of the Legion Go, just like they can with the Nintendo Switch and its Joy-Cons. This makes it easier to play and gives you more options. The right controller even has an optical mouse sensor built in, which lets you control first-person shooter games more precisely and makes the device even more useful as a portable PC for work.
Intel vs AMD
There is an Intel Core Ultra logo on the MSI Claw’s chassis that makes it stand out. It’s one of the first handheld games to side with Team Blue instead of AMD. You will be able to choose between a Core Ultra 5 or Core Ultra 7 with 16GB of RAM and either a 512GB or 1TB SSD in the Claw.
The Lenovo Legion Go, on the other hand, only comes in one AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme model with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD, so you don’t have as many options when it comes to specs. Each one costs £699 or $699 to begin with. We can’t really compare performance until we fully review both of these devices, but it’s interesting to note that the MSI Claw can handle up to 45W of power while the Legion Go can only handle up to 30W. This might be the key.
MSI Claw vs Lenovo Legion Go: Detachable Controllers
The MSI Claw may stand out among many gaming handhelds due to the fact that it is powered by an Intel processor; however, the Lenovo Legion Go is distinguished by greater physical characteristics. When it comes to wireless play, the Legion Go, much like the Nintendo Switch, features controllers that can be removed for greater flexibility.
You are able to play at any angle and in any seating position that you choose thanks to this ingenious system, which should work well with the large display that is located next to it. One of the features that comes with the right Legion Go controller is a stand that provides a first-person shooter mode. This mode is designed to be utilised in competitive games that require a more precise command of the mouse.
MSI Claw vs Lenovo Legion Go: Software
In addition to having their own custom overlay user interface software, both devices are natively capable of running Windows 11, which makes it simple to browse games, launch them, and customise their controls. On the other hand, the Claw differentiates itself from other gaming consoles by providing the capability to run Android games through the App Player. This broadens the gaming library beyond the realm of PC games.
In addition, the console manufactured by MSI is based on Intel hardware, which gives it the advantage of having Thunderbolt 4 implemented on its USB-C port. This could potentially provide improved options for external graphics and displays. On the other hand, the Legion Go is natively compatible with Xbox Game Pass, which means that your subscription to Game Pass could immediately provide you with access to more than 400 games.
MSI Claw vs Lenovo Legion Go: Performance
The next big difference between the two consoles is their hardware, which is an Intel vs. AMD showdown. The Legion Go’s performance comes from its AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor and 16GB of LDDR5 RAM. This means that it is designed to handle heavy workloads well. On the other hand, the MSI Claw is unique because it is the first gaming handheld to have an Intel Core Ultra processor.
The Claw is designed to offer top-notch performance with its Core Ultra 7 155H chip, which has six power cores, eight e-cores, and two low-power e-cores. Even though benchmark tests haven’t been done yet, we think the Claw will be able to keep up with the competition. So far, there isn’t a huge difference that can be measured between the two phones. It will be interesting to see how well the built-in Arc graphics work in a mobile setting.
MSI Claw vs Lenovo Legion Go: Battery Life
It is interesting to note that MSI has been able to install a larger battery into its device than the Legion Go, which is significantly larger. The Lenovo has a cell with a capacity of 49.2Whr, while the other has a capacity of 53Whr. When it comes to gaming handhelds, companies are typically hesitant to make specific claims on battery life due to the fact that different games have different workloads and different settings.
However, MSI was eager to boast that it expects its portable gaming device to last for two hours even when playing the most demanding games. In light of this, we anticipate that the Legion Go, with its larger and more detailed display, will fall short in this regard.
MSI Claw: Pros
- More compact and portable
- Better battery life
- Larger selection of processors
- More storage options
MSI Claw: Cons
- Smaller display
- No kickstand
- Less graphical power
Lenovo Legion Go: Pros
- Larger and sharper display
- Built-in kickstand
- More powerful graphics
Lenovo Legion Go: Cons
- Bulkier and heavier
- Shorter battery life
- Limited processor options
Which one should you consider?
Your needs will determine whether you choose the MSI Claw or the Lenovo Legion Go. When it comes to feel, the Claw is more traditional, lighter, and has a longer battery life. Its 1080p screen is both portable and clear, and its Intel Core Ultra processors give it good performance.
On the other hand, the Legion Go has a beautiful 8.8-inch 1600p screen, controllers that can be taken off for console-like play, and a unique kickstand for use on a desk. Its AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip could also give it an edge in some games. In the end, the Claw shines if portability and battery life are important. When it comes to a cinematic, flexible experience, the Legion Go is the best. Both cost $699, so pick the one with the features that are most important to you.
