This Handheld Console Has a Huge Discount, but Still Isn’t Worth the Cost

In the frenzy of hunting down the top Black Friday deals for you this week, it’s just as crucial to highlight those tempting offers that aren’t worth it. If you’re eyeing handheld gaming PCs, a 41% markdown on the MSI Claw, now $441.15, down from $749.99, might sound hard to pass up. But here’s the kicker: it’s not the steal it appears to be. Even at nearly half off, this bulky and underwhelming device falls short when compared to the ASUS ROG Ally. The Ally outshines with better performance, a superior design, and more versatility, all for just $349.99 this Black Friday, a drop from $499.99.

Why settle for less when the ROG Ally is faster, more budget-friendly, and packed with capability? Save yourself the buyer’s remorse and go for the handheld that delivers.

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Why is the ROG Ally better than the MSI Claw?

Let’s get into why the ASUS ROG Ally clearly stands heads above the MSI Claw. To be fair, the MSI Claw isn’t entirely without merit—it’s just overshadowed by better and less pricey alternatives like the ASUS ROG Ally and even the Steam Deck OLED. Its price, even with discounts, is difficult to justify. Right now, the ASUS ROG Ally is the standout choice, thanks to its incredible Black Friday deal and outstanding capabilities.

When both the MSI Claw and ROG Ally were first introduced, a side-by-side comparison showed the ROG Ally offered significantly better value. Let’s dive into the specs to see why choosing the ROG Ally is such a wise move.

When sizing up gaming handhelds, the ASUS ROG Ally leaves the MSI Claw in the dust, especially with the ROG Ally’s Black Friday price tag dropping to $349.99, compared to the MSI Claw’s $441.15.

The ROG Ally dominates across gaming benchmarks, maintaining higher frame rates in a broad spectrum of games. The Claw’s Intel Core Ultra processor might look impressive on paper but struggles with consistency, causing choppy gameplay according to multiple reviews. On the flip side, the ROG Ally’s AMD Ryzen Z1 or Z1 Extreme chips are crafted specifically for gaming, ensuring smooth and reliable performance.

Both have 7-inch 1080p IPS displays, but the ROG Ally’s screen takes the lead with its 120Hz refresh rate, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support, full sRGB coverage, and a peak brightness of 500 nits, delivering brilliant colors and smoother visuals the Claw just can’t match.

Another point where the MSI Claw disappoints is battery life. The ROG Ally offers approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes of playtime, which can extend to 4 hours with less demanding titles like Balatro. In contrast, the MSI Claw struggles, providing just 50 minutes to 2 hours at best, a significant drawback for a portable device.

Since its launch, the ROG Ally has had multiple updates enhancing its software and the overall user experience, making it stable, reliable, and almost bug-free for most users. Conversely, the MSI Claw still battles with persistent software issues, including crashes and inconsistent game launching, which can result in a frustrating user experience.

The ergonomic grips on the MSI Claw might be one of its few redeeming qualities, offering good comfort during extended gaming sessions. However, the ROG Ally more than compensates with its wide range of available accessories. Options like the Dbrand Killswitch case (also discounted for Black Friday) significantly enhance the comfort of using the ROG Ally.

Even with a hefty 41% discount, the MSI Claw can’t compete with the ROG Ally, which not only comes at a lower price but surpasses it in terms of performance, display quality, battery longevity, and overall user experience. Don’t let the MSI Claw’s discount sway you—instead, grab the ROG Ally deal at Best Buy.

Do I need anything else to use my ASUS ROG Ally?

Nope, the ASUS ROG Ally is a complete gaming system on its own. It includes everything you need: a built-in display, battery, controls, audio system, haptics, and robust internal components. Simply power it on and dive into your gaming adventure. You’ll need an internet connection for downloading games, updating software, or streaming from cloud services.

To maximize your ROG Ally experience, think about pairing it with Xbox Game Pass, available for just $29.29 for 3 months at CDKeys. This gives you the flexibility to play a variety of Xbox PC and Xbox Play Anywhere titles, making your ROG Ally the closest thing to an Xbox handheld.

Additional accessories are optional but can enhance your gameplay. Consider a docking station or USB hub, like the JSAUX on sale for $23.99, to connect external monitors, keyboards, or mice. Cases and grips can offer added durability and comfort.

Grabbing a power bank for extended gaming is also wise—one great option is the Baseus power bank, currently half the price during the Black Friday sales.

When is Black Friday?

This year, Black Friday falls on November 29, 2024, the Friday following Thanksgiving in the United States. It’s no longer just a day, though; Black Friday has grown into a weeks-long discount extravaganza, with many retailers unveiling deals well in advance.

While the day itself may offer a few exclusive doorbuster deals with tight limitations, many of the best seasonal discounts are already available. The deals on the ASUS ROG Ally and MSI Claw are prime examples of why you shouldn’t necessarily wait until the official day. If there’s a deal that catches your eye, it’s wise to snag it early.

When is Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday follows closely behind on December 2, 2024, and though it’s often seen as Black Friday’s extension, it’s a prime date for bargain hunters. It marks the last opportunity to grab the best deals. Once Cyber Monday concludes, most of the Black Friday sales disappear for good.

If you’ve been waiting for unbeatable offers—or if you missed something during the Black Friday weekend—Cyber Monday is your final shot to hit the jackpot before the holiday shopping madness.

Why should I shop at Best Buy?

Best Buy remains a trusted retailer for numerous reasons, noted for excellent customer service and a reliable inventory of technology, appliances, and more. They offer a standard 15-day return policy for all shoppers, price matching with top competitors to ensure you’re getting the best deal, and free shipping on orders over $35.

If you become a My Best Buy member, you can access even more benefits. The free membership grants universal free shipping, whereas the Plus and Total annual subscriptions extend those perks to include free two-day shipping, 60-day return windows, exclusive or early access to prime deals, and enhanced customer service with discounted repair options. Joining My Best Buy is free at their website.