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Asus ROG Xbox Ally X20 vs MSI Claw 8 EX AI+: Which premium handheld gaming PC should you buy?

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Asus ROG Xbox Ally X20 vs MSI Claw 8 EX AI+: Which premium handheld gaming PC should you buy?

The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X20 brings a gorgeous OLED screen and improved ergonomics, but the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ delivers a massive leap in raw performance and battery life. Is MSI’s sheer power worth the extra $500?

Thanks to RAMageddon, the Windows gaming handheld market has officially entered its ultra-premium era. If you’re looking to upgrade from your Steam Deck to something with real horsepower, the newly launched Asus ROG Xbox Ally X20 ($1,299) and the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ ($1,799) are likely at the top of your list.

Both devices cost more than some actual gaming laptops, but they target two very different types of gamers. Asus is banking on that stunning 1080p OLED display and refined ergonomics, while MSI is flexing the raw power and extreme battery efficiency of its Intel Arc G3 Extreme architecture and 32GB of RAM.

But with a massive $500 price gap between them, which one actually deserves your money? I’ve stress tested both handhelds while traveling across the globe to find out.

1x USB 4 Type-C, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, 1x 3.5mm audio jack, 1x microSD card reader slot

Let’s address the elephant in the room: neither of these are cheap.

The ROG Xbox Ally X20 has received a $300 markup from the previous Ally X, which Asus attempts to justify with its translucent design, OLED screen, rubberized grips and re-engineered buttons. The internals remain the same.

MSI’s Claw 8 EX AI+ pushes the boundary of portable pricing even further — launching at $1,799.


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