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The original MSI Claw A1M-050US with a Core Ultra 7 processor and 1TB SSD was reported at $562.99 at Best Buy, $187 below the cited $749.99 comparison price. That’s a substantial discount on the larger-capacity configuration, but it is a clearance listing: check the product page for your location’s current price and pickup availability before deciding. The deal was reported October 7, 2026 by Tom’s Hardware.
Which MSI Claw is on clearance?
The deal applies to the MSI Claw A1M-050US, Best Buy SKU 6578381—not every product called an MSI Claw. Best Buy’s listing and the October 7, 2026 deal report identify this as the 1TB model with Intel Core Ultra 7-155H, 16GB memory, and integrated Intel Arc graphics. Check the SKU and storage capacity on the Best Buy listing before ordering; MSI’s A1M range includes other configurations.
The $562.99 price and $187 reduction from $749.99 are the figures reported for this listing by Tom’s Hardware on October 7, 2026. Clearance prices, inventory, and pickup options can differ by location or change without notice, so the report is not a guarantee that the same offer remains available to you.
What the 1TB A1M-050US includes
MSI’s US specifications for the A1M-050US list Windows 11 Home, a 7-inch 1920 × 1080 touchscreen with a 120Hz refresh rate, 16GB of LPDDR5-6400 memory, and a 1TB NVMe Gen4x4 2230 SSD. Graphics are integrated Intel Arc with 8 Xe-cores. The device also has Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, an SD4.0 card reader, and one Thunderbolt 4 Type-C port. See MSI’s official specifications for the model details.
#1 Best Overall
- High-Performance Computing: Harness the power of the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor to effortlessly handle demanding tasks. Enjoy reliable, high-performance computing wherever you go.
- Simplistic Design: Enjoy the latest generation of Windows 11 Home for your everyday needs. MSI recommends Windows 11 Pro for business use.
- Perfection Through Anthropometry: As a handheld device, Claw has achieved the optimal balance between its grip and weight. We have meticulously polished various design details, from the curvature that fits the palm, to the finger grip positions and trigger force.
- Best-in-Class Battery Life: Unlock exceptional gaming endurance with our breakthrough battery capacity. It's where efficient power meets robust performance—more game, less charge.
- 8-inch Smoothness Ready: Dive into the ultimate gaming experience with our 8-inch premium 120Hz gaming display, with exceptional color reproduction and smooth action.
Don’t mistake it for the 512GB Claw
The A1M-052US is a separate configuration with a Core Ultra 5-135H processor and 512GB storage. Best Buy’s listing content showed that model at $389.99 and sold out; that is not the same product or price as the 1TB A1M-050US clearance offer. Confirm the model number, processor, and capacity on the 512GB listing if comparing the two.
How to weigh the price against performance and battery life
The Claw’s discount comes with a trade-off: its first-generation Meteor Lake processor was not designed specifically for handheld gaming, and the system can draw relatively high power. Tom’s Hardware writer Jake Roach summarized the concern this way: “The Meteor Lake chip inside wasn’t built for handheld gaming, so although it offers decent performance, it does so at relatively high power draw.”
Rank #2
- AI-Powered Performance: Harness the capabilities of the latest Intel Core Ultra 5 processor to effortlessly manage demanding tasks. Extend your productivity with the most powerful and reliable performance on the go.
- 7-inch Smoothness Ready: Dive into the ultimate gaming experience with our 7-inch premium 120Hz gaming display, with exceptional color reproduction and smooth action.
- Perfection Through Anthropometry: As a handheld device, Claw has achieved the optimal balance between its grip and weight. We have meticulously polished various design details, from the curvature that fits the palm, to the finger grip positions and trigger force.
- Best-in-Class Battery Life: Unlock exceptional gaming endurance with our breakthrough battery capacity. It's where efficient power meets robust performance—more game, less charge.
- MSI Center M provides dedicated interface designed for handheld devices with easy-to-use settings.
Tom’s Hardware reported around 30 FPS in Horizon Zero Dawn at native 1080p using a Balanced 30W target. In its testing, plugging the device in and using the full 40W power budget allowed it to exceed 30 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 with the Steam Deck preset. The outlet also reported performance 5%–10% below the Z1 Extreme and worse battery life. These are review results, not a guarantee of frame rates or runtime in other games, settings, or power modes. Higher power draw and weaker battery life are the central compromises in the outlet’s comparison.
Tom’s Hardware says MSI has issued firmware and overlay-software updates since launch, and recommends having a quality USB-C charger available. It does not name a charger model or rating, so check the device’s requirements and charger compatibility rather than assuming any USB-C adapter is suitable.
Rank #3
- AI-Powered Performance: Harness the capabilities of the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 processor to effortlessly manage demanding tasks. Extend your productivity with the most powerful and reliable performance on the go.
- Simplistic Design: Enjoy the latest generation of Windows 11 Home for your everyday needs. MSI recommends Windows 11 Pro for business use.
- Perfection Through Anthropometry: As a handheld device, Claw has achieved the optimal balance between its grip and weight. We have meticulously polished various design details, from the curvature that fits the palm, to the finger grip positions and trigger force.
- Best-in-Class Battery Life: Unlock exceptional gaming endurance with our breakthrough battery capacity. It's where efficient power meets robust performance—more game, less charge.
- 8-inch Smoothness Ready: Dive into the ultimate gaming experience with our 8-inch premium 120Hz gaming display, with exceptional color reproduction and smooth action.
When the clearance Claw makes sense
At the reported price, the A1M-050US may appeal if you want its 1TB storage and 7-inch 1080p/120Hz screen, and are comfortable balancing game settings and power use against battery endurance. Before buying, compare the delivered price available to you, storage capacity, performance in the games you play, battery expectations, and software experience. A lower sticker price alone does not establish that it is the best-value handheld for your needs.
Best Buy search results also showed the ROG Xbox Ally at $599.99, but it has a different processor and 512GB storage. That price is a useful alternative to investigate, not a like-for-like performance comparison; judge each device using its actual configuration and the games and settings that matter to you.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Intel Core Ultra 7 258V – AI-Powered Efficiency: Next-gen Series 2 processor delivers 50% better GPU performance and 40% higher efficiency. 47 NPU TOPS accelerate local AI tasks – from Copilot+ to real-time game optimization.
- 8" 120Hz VRR Touch Display: FHD+ IPS screen with 500 nits sunlight readability. 16:10 golden ratio and VRR support eliminate tearing. Perfect for AAA gaming, streaming, or productivity on the go.
- 80Whr Battery + Fast Charge: Massive 80Whr capacity beats most handhelds. Fast charge gets you back in action quickly. Game longer, worry less – whether on a flight or a long commute.
- Revolutionary Intraflow Cooling: Redesigned airflow keeps internal components cool, preventing thermal throttling. Hall Effect analog sticks and triggers offer drift-free, microscopic precision – built to last.
- Unlimited Expansion: Connect external GPU for desktop-class graphics, dual 4K displays, or high-speed storage. Wi-Fi 7 delivers 5.8 Gbps and 2ms latency – lag-free cloud gaming and downloads.
Rank #4
- PROCESSOR: Powered by Intel Core Ultra processor for exceptional gaming performance and efficient power management
- GAMING TECHNOLOGY: Features Intel XeSS technology for enhanced graphics and smoother frame rates in demanding games
- PORTABILITY: Handheld design optimised for on-the-go gaming, bringing console-quality gaming experiences anywhere
- COMPATIBILITY: Capable of running AAA gaming titles with impressive visual quality and responsive gameplay
- GAMING EXPERIENCE: Advanced thermal design and optimised controls ensure comfortable, extended gaming sessions
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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