As we dive headfirst into uncovering the top Black Friday bargains for you this week, it’s equally crucial to highlight the products that seem enticing but aren’t worth your bucks. Take handheld gaming PCs, for example—while a 41% discount might make the MSI Claw (now priced at $441.15, down from $749.99) seem like a bargain, it’s not. Here’s the spoiler: it’s still not worth it. Despite being heavily discounted, this clunky and underwhelming device is overshadowed by the ASUS ROG Ally, which offers better performance, a sleeker design, and more versatility at just $349.99 this Black Friday (usually $499.99).
Why waste money on mediocrity when the ROG Ally is cheaper, faster, and far more competent? Spare yourself the buyer’s remorse and opt for the handheld that won’t disappoint you.
### 🍁The hottest Black Friday deals🦃
#### Why is the ROG Ally better than the MSI Claw?
Let’s be fair to the MSI Claw—it’s not a complete disaster, but there are significantly better and cheaper options, like the ASUS ROG Ally and even the Steam Deck OLED, that make it really tough to justify the Claw’s price tag, even with a discount. The ASUS ROG Ally clearly emerges as the winner, thanks to a fantastic Black Friday deal and its superior capabilities.
When we compared the MSI Claw and ROG Ally at their initial launches, the ROG Ally was clearly the better buy from the get-go. Let’s delve into the specs of these gaming handhelds to understand why the ROG Ally is the smarter investment.
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MSI Claw | ROG Ally
— | —
Price | $699 | $749 | $799 | $599 | $699
Release date | March 2024 (US) | June 13, 2023
Processor | Intel Core Ultra 5-135H | Intel Core Ultra 7-155H | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme | AMD Ryzen Z1
Storage | 512GB | 1TB SSD | Up to 512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD
Memory | 16GB LPDDR5-6400 | 16GB LPDDR5 onboard (6400MT/s dual-channel)
OS | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home
VRR | Yes | Yes
Connectivity | Intel Killer BE Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 5.4 | Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth 5.2
Display | 7-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) 16:9 touchscreen, 120Hz IPS-Level touchscreen | 7-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) 16:9 IPS-level touchscreen, 120Hz, 500nits, 100% of sRGB, 120Hz
Ports | 1x USB-C Thunderbolt 4 port with PD charging and 1x microSD card reader | 1x USB-C port, 1x PCIe port, 1x microSD card slot, 1x headphone jack
Battery | 53WHrs, 6-Cell (65W PD adapter) | 40WHrs, 4S1P, 4-cell Li-ion (65W AC adapter)
Battery life | Up to 4 hours (but nearer 2) | Up to 4 Hours
Touchpads | None | None
Fingerprint sensor | Yes | Yes
Haptics | HD haptics, Gyro: 6-Axis IMU | HD haptics, Gyro: 6-Axis IMU
Speakers | 2x 2W speakers with Hi-Res Audio certification | 2 speakers with Hi-Res Audio certification
Dimensions | 11.6 x 4.6 x 0.83 inches (294 x 117 x 21.2mm) | 11.0 x 4.4 x 0.5 inches (279 x 111.8 x 12.7mm)
Weight | 1.5 lbs (675 grams) | 1.3 lbs (590 grams)
In almost every category, the ASUS ROG Ally blows the MSI Claw out of the water—especially given the Black Friday sale prices, which see the ROG Ally dropping to $349.99 (down from $499.99), compared to the $441.15 price of the MSI Claw (down from $749.99).
In gaming benchmarks, the ROG Ally consistently bests the MSI Claw, achieving higher frame rates across various titles. While the Claw’s Intel Core Ultra processor might sound impressive, its performance is often inconsistent, leading to choppy gameplay in numerous reviews. Conversely, the ROG Ally’s AMD Ryzen Z1 or Z1 Extreme chips are designed specifically for gaming, delivering smooth, dependable performance.
Both devices feature a 7-inch 1080p IPS display, yet the ROG Ally’s screen is noticeably superior. It boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support, full sRGB coverage, and a peak brightness of 500 nits, providing vibrant colors and smoother visuals that the MSI Claw can’t replicate.
Battery life is another area where the MSI Claw falters. While the ROG Ally generally lasts around 2 hours and 30 minutes (and up to 4 hours with less demanding games like Balatro), the MSI Claw disappoints with only 50 minutes to 2 hours of use. That’s a major drawback for a portable device.
Since its launch, the ROG Ally has received several updates enhancing its software and refining its overall user experience. Now, it’s stable, reliable, and free of bugs for most users. In contrast, the MSI Claw struggles with ongoing software issues, including crashes and erratic game launchings, which lead to a frustrating experience.
One of the MSI Claw’s few redeeming qualities is its ergonomic grips, which do offer comfort during extended sessions. However, the ROG Ally compensates with a wider array of available accessories. Options like the Dbrand Killswitch case (also on Black Friday sale) significantly enhance the ROG Ally’s comfort factor.
Even with a 41% discount, the MSI Claw can’t hold a candle to the ROG Ally, which not only costs less but also excels in performance, display quality, battery life, and overall usability. Don’t let the MSI Claw’s price cut lure you in—go for the ROG Ally deal at Best Buy instead.
### Do I need anything else to use my ASUS ROG Ally?
Not at all! The ASUS ROG Ally is a self-sufficient gaming powerhouse. It comes with everything you need right out of the box: a built-in display, battery, controls, sound system, haptics, and robust internal hardware. Just power it up and dive into your gaming adventures. You will, however, need an internet connection to download games, update software, or stream from cloud services.
For the best experience with your ROG Ally, think about adding Xbox Game Pass to your collection, which is currently priced at a wallet-friendly $29.29 for 3 months over at CDKeys. With this, you can access countless Xbox PC and Xbox Play Anywhere titles on your ROG Ally, effectively turning it into what is probably the closest thing to a genuine Xbox handheld today.
Though not essential, additional accessories can make your gaming experience even better. Consider a docking station or USB hub, such as this JSAUX model on sale for $23.99, to connect to external monitors, keyboards, or mice. Cases and grips also boost durability and comfort.
And, if you’re often on the move, investing in a power bank is a smart move—this Baseus power bank, going for half price during the Black Friday sales, is a fantastic choice.
### When is Black Friday?
This year, Black Friday officially lands on November 29, 2024, the day following Thanksgiving in the United States. However, Black Friday has morphed into far more than a one-day discount bonanza. It’s turned into a weeks-long sales extravaganza, with many retailers launching deals well in advance.
While Black Friday itself might serve up a few jaw-dropping deals with severe limitations, the truth is that several of the season’s top discounts are already live now. The ASUS ROG Ally and MSI Claw—perfect examples of why waiting until the actual day isn’t necessary. If you spot a deal you love, it’s wise to grab it early.
### When is Cyber Monday?
Cyber Monday, falling on December 2, 2024, is frequently seen as a continuation of the Black Friday buzz. However, it’s a critical date for deal hunters, as it marks the last chance to score many of the season’s best discounts. Once Cyber Monday wraps up, most Black Friday sales vanish for good.
If you’ve been holding out for the best offers—or missed something during the Black Friday weekend—Cyber Monday is your final opportunity to clinch big savings before the holiday shopping momentum kicks in.
### Why should I shop at Best Buy?
Best Buy ranks among our most trusted retailers for countless excellent reasons; it’s a reliable source of quality technology, appliances, accessories, and more, with an impeccable track record of stellar customer service. Best Buy offers all shoppers a standard 15-day return window, price matches with major competitors (guaranteeing the best deal), and provides universal free shipping with a $35 minimum.
However, there’s a slew of additional perks for My Best Buy members. Even a free account instantly grants you universal free shipping, while Total and Plus annual subscriptions expand those benefits to include free two-day shipping, extended 60-day return windows, exclusive or early deal access, and expanded customer service with discounted repair options. You can join My Best Buy for free at Best Buy.
