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Best Buy’s clearance listing for the original MSI Claw A1M-050US puts the 1TB handheld at $562.99, down $187 from the $749.99 comparison price reported by Tom’s Hardware on October 7, 2026. That price is not a guarantee of local stock: clearance pricing and pickup availability can change, so check the listing for your location before deciding. Best Buy’s A1M-050US listing
Which MSI Claw is on clearance?
The $562.99 offer is for the MSI Claw A1M-050US, SKU 6578381, with an Intel Core Ultra 7-155H processor and 1TB SSD. It is not the lower-capacity A1M-052US: that separate configuration uses a Core Ultra 5-135H and 512GB SSD. Best Buy’s listing content showed the A1M-052US at $389.99 and sold out, so confirm the model number rather than comparing prices by the Claw name alone. Best Buy’s A1M-052US listing
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What you get in the A1M-050US
MSI’s US specification page lists Windows 11 Home, 16GB of LPDDR5-6400 memory, and a 1TB NVMe Gen4x4 2230 SSD. The screen is a 7-inch touchscreen with 1920×1080 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. Wireless connectivity includes Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4; the device also has an SD4.0 card reader and one Thunderbolt 4 Type-C port. Graphics are integrated Intel Arc with 8 Xe-cores. MSI’s official Claw A1M specifications
How the price stacks up against performance
The clearance price is attractive for a 1TB handheld, but the Claw’s first-generation design comes with a trade-off: its Meteor Lake processor was not built specifically for handheld gaming. Tom’s Hardware writer Jake Roach said, “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.” The outlet reports that the Claw falls 5%–10% short of the Z1 Extreme and has worse battery life; those are its comparisons, not a guarantee for every game or configuration. Tom’s Hardware’s October 7, 2026 deal report
#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.
Game settings and power mode make a substantial difference. In Tom’s Hardware’s reported results, Horizon Zero Dawn ran at around 30 FPS at native 1080p with a Balanced 30W target. Plugged in, at a full 40W power budget, the Claw could exceed 30 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 using the Steam Deck preset. These figures describe the outlet’s testing and specific settings, not expected frame rates for other games or modes.
What to check before buying
- Confirm the exact SKU. Make sure the listing is A1M-050US, SKU 6578381, if you want the Core Ultra 7 and 1TB configuration.
- Check your local price and stock. Clearance inventory, pickup options, and pricing can differ by location and change quickly.
- Compare what you will actually pay. Weigh the delivered price against storage capacity, the games and settings you use, battery endurance, power draw, and software experience—not just the discount from list price.
- Plan for power. Tom’s Hardware recommends having a quality USB-C charger available; its report does not name a specific model or wattage, so check compatibility and requirements before choosing one.
Best Buy search results also showed the ROG Xbox Ally at $599.99, but that device has a different processor and 512GB storage. That price is a useful alternative to investigate, not a direct performance comparison with the A1M-050US.
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
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.
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.
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.
