With Black Friday approaching, we’ve been diving into the sea of deals to find the best catches for you. But along with the goodies, it’s crucial to highlight the seemingly attractive offers that might disappoint. Take, for instance, the MSI Claw—a handheld gaming PC that’s dropped from $749.99 to $441.15. It seems like a bargain, right? Here’s the twist: it’s not really. Despite the hefty discount, this heavy and lackluster machine fails to match the excellence of the ASUS ROG Ally, which is offering far better performance, design, and flexibility for just $349.99 this Black Friday, down from its usual price of $499.99.
Why settle for less when the ROG Ally offers more capability and speed? Do yourself a favor—avoid post-purchase regrets by choosing the handheld device that truly delivers on its promise.
### 🍁The hottest Black Friday deals🦃
#### Why is the ROG Ally better than the MSI Claw?
Imagine playing any game, anywhere. That’s the dream this Black Friday. To put the MSI Claw into perspective, it’s not entirely awful, but when compared with the likes of the ASUS ROG Ally or even the Steam Deck OLED, it’s a tough sell—even with a discount. The standout here is the ROG Ally, thanks to its irresistible Black Friday pricing and top-notch functionality.
We examined the MSI Claw and the ROG Ally right when they were released, and the ROG Ally was clearly a better value from the get-go. Let’s break down the specs to see why the ROG Ally is the savvy choice for gamers.
When considering a gaming handheld, the ASUS ROG Ally outperforms the MSI Claw across nearly all benchmarks. This Black Friday, the ROG Ally is priced at a remarkable $349.99, down from $499.99, whereas the MSI Claw is still more expensive at $441.15 after a markdown.
The ROG Ally consistently scores better in gaming tests, showing higher frame rates across numerous titles. While the Claw’s Intel Core Ultra processor may sound flashy, it struggles to maintain stable performance, resulting in choppy gameplay. On the other hand, the ROG Ally’s AMD Ryzen Z1 or Z1 Extreme chips handle gaming with ease, delivering smooth, consistent experiences.
Both devices feature a 7-inch 1080p IPS display, but the ROG Ally edges ahead with a 120Hz refresh rate, VRR support, full sRGB coverage, and a bright 500-nit display, providing vivid and fluid visuals that put the MSI Claw to shame.
Battery life is yet another area where the MSI Claw falls short. While the ROG Ally averages around 2 hours and 30 minutes of gameplay (stretching to 4 hours for less demanding games), the MSI Claw only manages a disappointing 50 minutes to 2 hours. For a device meant to be portable, that’s a major shortcoming.
Since its launch, the ROG Ally has seen significant updates that have enhanced its software, leading to a stable and polished user experience. In contrast, the MSI Claw continues to suffer from persistent software flaws, like crashes and inconsistent game launches, which can be quite frustrating.
Though the MSI Claw does offer comfortable ergonomic grips, the ROG Ally compensates with a wide range of accessories. Accessories like the Dbrand Killswitch case, also available at a discount this Black Friday, can significantly boost the comfort level of the ROG Ally.
Even with a 41% discount, the MSI Claw simply doesn’t match up to the ROG Ally, which not only costs less but also excels in performance, display, battery life, and overall usability. Don’t be swayed by the MSI Claw’s discount—opt for the ROG Ally at Best Buy instead.
### Do I need anything else to use my ASUS ROG Ally?
Not at all! The ASUS ROG Ally is a complete gaming system in itself. It arrives with everything necessary, including a display, battery, controls, audio system, haptics, and robust internal hardware. All that’s needed from you is to power it on and dive into gaming. However, downloading games, updating software, or streaming services does require an internet connection.
To maximize your ROG Ally experience, consider subscribing to Xbox Game Pass, which is available for $29.29 for three months on CDKeys. This subscription grants access to numerous Xbox PC and Xbox Play Anywhere titles, transforming the ROG Ally into a pseudo-Xbox handheld.
Additional accessories, while optional, can enhance your experience. For example, a docking station or USB hub, such as the one from JSAUX on sale for $23.99, allows you to connect external monitors, keyboards, or mice. Cases and grips can also offer extra durability and comfort.
Consider a power bank to extend your battery life on the go, like the cost-effective Baseus power bank, which is half-price during the Black Friday sales.
### When is Black Friday?
This year, Black Friday falls on November 29, 2024, the day following Thanksgiving in the U.S. Over the years, it has expanded from being a single day of deals to a weeks-long sales extravaganza, with many retailers starting their offers early.
While Black Friday itself might offer some extreme one-day deals, many top discounts of the season are available right now. The ASUS ROG Ally and MSI Claw showcase why waiting for Black Friday isn’t always necessary. If you spot a deal you love, it’s smart to grab it sooner rather than later.
### When is Cyber Monday?
Cyber Monday lands on December 2, 2024, and is seen as a continuation of Black Friday’s excitement. It’s important for deal seekers as it marks the last chance to snatch many of the season’s best deals. Once Cyber Monday concludes, most Black Friday discounts disappear.
If you’ve been holding out for that perfect deal or missed out over Black Friday weekend, Cyber Monday is your final opportunity to cash in before the holiday shopping spree.
### Why should I shop at Best Buy?
Best Buy is a go-to retailer for numerous reasons, renowned for excellent customer service and being a trustworthy source of quality tech, appliances, accessories, and more. Best Buy offers a standard 15-day return window for all shoppers, price matching top competitors to ensure the best deal, and free shipping on orders over $35.
Additional perks await if you join the My Best Buy program. Even the free account offers universal free shipping, but upgrading to Total or Plus memberships extends those benefits to include free two-day shipping, lengthy 60-day return windows, exclusive or early deal access, and better customer service with discounted repair options. You can sign up for My Best Buy for free on their website.
