MSI is aiming for the Steam Deck, with later models of The Claw ‘already in the pipeline’

A week ago, I told you about how MIS was the next tech firm to be gunning for Steam Deck’s title in the portable PC market, with a device called The Claw. Well, it seems the company is thinking long, long term, with some newer versions of this yet-to-be-released system on the horizon.

In a recent interview with IGN, System Product Managing Director Clifford Chun discussed The Claw, saying that MSI began developing it two years ago. Additionally, this is just one of a possible four models of the device that are “already in the pipeline.”

Details are scarce, as you would imagine, but it seems the team is anticipating the release of numerous versions as the technology allows for it. When asked about potential release dates, Chun says it “depends on, for example, the CPU or a graphic upgrade down the road,” adding that we should anticipate what MSI will release next.

Has anyone made a Liar, Liar joke yet?

While it’s tough to say whether Valve should be quaking in its proverbial boots, The Claw is yet one more in a line of Steam Deck competitors.

We’ve already had offerings from ASUS with its ROG Ally, and Lenovo released its Legion Go last November. Where The Claw may differ slightly is in its hardware, which is actually making use of the Intel Arc GPU technology.

Whether this will set it apart from the others remains to be seen at this stage (it’s still using Windows 11, much like the ROG Ally and Legion Go). The Claw is set to release sometime this year. Who knows what other companies will be preparing their own mobile PC device by then. Oh wait.