Amazon has given us a sneak peek of the upcoming MSI Claw 8 AI+ gaming handheld, marking a significant leap in handheld gaming technology. Priced at $899, this device will debut as the first with Intel’s Lunar Lake CPUs. Alongside this, MSI is introducing a refreshed version of their Claw 7 AI+ featuring a more imminent release schedule.
According to the Amazon listing, the Claw 8 AI+ is set to sport an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor, with another variant using the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V. Complementing the CPU are two options for memory: 16GB and 32GB of LPDDR5X-8553 RAM.
The Ultra 7 285V boosts its clock speed from 2.2 GHz to a robust 4.8 GHz. Both versions come equipped with a 1TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280 SSD, and additional storage can be added via a micro SDHC card. Graphics are handled by the Arc 14V, featuring eight Xe2 cores. The device also charms with a slightly larger 8-inch touchscreen display, maintaining the impressive specifications of a 120Hz refresh rate, 500 nits brightness, and a sharp 1920 x 1200 resolution.
Powering the Claw 8 AI+ is an upgraded 80 Wh battery. For connectivity, users will appreciate the dual Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 ports, perfect for charging or expanding with add-ons like an eGPU. The device runs smoothly on Windows 11, with a launch slated for December 25 at a top configuration price of $899.
The revamped Claw 7 AI+ is no slouch either. It features the same Intel Ultra 7-258V CPU and a hefty 32GB of RAM, supported by 512GB of storage, a 7-inch 1080p display, and a 53Wh battery. This model is expected to start shipping on December 1. For an extra $100, the Claw 8 AI+ offers increased vertical resolution, a larger screen, a bigger battery, and double the internal storage compared to the Claw 7 AI+ model.
When pitting the MSI Claw handhelds against each other, here’s how they stack up:
| – | MSI Claw 8 AI+ | MSI Claw 7 AI+ | MSI Claw 7 |
| — | — | — | — |
| CPU | Intel Core Ultra 7 258V / 256V | Intel Core Ultra 7 258V | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H / 135H |
| RAM | 16GB/32GB LPDDR5X | 32GB LPDDR5X | 16GB LPDDR5 |
| Storage | 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 | 512GB M.2 PCIe 4.0 | 512GB PCIe 4.0 |
| Graphics | Arc 140V | Arc 140V | Arc Graphics |
| Display | 8-inch 1920×1200, 120Hz | 7-inch 1920×1080, 120Hz | 7-inch 1920×1080, 120Hz |
| Battery | 80 Wh | 53 Wh | 53 Wh |
| Dimensions | 29.9 x 12.26 x 2.4 cm | 29.4 x 11.7 x 2.1 cm | 29.4 x 11.7 x 2.1 cm |
| Weight | 794 g | 675 g | 675 g |
Initially expected in early 2025, the Claw 8 AI+ now appears to be shipping just in time for the tech buzz of CES 2025.
Earlier, there was chatter about the Lenovo Legion Go and Asus Ally X potentially debuting with AMD’s Ryzen Z2 or the Z2 Extreme CPUs, targeting a 2025 release. AMD is boasting about its Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, claiming a 75% performance boost over Intel’s Core Ultra 7 285 for gaming—a point worth considering before you make up your mind. In-depth analyses of performance, battery longevity, and other critical aspects are on the horizon.
In the coming months, we’ll witness a flurry of launches from gaming handheld manufacturers featuring either Intel’s Lunar Lake or AMD’s Z2 series APUs. Until the devices hit the market, we’ll have to wait to fully gauge their performances, battery life, and overall user experience.
