Amazon has unveiled the listing for the upcoming MSI Claw 8 AI+ gaming handheld, priced at $899, as spotted by VideoCardz. This device is set to be the first of its kind to feature Intel’s Lunar Lake CPUs, marking an exciting advancement in handheld gaming technology. Alongside this, MSI is also preparing to release a refreshed version of the MSI Claw 7 AI+, which will hit the shelves earlier.
According to the listing, the Claw 8 AI+ will be powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor, and there will also be a version featuring the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V. It offers two configurations for memory: 16GB and 32GB of LPDDR5X-8553 RAM.
In terms of performance, the Ultra 7 285V processor boasts a clock speed ranging from 2.2 GHz to 4.8 GHz. Both models will come equipped with 1TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280 SSDs for ample storage, with the option to expand using a micro SDHC card. The CPUs will incorporate Arc 14V graphics, which include eight Xe2 cores. The device sports a slightly larger 8-inch touchscreen display, maintaining a 120Hz refresh rate, 500 nits of brightness, and a resolution of 1920 x 1200.
When it comes to battery life, the Claw 8 AI+ has been upgraded to 80 Wh. On the connectivity front, it includes two Thunderbolt 4/ USB 4 ports, ideal for charging and connecting peripherals or an external GPU. Operating on Windows 11, the Claw 8 AI+ is set for a release on December 25, with the top-tier model priced at $899.
The upgraded MSI Claw 7 AI+ will share some specs with the Claw 8 AI+, using the same Intel Ultra 7-258V CPU and offering 32GB of RAM. However, it will feature a 512GB storage capacity, a 7-inch 1080p display, and a 53Wh battery. These devices will start shipping as early as December 1. For an additional cost of just $100, users will get a slightly larger vertical resolution, an extra inch in screen size, a bigger battery, and double the internal storage. Due to these upgrades, the Claw 8 AI+ is a tad bulkier than both the Claw 7 and its successor, the Claw 7 AI+.
Here’s a concise comparison of the MSI Claw handhelds:
- MSI Claw 8 AI+: Intel Ultra Core 7 258V/256V, 16GB/32GB RAM, 1TB Storage, Arc 140v Graphics, 8-Inch Display at 1920 x 1200, 120 Hz, 500 nits, 80 Wh Battery, Dimensions: 29.9 x 12.26 x 2.4 cm, Weight: 794 grams.
- MSI Claw 7 AI+: Intel Ultra Core 7 258V, 32GB RAM, 512GB Storage, 7-Inch Display at 1920 x 1080, 120Hz, 500 nits, 53 Wh Battery, Dimensions: 29.4 x 11.7 x 2.1 cm, Weight: 675 grams.
- MSI Claw 7: Intel Core Ultra 7 155H/135H, 16GB RAM, 512GB Storage, 7-Inch Display, 53 Wh Battery, same dimensions and weight as Claw 7 AI+.
Although the MSI Claw 8 AI+ was initially anticipated to debut in early 2025, shipping is now expected to commence a few days before CES 2025.
Meanwhile, gamers are also keeping an eye on AMD’s upcoming offerings. The successors to popular models like the Lenovo Legion Go and Asus Ally X might feature the AMD Ryzen Z2 or Z2 Extreme CPU, slated for release in 2025. AMD claims that its Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 with Radeon 890M graphics could outperform the Intel Core Ultra 7 285 by 75% in gaming scenarios, providing another compelling reason to watch both companies’ launches closely.
As the market gets ready to welcome a host of new handheld gaming devices with Intel Lunar Lake and AMD Z2 series APUs, the upcoming months will shed light on their respective performances, battery lives, and user experiences. Until then, gamers have an exciting lineup to anticipate.
