Amazon has a new addition that might excite handheld gaming enthusiasts: the MSI Claw 8 AI+, now up for pre-order at $899 according to VideoCardz. This isn’t just another gaming device; it’s packing Intel’s latest Lunar Lake CPUs, a first for a handheld. Alongside, MSI is gearing up to launch a refreshed version of its predecessor, the Claw 7 AI+, with a slightly earlier shipping schedule.
Diving into the specifics, the Claw 8 AI+ will run on the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor, but buyers will also have the option to snag a model equipped with the Ultra 7 256V. When it comes to memory, you can choose between 16GB and 32GB of LPDDR5X-8553 RAM, which should cater to varying gaming needs.
Now, let’s talk about performance: the Ultra 7 285V can rev up from a base speed of 2.2 GHz to a pretty zippy 4.8 GHz. Both versions are kitted out with a 1TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280 SSD for storage, expandable via a micro SDHC card. As for graphics, the Arc 14V with its eight Xe2 cores promises to deliver on the visual front. The handheld boasts an 8-inch touchscreen that offers a crisp refresh rate of 120Hz and 500 nits of brightness, all displayed in a 1920 x 1200 resolution.
Moving onto the images provided by MSI via Amazon, there’s a lot to admire visually.
MSI didn’t skimp on battery life either—the Claw 8 AI+ is powered by an upgraded 80 Wh battery. Ports include two Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 connections, perfect for both charging and plugging in extras like an eGPU. And yes, it comes with Windows 11 pre-installed. If you’re itching to get your hands on one, the Claw 8 AI+ officially drops on December 25.
If you’re eyeing the updated Claw 7 AI+, it comes with the same Intel Ultra 7-258V processor and offers 32GB of RAM, but storage is halved at 512GB. The display is a tad smaller at 7 inches with a 1080p resolution, and it runs on a 53Wh battery. These come out slightly earlier on December 1. With a $100 extra for the Claw 8, you get more screen real estate, a bigger battery, and double the storage.
Breaking it down:
- MSI Claw 8 AI+: Bigger screen, more storage.
- MSI Claw 7 AI+: A balance between performance and portability.
Originally slated for an early 2025 release, MSI’s hastened the Claw 8 AI+’s launch just in time for CES 2025.
Looking into the future, Lenovo and Asus have hinted at beefier models potentially launching in 2025, with AMD’s Ryzen Z2 or Z2 Extreme CPUs in the pipeline. AMD is already touting its Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 with Radeon 890M graphics as a gaming beast, claiming speeds 75% faster than Intel’s Core Ultra 7 285. It might be worth waiting to see how these options stack up in terms of performance, battery life, and overall user experience.
Next month could mark the beginning of a thrilling showdown between Intel’s Lunar Lake and AMD’s new Z2 series in the gaming handheld arena. It’s going to be an exciting time to see where these innovations lead us, and how they measure up against each other once the dust settles.
