MSI’s Claw 8 AI+ Gaming Handheld: A Glimpse into the Future of Portable Gaming
9/03/2024MSI’s Claw 8 AI+ Gaming Handheld: A Glimpse into the Future of Portable Gaming
MSI has once again captured the spotlight at IFA 2024 with the unveiling of its Claw 8 AI+, a gaming handheld powered by Intel’s cutting-edge Lunar Lake architecture. This device, the only one showcased by MSI at the event, promises to redefine portable gaming with its advanced features and impressive specifications.
A Closer Look at the Claw 8 AI+
The Claw 8 AI+ is a significant upgrade from its predecessor, the Claw 7. Sporting an 8-inch display, the new handheld offers a larger screen real estate, shifting from a 16:9 to a 16:10 aspect ratio. This change enhances the gaming experience by providing a more immersive view. The display resolution has also been bumped up to 1920x1200 with a 120Hz variable refresh rate, ensuring smooth and vibrant visuals.
Key Specifications
- Processor: Intel Core Ultra 200V (Lunar Lake)
- Memory: 16GB or 32GB LPDDR5X-8533
- Display: 8-inch 1920x1200 120Hz VRR
- Battery: 80 Wh
- USB Ports: 2x Thunderbolt 4
- Storage: M.2 2280 SSD
The Claw 8 AI+ is not just about a bigger screen. It also packs a more powerful battery, increasing from 53 Wh in the Claw 7 to 80 Wh, which should provide extended gaming sessions without frequent recharges. The inclusion of two Thunderbolt 4 ports is a notable upgrade, allowing for faster data transfer and more versatile connectivity options.
Hands-On Experience at IFA 2024
At IFA 2024, MSI allowed a select group of press members to get a hands-on experience with the Claw 8 AI+. While the device was available for viewing, full specifications and performance details were not disclosed. This limited interaction has left many eager to see how the Claw 8 AI+ performs in real-world scenarios, especially with its new Intel Core Ultra 200V processor, which promises significant AI performance improvements.
Launch Timeline and Market Position
Despite the excitement surrounding the Claw 8 AI+, MSI has confirmed that the actual market launch will not occur until early 2025. This delay is somewhat disappointing for those eager to get their hands on the latest gaming tech. However, MSI has sweetened the deal by offering a free one-month trial of Xbox Game Pass to all purchasers of the Claw 8 AI+.
Interestingly, MSI has also announced plans to update the Claw 7 to the Lunar Lake platform, ensuring that existing users can benefit from the latest advancements without needing to upgrade to the new model.
Competitive Landscape
The Claw 8 AI+ enters a competitive market of handheld gaming devices, going head-to-head with the likes of the ASUS ROG Ally X and Lenovo Legion Go. With its advanced Lunar Lake architecture, larger battery, and enhanced display, the Claw 8 AI+ is well-positioned to make a significant impact. However, its success will ultimately depend on real-world performance and user reception once it hits the market.
| Handheld Gaming Consoles | MSI Claw 8 AI+ | MSI Claw | Lenovo Legion Go | ASUS ROG Ally X |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Intel Lion Cove, Skymont Xe2-LPG | Intel Redwood Cove, Crestmont & Xe-LPG | AMD Zen4 & RDNA3 | AMD Zen4 & RDNA3 |
| APU | Core Ultra 200V | Core Ultra 7 155H 16C/22T up to 4.8 GHz or Core Ultra 5 135H 14C/18T up to 4.6 GHz | Ryzen Z1 Extreme 8C/16T up to 5.1 GHz or Ryzen Z1 6C/12T up to 4.9 GHz | Ryzen Z1 Extreme 8C/16T up to 5.1 GHz |
| SoC GPU | Arc Graphics 8 Xe2-Cores | Arc Graphics 8 Xe-C @ 2.25 GHz [155H] 7 Xe-C @ 2.20 GHz [135H] | AMD iGPU 12CU @ 2.7 GHz [Z1E] 4CU @ 2.5 GHz [Z1] | AMD iGPU 12CU @ 2.7 GHz |
| SoC TDP | 17W | 28W | 9-30W | 9-30W |
| External GPU | 2x Thunderbolt 4 | 1x Thunderbolt 4 | USB4 | USB4 |
| Memory Capacity | 16 or 32GB LPDDR-8533 | 16GB LPDDR5-6400 | 16GB LPDDR5X-7500 | 24GB LPDDR5X-7500 |
| Storage Capacity | TBC | 512GB | 1TB/512GB | 1TB |
| Storage Type | M.2 NVMe 2280 SSD PCIe 4.0×4 | M.2 NVMe 2230 SSD PCIe 4.0×4 | M.2 NVMe 2242 SSD PCIe 4.0×4 | M.2 NVMe 2280 SSD PCIe 4.0×4 |
| Display | 8″ 1920×1200 120Hz, 500 nits, VRR | 7″ 1920×1080, 120Hz, 500 nits, VRR | 8.8″ 2560×1600 IPS, 144Hz, 500 nits | 7″ 1920×1080, 120Hz (VRR), 500 nits, 7ms |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7 + BT 5.4 | Wi-Fi 7 + BT 5.4 | Wi-Fi 6E, BT 5.2 | Wi-Fi 6E, BT 5.2 |
| Battery | ~80 Wh | 53 Wh, 6-Cell | 49.2 Wh, 900 mAh | 80 Wh |
| Weight | TBC | 675 g | 854g | 678g |
| Dimensions (L×W×H) | TBC | 29.4 × 11.7 × 2.1 cm | 29.9 × 13.1 × 4.1 cm | 28.0 × 11.4 × 3.7 cm |
| Default OS | Windows 11 | Windows 11 | Windows 11 | Windows 11 |
| Retail Launch Price | TBC | $799/€949 [155HU+1TB] $749/€849 [155H+512GB] $699 [135H+512GB] | $749/€799 (Z1E+16G+1TB) $699/€799 (Z1E+16G+512GB) | $799 |
| Release Date | Early 2025 | March 2024 | October 2023 | July 2024 |
Final Thoughts
MSI’s Claw 8 AI+ represents a bold step forward in the realm of handheld gaming. With its powerful specs and thoughtful design upgrades, it promises to deliver an exceptional gaming experience. As we await its official release in early 2025, the anticipation continues to build. Will the Claw 8 AI+ live up to the hype? Only time will tell, but the future certainly looks promising for MSI’s latest gaming handheld.