The MSI Claw 8 AI+ could have muscled out the Steam Deck’s rivals — was it the last straw for powerful Intel-based handhelds?

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MSI is a well-known name among PC gamers, renowned in the industry for its motherboards, graphics cards, and gaming laptops. While their premium offerings have a reputation, it’s their affordable products that continue to garner the most attention.

I’ve purchased a variety of MSI ‘GAMING PLUS’ and ‘TOMAHAWK’ motherboards, as well as different versions of NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX GPUs under the VENTUS brand. While their components aren’t always flawless, they are generally considered the top choices when it comes to value in the custom PC gaming market. The minor drawbacks associated with them are usually easy to ignore.

MSI’s forays into hardware aren’t as widely recognized. While some people may recognize their ‘Thin’ and ‘Katana’ laptops from retail sales, even many enthusiasts are not familiar with their handheld gaming PC partnership with Intel – the MSI Claw. This includes the initial, underwhelming launch of the Claw 7, as well as its subsequent version, the Claw 7|8 AI+.

I strongly favor Intel’s mobile processors, believing that their contributions to the laptop market have appealed to a wider range of people more so than the Core Ultra 9 285K and similar desktop PC-oriented models. This sentiment extends to gamers as well, given the continuous improvements in Intel’s Arc graphics platform and XeSS upscaling technology, which continue to impress.

The mobile processors named ‘Lunar Lake,’ which I had a sneak peek at, showed remarkable enhancement compared to their predecessors, Meteor Lake, especially in terms of power efficiency, primarily advantageous for laptops. However, my excitement level soared even higher upon learning that MSI’s Claw 7|8 AI+ will incorporate the same Core Ultra Series 2 chips that left a lasting impression on me when I encountered them in PC models like ASUS’ Zenbook S 14.

The MSI Claw 8 AI+ offers powerful PC gaming handheld performance like we’ve never seen before.

Rebecca Spear, MSI Claw 8 AI+ review

Initially, I was quite hopeful about the MSI Claw 8 AI+, but then I read Rebecca Spear’s review and found out about its limited stock and expensive $899 price tag, which equates to £899 in my hometown stores, causing me to tighten my wallet immediately.

It appears that the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is still unavailable at Curry’s, which is much like Best Buy, both of them being out-of-stock on this item. This scarcity seems persistent, making it impossible for me to purchase it even if I wanted to. However, I have some friendly contacts within MSI’s London office who kindly offered a loaner unit so that I can test the device in the meantime.

In my opinion, the ASUS ROG Ally, powered by AMD’s Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip, is currently the optimal Windows 11 handheld device to buy. Despite being a second-hand model that was previously owned by Jez Corden, who has a growing affinity for Lenovo’s Legion Go, it remains my preferred choice. However, it’s worth noting that this unit could significantly benefit from an upgraded battery.

Nevertheless, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ and its superior hardware haven’t deterred my fascination. Its powerful hardware performance, specifically the 47 TOPS of the NPU tile in the Core Ultra 258V processor, which is classified as an AI PC due to this high rating, hasn’t stopped me from appreciating it beyond its somewhat confusing naming convention stemming from Copilot+ PC categorization.

Using dual Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports is convenient as it allows me to keep one port free for peripherals while charging, often an external mouse for games that require precise aiming. These ports also support a wide range of compatibility with excellent docking stations, enabling connection to a TV if desired. However, what truly won me over was the combination of hall-effect joysticks (without the problem of stick drift) and its impressive internal components within the Claw.

On most nights, I switch between a handful of PC games on portable devices, often playing them right before bed, even while lying in bed. My fiancée has become so accustomed to my routine that she can guess which game I’m playing without even glancing at my ROG Ally screen. If the sound of the fans is as loud as a jet engine, it’s likely I’m engrossed in Microsoft Flight Simulator, and this isn’t related to the game’s in-built aircraft noises.

Using the MSI Claw 8 AI+ for approximately a week showed noticeable differences almost right away; it runs both smoothly and silently. Even games that seem light on the GPU but put more strain on the CPU, such as our nightly Valheim world-building sessions, allowed me to run them at higher resolutions with lower temperatures and for extended periods.

In plain terms: Everything Rebecca claimed about the Claw A2VM in her review was proving true for me. It performs games superiorly compared to my ASUS ROG Ally, and it does so with an enduring battery life and a more vivid 8-inch display. Though I had full faith in Rebecca, I prefer to witness such experiences myself. Seeing it all unfold left me feeling even more frustrated because I can’t seem to find the Claw 8 AI+ for purchase.

To avoid getting overly enthusiastic about the MSI Claw 8 AI+, it’s important to note that there are some features that could use improvement, and a few that are even problematic. The ‘MSI Center M 2.0’ launcher application is a blend of the Xbox Game Bar along with system adjustments, but it’s an inconsistent and often frustrating user experience. For instance, the quick settings button frequently fails to function, leaving me without an on-screen keyboard.

Additionally, customized control settings are prone to resetting back to their original state, including for the rear-mounted ‘M1’ and ‘M2’ macro buttons. This can be disheartening when I anticipate M2 + A will take a screenshot, only to find my in-game character standing motionless on the football field instead, as I had set up that shortcut the day prior.

The unique features of this handheld gaming PC, priced at roughly $600-700, such as its inclusion of Wi-Fi 7 for incredibly swift internet speeds and a massive 80Whr battery (typically seen in ASUS’ powerful ROG Ally X) make it an attractive option. Yet, it doesn’t seem to be the case with this model, the Claw 8 AI+. Despite my initial reservations, I found myself growing accustomed to its idiosyncrasies, and now, I regret seeing it returned to MSI.

Is there any indication that the second-generation MSI Claw A2VM justifies a $900 price tag? No, not at all. The cost is exorbitant, and it would require quite an impressive demonstration of its features to make it seem worthwhile. If Microsoft were to reduce the price by $100 to account for the Windows 11 license, that could improve its value somewhat, but I wouldn’t count on it.

The MSI Claw 8 AI+ is competing against devices like Valve’s Steam Deck and ASUS’ ROG Ally, which are already popular handheld gaming systems priced at $549+ and often under $500 respectively. If the MSI Claw 8 AI+ experiences a significant price reduction and improves its stock availability, it could become an exceptional gaming recommendation I’ve made in a long time. However, until then, it is struggling to gain widespread acclaim due to its high price tag.

If the MSI Claw 8 AI+ goes on sale at a price that feels reasonable to me, I’ll definitely share it with our readers since I plan on purchasing one myself. Despite its size and weight, I find myself spending more time than usual on Windows-based handhelds, and this Claw has piqued my interest greatly.

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2025-07-24 00:13