MSI Claw A8: Unveiled as the First Next-Gen Handheld Gaming PC
Since the groundbreaking release of the Steam Deck in 2022, handheld gaming PCs have been steadily gaining traction. For the past two years, the top-tier models have been equipped with the same Z1 Extreme chipset. However, the MSI Claw A8, unveiled at Computex 2025, marks a significant shift as the first handheld to harness the power of the Z2 Extreme, which was introduced at CES 2025.
The MSI Claw A8 bears a resemblance to the recently launched Claw 8 AI, but with notable differences in its specifications. MSI has opted to reduce the maximum RAM from 32GB to 24GB of LPDDR5X, operating at a speed of 8,000MHz. Additionally, the A8's display now supports VRR (variable refresh rate), enhancing the viewing experience on its 120Hz FullHD panel by minimizing screen tearing.
The most substantial upgrade is the transition from the Intel Core Ultra 7 285V to the AMD Z2 Extreme. This gaming APU features 8 Zen 5 CPU cores and 16 RDNA 3.5 graphics cores, boasting more Compute Units than the 12 found in the Z1 Extreme, and a more advanced architecture by half a generation.
In addition to the Claw A8, MSI has introduced an updated version of the MSI Claw 8 AI+ with a fresh color scheme and a larger 2TB SSD. This model continues to be powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 285V.
The MSI Claw A8 is slated for release later this year, though MSI has yet to disclose a specific launch window or pricing. Considering the MSI Claw 8 AI+ retails at $999, it's likely that the new AMD-powered version will come with a premium price tag.
The AMD Z2 Extreme Race Is On
The AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme was quietly announced at CES in January 2025. As of now, nearly five months later, no handheld gaming PC featuring this new silicon has hit the market, sparking a race among manufacturers to be the first to launch.
Although the Lenovo Legion Go 2, also debuted at CES 2025, is technically powered by the Z2 Extreme, there's no indication of when it might become available. Instead, Lenovo released the less powerful and more expensive Z2 Go-powered Lenovo Legion Go S.
Rumors suggest that the Asus ROG Ally 2 will also employ the Z2 Extreme, though no official announcement has been made. There's also speculation that Asus and Microsoft might collaborate on an Xbox-branded version of the Ally 2, which would likely use the same chip.
One notable exception is the Steam Deck 2. Valve has stated that the new Z-series chips from AMD do not represent a significant enough leap to warrant a new handheld release. While this may cast some doubt on the Z2 Extreme's performance, the emergence of new Steam Deck alternatives promises at least a marginal improvement over current models, which is certainly a positive development.
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