In a gaming world dominated by laptops and consoles, handheld PCs have carved out a niche for on-the-go enthusiasts. MSI’s Claw 8 AI+ emerges as a comeback story, polishing past mistakes and stepping firmly into 2025 with impressive power, display quality, and battery endurance. But is it worth its hefty price tag? Let’s unpack.
A Revitalized Design: Bigger, Bolder, Better
The Claw 8 AI+ keeps the familiar form but boosts comfort and utility. Sized at 299 × 126 × 24 mm and weighing 795 g, it’s a beefy but usable handheld.
Improvements include durable metal triggers, Hall-effect thumbsticks, and upgraded thermal vents—courtesy of a revamped chassis that feels more polished than its predecessor. While gamers note its heft, many describe it as a “solid, desirable object” that feels premium to handle.
Display: A Feast for the Eyes
MSI equipped the Claw 8 with an 8″ IPS touchscreen, boasting a sharp 1920×1200 resolution and 120 Hz refresh rate. Gamers particularly praise its vividness and smooth refresh that enrich fast-paced titles.
With 100 % sRGB coverage, ~500 nits brightness, and VRR support, it’s ready for HDR content and responsive gaming. Whether playing shooters or RPGs, fluid visuals are guaranteed.
Performance: Intel Rollercoaster, Unlocked
Inside the Claw 8 sits a powerful mix: the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V CPU paired with Intel Arc 140V iGPU, backed by 32 GB LPDDR5X‑8533 RAM and 1 TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD.
Benchmarks show a single-core Geekbench score of ~10,900 and excellent SSD speeds (6 GB/s read) . 3DMark Fire Strike Ultra and Time Spy Extreme numbers lead the handheld pack.
Real‑world gameplay on titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Horizon Zero Dawn consistently delivered 30+ FPS at 1080p—often outperforming the ROG Ally X and beating even AMD-based rivals.
Battery Life: An Endurance Champion
Fueling this beast is a substantial 80 Wh battery. In PCMark 10 gaming tests, it lasted about 129 minutes—nearly double its competitor’s runtime.
Even in intense 30 W gaming sessions, it lasted over 2 hours, while less demanding, AI‑optimized “Engine Mode” stretched beyond 3 hours. That means gamers could enjoy full movie-length campaigns during daily commutes.
Thermals & Controls: Quiet and Comfortable
MSI’s revamped cooling keeps CPU temperatures around the low-90s °C under load—impressive for an 8-inch handheld.
Controls are a highlight. Hall‑effect sticks and more tactile buttons elevate input precision. Though some prefer the ROG Ally X for controller-feel refinements, most testers praise the Claw’s more mature layout.
Ports & Connectivity: Future-Ready Flexibility
MSI doesn’t skimp: you get 2× Thunderbolt 4/USB4, microSD reader, 3.5 mm audio jack, plus Wi‑Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and an 80 Wh battery. This opens doors to external GPU support, high-speed file access, and seamless media streaming.
Software & Ecosystem
Running Windows 11 Home, Claw 8 provides full PC freedom—Steam, emulators, productivity apps, and more. MSI’s Center M utility helps optimize performance and update system firmware. Expect occasional software bugs, but ongoing updates are smoothing the experience.
Who Should Buy It?
- Ambitious mobile gamers craving AAA experiences anywhere
- Tech-savvy users needing PC flexibility, external GPU potential
- Travelers looking for a one-device gaming + media solution
- Fans of large-screen handhelds who appreciated value over portability
For casual players or those prioritizing portability, more affordable alternatives exist. But for uncompromising handheld performance, the Claw 8 shines.
Drawbacks to Consider
- High price & weight
- Software maturity not yet polished
- Button feel may lag behind competition
- Battery life intense use still limited to ~2-hours
These are minor quibbles in a category where specs matter—but worth considering before the buy.
Final Verdict: A Confident Comeback
The MSI Claw 8 AI+ is MSI’s finest handheld offering yet. Delivering a compelling combination of high-performance gaming, desktop-grade flexibility, large high-refresh display, and long battery life, it stands tall in the handheld PC space.
Yes, it’s bigger, heavier, and pricier than most—but for serious gamers and digital nomads seeking what the Claw delivers, the trade-offs make sense. MSI finally crafted a handheld that plays—and wins—in its category.
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