As a professional who reviews gaming hardware, I’ve spent a lot of time testing and analysing the MSI Claw 8 AI Plus. This device promises to give you powerful gaming performance and portability at your fingertips. MSI is well-known in the gaming world, and the Claw 8 AI Plus is a continuation of its work to make handheld gaming systems even better.
In this review, I’ll go over the Claw 8 AI Plus’s features, its pros and cons, how it stacks up against similar products, and some expert advice on how to get the most out of your device. This detailed breakdown will help you decide whether to upgrade your current handheld console or if you’re new to the market.
Detailed Specifications of MSI Claw 8 AI Plus
| Feature | MSI Claw 8 AI Plus A2VMX |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 258V (Lunar Lake) |
| Graphics | Intel Arc 140V GPU |
| RAM | 32GB LPDDR5x-8533MHz |
| Storage | 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD |
| Display | 8″ FHD+ (1920×1200), 120Hz, VRR, 100% sRGB, IPS-Level Touchscreen |
| Battery | 80Wh (up to 2 hours of intensive gaming) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, 2x Thunderbolt 4 ports, USB-C, microSD card reader, 3.5mm audio jack |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home |
| Weight | 795g |
| Price | Approximately $899 |
Pros: What Makes the MSI Claw 8 AI Plus Unique
- The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor and Intel Arc 140V GPU work together to give this handheld device top-notch performance. The Claw 8 AI Plus runs high-performance games like Cyberpunk 2077, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Apex Legends with ease, getting 59 frames per second (FPS) on low settings. With 32GB of LPDDR5x RAM, the system can handle a lot of tasks at once and stay responsive even during heavy use.
- Amazing Screen: The 8-inch FHD+ touchscreen display has a 120Hz refresh rate and VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), which makes gameplay smooth even in fast-paced games. The 100% sRGB colour coverage gives you bright, true-to-life colours, and the IPS-level panel makes it easier to see from different angles, even when you’re gaming on the go.
- Strong Build Quality: The Claw 8 AI Plus has Hall-effect analogue sticks and triggers that make sure they last a long time and work well. This technology is much better than the older handheld devices’ analogue sticks because it makes control smooth and doesn’t wear out as quickly.
- The Claw 8 AI Plus has Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and two Thunderbolt 4 ports, so you can connect a lot of different gaming and other accessories to it. These ports let you connect external displays, GPUs, and other devices to make your experience more immersive. The USB-C and microSD card reader also make it easy to move files.
- The Claw 8 AI Plus is more than just a gaming device; it’s a full Windows 11 PC. This lets you switch from gaming to work or media consumption tasks with ease, all while keeping your data safe in a high-performance package.
Cons: Areas for Improvement
- Heavier Form Factor: The MSI Claw 8 AI Plus weighs 795g, which is on the heavy side for handheld devices. It’s still small enough to take with you, but playing for a long time may make your hands tired, especially if you’re used to lighter handhelds. This weight might also be a problem for people who want something that is very portable.
- High Price: The Claw 8 AI Plus costs about $899, which is a lot more than some other handheld consoles. The high price might keep casual gamers or people on a budget from buying it, especially since there are cheaper options like the ASUS ROG Ally X.
- Software Bugs and Stability: Some users have said that the buttons sometimes lag or the game crashes during long gaming sessions, even though the hardware is great. This can mess up the game, and MSI is probably working on fixes, but it’s something to think about before you buy.
- Limited Battery Life: The 80Wh battery lasts about two hours of gaming time under heavy load, which is pretty normal for high-performance devices. But this could be a problem if you want to play games on the go for a long time without being able to charge your phone.
MSI Claw 8 AI+ A2VM Handheld Game Console Case Cover with Kickstand
Comparison with ASUS ROG Ally X
| Feature | MSI Claw 8 AI Plus A2VMX | ASUS ROG Ally X |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 258V | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme |
| RAM | 32GB LPDDR5x | 24GB LPDDR5X |
| Storage | 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD | 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD |
| Display | 8″ FHD+ 120Hz | 7″ FHD 120Hz |
| Battery | 80Wh | 80Wh |
| Weight | 795g | 678g |
| Price | ~$899 | ~$799 |
| OS | Windows 11 | Windows 11 |
The MSI Claw 8 AI Plus has a bigger screen and more RAM (32GB vs. 24GB), but the ASUS ROG Ally X is lighter, which makes it easier to carry around for people who care about weight. Both devices perform similarly, but the MSI option might have an edge in multitasking and running more demanding apps because it has a more powerful processor and more RAM.
The decision:
- The MSI Claw 8 AI Plus has a bigger screen and more RAM (32GB vs. 24GB), but the ASUS ROG Ally X is lighter, making it easier to carry for people who care about weight. Both devices perform similarly, but the MSI option might be better at multitasking and running more demanding apps because it has a more powerful processor and more RAM.
- How to Get the Most Out of Your MSI Claw 8 AI Plus
- To make your battery last longer while gaming, lower the screen brightness and turn on power-saving modes in Windows 11. To save power, don’t run background processes.
- External GPU for Better Performance: If you’re using the Claw 8 AI Plus for more demanding tasks like AAA gaming titles or video editing, consider connecting an external GPU via Thunderbolt 4. This will make graphics work much better, especially when playing games at higher settings.
- Make sure that both the system software and the GPU drivers are up to date. MSI releases firmware updates on a regular basis to fix bugs and make things run better. Regular updates will help fix problems like software crashes or lag when typing.
- Ergonomics: Because the device is heavy, make sure you’re holding it with both hands and resting your arms comfortably. If you’re going to be playing for a long time, think about putting the device on a stand, especially if you’re sitting down.
- If your local battery life isn’t enough, you can use cloud gaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming (formerly Project xCloud) or NVIDIA GeForce NOW to play for longer. This will let you stream high-quality games without having to worry about battery life or local storage.
Final Decision
The MSI Claw 8 AI Plus is one of the most powerful handheld gaming devices out there. It has top-of-the-line specs, a beautiful display, and a sturdy build quality, making it a great choice for gamers who want a portable PC for work, play, and gaming. Even though it is heavier and costs more, the device is a great deal for people who need high performance on the go.
The ASUS ROG Ally X is a good alternative for people who want a smaller, lighter device. It has similar performance at a lower price. The Claw 8 AI Plus is a great choice if you want to be able to do more than one thing at once and make sure it will last.
The MSI Claw 8 AI Plus is without a doubt one of the best handheld gaming PCs on the market right now for gamers and content creators who want to be able to take their work with them without losing performance.
THE ALL INFORMATION COLLECTED FROM MSI
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