MSI Claw 8 AI+ Review

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12 months ago

Artistic representation for MSI Claw 8 AI+ Review

How Much Does the MSI Claw 8 AI+ Cost?

The MSI Claw 8 AI+ is available now for £899 in the UK and $899 in the US. It’s likely to be difficult to find in stock, due to its premium price and high demand. This makes it the most expensive mainstream option in the PC gaming handheld market, and more expensive than the refreshed Asus ROG Ally X. It’s also substantially more expensive than the Steam Deck OLED model, although its specs outperform Valve’s older hardware handily. This increased cost comes with the reassurance that the MSI Claw 8 AI+ will last for a fair few years with more confidence.

Is the MSI Claw 8 Well Made?

The current lineup of PC gaming handheld designs isn’t particularly revolutionary in terms of differences between brands. The MSI Claw 8 AI+ isn’t too far removed from the others, either. It features an eight-inch screen in the middle of its body, flanked by controller grips with triggers, hall-effect thumbsticks, and buttons. The display is also touch-sensitive, which is essential since it runs Windows. This allows users to tap on icons, use a touch keyboard to type, and rely on touch-based input when needed. The Claw 8’s design is functional but doesn’t deviate much from the others in terms of style. Its two-tone design, with bronze metallic and black options, does look solid, although I might prefer it in a simple black. A small drawback of the device is that it doesn’t feel as premium as its price tag suggests. There’s something slightly plasticky to it, which may be due to keeping its weight down, but does affect its high-end credentials.

What’s the AI+ Spec of the MSI Claw 8?

The Claw 8’s main attraction is its Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor, which provides powerful performance. This chip also enables impressive benchmarking figures and great real-life performance. The display features an IPS LCD resolution of 1920 x 1200, with a 120Hz variable refresh rate. It also has 500 nits of brightness, making it playable in normal lighting conditions. The device comes with 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM, 1TB of SSD storage, and a microSD card slot for further expansion. The battery capacity is 80Wh, which is surprisingly good given the device’s size and power requirements.

MSI Claw 8 AI+ Review Verdict

The MSI Claw 8 AI+ is a highly capable PC gaming handheld that brings the latest graphical tech. It’s perfect for those seeking a premium option that can play almost any game. While it’s pricey, the Claw 8 AI+ stands alone as the best option in its class. Its improved performance, impressive display, and solid build make it a great choice for those with the budget. Tom’s Guide’s detailed breakdown of the MSI Claw 8 AI+
Alternatives to Consider
* The Steam Deck OLED is still a great option, despite its Linux basis and limited compatibility. * The ROG Ally X is another great choice, offering a more recent chipset and slightly more affordable price. Highlights
* Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor provides powerful performance
* 8-inch IPS LCD display with 120Hz variable refresh rate
* 500 nits of brightness
* 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM, 1TB of SSD storage, and microSD card slot
* 80Wh battery capacity
Specifications

Display	Resolution	Refresh Rate	Brightness
IPS LCD	1920 x 1200	120Hz	500 nits

Technical Specifications
* Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7 258V
* RAM: 32GB LPDDR5
* Storage: 1TB SSD, microSD card slot
* Display: 8-inch IPS LCD
* Battery: 80Wh
* Charger: 65W
* Ports: Two Thunderbolt 4 ports
* Fingerprint Reader: Power button
* OS: Windows 11 (and Copilot+)
* Software: MSI gaming app, Windows 11 interface
* Weight: 795g
* Dimensions: 126mm x 182mm x 32mm
* Colors: Bronze metallic and black
Conclusion
The MSI Claw 8 AI+ is a great choice for those seeking a premium PC gaming handheld with the latest graphical tech. Its powerful performance, impressive display, and solid build make it a top contender in the market.