MSI has long been a partner of Intel's with its Claw handheld, but at Computex, the company's Claw 8 EX AI+ looked like the strongest version yet. That's largely based on the fact that it's using the Intel Arc G3 Extreme, based on the company's Core Ultra Series 3 (Panther Lake) chips, with integrated graphics ready to take on AMD.
The system, which comes in one color, 'void purple,' has two extended grips on the sides. On the ground at Computex in Taipei, Tom's Hardware's Jeffrey Kampman confirmed that the Claw 8 EX AI+ "felt excellent in my hands," and that "the grips are large and well-contoured and distribute the weight of the system well."
MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ |
|
|---|---|
CPU |
Intel Arc G3 Extreme |
Graphics |
Intel Arc B390 (integrated) |
RAM |
Up to 32GB LPDDR5x |
Storage |
1x M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4x4 SSD |
Display |
8-inch, 1920 x 1200, Touch, 48-120 Hz VRR |
Networking |
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 |
Battery |
80 WHr |
Those grips also feature hall-effect triggers and sticks, and what MSI refers to as a "highly responsive D-Pad," along with a linear motor for rumble feedback.
Ergonomics have become a big deal. When Asus moved to its ROG Xbox lineup, it added some pretty serious grips to the sides. It makes the system wider, but also far more comfortable to hold. The same holds true here.
The system boasts an 8-inch, 120 Hz display with a variable refresh rate. The screen isn't totally flush between the grips, and juts out below them a bit in a weird style choice.
In our hands-on time with the device, Hogwarts Legacy ran well on the integrated B390, but we'll need to spend time testing in a less controlled environment to learn more for sure.
While MSI is still using its own Control Center M, its integrated into the Xbox Full Screen Experience, so you shouldn't have to deal with the Windows desktop unless you truly want to.We're hoping that the 80 WHr battery (the same size that you find in the Asus ROG Ally X), will allow for at least a few hours of gaming on a charge. Panther Lake has proven to be fairly efficient, but gaming is a pretty heavy workload.
Variations of the Claw will come with up to 32GB of RAM. MSI hasn't listed storage, but points out there's a single M.2 2280 SSD slot on the Claw. While MSI has yet to announce specifics on release dates or pricing, an early page on Best Buy that has since been pulled down suggested that a version with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage may be $1,699.99. But like much at Computex, there's not official pricing, so it's all still up in the air.
