MSI has revealed new versions of its Claw handheld gaming PC, which will be available in seven- and eight-inch models. Pricing starts at $799 for the Claw 7 AI+ and $899 for the Claw 8 AI+.
The new MSI Claws will feature several upgrades when compared to its predecessor, like bigger batteries, tweaks to its ergonomic design, and Intel’s new Lunar Lake Core Ultra 7 processors. These will also be Copilot+ PC-capable handhelds, hence the AI label. RAM has been doubled for the new models, as these have 32GB each, and the CPU speed has increased to 2.2GHz. The original MSI Claw had a 1.2GHz CPU on its Ultra 5 base model, while the Ultra 7 version had a 1.4GHz CPU.
Another big change is the look of the MSI Claw, as you’ll be able to pick one up that sports khaki-colored panels. MSI says this design was inspired by wind-sculpted desert rocks, but if you’d prefer something plainer, these will be available in black as well.
The sticks, bumpers, D-pad, and the Hall Effect triggers have received a redesign to allow for more accurate button presses, and MSI says that both of the Claws are equipped with a 120Hz VRR LCD display with an improved resolution of 1920 x 1200.
The Claw 8 has an 80-watt-hour battery–a sizable increase compared to the 53-watt-hour battery from the first model–while the Claw 7 is equipped with a 54.5-watt-hour battery. Here’s a closer look at the specs on each one.
MSI Claw 8 AI+
MSI Claw 8 AI
Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 258VOperating System: Windows 11 HomeStorage: 1TBChipset: Integrated SoCMemory: 32GBDisplay: 8-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200), 16:10, Touchscreen, 120Hz Refresh RateGraphics: Intel Arc 140V GPUStorage Slot: Up to 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD Easy-AccessSensor: 6-axis IMU, vibration motorAudio: 2 x 2W SpeakersDimensions: 299 (W) x 126 (D) x 24 (H) mmWeight: 795 grams
MSI Claw 7 AI+
MSI Claw 7 AI
Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 258VVOperating System: Windows 11 HomeStorage: 512GBChipset: Integrated SoCMemory: 32GBDisplay: 7″ FHD (1920 x 1080), Touchscreen, 120Hz Refresh RateGraphics: Intel Arc 140V GPUStorage Slot: 1 x NVMe M.2 2230 SSD by PCIe Gen 4 x4Sensor: 6-axis IMU, vibration motorAudio: 2x 2W Speakers, DTS sound effects, support Hi-Res AudioDimensions: 290 (W) x 117 (D) x 21.2 (H) mmWeight: 675 grams
The first iteration of the MSI Claw launched to lukewarm reviews earlier this year. While it was praised for its excellent speakers and comfortable design, critics noted that it had a weak battery life and poor performance, especially when compared to rivals in the Windows handheld gaming PC space.
If these are drawbacks you can live with, you can pick up an MSI Claw at a decent price right now. Amazon is offering the MSI Claw with 16GB of RAM and an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor for $500 (was $749), or you can get one with an Intel Ultra Core 5 processor for $430 (was $699).
Windows handheld gaming PCs on sale
Lenovo Legion GoMSI Claw (Intel Core Ultra 5) — $430 ($699)MSI Claw (Intel Core Ultra 7) — $500 ($749)Asus ROG Ally Z1 — $400 ($500)Asus ROG Ally X (2TB) — $900Lenovo Legion Go — $540 ($700)
While they’re a little pricier, the Asus ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go offer a better experience overall. The 2023 Asus ROG Ally Z1 is on sale for $400 at Walmart, and this is a pretty good device for enjoying indie and AA games. It’ll still play AAA games if you’re willing to make quite a few graphical concessions, but you’ll want to consider getting the Z1 Extreme model or the newer ROG Ally X model instead if you want high-end gaming on the go. Both models have the same Z1 Extreme chipset, but you can get a version of the ROG Ally X that has 2TB of storage capacity.
The Legion Go is also recommended, and you can pick one up at the very good price of $540 currently. Normally $700, it’s equipped with an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, Radeon 700M Series GPU, 16GB of RAM, 512GB SSD, and a massive 8.8-inch display that supports a 144Hz refresh rate and a 2560 x 1600 resolution.
