MSI Claw handheld gaming PC returns with Lunar Lake and 32GB of RAM for $800

[Daniel Sims]

In a nutshell: The original MSI Claw introduced Intel chips to the emerging handheld PC market but suffered from disappointing performance. Less than a year later, MSI revised the device with Intel's latest mobile architecture, improved battery life, and made other changes. New leaks also indicate that Lenovo is preparing a budget-friendly variant of the Legion Go.

Pre-orders are now open for MSI's Claw 7 AI+ and 8 AI+. The successors of the handheld gaming PC the company released in March are equipped with Intel's new Core Ultra 7 258V SoC. The Verge notes that the devices begin shipping on Christmas Day, starting at $799.

MSI's first handheld gaming PC, using Intel's Core Ultra 7 155H, ran games poorly compared to AMD Ryzen-based competitors like the Asus ROG Ally or Lenovo Legion Go, although subsequent driver updates brought substantial improvements. In contrast, early benchmarks indicate that the 258V might turn the tables on the ROG Ally and AMD's new Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, expected to power a new generation of handhelds.

Click to enlarge

The Claw AI+ devices may also experience longer battery life due to new batteries and improved energy efficiency. While the Claw 7's 54.5Whr battery closely resembles its predecessor, the Claw 8's is rated at 80Whr.

The Claw 8 also sports a slightly larger screen and better resolution. The Claw 7 retains the original handheld's 7-inch 1080p 120Hz panel with added VRR support, while the Claw 8 expands to 8 inches at 1,920 x 1,200 to evoke the Steam Deck's 16:10 aspect ratio. Both variants also add a second Thunderbolt 4 port.

Click to enlarge

Meanwhile, details regarding Lenovo's upcoming handheld revisions continue to leak. Prior reports indicated that the company intends to launch three new Legion Go models, likely featuring the three planned tiers of AMD's upcoming Ryzen Z2 chip, one of which is based on the HX 370.

Last month, a leaked Lenovo BIOS update mentioned Rembrandt, the mature RDNA2-based APU architecture expected to power the most affordable Z2 chip and the upcoming budget Legion Go variant. Furthermore, sources recently provided Windows Central with an official render of the budget-focused machine.

Closely resembling the Asus ROG Ally, it features fewer back paddles and ditches the original Legion Go's Nintendo Switch-inspired features, such as the kickstand and detachable Joy-Con-like controllers. Pricing and release details remain unclear.

Permalink to story:

MSI Claw handheld gaming PC returns with Lunar Lake and 32GB of RAM for $800

 

[RudyBob]

Quoting "Get Smart". Craw not Craw

 

[ScottSoapbox]

I believe an 8" screen is the ideal size for a handheld, and I like the fast memory for the iGPU, but I doubt this will be able to match (let alone surpass) the Ally X.

 

[ZedRM]

I believe an 8" screen is the ideal size for a handheld

I'd personally like a 9" screen, but 8" is a good option.

 

[ScottSoapbox]

I'd personally like a 9" screen, but 8" is a good option.

I'm pretty happy with my Ally X's form factor, but you could fit an 8" screen in it if it had minimal bezels so that's where I'm getting the 8 from. (And 7 for some games is pretty small.) But I would try a device with 9" in the store to see if it wasn't too big (it'd need to be about the same weight as the Ally).

 

[ZedRM]

I'm pretty happy with my Ally X's form factor, but you could fit an 8" screen in it if it had minimal bezels so that's where I'm getting the 8 from. (And 7 for some games is pretty small.) But I would try a device with 9" in the store to see if it wasn't too big (it'd need to be about the same weight as the Ally).

I have a 7" Android gaming tablet similar to these. You are right about it being too small for some games. I would LOVE a 9" version of it!

 

[opckieran]

Shame LL doesn’t support TB5. It’d be a mighty blow against the OcuLink crowd if it did, and make LL more competitive against AMD. Not sure why Intel decided against integrating TB5 into LL.

OcuLink ought to either piggyback off of USB-C 240W PD by standardizing it as an optional companion port within the spec or figure out a way to push power and USB over their port (and enable hot plugging).

 

[dipankar]

Please don't purchase any MSI product, it has worst RMA record as compared to other brands. Some of its products may be cheaper but they will deny to provide RMA service due to MSI CID policy, mail you that saying as "your product is not eligible for acceptance under warranty." No futher expaination they will provide and no direct communication option with their customer service provider for RMA claim. You will have to raise ticket on their website for RMA claim & they will mail you regarding acceptance or not for your warranty claim. Hence, it is very risky to purchase MSI product as compared to other brands, as they may deny your RMA claim.

 

[ZedRM]

Please don't purchase any MSI product

You do you. Don't tell us what to do.

 

[dipankar]

You do you. Don't tell us what to.

I doubt you may be MSI PR Agent ?

 

[ZedRM]

I doubt you may be MSI PR Agent ?

No. I'm someone who has had to rma parts to MSI and both went smooth and easy.

 

[Watzupken]

I'm pretty happy with my Ally X's form factor, but you could fit an 8" screen in it if it had minimal bezels so that's where I'm getting the 8 from. (And 7 for some games is pretty small.) But I would try a device with 9" in the store to see if it wasn't too big (it'd need to be about the same weight as the Ally).

I feel 8 inch screen is the max for a portable handheld PC. The problem is that these iGPUs can’t game at very high resolutions, so the bigger the screen, the more you will notice the effects of the low resolution. As a Steam Deck user, the 7.4 inch screen on the OLED version is just nice for image quality and portability.

 

[Puiu]

It will be interesting to see how it performs compared to AMD's Z2 Extreme in 2025.

 

[Neatfeatguy]

I like the idea of these PC capable gaming handhelds, but I hate using a controller anymore. The kids have a X series and I found a few games on the game pass I thought might be fun to play again (Doom/Doom 2 for example), that was, until I had to play them with a controller. Everything feels slow and sluggish on the controller....maybe I'm just old and set in my ways, but I need a keyboard and mouse.

 

[TempleOrion]

I like the idea of these PC capable gaming handhelds, but I have using a controller anymore. The kids have a X series and I found a few games on the game pass I thought might be fun to play again (Doom/Doom 2 for example), that was, until I had to play them with a controller. Everything feels slow and sluggish on the controller....maybe I'm just old and set in my ways, but I need a keyboard and mouse.

Agreed. Controllers suck...

 

[ZedRM]

Agreed. Controllers suck...

Greatly depends on the game.