MSI Claw A8: First Next-Gen Handheld Gaming PC

Since the Steam Deck burst onto the scene in 2022, handheld gaming PCs have been steadily gaining traction. For the past two years, the top-tier handhelds have relied on the same Z1 Extreme chipset. However, the MSI Claw A8, unveiled at Computex 2025, promises to shake things up as the first device to harness the newly announced Z2 Extreme chipset from CES 2025.

The MSI Claw A8 shares similarities with the recently launched Claw 8 AI, but with some key adjustments. MSI has dialed down the maximum RAM from 32GB to 24GB of LPDDR5X, which runs at a brisk 8,000MHz. Additionally, the A8's display now boasts VRR (variable refresh rate) support. While both devices feature 120Hz FullHD panels, the A8's VRR feature promises reduced screen tearing, enhancing the gaming experience.

The most significant upgrade, however, is the shift from the Intel Core Ultra 7 285V to the AMD Z2 Extreme. This gaming APU packs 8 Zen 5 CPU cores and 16 RDNA 3.5 graphics cores, surpassing the Z1 Extreme's 12 Compute Units and offering a half-generation advancement in architecture.

Alongside the Claw A8, MSI also introduced an updated MSI Claw 8 AI+ model, featuring a fresh color scheme and a beefier 2TB SSD, yet still driven by the Intel Core Ultra 7 285V.

While the MSI Claw A8 is slated for a release later this year, specific launch details and pricing remain undisclosed. Given the MSI Claw 8 AI+'s $999 price tag, the AMD-powered A8 is likely to command a premium.

The AMD Z2 Extreme Race Is On

The AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme made a subtle debut at CES in January 2025. Five months on, no handheld featuring this new silicon has hit the market, sparking a race among manufacturers to be the first to launch.

Technically, the Lenovo Legion Go 2, also introduced at CES 2025, is set to be powered by the Z2 Extreme, but Lenovo has kept quiet about its market entry. Instead, they've released the less powerful and pricier Z2 Go-powered Lenovo Legion Go S.

Rumors suggest that the Asus ROG Ally 2 will also employ the Z2 Extreme, although an official announcement is pending. There's even talk of a potential collaboration between Asus and Microsoft for an Xbox-branded version of the Ally 2, which would likely feature the Z2 Extreme as well.

One notable exception is the Steam Deck 2. Valve has publicly stated that the Z2 Extreme doesn't represent a significant enough leap to warrant a new handheld. While this might cast doubt on the Z2 Extreme's prowess, new alternatives to the Steam Deck will at least offer incremental improvements over current models, which is still a positive development for gamers.