MSI Claw A8: Unveiled as First Next-Gen Handheld Gaming PC

Since the Steam Deck redefined portable gaming back in 2022, the handheld PC market has steadily evolved. For nearly two years, devices like the Claw 8 AI relied on the Intel Z1 Extreme chipset. However, MSI is poised to shake things up with the upcoming Claw A8, featuring the newly announced AMD Z2 Extreme APU.

Unveiled at Computex 2025, the Claw A8 introduces several key upgrades compared to its predecessor, the Claw 8 AI. While it retains a 120Hz Full HD display, the A8 now supports VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), reducing instances of screen tearing. Additionally, the maximum RAM capacity has been adjusted from 32GB to 24GB of LPDDR5X, running at 8,000MHz, offering a balance between performance and cost.

The most significant change lies in the processor. The Claw A8 transitions from the Intel Core Ultra 7 285V to the AMD Z2 Extreme, a gaming-focused APU boasting 8 Zen 5 CPU cores paired with 16 RDNA 3.5 graphics cores. This marks a substantial upgrade over the Z1 Extreme, boasting more Compute Units and a half-generation architectural leap in graphics capabilities.

MSI has also teased an enhanced version of the Claw 8 AI+, introducing a fresh color scheme and expanding storage capacity to 2TB. Powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 285V, this model remains distinct from its AMD counterpart.

While the Claw A8 is expected to launch later this year, pricing and exact release dates remain undisclosed. Given the $999 price tag of the Claw 8 AI+, it’s safe to assume the Z2 Extreme-powered model will command a premium.

The race to bring the AMD Z2 Extreme to market is heating up. Although Lenovo unveiled the Legion Go 2 at CES 2025, no release timeline has been announced. Meanwhile, rumors suggest the Asus ROG Ally 2 may also adopt the Z2 Extreme, possibly in collaboration with Microsoft for an Xbox-branded variant.

One notable exception is the Steam Deck 2. Valve has explicitly stated that the Z2 Extreme doesn’t warrant a new handheld, implying that current offerings remain competitive. Regardless, the influx of Z2 Extreme-powered devices promises to breathe new life into the handheld gaming landscape, offering enthusiasts more options than ever before.