The official specs have now been confirmed for the MSI Claw 8 AI+, which, sadly, hasn’t been given a reputation change. The awkwardly titled handheld will use an Intel Core Extremely 200V Lunar Lake SoC, whereas additionally boosting reminiscence pace, battery life, and display screen dimension in comparison with its predecessor.
Given how the MSI Claw A1M did not make any constructive impression within the transportable market, and didn’t come near changing into among the best handheld gaming PCs round, it solely is smart to easily transfer on and take a look at once more. This new handheld is already on present at IFA 2024, however received’t be in the stores till “early 2025”.
Information of a brand new MSI handheld was met with trepidation earlier this yr, primarily as a result of it wasn’t lengthy after the Claw A1M launched, and was nonetheless struggling to get the fundamentals proper. A couple of Claw BIOS updates later, and homeowners of the hand held would possibly now really feel that gaming efficiency is healthier, but it surely’s nonetheless comfortably behind gadgets comparable to the Asus ROG Ally X.
MSI states it listened to buyer suggestions, as that is what has led to the modifications specified by its IFA 2024 bulletins. The MSI Claw 8 AI+ will at the beginning undertake the Intel Lunar Lake Intel Core Extremely 200V APU and improve the utmost system reminiscence to 32GB, whereas additionally shifting from LPDDR5-6400 to LPDDR5x-8533 reminiscence.
In the meantime, the battery is rising to an 80Wh spec, up from 53Wh, and the Claw 8 AI+ will even double up its Thunderbolt 4 ports in order that two can be found. Elsewhere, this new handheld will even help the M.2 2280 SSD kind issue.
Lastly, the display screen dimension is rising from seven to eight inches, however it is going to nonetheless be a 1,920 x 1,080, 120Hz VRR panel versus upgrading to an OLED mannequin.
Whereas all these enhancements are nice, there’s a damaged belief from the primary Claw system’s launch that shall be very tough for MSI to repair. Given the oversaturated nature of the hand held market, with extra large names attempting to assert a share, the Claw A1M’s failures must be addressed earlier than this new mannequin replaces it.
Very similar to Asus acknowledging the failures in its ROG Ally microSD card slot, in addition to the common Asus RMA course of, it’s greatest to acknowledge your errors earlier than you progress on.
Nevertheless, if MSI will get it proper, it’s onerous to wager in opposition to the facility of the Lunar Lake structure, which can blow older handhelds just like the AMD-powered Steam Deck out of the water. Granted, the Steam Deck will nonetheless probably supply a greater consumer expertise, and the a lot beloved OLED mannequin in its place.
We’re attending IFA this yr and hope to convey you a hands-on preview of the MSI Claw 8 AI+. Within the meantime, try our story on a possible Acer gaming handheld, as extra manufacturers look to enter the transportable market.
