MSI Claw A8: The First Next-Gen Handheld Gaming PC

Since the Steam Deck burst onto the scene in 2022, handheld gaming PCs have been steadily gaining traction. However, the top-tier handhelds of the past two years have all relied on the Z1 Extreme chipset—until now. The MSI Claw A8, unveiled at Computex 2025, marks a significant shift by adopting the newly announced AMD Z2 Extreme from CES 2025.

The MSI Claw A8 shares many similarities with the recently launched Claw 8 AI, but with a few notable tweaks. MSI has reduced the RAM from 32GB to 24GB of LPDDR5X, running at a swift 8,000MHz. Additionally, the display now boasts VRR (variable refresh rate) support. Although both devices feature 120Hz FullHD screens, the A8's VRR capability should minimize screen tearing, enhancing the gaming experience.

The standout upgrade, however, is the transition 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, outstripping the Z1 Extreme's 12 Compute Units and advancing the architecture by half a generation.

Alongside the Claw A8, MSI also introduced an updated version of the MSI Claw 8 AI+, sporting a fresh color scheme and a beefier 2TB SSD. This model retains the Intel Core Ultra 7 285V processor.

While the MSI Claw A8 is slated for release later this year, specifics like the launch window and pricing remain under wraps. Given the MSI Claw 8 AI+ retails at $999, the AMD-powered A8 is likely to command a premium price.

The AMD Z2 Extreme Race Is On

Announced quietly at CES in January 2025, the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme has yet to appear in any handhelds on store shelves, sparking a race among manufacturers to be the first to market. The Lenovo Legion Go 2, also showcased at CES 2025, is slated to use the Z2 Extreme, but release dates remain elusive. Instead, Lenovo launched the less powerful and pricier Z2 Go-powered Lenovo Legion Go S.

Rumors suggest that the Asus ROG Ally 2 will also harness the Z2 Extreme, although no official announcement has been made. Speculation is rife about a potential collaboration between Asus and Microsoft, possibly resulting in an Xbox-branded version of the Ally 2, which would likely feature the Z2 Extreme as well.

One notable exception to the Z2 Extreme trend is the Steam Deck 2. Valve has publicly stated that the new Z-series chips from AMD don't represent a significant enough leap to warrant a new handheld. This stance might cast doubt on the Z2 Extreme's performance, yet new alternatives to the Steam Deck are expected to offer improvements over current market offerings, which is certainly a positive development for gamers.