This $1000 gaming handheld may simply be value its insane pricetag

For lots of players, together with myself, handheld gaming PCs are a secondary machine, providing on-the-go play when your main PC or console is not accessible. Although I personally use gaming handhelds loads in my dwelling so I can play on the sofa or in mattress, these gadgets are designed to be transportable first, and virtually at all times come second to a different, main gaming machine.

Nonetheless, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is the primary gaming handheld I’ve tried that feels prefer it might truly change into the first manner I play video games. With insane {hardware} below the hood, a high-quality display screen, and AI options that take the guesswork out of optimizing your machine in your favourite recreation, I discovered myself prioritizing taking part in video games on a handheld over a console for the primary time ever.

Sadly, such a premium expertise does come at a price, and the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is not a handheld for everybody. However if you’re on the lookout for a gaming machine that fairly actually does all of it, and do not thoughts plunking down a hefty chunk of change, this simply may be the console-replacement you are on the lookout for.

Weight

1.75 kilos

Chipset

Intel Core Extremely 7 processor

RAM

32 GB

Storage

1 TB

A premium gaming handheld powered by Intel Core Extremely 7-258V with 32GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage.

Execs & Cons

• Intel chip gives unbelievable efficiency
• AI options make optimization simple
• Large show

• Costly
• Arduous to carry when you have got small wrists
• Heart M launcher wants enchancment

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Value, availability, and specs

Energy in your fingers

Below the hood, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is rocking the extremely highly effective Intel Core Extremely 7 258V processor, which gives significantly better efficiency than different handhelds just like the ROG Ally collection and the Lenovo Legion Go S, which use an AMD Z1 Excessive. Paired with 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage, this handheld is actually probably the most highly effective I’ve examined and might go toe to toe with loads of mid-range gaming laptops and PCs, which is fairly spectacular for a handheld.

Along with uncooked energy, this handheld packs Corridor Impact joysticks, two Thunderbolt 4 ports (good for attaching a controller or exterior show whereas nonetheless charging), RGB lighting, whisper-quiet Hyperflow followers, and a high-capacity 80WHr battery.

Nonetheless, it ought to be famous that every one this energy does come at a value, because the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is without doubt one of the costliest gaming handhelds at the moment accessible, costing an eye-popping $1000 as of July 2025. Little question a few of this value could also be as a result of elevated prices due to political coverage, however with this unit costing greater than a PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Swap 2 mixed, price is certainly one of many first elements you need to think about for those who’re considering of choosing up this machine.

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What I favored concerning the MSI Claw 8 AI+

Gaming on the go with out limitations

When placing the MSI Claw 8 AI+ by way of its paces, I attempted to pick out a recreation that I knew would push the {hardware} to its limits. On this case, that title ended up being Indiana Jones and the Nice Circle, a recreation that has pissed off me on different gadgets with frequent crashes, framerate drops, and loading points. And once I received began with the MSI Claw 8 AI+, I famous a few of these similar points inside the first ten minutes or so of beginning the sport.

Nonetheless, the sport has a sensible AI Engine function that robotically optimized efficiency and as soon as I turned it on I used to be capable of get the sport operating easily in only a matter of moments. Although you might be nonetheless free to make use of the machine’s guide settings mode if you want, I can not suggest the AI engine sufficient because it helped me get into the video games I wished to play as rapidly as potential, with Indiana Jones and the Nice Circle operating at a secure 50 FPS when in handheld mode. Sadly, the sport’s power-saving endurance mode was merely less than the duty when it got here to taking part in this recreation, however once I booted up lighter weight video games like Persona 3: Reloaded and Slay the Spire, the MSI Claw 8 AI+’s battery saving mode offered satisfactory efficiency as properly.

It doesn’t matter what you are taking part in, the MSI Claw 8 AI+’s large 8-inch IPS touchscreen appears to be like vivid and exquisite and makes use of VRR (variable refresh price) at as much as 120Hz to make sure easy efficiency from even probably the most demanding titles. Given the machine’s premium value, you would be forgiven for questioning why the MSI Claw 8 AI+ does not have an OLED display screen, however I truthfully assume the LCD will get the job performed properly sufficient that if that is the place the nook needed to be minimize to maintain the machine from costing over a grand, the IPS display screen is an appropriate substitution.

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What I did not like concerning the MSI Claw 8 AI+

Typically, it isn’t nearly energy

There’s truthfully not loads to dislike concerning the MSI Claw 8 AI+. It is a dear handheld to make certain, however with loads of energy below the hood, that value is justified if you’re available in the market for a top-of-the line handheld. Nonetheless, there have been some nitpick-y issues that I did not personally like concerning the machine, although these largely fall below the “your mileage might fluctuate” umbrella.

First up, my greatest subject personally with the MSI Claw 8 AI+ has to do with ergonomics. I’ve very small fingers, and I discovered the machine’s slab-like form to be powerful to carry for lengthy intervals of time, particularly as a result of the machine weighs virtually two kilos and put plenty of pressure on my wrists. I discovered myself typically propping the machine up on a pillow or a countertop to present my wrists a break after only a few hours of gaming. As with something, I might encourage those that are excited by shopping for this machine to discover a unit they will check out first, as my distinctive hand construction might merely be incompatible with the machine, whereas others might discover it simpler to carry.

One other small subject I had was with the MSI software program that ships with the machine. Very similar to different gaming handhelds, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ has its personal proprietary app on the machine named Heart M, which permits customers a central hub from which they will launch video games, customise controls, modify settings, and customarily bypass plenty of Home windows 11. Although the launcher will get the job performed, it isn’t as absolutely featured as Legion House or Armory Crate on ROG gadgets, and it takes some digging to search out primary features contained in the app. Fortuitously, for those who’re like me and also you hate it, you possibly can at all times simply bypass it completely. In fact, which means you may be caught utilizing Home windows 11, which has its personal well-documented points, but when all you are attempting to do is get to your video games, it is a comparatively small downside.

Lastly, like just about any gaming handheld, the battery life on the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is not nice. When taking part in Indiana Jones and the Nice Circle, I used to be capable of simply barely eke out 90 minutes of gameplay earlier than needing to plug in. Granted, when taking part in different, much less resource-intensive video games like Slay the Spire or Persona 3: Reloaded, I might get virtually double that quantity, however its vital to know that if you’re getting this handheld primarily to play top-tier video games, do not anticipate prolonged battery occasions, and be sure to have a high-capacity energy financial institution with you for those who’re taking it on the go.

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Must you purchase the MSI Claw 8 AI+?

Take into consideration your personal use case first

At an MSRP of $1000, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is asking players for an enormous funding up entrance, and if you have already got a handheld, a laptop computer, even a Swap 2 that you simply use repeatedly, that pricetag might merely make this machine, as spectacular as it’s from a technical standpoint, not well worth the cash.

Nonetheless, if you’re on the lookout for a brand new main gaming machine (or simply have cash to burn I assume) that is virtually actually the perfect handheld at the moment accessible. Regardless of some issues I had with ergonomics, the onboard software program, and the battery life, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ nonetheless is one premium buy you may most likely be glad you made.

Weight

1.75 kilos

Chipset

Intel Core Extremely 7 processor

RAM

32 GB

Storage

1 TB

A premium gaming handheld powered by Intel Core Extremely 7-258V with 32GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage.

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