This $1000 gaming handheld may simply be value its...

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

Nonetheless, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is the primary gaming handheld I’ve tried that feels prefer it may really 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 system to your favourite sport, 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 value, and the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is not a handheld for everybody. However in case you are on the lookout for a gaming system 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.

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Value, availability, and specs

Energy in your arms

Below the hood, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is rocking the extremely highly effective Intel Core Extremely 7 258V processor, which supplies a lot better efficiency than different handhelds just like the ROG Ally sequence and the Lenovo Legion Go S, which use an AMD Z1 Excessive. Paired with 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage, this handheld is definitely 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 (excellent for attaching a controller or exterior show whereas nonetheless charging), RGB lighting, whisper-quiet Hyperflow followers, and a high-capacity 80WHr battery.

Nonetheless, it must be famous that each one this energy does come at a value, because the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is among the most costly gaming handhelds at the moment out there, costing an eye-popping $1000 as of July 2025. Little question a few of this value could also be because of elevated prices thanks to political policy, however with this unit costing greater than a PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Swap 2 mixed, value is unquestionably one of many first elements it is best to think about should you’re considering of selecting up this system.

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What I preferred in regards to the MSI Claw 8 AI+

Gaming on the go with out limitations

When placing the MSI Claw 8 AI+ by means of its paces, I attempted to pick out a sport 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 sport that has annoyed me on different units with frequent crashes, framerate drops, and loading points. And after I received began with the MSI Claw 8 AI+, I famous a few of these identical points inside the first ten minutes or so of beginning the sport.

Nonetheless, the sport has a sensible AI Engine characteristic that mechanically optimized efficiency and as soon as I turned it on I used to be in a position to get the sport operating easily in only a matter of moments. Although you might be nonetheless free to make use of the system’s guide settings mode if you want, I can not advocate the AI engine sufficient because it helped me get into the video games I needed 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 lower than the duty when it got here to taking part in this sport, however after 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 enough efficiency as properly.

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

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What I did not like in regards to the MSI Claw 8 AI+

Typically, it isn’t nearly energy

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

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

One other small concern I had was with the MSI software program that ships with the system. Very similar to different gaming handhelds, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ has its personal proprietary app on the system named Heart M, which permits customers a central hub from which they’ll launch video games, customise controls, modify settings, and usually bypass quite a lot of Home windows 11. Although the launcher will get the job accomplished, it isn’t as totally featured as Legion Area or Armory Crate on ROG units, and it takes some digging to seek out primary capabilities contained in the app. Thankfully, should you’re like me and also you hate it, you may at all times simply bypass it totally. After all, 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 drawback.

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 in a position to 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 may get virtually double that quantity, however its vital to know that in case you are getting this handheld primarily to play top-tier video games, do not anticipate prolonged battery instances, and be sure to have a high-capacity power bank with you should you’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 a giant funding up entrance, and if you have already got a handheld, a laptop computer, even a Swap 2 that you simply use often, that pricetag might merely make this system, as spectacular as it’s from a technical standpoint, not well worth the cash.

Nonetheless, in case you are on the lookout for a brand new main gaming system (or simply have cash to burn I suppose) that is virtually definitely the very best handheld at the moment out there. 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 in all probability 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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