MSI Claw A8: The Future of Handheld Gaming PCs

Handheld gaming PCs have seen a surge in popularity since the Steam Deck burst onto the scene in 2022. However, for the past two years, the top-tier handhelds have been equipped with the same Z1 Extreme chipset. The MSI Claw A8, unveiled at Computex 2025, marks a significant shift as it's the first handheld to feature the newly announced Z2 Extreme at CES 2025.

The MSI Claw A8 shares many similarities with the recently launched Claw 8 AI, but it introduces a few key changes. MSI has reduced the maximum RAM from 32GB to 24GB of LPDDR5X, which operates at 8,000MHz. Additionally, the display now supports VRR (variable refresh rate), meaning that although both devices boast 120Hz FullHD panels, the A8 will experience less screen tearing, enhancing the overall gaming experience.

The most notable upgrade in the MSI Claw A8 is the switch from the Intel Core Ultra 7 285V to the AMD Z2 Extreme. This gaming APU features 8 Zen 5 CPU cores and 16 RDNA 3.5 graphics cores, offering more Compute Units than the 12 found in the Z1 Extreme and a slight architectural advancement.

MSI also revealed an updated version of the MSI Claw 8 AI+, which sports a new colorway and a larger 2TB SSD, yet retains the Intel Core Ultra 7 285V.

While the MSI Claw A8 is slated for release later this year, specific details regarding its launch window and pricing remain undisclosed. Considering the MSI Claw 8 AI+ retails at $999, it's safe to assume that the new AMD-powered version won't come cheap.

The AMD Z2 Extreme Race Is On

The AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme was quietly introduced at CES in January 2025. Nearly five months on, no handheld with this new silicon has reached the market, sparking a race among manufacturers to be the first to launch.

The Lenovo Legion Go 2, also revealed at CES 2025, is powered by the Z2 Extreme, but Lenovo has yet to provide any indication of its market release. Instead, they launched the less powerful and pricier Z2 Go-powered Lenovo Legion Go S.

Rumors suggest that the Asus ROG Ally 2 will likely adopt the Z2 Extreme, though no official announcement has been made. Speculation also hints at a potential collaboration between Asus and Microsoft for an Xbox-branded version of the Ally 2, which would presumably also use the Z2 Extreme.

On the other hand, the Steam Deck 2 will not feature the Z2 Extreme. Valve has stated that the next generation of Z-series chips from AMD does not represent a significant enough leap to warrant a new handheld. While this casts some doubt on the Z2 Extreme's performance, new alternatives to the Steam Deck will still offer improvements over current models, which is a positive development for gamers.