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

Handheld gaming PCs have been steadily gaining traction since the launch of the Steam Deck in 2022. For the past two years, the most powerful handhelds have relied on the Z1 Extreme chipset. However, the MSI Claw A8, unveiled at Computex 2025, marks a significant shift by being the first to incorporate the newly announced AMD Z2 Extreme from CES 2025.

The MSI Claw A8, while similar to the recently released Claw 8 AI, boasts several updated specs. MSI has reduced the maximum RAM from 32GB to 24GB of LPDDR5X, running at 8,000MHz. Additionally, the display now supports VRR (variable refresh rate), reducing screen tearing on its 120Hz FullHD panel compared to its predecessor.

The most notable upgrade is the transition 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. The GPU in the Z2 Extreme boasts more Compute Units than the 12 found in the Z1 Extreme and benefits from a half-generation advancement in architecture.

MSI also introduced an updated version of the MSI Claw 8 AI+ with a new color option and a larger 2TB SSD, still powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 285V.

While the MSI Claw A8 is slated for release later this year, MSI has yet to reveal specific launch dates or pricing. Considering the MSI Claw 8 AI+ retails at $999, the new AMD-powered version is expected to command a premium price.

The AMD Z2 Extreme Race Is On

The AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme was quietly introduced at CES in January 2025. As of now, nearly five months later, no handheld has hit the market with this new chip, sparking a race among manufacturers to be the first. The Lenovo Legion Go 2, also unveiled at CES 2025, is set to use the Z2 Extreme, but Lenovo has provided no timeline for its market entry. Instead, they released the less powerful and pricier Z2 Go-powered Lenovo Legion Go S.

Rumors suggest that the Asus ROG Ally 2 may also adopt the Z2 Extreme, though no official announcement has been made. There's speculation that Asus and Microsoft might collaborate on an Xbox-branded version of the Ally 2, which would likely feature the Z2 Extreme as well.

However, one handheld that won't be using the Z2 Extreme is the Steam Deck 2. Valve has stated that the new Z-series chips from AMD don't represent a significant enough leap to warrant a new device. While this might cast some doubt on the Z2 Extreme's capabilities, the new handheld alternatives will still offer improved performance over current models, which is a positive development for gamers.