This $1000 gaming handheld would possibly simply be value its insane pricetag

For lots of avid gamers, together with myself, handheld gaming PCs are a secondary gadget, 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 house so I can play on the sofa or in mattress, these units are designed to be moveable first, and nearly at all times come second to a different, main gaming gadget.

Nonetheless, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is the primary gaming handheld I’ve tried that feels prefer it may really turn out to be 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 gadget to your favourite recreation, I discovered myself prioritizing enjoying 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 searching for a gaming gadget 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 searching for.

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Worth, 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 offers a lot 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 essentially the most highly effective I’ve examined and may 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 ought to be famous that every one this energy does come at a value, because the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is among the most costly gaming handhelds presently out there, costing an eye-popping $1000 as of July 2025. Little question a few of this value could also be attributable to elevated prices thanks to political policy, however with this unit costing greater than a PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Swap 2 mixed, price is unquestionably one of many first elements you must contemplate in the event you’re pondering of choosing up this gadget.

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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 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 units with frequent crashes, framerate drops, and loading points. And after I obtained 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 characteristic that routinely 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 gadget’s handbook settings mode if you want, I am unable to suggest the AI engine sufficient because it helped me get into the video games I needed to play as shortly as attainable, 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 enjoying this recreation, 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 supplied sufficient efficiency as properly.

It doesn’t matter what you are enjoying, the MSI Claw 8 AI+’s large 8-inch IPS touchscreen seems to be brilliant and delightful and makes use of VRR (variable refresh fee) at as much as 120Hz to make sure clean efficiency from even essentially the most demanding titles. Given the gadget’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 suppose the LCD will get the job completed properly sufficient that if that is the place the nook needed to be minimize to maintain the gadget 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 sure, however with loads of energy below the hood, that value is justified in case you are 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 in regards to the gadget, although these largely fall below the “your mileage could range” umbrella.

First up, my largest difficulty personally with the MSI Claw 8 AI+ has to do with ergonomics. I’ve very small fingers, and I discovered the gadget’s slab-like form to be robust to carry for lengthy durations of time, particularly as a result of the gadget weighs nearly two kilos and put a number of pressure on my wrists. I discovered myself usually propping the gadget up on a pillow or a countertop to offer my wrists a break after only a few hours of gaming. As with something, I might encourage those that are interested by shopping for this gadget to discover a unit they’ll check out first, as my distinctive hand construction could merely be incompatible with the gadget, whereas others could discover it simpler to carry.

One other small difficulty I had was with the MSI software program that ships with the gadget. Very like different gaming handhelds, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ has its personal proprietary app on the gadget named Heart M, which permits customers a central hub from which they’ll launch video games, customise controls, alter settings, and customarily bypass a number of Home windows 11. Although the launcher will get the job completed, it isn’t as absolutely featured as Legion House or Armory Crate on ROG units, and it takes some digging to search out primary capabilities contained in the app. Thankfully, in the event you’re like me and also you hate it, you possibly can at all times simply bypass it solely. After all, meaning you will 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 enjoying 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 enjoying different, much less resource-intensive video games like Slay the Spire or Persona 3: Reloaded, I may get nearly double that quantity, however its essential to know that in case you are getting this handheld primarily to play top-tier video games, do not count on prolonged battery instances, and be sure to have a high-capacity power bank with you in the event you’re taking it on the go.

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Must you purchase the MSI Claw 8 AI+?

Take into consideration your individual use case first

At an MSRP of $1000, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is asking avid gamers for a giant funding up entrance, and if you have already got a handheld, a laptop computer, even a Swap 2 that you just use usually, that pricetag could merely make this gadget, as spectacular as it’s from a technical standpoint, not well worth the cash.

Nonetheless, in case you are searching for a brand new main gaming gadget (or simply have cash to burn I assume) that is nearly actually one of the best handheld presently 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 will 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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