MSI Unveils Claw 8 AI+ and Claw 7 AI+ with Intel Lunar Lake Power for Handheld Devices

MSI has just rolled out its latest line of Claw gaming handhelds, and they’re packing some serious punch. Both models, the Claw 8 AI+ and Claw 7 AI+, are driven by the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor paired with a hefty 32GB of RAM. You can also pile on up to 1TB of PCIe Gen4 SSD, which MSI assures us can be upgraded with ease. The two handhelds are pretty much twins when it comes to specs; the real difference comes down to the screen size and battery life, which naturally affects their overall size.

If you’re trying to decide which model to go for, it boils down to your preference for display and portability. Want the big screen experience? The Claw 8 AI+ might be your best bet. Prefer something more compact? The Claw 7 AI+ will suit you well. Either way, you won’t be compromising on performance.

Let’s dive into the specs. Both devices are powered by the same Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor with 32GB of integrated LPDDR5x-8533 RAM and support for up to 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD, facilitating easy upgrades. They boast an Intel Arc 140 GPU and each sports dual 2W speakers that are DTS-supported and Hi-Res Audio certified. Connectivity options are robust, featuring Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities alongside an array of ports, including Thunderbolt 4 and USB. The most notable differences: the Claw 8 AI+ has an 8-inch screen with a larger 80Whr battery, while the Claw 7 AI+ offers a 7-inch screen and a 54.5Whr battery.

Pricing? Well, MSI didn’t spill the beans in their initial announcement, and they’re not yet listed in MSI’s US online store. However, Amazon listings reveal that you can preorder the Claw 8 AI+ for $899 with a full 1TB of storage. If you’re okay with a 512GB storage capacity, the Claw 7 AI+ goes for $799—a hundred bucks less.

What’s extra cool about these MSI handhelds is their choice of an Intel processor. Most competitors, like the ROG Ally X and Lenovo Legion Go, stick with AMD. With the Claw series, you’re getting enhanced processing capabilities, along with new and improved joysticks, bumpers, D-pads, and hall-effect triggers. All these tweaks ensure accuracy, consistency, and comfier gameplay. Tencent might have a similar 11-inch handheld first up with the same processor, but it’s not quite ready for the U.S. market yet.

The integration of Intel’s Lunar Lake chips also means gamers can squeeze more out of battery life. MSI proudly touts that compared to their predecessors, these new models deliver “113% higher peak FPS and an average 20% higher FPS under the same power conditions.”

These devices aren’t just handhelds; they might as well be mini-PCs, thanks to their extensive port selection. MSI also says they support Copilot+ capabilities and can run both Windows and Android games with the exclusive App Player. This makes the Claw AI+ series a multitasker’s dream, perfect for toggling between gaming and productivity.