MSI has announced the Claw 8 AI Plus, a new handheld gaming console to compete with high-end portable gaming consoles like the Asus ROG Ally X. This news came on X post, which is known as Twitter, on June 4, 2024. It’s going to release soon, but the exact MSI Claw 8 AI release date has not been revealed yet.
Three months ago, the MSI Claw was criticized for its worse battery life and performance. Now the Claw 8 AI Plus comes with a faster gaming chipset, long battery life, and a better display, which make this handheld gaming console very powerful.
MSI Claw 8 AI Specifications
MSI Claw 8 AI Plus will be released with Intel’s new Lunar Lake processor, making it one of the first portable gaming Console with this advanced technology. This new chip gives much better graphics and uses less power compared to the older Meteor Lake chip.
➢ Display and Refresh Rate
The Claw 8 AI Plus has an 8-inch Full HD display with 1080p resolution, which is an upgrade version of the original Claw’s 7-inch screen. The display has a 120Hz refresh rate and supports variable refresh rates, which provide smoother gameplay and less screen heating.
➢ Battery and ports
The Claw 8 AI Plus has a big 80Wh battery, like the new Asus ROG Ally X. This bigger battery helps with past worries about battery life, letting you play longer without charging often. The device has two Thunderbolt ports for better connectivity and faster data transfers.
➢ Memory and storage
The Claw 8 AI Plus comes with 32GB LPDDR5x memory and 1TB SSD, which provide fast and smooth gaming performance.
➢ Cooling and ergonomics
MSI has improved the cooling system in the Claw 8 AI Plus with the new Cooler Boost Hyperflow system to keep it cool during intense gaming. They also made the LB/RB buttons more responsive and comfortable for long gaming sessions.
Quick Specifications
- Processor: Intel Lunar Lake
- Display: 8-inch FHD 1080p with 120Hz refresh rate
- Battery: 80Wh
- Ports: Dual Thunderbolt ports
- Memory: Up to 32GB LPDDR5x
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Cooling System: Cooler Boost Hyperflow
- Enhanced Buttons: Improved tactile feel of LB/RB buttons
MSI Claw 8 Limited-Edition Fallout Version
MSI also revealed a special Fallout-themed version of the original Claw A1MX alongside the Claw 8 AI Plus. This limited edition is made with Bethesda and inspired by the Fallout game series. It has a rusty look on the back and front to resemble the game’s Pip-Boy and other parts. While it has a bigger battery, it still uses the older Intel Meteor Lake chipset, and most other specs are the same.
Market Position and Competition
The Claw 8 AI Plus is replacing the original Claw because people didn’t like its performance. The new one tries to fix these problems with better hardware and a nicer experience. With Intel’s Lunar Lake processor, MSI wants the Claw 8 AI Plus to be a strong rival to devices like the Asus ROG Ally X and the Steam Deck OLED.
MSI Claw 8 vs Asus ROG Ally X Comparison
The Asus ROG Ally X, a big competitor, uses an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme CPU with a Zen 4 design and 8 cores. It also has an RDNA 3 integrated GPU and 24GB of LPDDR5 RAM. The Ally X has a slightly smaller 7-inch full-HD IPS screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 7-ms response time. Even though they’re different, the Claw 8 AI Plus has a bigger screen and a better Lunar Lake chipset, giving it an edge in performance and how it feels to use.
- Asus ROG Ally X
- CPU: AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme with Zen 4 design and 8 cores
- GPU: RDNA 3
- RAM: 24GB LPDDR5
- Display: 7-inch full-HD IPS screen
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz
- Response Time: 7-ms
- Claw 8 AI Plus
- Features Lunar Lake chipset for improved performance
- Larger screen than the Ally X
- Offers better overall user experience and performance due to chipset superiority
MSI Claw 8 Release Date
MSI hasn’t revealed the Claw 8 AI Plus price yet, but it’s supposed to come out in September 2024, and as for the Fallout limited edition, we’re not sure it will be available for everyone to buy or just for certain people.
Intel Lunar Lake Processor Launch Date
Intel will release Lunar Lake processor in Q3 2024, and they might be available by Q4 2024. This means the Claw 8 AI Plus will be one of the first devices to use these new processors. That might give it an advantage in the market for handheld gaming PCs.
