Updated
Updated · ZDNet · Jun 28
MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ Beats Legion Go, Delivers 4-Hour Battery at $1,799
Updated
Updated · ZDNet · Jun 28

MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ Beats Legion Go, Delivers 4-Hour Battery at $1,799

3 articles · Updated · ZDNet · Jun 28

Summary

  • MSI’s Claw 8 EX AI+ impressed in testing with strong sustained gaming performance, effective cooling and ergonomics that the reviewer said outclass the Lenovo Legion Go.
  • Intel’s new Arc G3 Extreme chip drove that showing, running titles such as Remnant II, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Hades 2 smoothly, while Monster Hunter Wilds needed only some settings tweaks.
  • Four hours to 50% battery while playing Civilization VI highlighted the handheld’s efficiency, and MSI’s HyperFlow cooling kept heat away from the hand rests even under load.
  • Windows 11 remained the main drawback: the Quick Menu behaved erratically, MSI App Player failed to launch Android games, and the interface felt more cluttered than SteamOS despite an Xbox Mode option.
  • A few hundred units are due to restock on July 3 through Micro Center, Best Buy and MSI’s US store, with another batch expected in August at a $1,799 price.

Insights

Is the MSI Claw's record performance worth its price, fueled by the global 'RAM-ageddon'?
Intel's new chip beats AMD, but can its software overcome the dreaded Windows handheld experience?
With handhelds now costing nearly $1,800, is this the end of affordable portable PC gaming?