This $1000 gaming handheld would possibly simply be price 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 major PC or console is not accessible. Although I personally use gaming handhelds quite a bit in my residence so I can play on the sofa or in mattress, these units are designed to be transportable first, and nearly at all times come second to a different, major gaming gadget.

Nevertheless, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is the primary gaming handheld I’ve tried that feels prefer it might really turn out to be the first approach I play video games. With insane {hardware} below the hood, a high-quality display, and AI options that take the guesswork out of optimizing your gadget in your favourite sport, I discovered myself prioritizing taking part in video games on a handheld over a console for the primary time ever.

Sadly, such a premium expertise does come at a price, and the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is not a handheld for everybody. However if you’re on the lookout 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 on the lookout for.

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Worth, availability, and specs

Energy in your palms

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 sequence 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 might 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.

Nevertheless, it ought to be famous that every one this energy does come at a worth, because the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is among the costliest gaming handhelds presently accessible, costing an eye-popping $1000 as of July 2025. Little question a few of this worth could also be on account of elevated prices thanks to political policy, however with this unit costing greater than a PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Change 2 mixed, value is unquestionably one of many first components it is best to take into account in case you’re considering of choosing up this gadget.

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What I favored concerning 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 sport 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 sport that has pissed off me on different units with frequent crashes, framerate drops, and loading points. And once I acquired began with the MSI Claw 8 AI+, I famous a few of these identical points inside the first ten minutes or so of beginning the sport.

Nevertheless, the sport has a wise AI Engine function that mechanically optimized efficiency and as soon as I turned it on I used to be in a position to get the sport working easily in only a matter of moments. Although you’re nonetheless free to make use of the gadget’s guide settings mode if you want, I can not 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 working at a secure 50 FPS when in handheld mode. Sadly, the sport’s power-saving endurance mode was merely less than the duty when it got here to taking part in this sport, however once I booted up lighter weight video games like Persona 3: Reloaded and Slay the Spire, the MSI Claw 8 AI+’s battery saving mode offered enough efficiency as nicely.

It doesn’t matter what you are taking part in, the MSI Claw 8 AI+’s huge 8-inch IPS touchscreen appears vibrant and exquisite and makes use of VRR (variable refresh price) at as much as 120Hz to make sure easy efficiency from even essentially the most demanding titles. Given the gadget’s premium worth, you would be forgiven for questioning why the MSI Claw 8 AI+ does not have an OLED display, however I actually assume the LCD will get the job performed nicely sufficient that if that is the place the nook needed to be reduce to maintain the gadget from costing over a grand, the IPS display is an appropriate substitution.

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What I did not like concerning the MSI Claw 8 AI+

Typically, it is not nearly energy

There’s actually not quite a bit to dislike concerning the MSI Claw 8 AI+. It is a dear handheld to make certain, however with loads of energy below the hood, that worth is justified if you’re out there for a top-of-the line handheld. Nevertheless, there have been some nitpick-y issues that I did not personally like concerning the gadget, although these largely fall below the “your mileage might range” umbrella.

First up, my largest problem personally with the MSI Claw 8 AI+ has to do with ergonomics. I’ve very small palms, and I discovered the gadget’s slab-like form to be powerful to carry for lengthy durations of time, particularly as a result of the gadget weighs nearly two kilos and put numerous pressure on my wrists. I discovered myself typically 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’d encourage those that are enthusiastic about shopping for this gadget to discover a unit they’ll check out first, as my distinctive hand construction might merely be incompatible with the gadget, whereas others might discover it simpler to carry.

One other small problem 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, regulate settings, and usually bypass numerous Home windows 11. Although the launcher will get the job performed, it is not as absolutely featured as Legion House or Armory Crate on ROG units, and it takes some digging to search out fundamental features contained in the app. Thankfully, in case you’re like me and also you hate it, you possibly can at all times simply bypass it totally. After all, which means you may 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 drawback.

Lastly, like just about any gaming handheld, the battery life on the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is not nice. When taking part in Indiana Jones and the Nice Circle, I used to be in a position to simply barely eke out 90 minutes of gameplay earlier than needing to plug in. Granted, when taking part in different, much less resource-intensive video games like Slay the Spire or Persona 3: Reloaded, I might get nearly double that quantity, however its necessary to know that if you’re getting this handheld primarily to play top-tier video games, do not count on prolonged battery occasions, and be sure you have a high-capacity power bank with you in case you’re taking it on the go.

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Do you have to purchase the MSI Claw 8 AI+?

Take into consideration your personal 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 Change 2 that you simply use usually, that pricetag might merely make this gadget, as spectacular as it’s from a technical standpoint, not definitely worth the cash.

Nevertheless, if you’re on the lookout for a brand new major gaming gadget (or simply have cash to burn I assume) that is nearly actually the perfect handheld presently accessible. 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 may in all probability 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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