MSI Claw A8: The First Next-Gen Handheld Gaming PC

Handheld gaming PCs have seen a surge in popularity since the Steam Deck's launch in 2022, and the market has been dominated by devices using the Z1 Extreme chipset for the past two years. However, a new contender, the MSI Claw A8, announced at Computex 2025, is set to change the game by being the first to use the Z2 Extreme chipset unveiled at CES 2025.

The MSI Claw A8 shares similarities with the recently released Claw 8 AI, but with a few key updates. MSI has adjusted the maximum RAM from 32GB to 24GB of LPDDR5X, operating at 8,000MHz. Additionally, the A8's display now supports VRR (variable refresh rate), reducing the likelihood of screen tearing despite both devices featuring 120Hz FullHD panels.

The most significant upgrade in the MSI Claw A8 is the transition from the Intel Core Ultra 7 285V to the AMD Z2 Extreme. This APU boasts 8 Zen 5 CPU cores and 16 RDNA 3.5 graphics cores, offering more Compute Units than the 12 found in the Z1 Extreme and an advanced architecture.

Alongside the Claw A8, MSI has introduced an updated version of the MSI Claw 8 AI+, featuring a new color scheme and a larger 2TB SSD, yet it remains powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 285V.

While the MSI Claw A8 is slated for a release later this year, specific launch dates and pricing have not been disclosed. Given the $999 price tag of the MSI Claw 8 AI+, the AMD-powered Claw A8 is expected to command a premium price.

The AMD Z2 Extreme Race Is On

The AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme was quietly announced at CES in January 2025. As of now, nearly five months later, no handheld gaming PC has yet hit the market with this new chip. The race is on to see which manufacturer will be the first to launch a Z2 Extreme-powered device.

Although the Lenovo Legion Go 2, also revealed at CES 2025, is powered by the Z2 Extreme, Lenovo has not provided any indication of its market entry. Instead, they released the less powerful and pricier Z2 Go-powered Lenovo Legion Go S.

Rumors suggest that the Asus ROG Ally 2 will also feature the Z2 Extreme, though no official announcement has been made. There's also speculation about a potential collaboration between Asus and Microsoft for an Xbox-branded version of the Ally 2, which would likely incorporate the Z2 Extreme as well.

Notably, the Steam Deck 2 will not utilize the Z2 Extreme. Valve has stated that the new Z-series chips from AMD do not represent a significant enough improvement to warrant a new handheld. While this may raise questions about the Z2 Extreme's performance, new alternatives to the Steam Deck will still offer enhancements over current market offerings, which is a positive development for gamers.