MSI has recently unveiled the Claw 8 AI+ and Claw 7 AI+ gaming handhelds. While the announcement initially did not specify the availability of these devices powered by Lunar Lake, MSI has since shared through a post on X that the official launch date is December 26.
Pre-order and Launch Dates
This December 26 date applies specifically to pre-orders in the US. The company has also informed that both the Claw 8 AI+ and Claw 7 AI+ will actually be available in stores starting January 15, 2025. Along with the launch dates, MSI has revealed the pricing for these two models.
Pricing Details
The Claw 7 AI+ will retail for $799, while the Claw 8 AI+ is priced at $899. Key differences between these two models include screen size, battery capacity, and connectivity options. MSI had earlier mentioned that both handhelds would feature the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, but now suggests that the Claw 8 AI+ might also come in a variant with the Ultra 7 256V.
Variants and Performance
This lower-tier version of the handheld could be cheaper than the higher-end model since the Core Ultra 7 256V is equipped with 16 GB of RAM compared to the 32 GB in the other. Additionally, the official MSI Claw 7 AI+ page mentions it will offer "up to Core Ultra 7 258V," indicating the potential for other Lunar Lake configurations as well.
Both setups are expected to deliver superior performance compared to the previous MSI Claw model. It will be exciting to see how these new gaming handhelds stack up against competitors like the upcoming Ryzen Z2 Extreme. If you're interested in more information about MSI's latest handhelds, feel free to check out our earlier reports.