Tag: MSI Claw A8

  • MSI Launches Z2 Extreme Claw A8 Gaming Handheld Worldwide

    MSI Launches Z2 Extreme Claw A8 Gaming Handheld Worldwide

    Key Takeaways

    1. MSI has launched the Claw A8, its first AMD gaming handheld, available in China since July 2025.
    2. The Claw A8 is now available in the US for $1,149, with a pre-order discount at ExcaliberPC for $1,099.
    3. The gaming handheld is listed on Newegg but is not yet available for purchase, raising questions about the delay in the US release.
    4. Performance reviews highlight improved battery life and display quality, but it has 8 GB less RAM than the MSI Lunar Lake model and could use better ergonomics.
    5. The Claw A8 competes well against other handhelds like the Legion Go 2 and ROG Xbox Ally X, with the latter offering a smaller, more affordable option at $999.99.

    MSI has introduced the Claw A8, marking its entry into the AMD gaming handheld market. This device became available for sale in China in July 2025. While MSI later broadened the reach of this competitor to the Legion Go 2, powered by Ryzen Z2 Extreme, there was no specific information regarding its release in the United States.

    Availability in the US Market

    After several months since its initial release, the MSI Claw A8 can now be bought by customers in the US. It is listed on the official US store for $1,149. Additionally, a pre-order discount is available at ExcaliberPC, where the price is currently $1,099.

    Online Listings and Competitors

    As of now, the gaming handheld is also found on Newegg, though it is not available for purchase there yet. It’s still a mystery as to why it took MSI so long to release its Ryzen Z2 Extreme gaming handheld in the US market. To recap, the Legion Go 2 with the same APU launched in October 2025, and Asus’s ROG Xbox Ally X was also released around that time.

    Performance Insights

    For those keen on the gaming handheld, our thorough review showed it performed quite well. The battery life was a significant improvement compared to the first-generation MSI Claw, and the display received favorable remarks. However, it has 8 GB less RAM compared to the MSI Lunar Lake alternative, and we observed that the ergonomics could have been enhanced.

    Nonetheless, when it comes to gaming performance, the MSI Claw A8 holds its own against rival handhelds powered by the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme. Yet, for buyers who prefer a slightly smaller 7-inch display, the ROG Xbox Ally X could be a better value, priced at $999.99 (non-X version is $499.99 on Amazon).

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  • MSI Claw A8 Launches in US at Lower Price than Legion Go 2

    MSI Claw A8 Launches in US at Lower Price than Legion Go 2

    Key Takeaways

    1. MSI has launched the Claw A8, entering the gaming handheld market with the Ryzen Z2 Extreme APU.
    2. The Claw A8 is priced at $1,149 for a model with a 1 TB SSD, which is less than the Lenovo Legion Go 2’s $1,349.99 price.
    3. The Claw A8 features core specifications like an 80 Wh battery, 1 TB M.2 SSD, 8-inch display with 120 Hz refresh rate, and WiFi 7.
    4. The Claw A8 has appeared on Newegg, suggesting a potential US launch is coming soon.
    5. While the Claw A8’s specs are competitive, prices are higher than last-generation gaming handhelds.

    MSI has unveiled the Claw A8, marking its entry into the gaming handheld market with an AMD APU. This device features the Ryzen Z2 Extreme, positioning it as a strong rival against the Asus Xbox ROG Ally X and the high-end Legion Go 2. Although MSI’s product has been around for some time, it has not yet been officially announced in the United States.

    US Launch on the Horizon

    It appears that the Claw A8 might soon make its US debut, as it has recently appeared on Newegg’s website. It remains uncertain if the listed price is just a temporary figure, but it is notably lower than the launch price of the Lenovo Legion Go 2 equipped with the Ryzen Z2 Extreme.

    Pricing Details

    Specifically, the MSI Claw A8 with a 1 TB SSD is priced at $1,149, while the Z2 Extreme version of the Legion Go 2 with the same storage launched at a price of $1,349.99. While Lenovo’s model offers more RAM, some might not find the extra 8 GB worth the additional $200. Moreover, it’s important to highlight that these prices are significantly higher than those of last-generation gaming handhelds.

    Returning to the Claw A8 listing on Newegg, the core specifications are identical to those found in other markets. This includes an 80 Wh battery, a 2280 M.2 SSD (1 TB Samsung SSD 9100 currently priced at $175.99 on Amazon), an 8-inch display with a 120 Hz refresh rate and VRR, along with WiFi 7 capabilities. Although there’s no specific release date for purchasing yet, MSI is anticipated to formally announce its availability in the US shortly.

    Newegg via: VideoCardz

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  • MSI Launches Claw A8: AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme Handheld in UK

    MSI Launches Claw A8: AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme Handheld in UK

    Key Takeaways

    1. MSI has launched the Claw A8 gaming handheld in the UK after its initial release in France.
    2. The Claw A8 is priced at £849.98 in the UK, which is approximately €980 after VAT.
    3. Scan UK is currently the only retailer offering the Claw A8, with two color options available.
    4. Pre-orders for the Claw A8 are expected to start shipping on September 17, but availability in other markets is unclear.
    5. The Claw A8 features advanced hardware and is designed similarly to the Claw 7 AI+, but aligns more with the Claw 8 AI+ in performance.

    MSI has just released its new gaming handheld in the UK after a short stint in France. To summarize, the Claw A8 was first introduced in France for €899, which is €100 less than its previous price in Germany. Interestingly, the UK has now got MSI’s first AMD-powered gaming handheld at a price point that falls between these two amounts based on current currency rates.

    Availability in the UK

    At this moment, only Scan UK has the Claw A8 available for purchase. As of the time this was written, they have the Polar Tempest and Neon Green options in stock, each listed at £849.98. When you convert this price, it comes out to about €980, taking into account the UK’s 20% VAT.

    Competitive Pricing

    In comparison, the Claw A8 is more affordable in France than in its neighboring countries. Furthermore, Scan UK has indicated that pre-orders are expected to start shipping on September 17. However, it is still uncertain if this release date will be applicable to other markets beyond the UK.

    Hardware Specifications

    For context, although the Claw A8 shares a similar design with the Claw 7 AI+ (currently priced at $849 on Amazon), it is actually much more aligned with the Claw 8 AI+ in terms of its internal components. MSI has equipped the Claw A8 with some impressive hardware specifications.

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  • Lenovo Legion Go 2 May Launch at $200 Higher Than ROG Ally X

    Lenovo Legion Go 2 May Launch at $200 Higher Than ROG Ally X

    Key Takeaways

    1. True next-generation Windows gaming handhelds from big brands are slow to arrive, while smaller companies like Ayaneo, GPD, and One-Netbook have already launched devices based on AMD Strix Point.

    2. Lenovo’s Legion Go 2 was first revealed as a prototype at CES 2025 and is expected to be fully presented at IFA 2025 in Berlin.

    3. Leaked information about the Legion Go 2 suggests promising performance, but caution is advised regarding the reliability of such leaks.

    4. Lenovo plans to launch the Legion Go 2 in early September in Europe, with a potential North American release in November, at a launch price around €999.

    5. Pricing for the North American market is still uncertain, but estimates suggest it could range from $1,049 to $1,099, which may be higher than competitors like MSI’s Claw A8.

    True next-generation Windows gaming handhelds have been slow to appear from big brands. Smaller companies like Ayaneo, GPD, and One-Netbook have already introduced devices based on AMD Strix Point, such as the Ayaneo 3, the latest Win 4, and the OneXFly F1 Pro, which is currently priced at $1,439 on Amazon. Meanwhile, Asus, MSI, and Lenovo have kept fans in suspense for months.

    Lenovo’s Legion Go 2 Unveiling

    Lenovo initially revealed the Legion Go 2 in January at CES 2025, but only as a prototype. Since then, a few leaks have shed light on the device, hinting at its performance through videos of additional prototypes. Recently, Evan Blass mentioned that the Legion Go 2 will be presented at IFA 2025 next week in Berlin, alongside multiple other products, including various ThinkPad laptops.

    New Info Surfacing Before IFA

    A reader, who prefers to stay anonymous, shared more details about the Legion Go 2 prior to its full introduction at IFA 2025. Although this reader did not provide a source for the information, we have good reasons to trust its validity based on what we’ve seen. However, we always advise caution regarding leaks like this.

    Pricing and Availability Insights

    As per our source, Lenovo plans to launch the new Legion Go in early September in Europe, but it may take until November for a North American release. The launch price is said to be around €999, though it remains unclear if this applies to the Ryzen Z2 or Ryzen Z2 Extreme models. Interestingly, a hands-on video released this summer confirmed that Lenovo is also developing a less powerful Ryzen Z2 option along with a Ryzen Z2 Extreme version. In comparison, MSI has set the price for the similar Claw A8 between €899 and €999 in Europe.

    The Legion Go 2 might also be pricier in North America. Our source indicates that Lenovo has not finalized the pricing for the North American market, possibly due to changing US tariffs. Nevertheless, they suggest that Lenovo is looking at a price range of $1,049 to $1,099 in the US, which is significantly higher than the rumored starting price of $899 for the ROG Xbox Ally X.

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  • Ryzen Z2 Extreme vs Intel Core Ultra 7 258V: Handheld Gaming Test

    Ryzen Z2 Extreme vs Intel Core Ultra 7 258V: Handheld Gaming Test

    Key Takeaways

    1. MSI has launched the Claw A8 handheld featuring the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme, contrasting with the previously released Claw 8 AI+ with Intel Core Ultra 7 258V.
    2. The AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme consistently shows better 1% lows in gaming performance, indicating a smoother experience compared to the Intel variant.
    3. The Ryzen Z2 Extreme outperforms the Intel model in average FPS at both 17 W and 30 W TDPs, suggesting it is more favorable for gaming.
    4. The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V has a slight edge in power efficiency, comparable to the Steam Deck, but the Ryzen model offers better overall performance.
    5. The performance advantage of the Claw A8 could be impacted if the price of the Claw 8 AI+ decreases.

    MSI has recently launched the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme version of its new Claw gaming handheld, named the A8. In contrast, the already released 8 AI+ features the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, which we’ve seen performs reasonably well for handheld gaming devices.

    Comparison of Performance

    Golden Pig Upgrade, a reviewer from China, has compared the Claw A8 with the 8 AI+. This side-by-side assessment reveals how the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V with Arc 140V stacks up against the Ryzen Z2 Extreme using the Radeon 890M.

    According to the charts provided by the reviewer, the AMD-powered gaming handheld consistently demonstrates superior 1% lows across nearly all tested games. This indicates that the Ryzen Z2 Extreme MSI Claw can deliver a smoother gaming experience compared to the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V variant.

    Power Efficiency Insights

    Additionally, the average FPS on the Ryzen Z2 Extreme gaming handheld outperforms most games tested at both 17 W and 30 W TDPs. On the subject of power efficiency, the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V shows a minor edge, typically aligning with the performance offered by the Steam Deck.

    However, when we look at the overall performance, the Z2 Extreme handheld shows about 5.7% better performance at 30 W and roughly 7.4% better at 17 W. This suggests that the Claw A8 is more favorable for gaming; nevertheless, the value proposition could shift if the price of the Claw 8 AI+ is reduced. For further details on how these two models compare, take a look at the images included below.

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    Ryzen Z2 Extreme vs Intel Core Ultra 7 258V: Handheld Gaming TestRyzen Z2 Extreme vs Intel Core Ultra 7 258V: Handheld Gaming TestRyzen Z2 Extreme vs Intel Core Ultra 7 258V: Handheld Gaming TestRyzen Z2 Extreme vs Intel Core Ultra 7 258V: Handheld Gaming Test

     

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  • Lenovo Legion Go 2 Beats MSI Claw A8 in AMD Ryzen Z2 Benchmarks

    Lenovo Legion Go 2 Beats MSI Claw A8 in AMD Ryzen Z2 Benchmarks

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Lenovo Legion Go 2 is expected to launch in September 2025, following its reveal at CES 2025.
    2. The device has shown impressive performance in prototype form, especially with the Ryzen Z2 Extreme chipset.
    3. In benchmark tests, the Legion Go 2 achieved an average of 49 FPS in Shadow of the Tomb Raider at 1080p.
    4. The Legion Go 2 outperformed the MSI Claw A8 by 10% in average FPS and rendered 12.4% more frames.
    5. The performance advantage may be attributed to the Legion Go 2’s superior cooling system and an additional 8 GB of RAM.

    The Lenovo Legion Go 2 is yet to have a confirmed launch date after its reveal six months ago at CES 2025 in Las Vegas. If the latest rumors hold any truth, Lenovo might keep enthusiasts waiting until September before they begin selling this more powerful version, which is an upgrade from the Legion Go S (currently priced at $649.99 on Amazon).

    Prototype Performance Revealed

    In the meantime, the Legion Go 2 has been seen in its prototype stage. Initially appearing with an AMD Ryzen Z2 chipset, a new video has showcased how well this device performs when equipped with a Ryzen Z2 Extreme chipset. Surprisingly, even at this prototype phase, the Legion Go 2 surpasses the MSI Claw A8 in terms of performance.

    Impressive Benchmark Results

    According to the video, the Legion Go 2 with the Ryzen Z2 Extreme achieves an average of 49 FPS in Shadow of the Tomb Raider at 1080p, rendering 7,710 frames. From what we understand, Lines Tech activated DirectX12 but chose to keep frame generation turned off. Based on our tests with the Radeon 890M, it seems these results were likely obtained using medium graphic settings.

    In contrast, the MSI Claw A8 records an average of 44 FPS with only 6,751 frames rendered under the same conditions. This means that MSI’s inaugural AMD Ryzen-powered gaming handheld falls short by 10% in average FPS compared to the Legion Go 2 and generates 12.4% fewer frames, even though both devices contain the same chipset. This discrepancy might be due to the Legion Go 2’s enhanced cooling system and an extra 8 GB of RAM. In any case, it appears that some gaming handhelds powered by the Ryzen Z2 Extreme could outperform others once they finally hit the market later this year.

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  • MSI Claw A8 GPU vs RTX 2050: Cyberpunk 2077 Performance at 17W

    MSI Claw A8 GPU vs RTX 2050: Cyberpunk 2077 Performance at 17W

    Key Takeaways

    1. New APU Technology: The MSI Claw A8 features the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme APU, based on Zen 5 architecture, with 8 cores and 16 threads, and an RDNA 3.5 integrated GPU.

    2. Performance Comparison: In benchmark tests, the Z2 Extreme outperforms the older Z1 Extreme, scoring higher in both 3DMark and Geekbench tests.

    3. Gaming Performance: The Claw A8 achieves around 80 FPS in Forza Horizon 5 at 1200p and shows improved FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 compared to the Z1 Extreme.

    4. Battery Life: The device offers impressive battery life, potentially exceeding 9 hours under low TDP settings while maintaining good performance.

    5. Display and Storage: It features an 8-inch 1920×1200 IPS display with a 120 Hz refresh rate and has a user-upgradable 1 TB M.2 2280 SSD.

    YouTuber ETA Prime has shared a first-look video of the MSI Claw A8, marking the company’s debut into AMD-powered handhelds with the innovative Ryzen Z2 Extreme APU. In this video, he does a direct comparison with a handheld that features the previous Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor to see how the performance stacks up.

    Specifications and Performance

    The MSI Claw A8 runs on the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme APU, which is based on the Zen 5 architecture and boasts 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has an RDNA 3.5 integrated GPU with 16 compute units, specifically the Radeon 890M. This handheld device comes equipped with 24 GB of LPDDR5X RAM operating at 8000 MHz. Of this, 8 GB is dedicated to the GPU by default, leaving 16 GB for general system use. Users can change the memory allocation if they see fit.

    Benchmark Tests

    ETA Prime evaluates the MSI Claw A8 through synthetic benchmarks and game comparisons, putting the Z2 Extreme APU head-to-head with the older Z1 Extreme. In the 3DMark Time Spy test at a 17 W TDP, the Z1E scores 2917, whereas the Z2E achieves 3495 points. At 25 W, the Z1E hits 3017, while the Z2E reaches 3666.

    The YouTuber also conducts Geekbench 6 tests at a 30 W TDP, where the Z2E scores 2,781 in single-core and 12,086 in multi-core tests. In 3DMark Time Spy at 30 W, the APU scores 4066, which is slightly below the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2050 in his Lenovo LOQ laptop, which scored 4348.

    Gaming Performance

    In practical gaming scenarios, Forza Horizon 5 runs at about 80 FPS on average at 1200p with Medium settings and a 17 W TDP. Meanwhile, Cyberpunk 2077, tested at 900p using the Steam Deck preset, shows 35.5 FPS on the Z1E and 45.6 FPS on the Z2E, with both setups using 8 GB of VRAM at 17 W.

    When tested at 1600p with Medium settings, IGTI upscaling, and a 25 W TDP, Spider-Man Remastered initially has trouble maintaining 60 FPS. However, enabling FSR frame generation boosts performance to over 75 FPS at the same resolution.

    At a 6 W TDP, while playing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge with RGB lighting turned off and screen brightness set to 50%, the system consumes between 8.1 and 8.7 watts, leading to an estimated battery life of over 9 hours, according to ETA Prime. Even with the default 17 W performance setting, the Claw A8 is said to provide impressive endurance.

    Additional Features

    The MSI Claw A8 features a user-upgradable 1 TB M.2 2280 SSD. It also has an 8-inch 1920×1200 IPS display that supports a 120 Hz refresh rate and variable refresh rate (VRR), the same kind of panel used in the MSI Claw 8 AI, which is powered by Intel, and the Lenovo Legion Go S.

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    MSI Claw A8 GPU vs RTX 2050: Cyberpunk 2077 Performance at 17W
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