Tag: Polar Tempest Edition

  • MSI Claw A8 vs Asus ROG Ally 2: AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme Power

    MSI Claw A8 vs Asus ROG Ally 2: AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme Power

    Key Takeaways

    1. MSI has launched the Claw A8 BZ2EM, its first AMD Ryzen-powered gaming handheld, at Computex 2025.
    2. The Claw A8 BZ2EM features AMD’s Ryzen Z2 Extreme APU, making it one of the first devices with this technology.
    3. The design of the Claw A8 has been updated to resemble the Asus ROG Ally.
    4. The Claw A8 BZ2EM will be available in two color choices.
    5. No pricing or availability details have been announced yet for the Claw A8 BZ2EM.

    Only a few days after MSI brought back the Polar Tempest Edition of the Claw 8 AI+, which followed the original Claw 8 AI+ and Claw 7 AI+ (currently priced at $949 on Amazon), the company has now introduced its first AMD Ryzen-powered variant during its Computex 2025 event.

    Background on the Launch

    Since January, there have been whispers about this development. Recent clues indicated that MSI was gearing up to release a new 7-inch model after its Intel Lunar Lake offerings. However, instead of that, MSI revealed the Claw A8 BZ2EM, showcased alongside the Polar Tempest Edition.

    New Features of the Claw A8 BZ2EM

    The Claw A8 BZ2EM is expected to be available in two color choices and is among the initial gaming handhelds to feature AMD’s Ryzen Z2 Extreme APU, following Lenovo’s Legion Go 2 prototype introduced at CES 2025 in January. MSI has also updated the design of the Claw A8, giving it a resemblance to the Asus ROG Ally more than its previous iterations.

    Despite this, MSI has outpaced Asus in launching a device powered by the Ryzen Z2 Extreme. Though there are no specifics yet about pricing or when it will be available, additional details on the Claw A8 BZ2EM’s specifications can be found in the table below.

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    MSI Claw A8 vs Asus ROG Ally 2: AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme Power
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  • MSI Claw 8 AI+ Polar Tempest Edition Returns for Global Release

    MSI Claw 8 AI+ Polar Tempest Edition Returns for Global Release

    Key Takeaways

    1. The MSI Claw 8 AI+ and Polar Tempest Edition are hard to find since their launches, with the Polar Tempest Edition recently reintroduced.
    2. MSI has created a dedicated product page for the Polar Tempest Edition, marking its official return after being removed from retailers.
    3. The Polar Tempest Edition is set to launch in the U.S. on July 15, featuring upgraded specs like 2 TB of storage and a new model name.
    4. The pricing for the Polar Tempest Edition remains at $999 in the U.S., while it has been listed at €1,107 on Amazon Germany.
    5. The new version is expected to arrive in Europe this summer, with no current listings in other countries.

    The MSI Claw 8 AI+ continues to be hard to find for many people, even though it was officially introduced towards the end of last year. The Polar Tempest Edition of this handheld is even harder to catch, as it was launched in early April but was quickly taken down from MSI’s website and also from retailer Excalibur PC.

    Official Return of Polar Tempest Edition

    Now, the Polar Tempest Edition seems to be back with what looks like an official launch. In the past, MSI only had links to buy this version through other retailers. However, the company has now set up a specific product page for the Polar Tempest Edition, which wasn’t available just a month ago.

    Release Date and Specs

    MSI is expected to launch the Polar Tempest Edition on July 15 in the United States, featuring white front panels and offering 2 TB of storage, which is an upgrade from the original Sandstorm model. The pricing is still set at $999, and the model name has been updated from Polar Tempest Edition-071US to Polar Tempest Edition-084US.

    Availability in Europe

    Interestingly, this new version has been spotted on Amazon Germany with a listing price of €1,107. Currently, there are no similar listings in other countries. Nevertheless, Amazon Germany indicates that the Polar Tempest Edition is likely to arrive in Europe this summer. For more details, you can check our earlier review of the Claw 8 AI+, where we share our opinions on MSI’s first 8-inch gaming handheld, which is a strong competitor to the Lenovo Legion Go S in terms of size. (curr. $623 on Amazon).

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    MSI Claw 8 AI+ Polar Tempest Edition Returns for Global ReleaseMSI Claw 8 AI+ Polar Tempest Edition Returns for Global ReleaseMSI Claw 8 AI+ Polar Tempest Edition Returns for Global Release
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  • MSI Launches Polar Tempest Edition of Claw 8 AI+ Just Months After Release

    MSI Launches Polar Tempest Edition of Claw 8 AI+ Just Months After Release

    Key Takeaways

    1. MSI launched the Claw 8 AI+ Polar Tempest Edition with new white panels and increased storage from 1 TB to 2 TB, priced at $999 before taxes.
    2. The Polar Tempest Edition features an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor and 32 GB of RAM, promising better performance than competitors like the ROG Ally X.
    3. The new model is expected to lag behind more powerful alternatives powered by the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370.
    4. Currently, the Polar Tempest Edition is limited to the US market, with no confirmed plans for release in other regions.
    5. The shipping for the Polar Tempest Edition is set to begin on July 15.

    The MSI Claw 8 AI+ has been available for several months now, having first appeared late last year with the smaller Claw 7 AI+. However, MSI only started to ship the 8-inch gaming handheld in various markets, such as Europe and the UK, by mid-February.

    New Variant Launched

    In a recent move, MSI has introduced a refreshed version of the Claw 8 AI+, named the Polar Tempest Edition. This new model, which will start shipping on July 15, features white panels instead of the retro-style ones found on the original version. Additionally, MSI has increased the storage capacity from 1 TB to 2 TB, adding a $100 extra charge, bringing the total price to $999 before taxes.

    Performance Specs

    The Claw 8 AI+ Polar Tempest Edition is equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor and 32 GB of RAM. This means the device is expected to outperform competing handhelds like the ROG Ally X, which use the Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip. Nonetheless, it will still lag behind alternatives powered by the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, such as the GPD Pocket 4 and OneXFly F1 Pro, which is currently priced at $1,439 on Amazon.

    Availability Concerns

    Currently, it appears that MSI has limited the Polar Tempest Edition’s availability to the US. The company has not provided any updates on whether this model will be launched in other regions in the future. Given the release timeline for the original Claw 8 AI+, it may take several months before the Polar Tempest Edition is released globally.

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    MSI Launches Polar Tempest Edition of Claw 8 AI+ Just Months After ReleaseMSI Launches Polar Tempest Edition of Claw 8 AI+ Just Months After Release
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