MSI Introduces Claw 8 AI+ and Claw 7 AI+ with Intel Lunar Lake Performance for Handheld Devices

MSI has just unveiled the latest generation of its Claw gaming handhelds, powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor, and backed with a hefty 32GB of RAM alongside up to a 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD. According to MSI, the storage is designed for easy upgrades. The two new models—MSI Claw 8 AI+ and Claw 7 AI+—share almost identical specifications. The main differences lie in their screen sizes and battery capacities, which tweak the overall dimensions of each device.

This means you can choose between the larger display for full-on immersion or opt for something more compact without losing out on performance.

Now, let’s dive into the specs of these gadgets. Both use the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor and come equipped with 32GB of LPDDR5x-8533 RAM. For storage, there’s up to a 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD, which MSI says is easily accessible, along with an NVMe M.2 2230 SSD Gen4 x4. Graphics are handled by the integrated Intel Arc 140 GPU.

As for displays, the Claw 8 AI+ sports an 8-inch FHD+ touchscreen with a 16:10 aspect ratio, 120Hz refresh rate, and 100% sRGB color accuracy, delivering 500 nits of brightness. Meanwhile, the Claw 7 AI+ comes with a slightly smaller 7-inch FHD touchscreen but retains the same impressive tech specs. Both models feature top-notch audio with dual 2W speakers, DTS support, and Hi-Res Audio capabilities.

Connectivity is solid with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 on the Claw 8 AI+, whereas the Claw 7 AI+ uses Wi-Fi 6E alongside Bluetooth 5.34. The ports are generous, with Thunderbolt 4/DP/USB Type-C PD 3.0, a microSD slot, a 3.5mm combo jack, and a power button with a fingerprint sensor. Battery-wise, the Claw 8 AI+ houses an 80Whr 6-cell Li-Po battery compared to the Claw 7 AI+’s 54.5Whr battery. Both ship with a 65W USB Type-C PD 3.0 adapter.

When it comes to size and weight, the Claw 8 AI+ measures 299 x 126 x 24mm and weighs 795g, while the Claw 7 AI+ is a bit more compact at 290 x 117 x 21.2mm and tips the scales at 675g. They both run on Windows 11 Home.

MSI hasn’t disclosed official pricing on its website yet, but preorders on Amazon indicate the Claw 8 AI+ with 1TB storage is tagged at $899. Meanwhile, the Claw 7 AI+, packing 512GB, is available for $799, differing somewhat from MSI’s official specifications.

What sets these devices apart is their use of Intel processors, whereas many competitors like the ROG Ally X and Lenovo Legion Go rely on AMD chips. MSI has also introduced improved joysticks, bumpers, D-pads, and hall-effect triggers for better gaming precision and ergonomics. Tencent has revealed an 11-inch handheld with a similar processor, but it’s still in the works and unlikely to hit the U.S. market soon.

Intel’s latest Lunar Lake chips power these handhelds with efficiency, promising longer gaming sessions. Despite the power-hungry specs, the devices are touted to achieve “113% higher peak FPS and about 20% higher FPS on average” under similar power constraints, according to MSI.

These gaming devices are packed with connectivity options, making them suitable as mini-PCs with Copilot+ potential. They also boast an exclusive App Player, enabling users to enjoy both Windows and Android games. Overall, these new releases are versatile, perfect for both gaming enthusiasts and productivity users alike.