Preorders Open on Amazon for MSI’s New Lunar Lake-Powered Gaming Handhelds: Claw 8 AI+ at $899 and Claw 7 AI+ at $799

Amazon has just revealed the MSI Claw 8 AI+ gaming handheld priced at $899, complete with its specifications like CPU and RAM options. What’s notable here is that this device is the first handheld to include Intel’s new Lunar Lake CPUs. MSI is also gearing up to launch a refreshed version of its previous model, the Claw 7 AI+, which will hit the shelves first.

From the listings, it’s confirmed that the Claw 8 AI+ will be powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor, and some additional info hints at a second version running the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V. This new gadget will come with two choices for LPDDR5X-8553 memory: either 16GB or 32GB.

For those interested in performance details, the Ultra 7 285V processor features a clock speed ranging from 2.2 GHz to a boost of 4.8 GHz. Both processor versions will sport a 1TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280 SSD for internal storage, with the option to expand via a micro SDHC card. The decision to incorporate Arc 14V graphics with eight Xe2 cores highlights a jump in graphical capabilities. The device also flaunts an enlarged 8-inch touchscreen display, supporting a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, 500 nits brightness, and 1920 x 1200 resolution.

The battery pack also sees an upgrade to 80 Wh, and for connectivity, there are two Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 ports supporting charging, docking, and even eGPU use. It will come pre-installed with Windows 11, and MSI plans to launch this handheld on December 25, with the top-tier configuration set at $899.

Meanwhile, MSI is rolling out the upgraded Claw 7 AI+, featuring the same Intel Ultra 7-258V CPU, paired with 32GB RAM but with 512GB of storage. This version will have a slightly smaller 7-inch 1080p display and a 53Wh battery. This model is set for release on December 1. For a $100 difference, the Claw 8 AI+ offers a larger resolution, an extra inch on the screen, a bigger battery, and more internal storage.

Here’s a quick glance at how the MSI Claw models stack up:

• MSI Claw 8 AI+: Offers two processors (Intel Ultra Core 7 258V/256V), up to 32GB RAM, and 1TB storage. It boasts a robust 80Wh battery and an 8-inch 1920×1200 display.
• MSI Claw 7 AI+: Runs on the Intel Ultra Core 7 258V with 32GB RAM and 512GB storage, supported by a 53Wh battery and a 7-inch 1920×1080 display.

Initially, the Claw 8 AI+ was anticipated for an early 2025 launch, but now it’s scheduled just before CES 2025.

Switching gears, there’s talk of AMD possibly releasing a successor to the Lenovo Legion Go and Asus Ally X, potentially using a Ryzen Z2 or Z2 Extreme CPU by 2025. AMD touts its Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, paired with Radeon 890M graphics, as a formidable contender, claiming it performs 75% faster than Intel’s Core Ultra 7 285. It might be worth the wait for those considering options available in 2025.

In the coming months, we’re likely to see a variety of gaming handhelds featuring either Intel’s Lunar Lake or AMD’s Z2 series APUs. For insights into their performance, battery life, and overall experience, stay tuned as more of these devices become available.