This $1000 gaming handheld may simply be value its insane pricetag

For lots of players, together with myself, handheld gaming PCs are a secondary gadget, providing on-the-go play when your main PC or console is not obtainable. Although I personally use gaming handhelds so much in my dwelling so I can play on the sofa or in mattress, these units are designed to be transportable first, and virtually all the time come second to a different, main gaming gadget.

Nevertheless, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is the primary gaming handheld I’ve tried that feels prefer it might truly develop into the first means I play video games. With insane {hardware} below the hood, a high-quality display screen, and AI options that take the guesswork out of optimizing your gadget in your favourite recreation, I discovered myself prioritizing taking part in video games on a handheld over a console for the primary time ever.

Sadly, such a premium expertise does come at a value, and the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is not a handheld for everybody. However in case you are on the lookout for a gaming gadget that fairly actually does all of it, and do not thoughts plunking down a hefty chunk of change, this simply is likely to be the console-replacement you are on the lookout for.

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Value, availability, and specs

Energy in your fingers

Underneath the hood, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is rocking the extremely highly effective Intel Core Extremely 7 258V processor, which offers significantly better efficiency than different handhelds just like the ROG Ally sequence and the Lenovo Legion Go S, which use an AMD Z1 Excessive. Paired with 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage, this handheld is definitely probably the most highly effective I’ve examined and may go toe to toe with loads of mid-range gaming laptops and PCs, which is fairly spectacular for a handheld.

Along with uncooked energy, this handheld packs Corridor Impact joysticks, two Thunderbolt 4 ports (excellent for attaching a controller or exterior show whereas nonetheless charging), RGB lighting, whisper-quiet Hyperflow followers, and a high-capacity 80WHr battery.

Nevertheless, it ought to be famous that every one this energy does come at a value, because the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is likely one of the costliest gaming handhelds presently obtainable, costing an eye-popping $1000 as of July 2025. Little doubt a few of this value could also be because of elevated prices thanks to political policy, however with this unit costing greater than a PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Swap 2 mixed, value is certainly one of many first elements it is best to think about for those who’re considering of selecting up this gadget.

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What I appreciated concerning the MSI Claw 8 AI+

Gaming on the go with out limitations

When placing the MSI Claw 8 AI+ via its paces, I attempted to pick out a recreation that I knew would push the {hardware} to its limits. On this case, that title ended up being Indiana Jones and the Nice Circle, a recreation that has annoyed me on different units with frequent crashes, framerate drops, and loading points. And once I received began with the MSI Claw 8 AI+, I famous a few of these identical points throughout the first ten minutes or so of beginning the sport.

Nevertheless, the sport has a sensible AI Engine characteristic that mechanically optimized efficiency and as soon as I turned it on I used to be capable of get the sport operating easily in only a matter of moments. Although you’re nonetheless free to make use of the gadget’s guide settings mode if you want, I can not suggest the AI engine sufficient because it helped me get into the video games I needed to play as shortly as potential, with Indiana Jones and the Nice Circle operating at a steady 50 FPS when in handheld mode. Sadly, the sport’s power-saving endurance mode was merely lower than the duty when it got here to taking part in this recreation, however once I booted up lighter weight video games like Persona 3: Reloaded and Slay the Spire, the MSI Claw 8 AI+’s battery saving mode supplied satisfactory efficiency as nicely.

It doesn’t matter what you are taking part in, the MSI Claw 8 AI+’s huge 8-inch IPS touchscreen seems brilliant and exquisite and makes use of VRR (variable refresh fee) at as much as 120Hz to make sure clean efficiency from even probably the most demanding titles. Given the gadget’s premium value, you would be forgiven for questioning why the MSI Claw 8 AI+ would not have an OLED display screen, however I actually assume the LCD will get the job completed nicely sufficient that if that is the place the nook needed to be minimize to maintain the gadget from costing over a grand, the IPS display screen is an appropriate substitution.

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What I did not like concerning the MSI Claw 8 AI+

Generally, it is not nearly energy

There’s actually not so much to dislike concerning the MSI Claw 8 AI+. It is a dear handheld to make certain, however with loads of energy below the hood, that value is justified in case you are out there for a top-of-the line handheld. Nevertheless, there have been some nitpick-y issues that I did not personally like concerning the gadget, although these largely fall below the “your mileage could fluctuate” umbrella.

First up, my greatest problem personally with the MSI Claw 8 AI+ has to do with ergonomics. I’ve very small fingers, and I discovered the gadget’s slab-like form to be powerful to carry for lengthy intervals of time, particularly as a result of the gadget weighs virtually two kilos and put plenty of pressure on my wrists. I discovered myself typically propping the gadget up on a pillow or a countertop to offer my wrists a break after just some hours of gaming. As with something, I might encourage those that are desirous about shopping for this gadget to discover a unit they’ll check out first, as my distinctive hand construction could merely be incompatible with the gadget, whereas others could discover it simpler to carry.

One other small problem I had was with the MSI software program that ships with the gadget. Very like different gaming handhelds, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ has its personal proprietary app on the gadget named Heart M, which permits customers a central hub from which they’ll launch video games, customise controls, modify settings, and customarily bypass plenty of Home windows 11. Although the launcher will get the job completed, it is not as totally featured as Legion House or Armory Crate on ROG units, and it takes some digging to search out primary features contained in the app. Happily, for those who’re like me and also you hate it, you possibly can all the time simply bypass it completely. After all, meaning you may be caught utilizing Home windows 11, which has its personal well-documented points, but when all you are attempting to do is get to your video games, it is a comparatively small downside.

Lastly, like just about any gaming handheld, the battery life on the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is not nice. When taking part in Indiana Jones and the Nice Circle, I used to be capable of simply barely eke out 90 minutes of gameplay earlier than needing to plug in. Granted, when taking part in different, much less resource-intensive video games like Slay the Spire or Persona 3: Reloaded, I might get virtually double that quantity, however its vital to know that in case you are getting this handheld primarily to play top-tier video games, do not anticipate prolonged battery occasions, and be sure you have a high-capacity power bank with you for those who’re taking it on the go.

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Do you have to purchase the MSI Claw 8 AI+?

Take into consideration your personal use case first

At an MSRP of $1000, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is asking players for an enormous funding up entrance, and if you have already got a handheld, a laptop computer, even a Swap 2 that you simply use commonly, that pricetag could merely make this gadget, as spectacular as it’s from a technical standpoint, not definitely worth the cash.

Nevertheless, in case you are on the lookout for a brand new main gaming gadget (or simply have cash to burn I suppose) that is virtually definitely the very best handheld presently obtainable. Regardless of some issues I had with ergonomics, the onboard software program, and the battery life, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ nonetheless is one premium buy you may most likely be glad you made.

Weight

1.75 kilos

Chipset

Intel Core Extremely 7 processor

RAM

32 GB

Storage

1 TB

A premium gaming handheld powered by Intel Core Extremely 7-258V with 32GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage. 

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