MSI Claw 8 AI+ Review: Quite a Redemption Story

Intel’s Lunar Lake chips have the additional advantage of being largely higher on battery life than many different x86 CPUs available on the market. In our assessments, the 258V additionally proves that it could get higher framerates at 30 TDP than the AMD Z1 Excessive chip that’s so prolific amongst 2024’s gaming handhelds. The distinction will probably be extra stark in some video games in comparison with others. If you happen to’re in search of probably the most highly effective handheld with a giant display, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is a contender. Then once more, there’s the OneXPlayer Onexfly F1 Professional with as much as a Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 floating about if you wish to spend upwards of $1,600 or $1,700 on a handheld. At a degree, there’s a tough restrict to what an inexpensive value for a handheld PC is.

If the big ergonomics are for you, then know the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is a number of updates from being a really stable handheld. The Middle M software program has been modified from its unique rendition, and it’s now far simpler to entry your video games and alter consumer situations than earlier than. Sadly, the system retains reverting to desktop controls and ignoring all of the controller’s buttons. Typically, it might require a fast restart earlier than the machine remembered it was a handheld.

I’ve average-sized fingers, however one thing concerning the Claw’s design lands too near its namesake. If I used to be getting a handheld for my father’s sausage fingers, I’d contemplate the Claw 8 first. If you wish to use your talon-like fingers to scrape each final body out of your handheld, the brand new Claw will do the job. As for the way lengthy that crown will stick atop MSI’s head, that will depend upon how 2025’s APUs form up. Regardless of all that, the Claw is certainly redeemed, although, like all good anti-villains, it nonetheless has its tough edges.

The Claw 8 AI+ is at present up for preorder and can ship on Jan. 15, 2025.

MSI Claw 8 AI+ Overview: Design and Controls

The very first thing you’ll notice concerning the Claw 8 is that it’s a heavy and additional thick handheld. You’ll need to work in your forearm muscle tissues, because the Claw 8 weighs 795 grams or 1.75 kilos. It doesn’t sound like a lot till you’re holding it up for minutes or hours at a time. It’s a stable slab of gaming potential, however to maintain it aloft when lounging again on the sofa, I felt the necessity to let it relaxation on my lap throughout a multi-hour gaming session. That’s the place the ridges on the again fringe of the machine come into play. The earlier claw had a difficulty the place your fingers would sit on the rear vents, which is not true on the Claw 8. The again buttons are additionally flatter, and every has a clicky-er really feel than earlier than.

The triggers on the Claw 8 are rather more “set off”-like than you’d discover on the Ally or Steam Deck. As a result of measurement of the handles, it could truly really feel barely uncomfortable to succeed in round and grip them when taking part in any sort of shooter. On the identical time, the left and proper bumper buttons really feel a lot, significantly better than the unique Claw. MSI redesigned the shoulder buttons to click on downwards, as a substitute of inwards, and the result’s a greater time in video games like Warhammer 40K: Area Marine 2 which calls for you smack the the shoulders for all of your melee assaults.

The face buttons are extra rounded than the Ally X, however fortunately MSI maintained the RGB lights behind the A, B, X, and Y. The d-pad has additionally been made way more pronounced, which makes it far simpler to make use of with out trying. The controls are a blended bag. I respect the texture of the Corridor impact thumbsticks and most buttons save for the triggers, however all the pieces additionally seems like its spaced too far aside for my fingers.

The controls weren’t the one factor to obtain an overhaul. Middle M, the software program that papers over the issues when utilizing a Home windows 11-based handheld, now sports activities a extra clear look. There’s easy accessibility to all the preferred launchers and a brand new fast settings menu that permits you to change energy settings, keyboard, WiFi, and Bluetooth settings on the fly. Moreover, the brand new menus incorporate Xbox Sport Bar and Xbox Social.

The connection to Xbox may very well be nice information for many who like to change from Xbox to PC, however I’m principally excited about what different widgets we might ultimately be capable of add from the built-in widget retailer. It’s all a major enchancment on what got here earlier than, however as I discussed, I’ve come throughout a number of points with the machine robotically switching to PC controls and never recognizing my face buttons. This will happen if I unintentionally faucet the display, however with an 8-inch show that appears a possible situation for many customers. I’ve additionally encountered random glitches with Middle M that made it unusable and required I restart this system.

These points are one thing that may possible be patched in time, nevertheless it goes to indicate how a lot additional work these Home windows handhelds require to make them usable. There’s a purpose the Steam Deck stays so well-liked. Asus and Lenovo have head begins, and each their software program suites do a good job of letting you entry your video games and ignore the Home windows desktop. MSI is nearly there, nevertheless it nonetheless wants some extra TLC.

MSI Claw 8 AI+ Overview: Efficiency

MSI actually wants the Claw 8 to hit excessive benchmarks to justify its price ticket, and a minimum of in that method, the corporate’s handheld delivers. If you happen to evaluate the Claw 8 to the Claw A1M, the brand new machine manages to beat it’s older brother by rather less than 700 factors in 3D Mark Time Spy and by round 800 factors in 3D Mark Metal Nomad assessments. Whereas plugged in working at max 30W TDP, the ROG Ally X will do 3,538 on Time Spy with the newest updates. The Claw 8 hit 4,437.

These benchmarks take a backseat to in-game efficiency. In Cyberpunk 2077 benchmarks, working on Steam Deck settings with both Intel XeSS or AMD FSR, the Claw 8 managed to hit 52 FPS whereas working on the Ally’s max 1920 by 1080 decision. You get barely much less on the Claw’s max 1920 by 1200, however not sufficient to make a distinction in scores. It’s an analogous story to benchmarks in video games like Murderer’s Creed Valhalla and Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the place the Claw 8 may outperform the Ally X by between 5 to 10 FPS with the identical settings.

Then comes true in-game efficiency, and that’s the place the strains between handhelds begin to blur. You’re going to get stable efficiency in all of your typical 2D motion titles. A recreation like Hades II seems extremely vibrant on Claw’s giant 8-inch show. Trendy 3D video games are a blended bag. Treatment’s Management on medium settings would sit round 30 to 35 FPS in giant area areas. Baldur’s Gate III beneath excessive settings may nonetheless do 30 to 40 FPS in Act I with AMD FSR. You might have to dial graphics again barely to get playable framerates within the metropolis of Act III.

I didn’t have the time to check a great deal of totally different video games on MSI’s newest handheld, however what I may take a look at was a blended bag. Sadly, you received’t get a really demanding new title like Indiana Jones: The Nice Circle to run above 30 FPS on the Claw 8, even when dialing again the decision. Then it’s important to contemplate the way you’ll quit mobility for the sake of taking part in video games at their high degree. A recreation like Warhammer 40K: Area Marine 2 will run at simply above 30 FPS with low settings on the max decision. That’s not significantly better than the Ally X.

These framerates are all the time why I inform folks to curb their expectations with handheld PCs. Typically, that additional energy makes a distinction. In different circumstances, you might be nonetheless restricted by the shortage of discrete GPU. The Claw’s $900 asking value is already method too near a very good, budget-end gaming laptop computer. Taking the Claw off energy, the system was working at round 30 W of CPU energy however was doing a complete of 45 W to deal with the followers. It could nonetheless play fantastic, however with these followers going you’re going to lose out on battery.

MSI Claw 8 AI+ Overview: Battery Life

Together with the Intel chip, the Claw 8’s different headline characteristic is the 80 Whr battery and help for 64W charging by twin Thunderbolt 4 ports. The capability is equal to the Ally X. The Intel Lunar Lake chips have proved they’re comparatively energy environment friendly. MSI claims it’s best to get round 4 hours of battery life in “prolonged use,” however anyone with handheld expertise is aware of this can drastically change relying on the sport you play.

In my session of Warhammer 40K: Area Marine 2, I performed it off energy repeatedly at 30W for a bit of a couple of hour and half-hour earlier than I used to be sitting at 10%. That’s already a comparatively robust lifespan for a demanding recreation. On the identical time, you might be higher off streaming these titles to your handheld, which in my expertise not solely grants you much better framerates however can push the battery life effectively previous the four-hour mark.

I continued my recreation of Metaphor: Refantazio I’ve been fortunately taking part in by on my Steam Deck OLED during the last a number of months. On its automated “AI engine” situation, the Claw 8 managed to carry out for 3 hours from full earlier than demanding I plug it in. I can usually get round two hours of the identical recreation at lower-detailed settings with Valve’s handheld.

Even with the bigger display, the Claw 8 can maintain its personal with the bigger capability of the Ally X. Simply keep in mind that simply because it’s working with a 80 Whr capability doesn’t imply it is going to get twice as a lot battery life as these with a 40 Whr battery, particularly while you’re making an attempt to get each ounce of energy from this small-form gaming platform.

MSI Claw 8 AI+ Overview: Display screen and Sound

I don’t have that burning want for a bigger show on my handhelds, however a minimum of the MSI Claw 8’s IPS LCD display is a fantastic factor to have a look at. It’s loads vivid as effectively. The Claw 8’s VRR show goes as much as 120 Hz, which was particularly helpful in a recreation like Hades II which may truly hit these framerates.

What’s extra is you do get a good quantity of display on the Claw 8. The bezels are, on the entire, barely smaller than a Steam Deck or ROG Ally, a minimum of on the highest and sides. It’s nearer to the bezels on the Lenovo Legion Go, and if the purpose is to maximise display actual property, then MSI has finished the job admirably.

What stunned me most concerning the Claw 8 AI+ was the sound high quality. The twin 2W audio system aren’t going to carry their very own to full, devoted speaker setups, however the Ally continues to be loud for its measurement. The hand-held blasted sound to a room-filling diploma.

Is it what you need to hearken to for $900? Most likely not. You’ll nonetheless hear some hollowness from high-frequency pitched sounds. It received’t be practically pretty much as good as a pair of headphones paired with the visuals. Nonetheless, the manufacturing is kind of good for its measurement. Whereas listening to the impeccable soundtrack of Metaphor: Refantazio, I didn’t really feel the specific have to dive for my earbuds like I often do taking part in on another handhelds.

MSI Claw 8 AI+ Overview: Verdict

The MSI Claw 8 AI+ makes up for most of the errors of the Claw A1M. It’s a giant handheld, nevertheless it’s stable if massive is what you’re in search of. The Middle M software program might want to enhance with time, however even when it does, I’m undecided if 8-inches is the appropriate measurement for me. The 7-inchers just like the Ally X and Steam Deck really feel extra ergonomic in my fingers. Even higher, the smaller handhelds are extra transportable, and I desire to journey gentle.

There’s speak concerning the AMD Z2 APU launching subsequent yr. The Z1 is already loads highly effective sufficient for many players’ wants, so there’s hope a redesigned APU would be the new benchmark. Latest leaks point out the brand new Z2 Excessive chip may have 12 RDNA 3.5 cores with structure primarily based on the standard Strix Level sequence. We’d guess that chips’ efficiency, however the true reveal requires some extra persistence from shoppers.

If you happen to don’t need to wait, and also you particularly demand the most important handheld display, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is without doubt one of the few gadgets that I can say is near the height of what’s at present accessible. Realizing the rumor mill going into 2025, that won’t final. I don’t counsel you reside your life primarily based on FOMO, although it wouldn’t damage to attend till we see what new sorts of rumored Lenovo handhelds might arrive quickly.