This $1000 gaming handheld would possibly simply be value its insane pricetag

For lots of avid gamers, together with myself, handheld gaming PCs are a secondary gadget, providing on-the-go play when your main PC or console is not out there. Although I personally use gaming handhelds so much in my residence so I can play on the sofa or in mattress, these gadgets are designed to be moveable first, and virtually at all times 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 really turn 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 to your favourite sport, 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 price, 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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Worth, availability, and specs

Energy in your fingers

Below the hood, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is rocking the extremely highly effective Intel Core Extremely 7 258V processor, which supplies 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 actually essentially 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 (good for attaching a controller or exterior show whereas nonetheless charging), RGB lighting, whisper-quiet Hyperflow followers, and a high-capacity 80WHr battery.

Nevertheless, it must be famous that every one this energy does come at a worth, because the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is likely one of the most costly gaming handhelds at the moment out there, costing an eye-popping $1000 as of July 2025. Little doubt a few of this worth could also be as a result of elevated prices thanks to political policy, however with this unit costing greater than a PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Change 2 mixed, value is certainly one of many first elements you need to think about should you’re pondering of selecting up this gadget.

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What I preferred in regards to the MSI Claw 8 AI+

Gaming on the go with out limitations

When placing the MSI Claw 8 AI+ by means of its paces, I attempted to pick a sport 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 sport that has pissed off me on different gadgets with frequent crashes, framerate drops, and loading points. And after I obtained began with the MSI Claw 8 AI+, I famous a few of these identical points inside the first ten minutes or so of beginning the sport.

Nevertheless, the sport has a sensible AI Engine function that routinely optimized efficiency and as soon as I turned it on I used to be capable of get the sport working 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 attainable, with Indiana Jones and the Nice Circle working at a secure 50 FPS when in handheld mode. Sadly, the sport’s power-saving endurance mode was merely less than the duty when it got here to taking part in this sport, however after 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 sufficient efficiency as properly.

It doesn’t matter what you are taking part in, the MSI Claw 8 AI+’s huge 8-inch IPS touchscreen appears to be like vivid and exquisite and makes use of VRR (variable refresh charge) at as much as 120Hz to make sure easy efficiency from even essentially the most demanding titles. Given the gadget’s premium worth, you would be forgiven for questioning why the MSI Claw 8 AI+ does not have an OLED display screen, however I actually suppose the LCD will get the job accomplished properly sufficient that if that is the place the nook needed to be reduce to maintain the gadget from costing over a grand, the IPS display screen is a suitable substitution.

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What I did not like in regards to the MSI Claw 8 AI+

Typically, it is not nearly energy

There’s actually not so much to dislike in regards to the MSI Claw 8 AI+. It is a dear handheld to make certain, however with loads of energy below the hood, that worth 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 in regards to the gadget, although these largely fall below the “your mileage might fluctuate” umbrella.

First up, my largest challenge 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 durations of time, particularly as a result of the gadget weighs virtually two kilos and put a number of pressure on my wrists. I discovered myself usually propping the gadget up on a pillow or a countertop to present my wrists a break after only a few hours of gaming. As with something, I’d encourage those that are concerned with shopping for this gadget to discover a unit they’ll check out first, as my distinctive hand construction might merely be incompatible with the gadget, whereas others might discover it simpler to carry.

One other small challenge 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 usually bypass a number of Home windows 11. Although the launcher will get the job accomplished, it is not as totally featured as Legion House or Armory Crate on ROG gadgets, and it takes some digging to search out fundamental capabilities contained in the app. Happily, should you’re like me and also you hate it, you possibly can at all times simply bypass it solely. After all, which means you will be caught utilizing Home windows 11, which has its personal well-documented points, but when all you are making an attempt to do is get to your video games, this can be 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 essential 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 to have a high-capacity power bank with you should you’re taking it on the go.

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

Take into consideration your individual use case first

At an MSRP of $1000, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is asking avid gamers for a giant funding up entrance, and if you have already got a handheld, a laptop computer, even a Change 2 that you just use frequently, that pricetag might merely make this gadget, as spectacular as it’s from a technical standpoint, not well 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 actually the perfect handheld at the moment out there. 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 will 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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