When the latest gaming handheld became officially available, we secured early access to evaluate its performance in comparison to MSI’s inaugural attempt. While the news represents a significant leap forward, it’s still essential to wait for final reviews before placing a pre-order.
The MSI Claw remains the sole standout performer in this top-notch handheld gaming PC lineup, powered by Intel hardware; whereas it initially lagged behind the first unit, a new Intel Lunar Lake chip sets the MSI Claw 8 AI+ up to at least rival its AMD-powered competitors effectively?
The MSI Claw 8 AI+’s most notable upgrade lies in its 8-inch 1080p display, a significant improvement from the 7-inch screen found on its predecessor. While the handheld’s design isn’t significantly impacted, the supplementary display screen dimension proves a valuable addition, regardless of whether you’re engaged in gaming, streaming multimedia content, or utilizing Windows for more routine tasks.
With this unit, constructing a high-quality gaming setup that truly feels impressive marks a significant milestone, as our initial hunch proved correct when we took the MSI Claw 8 AI+ for a spin last May. The brand-new chassis boasts a superior blend of plastics that exude an unmistakably premium tactile experience, both in-hand and visually.
The contours of the machine now exude a heightened sense of refinement, with the rear buttons representing a substantial upgrade as well. The grips’ texture is noticeable at the shallow end, lacking the palm-hugging plush found in the Steam Deck and Asus ROG AlienX.
While the controls generally feel well-built, some attention to the cream-colored grips’ potential for grime accumulation would be beneficial. The overall design remains pleasant and aesthetically appealing, albeit with this minor consideration. Despite this, the Acer Nitro 7 Blaze’s design still falls short of the somewhat absurd graphics that characterize its visual identity.
Flipping open the Claw 9 AI+, it’s evident that two fans are responsible for keeping this device cool. While doubling down on cooling energy might enable the machine to remain cooler and operate more quietly, pending comprehensive evaluation testing will be necessary to gauge its effectiveness accurately.
While the gaming prowess of the Claw 8 AI+ is undoubtedly impressive, thanks to its potent Intel Lunar Lake CPU and crisp 120Hz display, the real extent of its performance boost remains a question mark compared to its predecessor, the Claw, as well as other gaming handhelds on the market. The Xbox Series X’s performance didn’t quite shine since the lone playable game on the demo stations was Hi-Fi Rush, which isn’t particularly demanding and doesn’t require silky-smooth 100fps+ rendering.
While prospects for Intel-powered gaming handhelds may seem uncertain in the long term, their potential still shines brightly, with the Steam Deck’s OLED display currently making it our top choice.
