MSI Claw Series

Graphics Adapter: Intel Arc 140V, Intel Arc 8-Core
Display: 7.00 inch, 8.00 inch
Weight: 0.672kg, 0.793kg
Price: 849, 999 euro
Average of 42 scores (from 116 reviews)
MSI Claw
Specifications

Processor: Intel Meteor Lake-H Ultra 7 155H
Graphics Adapter: Intel Arc 8-Core
Display: 7.00 inch, 16:9, 1920 x 1080 pixels
Weight: 0.672kg
Price: 849 euro
Links: MSI homepage MSI notebook section
Price comparison
Average Score:
Reviews
MSI is slightly late to the gaming handheld bandwagon by releasing the Claw—an Intel-based model. After several updates over the course of the last few weeks, its performance is now said to have been improved. We have thoroughly tested the compact gamer. Update: Correction of the overall rating
Source: Kitguru

Having gamed strictly at a desk for 99% of the time over the past 20 years, I've never tried a handheld PC before. Well, that changes today with our first look at the MSI Claw A1M. Can this tiny handheld and portable PC satisfy when gaming, without sitting at a desk? The MSI Claw didn't get a great reception when it launched – but they have cut the prices twice in 2024. So when they asked us if we could take a look at it now with the 1TB version priced at £499 (HERE), we thought it might be an interesting video. For clarity (and it is quite confusing) — When this hand held launched the 512GB was £699 and the 1TB version was £799 (HERE). MSI dropped the prices by £100 earlier this year and now the 1TB has a further £200 price cut. Just be aware you get the right version, as Currys also list the 512gb version at the same £499 price (HERE) – as of 11th November 2024.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 11/12/2024
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: Kitguru

Having gamed strictly at a desk for 99% of the time over the past 20 years, I've never tried a handheld PC before. Well, that changes today with our first look at the MSI Claw A1M. Can this tiny handheld and portable PC satisfy when gaming, without sitting at a desk? The MSI Claw didn't get a great reception when it launched – but they have cut the prices twice in 2024. So when they asked us if we could take a look at it now with the 1TB version priced at £499 (HERE), we thought it might be an interesting video. For clarity (and it is quite confusing) — When this hand held launched the 512GB was £699 and the 1TB version was £799 (HERE). MSI dropped the prices by £100 earlier this year and now the 1TB has a further £200 price cut. Just be aware you get the right version, as Currys also list the 512gb version at the same £499 price (HERE) – as of 11th November 2024.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 11/12/2024
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: NDTV Gadgets

The MSI Claw A1M feels firmly like a first-generation product that was rushed out when Asus put the ROG Ally on the market. More importantly, MSI's first-generation handheld suffers from inconsistent performance and fails to distinguish itself in the battery life department. Intel just launched its Lunar Lake processor, and the Claw A1M's Meteor Lake already looks outdated. Asus has launched a refreshed version of the Ally, the ROG Ally X, with considerable upgrades. On the other hand, the Lenovo Legion Go (Review) offers more features with its detachable controllers and massive 8.8-inch QHD+ display. In the face of such competition, the MSI Claw A1M can end up looking like a pale imitation.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 09/09/2024
Rating: Total score: 60% price: 50% performance: 60% display: 70% mobility: 60% workmanship: 60%
Source: NDTV Gadgets

The MSI Claw A1M feels firmly like a first-generation product that was rushed out when Asus put the ROG Ally on the market. More importantly, MSI's first-generation handheld suffers from inconsistent performance and fails to distinguish itself in the battery life department. Intel just launched its Lunar Lake processor, and the Claw A1M's Meteor Lake already looks outdated. Asus has launched a refreshed version of the Ally, the ROG Ally X, with considerable upgrades. On the other hand, the Lenovo Legion Go (Review) offers more features with its detachable controllers and massive 8.8-inch QHD+ display. In the face of such competition, the MSI Claw A1M can end up looking like a pale imitation.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 09/09/2024
Rating: Total score: 60% price: 50% performance: 60% display: 70% mobility: 60% workmanship: 60%
Source: The Tech Chap

Comparison, online available, Very Long, Date: 08/02/2024
Source: The Tech Chap

Comparison, online available, Very Long, Date: 08/02/2024
Source: Root Nation

In summary, the portable console from MSI turned out to be successful. It has quality construction, good ergonomics, and an attractive design. The hardware and performance are decent for a portable device. The battery life is short, but this is a common issue among competitors, so it’s more of a form factor problem rather than an MSI Claw issue. However, the console could benefit from faster charging. Regarding the display, overall, it’s a decent IPS screen. However, I believe that for the console’s price, they could have included an OLED screen, like the one in the Steam Deck. Not only would an OLED display look more modern and be better for gaming, but it would also make the console stand out compared to the ROG Ally and Legion GO, which also have IPS displays.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 07/29/2024
Rating: Total score: 90% price: 80% performance: 70% display: 80% mobility: 70% workmanship: 100% ergonomy: 90%
Source: Root Nation

In summary, the portable console from MSI turned out to be successful. It has quality construction, good ergonomics, and an attractive design. The hardware and performance are decent for a portable device. The battery life is short, but this is a common issue among competitors, so it’s more of a form factor problem rather than an MSI Claw issue. However, the console could benefit from faster charging. Regarding the display, overall, it’s a decent IPS screen. However, I believe that for the console’s price, they could have included an OLED screen, like the one in the Steam Deck. Not only would an OLED display look more modern and be better for gaming, but it would also make the console stand out compared to the ROG Ally and Legion GO, which also have IPS displays.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 07/29/2024
Rating: Total score: 90% price: 80% performance: 70% display: 80% mobility: 70% workmanship: 100% ergonomy: 90%
Source: Mezha EN

Portable gaming consoles on Windows 11 are still a young category of gadgets that is still in its infancy. But the assortment is growing, the characteristics and capabilities are improving. MSI Claw turned out to be a very interesting representative of this category. The hardware of the console allows you to play modern AAA games with a comfortable frame rate, and the shape of the case and controls make it convenient. The console has a bright screen with a refresh rate of 120 Hz and high-quality speakers. Using Windows 11 has its pros and cons: on the one hand, there are no software restrictions and the console can be used as a PC. On the other hand, the clean Windows interface is not very suitable for such devices, and energy efficiency is inferior to closed systems. Battery life is still a common problem with portable consoles, but the MSI Claw is better than many competitors in this regard.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 07/26/2024
Rating: Total score: 85%
Source: Mezha EN

Portable gaming consoles on Windows 11 are still a young category of gadgets that is still in its infancy. But the assortment is growing, the characteristics and capabilities are improving. MSI Claw turned out to be a very interesting representative of this category. The hardware of the console allows you to play modern AAA games with a comfortable frame rate, and the shape of the case and controls make it convenient. The console has a bright screen with a refresh rate of 120 Hz and high-quality speakers. Using Windows 11 has its pros and cons: on the one hand, there are no software restrictions and the console can be used as a PC. On the other hand, the clean Windows interface is not very suitable for such devices, and energy efficiency is inferior to closed systems. Battery life is still a common problem with portable consoles, but the MSI Claw is better than many competitors in this regard.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 07/26/2024
Rating: Total score: 85%
Source: Hubwood

Comparison, online available, Very Long, Date: 07/22/2024
Source: Hubwood

Comparison, online available, Very Long, Date: 07/22/2024
Source: Hubwood

Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 07/19/2024
Source: Hubwood

Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 07/19/2024
Source: Hardware Zone

Timing may be the MSI Claw’s biggest hurdle. If it had come out alongside the ROG Ally and Legion Go, it would have been an interesting Intel alternative. As it is, it’s hard to recommend the Claw at its current S$1,239 price tag. More so with ASUS set to release the Ally X next month, featuring a redesigned chassis, 24GB of RAM, an 80Wh battery, and all at a cheaper S$1,199. The Claw faces stiff competition and I’m surprised MSI has not reacted quicker to make its handheld be more competitive at retail – its launch price was already pricier than the ROG Ally (S$999) and the Legion Go (S$1,151) to begin with. There’s also a more affordable Claw version at S$949 with a slower Intel Core Ultra 5 135H and smaller 512GB SSD, but performance for this Claw can be expected to be worse.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 07/06/2024
Rating: Total score: 65% price: 55% performance: 70% workmanship: 80%
Source: Hardware Zone

Timing may be the MSI Claw’s biggest hurdle. If it had come out alongside the ROG Ally and Legion Go, it would have been an interesting Intel alternative. As it is, it’s hard to recommend the Claw at its current S$1,239 price tag. More so with ASUS set to release the Ally X next month, featuring a redesigned chassis, 24GB of RAM, an 80Wh battery, and all at a cheaper S$1,199. The Claw faces stiff competition and I’m surprised MSI has not reacted quicker to make its handheld be more competitive at retail – its launch price was already pricier than the ROG Ally (S$999) and the Legion Go (S$1,151) to begin with. There’s also a more affordable Claw version at S$949 with a slower Intel Core Ultra 5 135H and smaller 512GB SSD, but performance for this Claw can be expected to be worse.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 07/06/2024
Rating: Total score: 65% price: 55% performance: 70% workmanship: 80%
Source: Hardware Zone

Timing may be the MSI Claw’s biggest hurdle. If it had come out alongside the ROG Ally and Legion Go, it would have been an interesting Intel alternative. As it is, it’s hard to recommend the Claw at its current S$1,239 price tag. More so with ASUS set to release the Ally X next month, featuring a redesigned chassis, 24GB of RAM, an 80Wh battery, and all at a cheaper S$1,199. The Claw faces stiff competition and I’m surprised MSI has not reacted quicker to make its handheld be more competitive at retail – its launch price was already pricier than the ROG Ally (S$999) and the Legion Go (S$1,151) to begin with. There’s also a more affordable Claw version at S$949 with a slower Intel Core Ultra 5 135H and smaller 512GB SSD, but performance for this Claw can be expected to be worse.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 06/27/2024
Source: Hardware Zone

Timing may be the MSI Claw’s biggest hurdle. If it had come out alongside the ROG Ally and Legion Go, it would have been an interesting Intel alternative. As it is, it’s hard to recommend the Claw at its current S$1,239 price tag. More so with ASUS set to release the Ally X next month, featuring a redesigned chassis, 24GB of RAM, an 80Wh battery, and all at a cheaper S$1,199. The Claw faces stiff competition and I’m surprised MSI has not reacted quicker to make its handheld be more competitive at retail – its launch price was already pricier than the ROG Ally (S$999) and the Legion Go (S$1,151) to begin with. There’s also a more affordable Claw version at S$949 with a slower Intel Core Ultra 5 135H and smaller 512GB SSD, but performance for this Claw can be expected to be worse.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 06/27/2024
Source: 91mobiles

My review unit of the MSI Claw is available for Rs 89,990 in India. Do note that this is the introductory price which will later increase to Rs 99,990. The Claw can also be configured with a less powerful Core Ultra 5 135H processor, which costs Rs 78,990. It goes without saying that Claw has a hefty price tag, and I feel the company could’ve priced it more competitively. For instance, the ASUS ROG Ally with the Z1 Extreme processor can be snagged for Rs 59,990 in India. What’s more, although the handheld has received timely updates from Intel and MSI to improve its performance, it could use some more optimisation. Many games still don’t run smoothly on the Claw, and the battery backup leaves something to be desired as well. Also, MSI recently announced the successor to the Claw, which will come with a bigger 80Wh battery and feature Intel’s more powerful Lunar Lake platform. Nevertheless, continued updates and a price cut should help the MSI Claw cement its position in India.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 06/17/2024
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: 91mobiles

My review unit of the MSI Claw is available for Rs 89,990 in India. Do note that this is the introductory price which will later increase to Rs 99,990. The Claw can also be configured with a less powerful Core Ultra 5 135H processor, which costs Rs 78,990. It goes without saying that Claw has a hefty price tag, and I feel the company could’ve priced it more competitively. For instance, the ASUS ROG Ally with the Z1 Extreme processor can be snagged for Rs 59,990 in India. What’s more, although the handheld has received timely updates from Intel and MSI to improve its performance, it could use some more optimisation. Many games still don’t run smoothly on the Claw, and the battery backup leaves something to be desired as well. Also, MSI recently announced the successor to the Claw, which will come with a bigger 80Wh battery and feature Intel’s more powerful Lunar Lake platform. Nevertheless, continued updates and a price cut should help the MSI Claw cement its position in India.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 06/17/2024
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: Tom's Guide

Here's your first look at the MSI Claw 8 AI+ from Computex 2024. It upgrades to an 8-inch FHD display and ditches the old Intel Core Ultra 5 in the OG model for Lunar Lake CPUs, plus MSI showed off a special Fallout Edition of the MSI Claw that's perfect for fans of the game.
Hands-On, online available, Very Short, Date: 06/05/2024
Source: Tom's Guide

Here's your first look at the MSI Claw 8 AI+ from Computex 2024. It upgrades to an 8-inch FHD display and ditches the old Intel Core Ultra 5 in the OG model for Lunar Lake CPUs, plus MSI showed off a special Fallout Edition of the MSI Claw that's perfect for fans of the game.
Hands-On, online available, Very Short, Date: 06/05/2024
Source: Tom's Guide

This is Intel's debut to gaming handhelds, but is it good enough to replace the ASUS ROG Ally, an Xbox Series X or a Gaming Laptop? Here's everything he likes about this portable gaming setup and the cons you can expect.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 05/06/2024
Source: Tom's Guide

This is Intel's debut to gaming handhelds, but is it good enough to replace the ASUS ROG Ally, an Xbox Series X or a Gaming Laptop? Here's everything he likes about this portable gaming setup and the cons you can expect.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 05/06/2024
Source: Make Use Of

While the MSI Claw holds promise with its Intel Arc, it faces challenges in delivering a seamless gaming experience. As Intel continues to refine its drivers and developers optimize their games for Intel XESS and the new hardware, the MSI Claw may yet realize its full potential. In general, MSI tends to be one of the best choices for performance per dollar. Even with some promising results, overall, the Claw isn't there yet. With so much desire to prove themselves in the gaming space, I imagine Intel is going to be putting a lot of effort into improving this generation of Arc. For now, expect the usual shortcomings as an early adopter playing a balancing act between your games, either running really well or facing a bunch of hiccups and underwhelming performance. We probably won't see a dramatic improvement in the next few weeks, but I have my fingers crossed that in 3 to 6 months we can revisit the MSI Claw and have a much happier ending to this story.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 05/02/2024
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: Make Use Of

While the MSI Claw holds promise with its Intel Arc, it faces challenges in delivering a seamless gaming experience. As Intel continues to refine its drivers and developers optimize their games for Intel XESS and the new hardware, the MSI Claw may yet realize its full potential. In general, MSI tends to be one of the best choices for performance per dollar. Even with some promising results, overall, the Claw isn't there yet. With so much desire to prove themselves in the gaming space, I imagine Intel is going to be putting a lot of effort into improving this generation of Arc. For now, expect the usual shortcomings as an early adopter playing a balancing act between your games, either running really well or facing a bunch of hiccups and underwhelming performance. We probably won't see a dramatic improvement in the next few weeks, but I have my fingers crossed that in 3 to 6 months we can revisit the MSI Claw and have a much happier ending to this story.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 05/02/2024
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: Laptop Mag

The Claw is a nightmare. Even if you can forgive its software issues, design flaws, and uncomfortable levels of heat, it boasts the highest price point of the Windows gaming handheld devices ($799), yet delivers the worst performance by far. I couldn’t believe my eyes when running Elden Ring—the game delivered nearly half the framerate on a significantly lower graphical settings when compared to the cheaper Ally. That should be all you need to know. The Claw is a shocking misstep for MSI, and we’d recommend checking out the Asus ROG Ally or Lenovo Legion Go for worthwhile alternatives.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 04/13/2024
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Laptop Mag

The Claw is a nightmare. Even if you can forgive its software issues, design flaws, and uncomfortable levels of heat, it boasts the highest price point of the Windows gaming handheld devices ($799), yet delivers the worst performance by far. I couldn’t believe my eyes when running Elden Ring—the game delivered nearly half the framerate on a significantly lower graphical settings when compared to the cheaper Ally. That should be all you need to know. The Claw is a shocking misstep for MSI, and we’d recommend checking out the Asus ROG Ally or Lenovo Legion Go for worthwhile alternatives.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 04/13/2024
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Tom's Guide

Should you Buy or Skip the MSI Claw? There has been a lot of fanfare around the first Windows 11 handheld gaming console with an Intel Meteor Lake chip. However, the software has had a frosty reception. Let me give you the lowdown on whether I think the MSI Claw is worth your money!
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 04/04/2024
Source: Tom's Guide

Should you Buy or Skip the MSI Claw? There has been a lot of fanfare around the first Windows 11 handheld gaming console with an Intel Meteor Lake chip. However, the software has had a frosty reception. Let me give you the lowdown on whether I think the MSI Claw is worth your money!
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 04/04/2024
Source: Geek Culture

But there’s a catch. The MSI Claw is the first Intel-equipped handheld PC to date, which presents the perfect opportunity to put it through its paces in the real world. Interestingly enough, it plays better on battery than when it’s plugged in – an observation that proved consistent across different games. Check out the S$1,069 device in action above, as it goes up against the likes ofCyberpunk 2077, Helldivers 2, Armored Core VI, Hades, and Spec Ops: The Line.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 03/29/2024
Rating: Total score: 63% price: 50% performance: 50% workmanship: 80%
Source: Geek Culture

But there’s a catch. The MSI Claw is the first Intel-equipped handheld PC to date, which presents the perfect opportunity to put it through its paces in the real world. Interestingly enough, it plays better on battery than when it’s plugged in – an observation that proved consistent across different games. Check out the S$1,069 device in action above, as it goes up against the likes ofCyberpunk 2077, Helldivers 2, Armored Core VI, Hades, and Spec Ops: The Line.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 03/29/2024
Rating: Total score: 63% price: 50% performance: 50% workmanship: 80%
Source: Hubwood

Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 03/24/2024
Source: Hubwood

Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 03/24/2024
Source: Hubwood

Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 03/16/2024
Source: Hubwood

Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 03/16/2024
Source: The Tech Chap

Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 01/13/2024
Source: The Tech Chap

Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 01/13/2024
Source: Laptop Mag

MSI is on the verge of greatness with the Claw, as its implementation of Intel’s Meteor Lake processors, ergonomic design, and dedicated software have me shaking with excitement. I noticed slowdowns in MSI Center M, and I have gripes with its spongy bumpers and back buttons resting too close to the grip, but since this was a prototype model at CES 2024, it's hard to say what will change with the launch of the commercial model. If the company gets it just right, the MSI Claw could be the ultimate Windows handheld gaming console when it launches this year, and I cannot wait to get my hands on it.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 01/12/2024
Source: Laptop Mag

MSI is on the verge of greatness with the Claw, as its implementation of Intel’s Meteor Lake processors, ergonomic design, and dedicated software have me shaking with excitement. I noticed slowdowns in MSI Center M, and I have gripes with its spongy bumpers and back buttons resting too close to the grip, but since this was a prototype model at CES 2024, it's hard to say what will change with the launch of the commercial model. If the company gets it just right, the MSI Claw could be the ultimate Windows handheld gaming console when it launches this year, and I cannot wait to get my hands on it.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 01/12/2024
Source: CNet

Hands-On, online available, Very Short, Date: 01/11/2024
Source: CNet

Hands-On, online available, Very Short, Date: 01/11/2024
Source: Engadget

Between the ASUS ROG Ally, the Lenovo Legion Go and the Steam Deck, AMD has a virtual monopoly over the chips powering high-end gaming handhelds. But for the Claw, MSI is partnering up with Intel to bring a little more balance to the portable PC performance wars.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 01/10/2024
Source: Matthew Moniz

Hands-On, online available, Long, Date: 01/10/2024
Source: Engadget

Between the ASUS ROG Ally, the Lenovo Legion Go and the Steam Deck, AMD has a virtual monopoly over the chips powering high-end gaming handhelds. But for the Claw, MSI is partnering up with Intel to bring a little more balance to the portable PC performance wars.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 01/10/2024
Source: Matthew Moniz

Hands-On, online available, Long, Date: 01/10/2024
Source: Tom's Guide

The MSI Claw (starting at $699) could be the next great gaming handheld. While its 7-inch LCD display and overall design are reminiscent of the Asus ROG Ally and Steam Deck, MSI’s machine is the first such handheld to sport a new Intel Core Ultra “Meteor Lake” chip. According to the company, Intel’s processor gives the Claw better performance and battery life than handhelds featuring an AMD chip. I got to try the MSI Claw during CES 2024 and was impressed by its striking appearance and how light it felt to hold. I also like how cool it remained even when the CPU ran at near 100%. The sharp 1080p and smooth 120Hz display are also a highlight. It’s too early to tell if the MSI Claw can topple the Steam Deck, but I think it should find a spot on our best handheld gaming console list. Here are my initial thoughts on the MSI Claw.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 01/09/2024
Source: Dave 2D

Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 01/09/2024
Source: Tom's Guide

The MSI Claw (starting at $699) could be the next great gaming handheld. While its 7-inch LCD display and overall design are reminiscent of the Asus ROG Ally and Steam Deck, MSI’s machine is the first such handheld to sport a new Intel Core Ultra “Meteor Lake” chip. According to the company, Intel’s processor gives the Claw better performance and battery life than handhelds featuring an AMD chip. I got to try the MSI Claw during CES 2024 and was impressed by its striking appearance and how light it felt to hold. I also like how cool it remained even when the CPU ran at near 100%. The sharp 1080p and smooth 120Hz display are also a highlight. It’s too early to tell if the MSI Claw can topple the Steam Deck, but I think it should find a spot on our best handheld gaming console list. Here are my initial thoughts on the MSI Claw.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 01/09/2024
Source: Dave 2D

Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 01/09/2024
Foreign Reviews
Source: HDblog.it

Positive: Great ergonomics; powerful processor; high gaming performance. Negative: High price.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 05/28/2024
Source: HDblog.it

Positive: Great ergonomics; powerful processor; high gaming performance. Negative: High price.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 05/28/2024
Source: Clubic

Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 03/13/2024
Rating: Total score: 60%
Source: Clubic

Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 03/13/2024
Rating: Total score: 60%
Source: Clubic

Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 03/13/2024
Rating: Total score: 60%
Source: Clubic

Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 03/13/2024
Rating: Total score: 60%
Source: Frandroid

Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 03/07/2024
Rating: Total score: 60% performance: 60% display: 80% mobility: 70% workmanship: 80%
Source: Frandroid

Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 03/07/2024
Rating: Total score: 60% performance: 60% display: 80% mobility: 70% workmanship: 80%
Source: Les Numeriques

Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 03/01/2024
Rating: Total score: 60% performance: 80% mobility: 40% ergonomy: 80%
Source: Les Numeriques

Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 03/01/2024
Rating: Total score: 60% performance: 80% mobility: 40% ergonomy: 80%
Source: Gry.wm.pl

Positive: High gaming performance; nice design; decent mobility.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 09/09/2024
Source: Gry.wm.pl

Positive: High gaming performance; nice design; decent mobility.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 09/09/2024
Source: Overclockers RU

Positive: Powerful hardware; high gaming performance; 1TB ROM. Negative: Short battery life; poor display; high price.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 07/22/2024
Source: Overclockers RU

Positive: Powerful hardware; high gaming performance; 1TB ROM. Negative: Short battery life; poor display; high price.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 07/22/2024
Source: ITC UA

Positive: Powerful processor; large battery capacity; nice display; great connectivity; good cooling system; excellent ergonomics. Negative: Expensive.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 06/21/2024
Source: ITC UA

Positive: Powerful processor; large battery capacity; nice display; great connectivity; good cooling system; excellent ergonomics. Negative: Expensive.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 06/21/2024
Source: FPT shop

Positive: Beautiful gaming design; excellent display; powerful hardware; high gaming performance; smart AI features. Negative: Average battery life; a lot of competitors at this price.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 09/26/2024
Source: FPT shop

Positive: Beautiful gaming design; excellent display; powerful hardware; high gaming performance; smart AI features. Negative: Average battery life; a lot of competitors at this price.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 09/26/2024
Source: Cell Phones

Positive: High gaming performance; premium design; nice mobility. Negative: Average battery life.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 06/23/2024
Source: Cell Phones

Positive: High gaming performance; premium design; nice mobility. Negative: Average battery life.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 06/23/2024
Source: FPT shop

Positive: Compact size; beautiful display; powerful processor; high gaming performance; premium design; solid workmanship.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 03/14/2024
Source: FPT shop

Positive: Compact size; beautiful display; powerful processor; high gaming performance; premium design; solid workmanship.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 03/14/2024
Source: Cell Phones

Positive: Powerful processor; decent gaming performance; compact size; light weight; very long battery life.
Hands-On, online available, Long, Date: 03/13/2024
Source: Cell Phones

Positive: Powerful processor; decent gaming performance; compact size; light weight; very long battery life.
Hands-On, online available, Long, Date: 03/13/2024
Source: Jagat Review

Positive: High mobility; powerful processor; high gaming performance.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 05/24/2024
Source: Jagat Review

Positive: High mobility; powerful processor; high gaming performance.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 05/24/2024
Source: Root Nation CN

Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 07/29/2024
Rating: Total score: 90% price: 80% display: 80% mobility: 70% workmanship: 100% ergonomy: 90%
Source: Root Nation CN

Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 07/29/2024
Rating: Total score: 90% price: 80% display: 80% mobility: 70% workmanship: 100% ergonomy: 90%
Source: PC Online.com.cn

Positive: Trendy design; powerful hardware; high gaming performance.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 04/15/2024
Source: PC Online.com.cn

Positive: Trendy design; powerful hardware; high gaming performance.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 04/15/2024
Source: Eprice.com.hk

Positive: Expandable with Docking; powerful hardware; high gaming performance. Negative: Intel Graphics Reliability.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 10/31/2024
Source: Eprice.com.hk

Positive: Expandable with Docking; powerful hardware; high gaming performance. Negative: Intel Graphics Reliability.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 10/31/2024
MSI Claw 8 AI+
Specifications

Processor: Intel Lunar Lake Core Ultra 7 258V
Graphics Adapter: Intel Arc 140V
Display: 8.00 inch, 16:10, 1920 x 1200 pixels
Weight: 0.793kg
Price: 999 euro
Links: MSI homepage MSI notebook section
Price comparison
Average Score:
Reviews
MSI's new Claw 8 AI+ is a massive improvement of the manufacturer's first gaming handheld. Adding to this is its more efficient Lunar Lake processor from Intel, as well as a larger 8-inch display with a 120-Hz refresh rate and VRR, and a big 80-Wh battery.
Source: Tom's Guide

So if you need a new gaming handheld, should you get the MSI Claw 8AI+? This is currently my favorite pick, but its not for everyone. If you’re willing to sacrifice performance, the Steam Deck OLED 1TB $649 model is a great way to play less demanding games without Windows 11 woes while the original ASUS ROG Ally offers exceptional value. The Claw 8AI+ outperforms competing handhelds and has re-sparked my love for playing games on the go, but its asking price is a tough pill to swallow.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 03/07/2025
Rating: Total score: 90%
Source: Tom's Guide

So if you need a new gaming handheld, should you get the MSI Claw 8AI+? This is currently my favorite pick, but its not for everyone. If you’re willing to sacrifice performance, the Steam Deck OLED 1TB $649 model is a great way to play less demanding games without Windows 11 woes while the original ASUS ROG Ally offers exceptional value. The Claw 8AI+ outperforms competing handhelds and has re-sparked my love for playing games on the go, but its asking price is a tough pill to swallow.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 03/07/2025
Rating: Total score: 90%
Source: PC Mag

The MSI Claw 8 AI+ improves on the original with its hardware and software while still being imperfect. The new body color, the larger screen, and the increased power are all welcome. The system feels well made, it can generally run games smoothly enough (as long as you lower some settings), and it has a respectable battery life. If this particular device speaks to you, it will do the job. On the other hand, the new ergonomics leave room for improvement; the performance needs a boost; and the price has officially entered the laptop zone. We still prefer the Editors'-Choice-award-holding Asus ROG Ally X and Steam Deck among handhelds, and if you're not hell-bent on a handheld, your dollar will still go further with a gaming laptop.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 03/02/2025
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: PC Mag

The MSI Claw 8 AI+ improves on the original with its hardware and software while still being imperfect. The new body color, the larger screen, and the increased power are all welcome. The system feels well made, it can generally run games smoothly enough (as long as you lower some settings), and it has a respectable battery life. If this particular device speaks to you, it will do the job. On the other hand, the new ergonomics leave room for improvement; the performance needs a boost; and the price has officially entered the laptop zone. We still prefer the Editors'-Choice-award-holding Asus ROG Ally X and Steam Deck among handhelds, and if you're not hell-bent on a handheld, your dollar will still go further with a gaming laptop.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 03/02/2025
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: Zdnet.com

The MSI Claw 8 AI+ will be available for pre-order on February 15 at Amazon for $899. It has actually already launched, but according to a company representative, pre-order demand was so high that the developer paused them. At $899, this handheld is more expensive than even the OLED Steam Deck, but given its top-notch performance, battery life, and eight-inch display, the MSI Claw 8 makes itself worth the price.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 02/27/2025
Source: Zdnet.com

The MSI Claw 8 AI+ will be available for pre-order on February 15 at Amazon for $899. It has actually already launched, but according to a company representative, pre-order demand was so high that the developer paused them. At $899, this handheld is more expensive than even the OLED Steam Deck, but given its top-notch performance, battery life, and eight-inch display, the MSI Claw 8 makes itself worth the price.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 02/27/2025
Source: Hubwood

We're taking a closer look at a variety of titles at 30W and 17W on the new MSI Claw 8 AI+ with the Core Ultra 7 258V
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 02/23/2025
Source: Hubwood

We're taking a closer look at a variety of titles at 30W and 17W on the new MSI Claw 8 AI+ with the Core Ultra 7 258V
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 02/23/2025
Source: Tom's Guide

Is the MSI Claw 8AI+ the best gaming handheld of 2025? With its new Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and Intel Arc 140V GPU, 32GB of LPDDR5x memory, and up to a 1TB NVMe SSD, the Claw 8 outperforms its closest competitors including the ASUS ROG Ally X.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 02/22/2025
Source: Tom's Guide

Is the MSI Claw 8AI+ the best gaming handheld of 2025? With its new Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and Intel Arc 140V GPU, 32GB of LPDDR5x memory, and up to a 1TB NVMe SSD, the Claw 8 outperforms its closest competitors including the ASUS ROG Ally X.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 02/22/2025
Source: Mash IT

In this video we take a look at the new Claw 8 AI+, a powerful Windows-based, Intel-powered handheld gaming device from MSI. We unbox the product, run some benchmarks, and of course play some games. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth reviews and unboxings!
Hands-On, online available, Very Long, Date: 02/18/2025
Source: Mash IT

In this video we take a look at the new Claw 8 AI+, a powerful Windows-based, Intel-powered handheld gaming device from MSI. We unbox the product, run some benchmarks, and of course play some games. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth reviews and unboxings!
Hands-On, online available, Very Long, Date: 02/18/2025
Source: The Shortcut

The MSI Claw 8 AI+ is one of the most fun gaming handhelds I’ve ever played with. It’s a gorgeous device with an even prettier large 8-inch screen. The Intel Lunar Lake processor meanwhile delivers excellent FHD 60fps performance for most games and more than a playable experience with graphically challenging titles. It’s also a long-lasting device with up to three hours of AAA gaming, and AI helps it maintain power efficiency better than any other handheld. That said, it’s also the most expensive gaming handheld I’ve used at $899 – $100 more than its closest rival, the Asus ROG Ally X. The MSI Claw 8 Ai+’s price really makes consider whether this handheld is better than a laptop that would offer better cooling and longer battery life.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 02/14/2025
Rating: Total score: 90%
Source: The Shortcut

The MSI Claw 8 AI+ is one of the most fun gaming handhelds I’ve ever played with. It’s a gorgeous device with an even prettier large 8-inch screen. The Intel Lunar Lake processor meanwhile delivers excellent FHD 60fps performance for most games and more than a playable experience with graphically challenging titles. It’s also a long-lasting device with up to three hours of AAA gaming, and AI helps it maintain power efficiency better than any other handheld. That said, it’s also the most expensive gaming handheld I’ve used at $899 – $100 more than its closest rival, the Asus ROG Ally X. The MSI Claw 8 Ai+’s price really makes consider whether this handheld is better than a laptop that would offer better cooling and longer battery life.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 02/14/2025
Rating: Total score: 90%
Source: Tech Spurt

Like the ROG Ally X, you get some decent battery life for a portable gamer. Over two hours of AAA action is standard, even when playing at 1200p resolution with the graphics scaled up. Performance also stays strong thanks to the MSI Claw 8 AI Plus' Lunar Lake smarts and that dual fan cooling. It's not an OLED screen but that panel is bright and boasts decent contrast for an IPS. Those stereo speakers are beefy too. And the MSI Claw 8 AI+ also offers an easily replaceable SSD (not tested), and pull-out controls for customising your game. But is it as good as the ASUS ROG Ally X and Steam Deck? If it wasn't for the sky high price, I'd say snap it up. However, you may wish to wait for the MSI Claw 8 AI+ to be on sale first.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 02/03/2025
Source: Tech Spurt

Like the ROG Ally X, you get some decent battery life for a portable gamer. Over two hours of AAA action is standard, even when playing at 1200p resolution with the graphics scaled up. Performance also stays strong thanks to the MSI Claw 8 AI Plus' Lunar Lake smarts and that dual fan cooling. It's not an OLED screen but that panel is bright and boasts decent contrast for an IPS. Those stereo speakers are beefy too. And the MSI Claw 8 AI+ also offers an easily replaceable SSD (not tested), and pull-out controls for customising your game. But is it as good as the ASUS ROG Ally X and Steam Deck? If it wasn't for the sky high price, I'd say snap it up. However, you may wish to wait for the MSI Claw 8 AI+ to be on sale first.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 02/03/2025
Source: Laptop Mag

The MSI Claw 8 AI+ is an incredible improvement over the original Claw A1M. The rebuilt Claw has slick gaming performance, impressive battery life, a stunning display, improved thermals, great ergonomics, improved triggers, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and 32GB of system memory to support it all. Plus, it’s far more stable than the original Claw, which suffered from numerous optimization issues with its Intel Meteor Lake processor. However, the Claw 8 AI+ is the most expensive of the mainstream handheld gaming PCs, costing $899 for the 8-inch model, and $799 for the smaller Claw 7 AI+ A2VM. However, the recently revamped Asus ROG Ally X is $799 for the 1TB model, which makes the Claw pricing seem reasonable since the Ally is a 7-inch handheld.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 12/27/2024
Rating: Total score: 90%
Source: Laptop Mag

The MSI Claw 8 AI+ is an incredible improvement over the original Claw A1M. The rebuilt Claw has slick gaming performance, impressive battery life, a stunning display, improved thermals, great ergonomics, improved triggers, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and 32GB of system memory to support it all. Plus, it’s far more stable than the original Claw, which suffered from numerous optimization issues with its Intel Meteor Lake processor. However, the Claw 8 AI+ is the most expensive of the mainstream handheld gaming PCs, costing $899 for the 8-inch model, and $799 for the smaller Claw 7 AI+ A2VM. However, the recently revamped Asus ROG Ally X is $799 for the 1TB model, which makes the Claw pricing seem reasonable since the Ally is a 7-inch handheld.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 12/27/2024
Rating: Total score: 90%
Source: Tom's Guide

This portable powerhouse is designed to deliver up to 113% higher peak FPS compared to its rivals like the ASUS ROG Ally X while maintaining impressive efficiency thanks to its 80Wh battery. While its unique Sandstorm color may not scream “gamer”, its tactile button upgrades, Bluetooth LE Audio support, and more are notable improvements. Could this be one of the best gaming handhelds in 2025? Let’s see if the MSI Claw 8 AI+ has what it takes to be your next gaming device!
Hands-On, online available, Short, Date: 12/24/2024
Source: Tom's Guide

This portable powerhouse is designed to deliver up to 113% higher peak FPS compared to its rivals like the ASUS ROG Ally X while maintaining impressive efficiency thanks to its 80Wh battery. While its unique Sandstorm color may not scream “gamer”, its tactile button upgrades, Bluetooth LE Audio support, and more are notable improvements. Could this be one of the best gaming handhelds in 2025? Let’s see if the MSI Claw 8 AI+ has what it takes to be your next gaming device!
Hands-On, online available, Short, Date: 12/24/2024
Source: Tom's Guide

MSI has made some excellent upgrades with the Claw 8 AI+, but the real question is whether Intel and MSI finally have what it takes to go head-to-head with AMD-powered competitors like the ROG Ally X or the rumored Legion Go S. Aside from seeing how well its performance holds up, its higher starting price and less traditional color make the MSI Claw 8 AI+ an interesting gaming handheld worth putting on your radar.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 12/18/2024
Source: Tom's Guide

MSI has made some excellent upgrades with the Claw 8 AI+, but the real question is whether Intel and MSI finally have what it takes to go head-to-head with AMD-powered competitors like the ROG Ally X or the rumored Legion Go S. Aside from seeing how well its performance holds up, its higher starting price and less traditional color make the MSI Claw 8 AI+ an interesting gaming handheld worth putting on your radar.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 12/18/2024
Source: Techradar

The MSI Claw 8 AI+ powered by Intel Lunar Lake is shaping up to be the PC gaming handheld to beat next year, thanks to its improved design, bigger screen, and a massive 80WHr battery which, when paired with the increased energy efficiency of the Lunar Lake SoC, could see a doubling of battery life over the previous Claw, along with up to 50% better gaming performance — assuming MSI prices it properly.
Hands-On, online available, Medium, Date: 09/10/2024
Source: Techradar

The MSI Claw 8 AI+ powered by Intel Lunar Lake is shaping up to be the PC gaming handheld to beat next year, thanks to its improved design, bigger screen, and a massive 80WHr battery which, when paired with the increased energy efficiency of the Lunar Lake SoC, could see a doubling of battery life over the previous Claw, along with up to 50% better gaming performance — assuming MSI prices it properly.
Hands-On, online available, Medium, Date: 09/10/2024
Source: Techtesters

Waar we vorig jaar geheel onverwacht met een Claw aan de slag gingen, zonder verwachtingen, kijken we nu naar een tweede generatie met hogere verwachtingen. Vooralsnog lijkt MSI echter goede stappen te zetten: nieuwe chip, een generatie aan driver updates, beter scherm, grotere accu, plus nog wat hardware upgrades. Het resultaat is een apparaat dat in een eerste hands-on een duidelijk meer volwassen indruk maakt. Als het mee zit kunnen we later deze maand nog aan de slag gaan met MSI’s nieuwste, en misschien nog belangrijker: Intel’s nieuwste drivers.
Positive: Powerful hardware; high gaming performance; big screen; great display; large battery capacity; premium design.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 01/14/2025
Source: Techtesters

Waar we vorig jaar geheel onverwacht met een Claw aan de slag gingen, zonder verwachtingen, kijken we nu naar een tweede generatie met hogere verwachtingen. Vooralsnog lijkt MSI echter goede stappen te zetten: nieuwe chip, een generatie aan driver updates, beter scherm, grotere accu, plus nog wat hardware upgrades. Het resultaat is een apparaat dat in een eerste hands-on een duidelijk meer volwassen indruk maakt. Als het mee zit kunnen we later deze maand nog aan de slag gaan met MSI’s nieuwste, en misschien nog belangrijker: Intel’s nieuwste drivers.
Positive: Powerful hardware; high gaming performance; big screen; great display; large battery capacity; premium design.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 01/14/2025
Foreign Reviews
Source: PC Games

Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 02/13/2025
Rating: Total score: 90%
Source: PC Games

Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 02/13/2025
Rating: Total score: 90%
Source: Eprice.com.hk

Positive: Decent processor; nice gaming performance; big screen; great display; impressive battery life. Negative: Heavy and bulky; mediocre GPU.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 02/25/2025
Source: Eprice.com.hk

Positive: Decent processor; nice gaming performance; big screen; great display; impressive battery life. Negative: Heavy and bulky; mediocre GPU.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 02/25/2025
Comment
MSI: Micro-Star International (MSI) was founded in 1986 in Taiwan. MSI is especially known as a manufacturer of motherboards and graphics cards for PCs, but also offers computer accessories, complete systems, motherboards, graphics cards, laptops, desktop PCs, monitors and other components. However, the Microstar brand name in Germany belongs to the Medion company. MSI is known for its gaming products and has developed a wide range of gaming laptops and desktop PCs. The company is also active in workstations, servers and industrial automation. MSI has offices in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
Modern games should be playable with these graphics cards at low settings and resolutions. Casual gamers may be happy with these cards.
Intel Arc 8-Core: Integrated graphics adapter based on the Xe LPG architecture (similar to the dedicated Arc GPUs, but with a focus on efficiency). Provides all 8 Xe cores (128 Xe vector engines) and 8 ray tracing units.
Intel Arc 140V: A pretty fast integrated graphics adapter that higher-end Intel Lunar Lake family processors employ. This is a direct successor to the Arc 8; it can drive three SUHD 4320p monitors simultaneously via HDMI 2.1, eDP 1.5 and DP 2.1. With the 140V, all 2023 and 2024 games are playable at 1080p on low graphics settings.
» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.
Intel Meteor Lake-H:
Ultra 7 155H: A high-end Meteor Lake chip that debuted in December 2023. This 1st Gen Core Ultra processor has come to replace 13th generation Core chips; it has 16 cores (6 + 8 + 2) and 22 threads at its disposal. Its Performance cores, of which there are 6, run at up to 4.8 GHz while its Efficient cores, of which there are 10 (8 main cores plus 2 extra ones found in the Low Power Island) run at up to 3.8 GHz. The integrated AI Boost NPU offers two Gen 3 engines for hardware AI workload acceleration. This laptop processor's Base power consumption is 28 W while its Turbo power consumption is supposed to stay within 115 W.
Intel Lunar Lake:
Core Ultra 7 258V: An upper mid-range Lunar Lake family processor. It sports 4 new Skymont E-cores and 4 new Lion Cove P-cores running at up to 3.7 GHz and 4.8 GHz respectively, along with the new Arc 140V iGPU and 32 GB of on-package LPDDR5x-8533 RAM. It essentially matches the Core Ultra 7 165U and Core i7-1360P in multi-thread performance and it eats up to 37 W when under short-term workloads.
» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.
7.00:
This display format is in the mid-range for smartphones. It offers a compromise between good visibility, details and resolution on the screen, and you can still fit it into trouser pockets.
8.00:
Large smartphones and a few small tablets are available for this display size. Unlike most smartphones, you can see more on the screen, more details and use larger resolutions. Such formats are better for people with defective vision. However, such devices are no longer easy to fit in a pocket, and they are probably not quite light either.
» To find out how fine a display is, see our DPI List.
No weight comment found (one expected)!
73.05%: This rating is poor. More than three quarters of the models are rated better. That is rather not a purchase recommendation. Even if verbal ratings in this area do not sound that bad ("sufficient" or "satisfactory"), they are usually euphemisms that disguise a classification as a below-average laptop.
» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.