MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ review

The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is a handheld PC that launched four months prior to this review, featuring Intel’s Arc G3 Extreme SoC with Arc B390 integrated graphics, marking the first palmable PC to use this chip. The device promises significant performance gains over previous handhelds, including the Claw 8 AI+, and delivers over twice the frame rates of a Steam Deck OLED in certain games. Its hardware includes 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a 120Hz 1920x1200 IPS display, though the latter’s contrast and brightness have reportedly declined compared to its predecessor.

Priced at £1,399, the Claw 8 EX AI+ is positioned as a high-end option, with its performance justified by raw power rather than AI-driven optimizations. The device’s design includes hall effect thumbsticks and improved ergonomics, though it remains bulky at 785g and nearly an inch wider than its predecessor. Cooling is notably quieter than competitors like the Legion Go S, and battery life, while shorter than the Steam Deck OLED in some tests, remains competitive for demanding titles.

The handheld’s Windows 11 operating system introduces usability challenges, including touchscreen navigation requirements and software bugs such as misplaced notifications and fullscreen mode failures in games like Cyberpunk 2077. Despite these issues, the Claw 8 EX AI+ excels in delivering high frame rates, particularly in graphically intensive games, though its display’s reduced contrast and brightness compared to the previous model may disappoint some users.

While the Claw 8 EX AI+ is praised for its performance and comfort, its £1,399 price point and Windows-related friction highlight ongoing trade-offs in the handheld PC market. The device’s strengths lie in its raw power and quieter operation, but its display and software quirks suggest room for improvement, particularly in software optimization for handheld form factors.