We knew it was coming any day now, but MSI has officially unveiled both the MSI Claw 8 AI+ and Claw 7 AI+. It did so in a rather unceremonious fashion, randomly dropping a blog post earlier today. However, there’s actually a lot to be excited about with both of these new Windows handhelds.
For one, these are the first two Windows handhelds to launch with Intel’s new Core Ultra 7 258V chipsets, based on the Lunar Lake architecture. When the original MSI Claw was released, it didn’t take long for folks to notice that Intel’s Meteor Lake performance just didn’t match up to AMD’s Ryzen Z1 or Z1 Extreme. This is probably why MSI initially announced the Claw 8 AI+ just a short while after the original Claw became available for purchase.
MSI Claw 8 AI+ and Claw 7 AI+ Specs
MSI Claw 8 AI+
- Display: 8-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200) IPS Touchscreen / 120Hz Refresh Rate / 500 nits / VRR
- Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7 258V
- Graphics: Intel Arc 140V
- RAM: 32GB LPDDR5X-8533
- Storage: Up to 1TB (NVMe PCIe Gen4 SSD)
- Battery: 80Whr / 65W USB Type-C PD 3.0
- Ports: 2x Thunderbolt 4 / 1x microSD Card / 1x 3.5mm Audio Combo Jack
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7 / Bluetooth 5.4
- Extras: Hall Effect Triggers / Fingerprint Sensor (Power Button) / Vibration Motor / 6-axis Gyro
- Speakers: 2x 2W w/ DTS & Hi-Res Audio
- Dimensions: 299 x 126 x 24mm
- Weight: 795 grams
- Price: $899
MSI Claw 7 AI+
- Display: 7-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS Touchscreen / 120Hz Refresh Rate / 500 nits / VRR
- Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7 258V
- Graphics: Intel Arc 140V
- RAM: 32GB LPDDR5X-8533
- Storage: Up to 1TB (NVMe M.2 2230 PCIe Gen4 SSD)
- Battery: 54.5Whr / 65W USB Type-C PD 3.0
- Ports: 2x Thunderbolt 4 / 1x microSD Card / 1x 3.5mm Audio Combo Jack
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E / Bluetooth 5.4
- Extras: Fingerprint Sensor (Power Button) / Vibration Motor / 6-axis Gyro
- Speakers: 2x 2W w/ DTS & Hi-Res Audio
- Dimensions: 290 x 117 x 21.2mm
- Weight: 675 grams
- Price: $799
Performance Boost
According to MSI, the Core Ultra 7 offers “113% higher peak FPS” when running at 17W, while also claiming that these handhelds “outperform competitors.” While MSI didn’t share exactly what the “AI+” benefits are, it does seem that these are the first two “Copilot+ PC-capable handhelds.” We’re not sure whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing, but maybe it’ll pay dividends, especially if you end up docking your handheld and using it like a desktop computer.
Paired with the new Lunar Lake CPU, both the Claw 8 AI+ and Claw 7 AI+ are paired with 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and either a 512GB or 1TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD. There’s also a microSD card slot built-in so you don’t have to worry about being limited to just your SSD.
Upgraded Buttons and Controls
The original Claw gave us major ROG Ally vibes, and while that still largely seems to be the case, MSI states that it made a few tweaks this time around. Instead of focusing on the grips, these new models feature “redesigned sticks, bumpers, D-pad, and the hall-effect triggers.”
Hopefully, MSI got things right this time around, as the Claw A1M felt like it was shoved off the plane with no parachute. And it definitely showed, as the buttons and D-pad just left a lot to be desired, especially if you were hoping to upgrade from the original ROG Ally.
Plenty of Extras
This isn’t all that the Claw 8 AI+ and 7 AI+ bring to the table, as these have plenty of IO to make anyone happy. It starts with the dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, which also offer display out while supporting up to 65W Power Delivery 3.0 charging speeds. From there, we also have a microSD card reader and a 3.5mm audio combo jack, plus MSI embedded a fingerprint scanner into the power button.
It also seems that Stubbs will be happy, as both handhelds are equipped with dual 2W speakers. These offer support for both Hi-Res Audio and DTS, which is arguably the largest selling point with the current Claw. Well, at least it’s the biggest reason why Stubbs has held onto his Claw for so long.
Price and Availability
One major factor that might rain on the MSI Claw parade is the price, with the Claw 8 AI+ retailing for $899, while the Claw 7 AI+ comes in at $799. Considering that the ROG Ally X retails for $799, it might be tough for some to justify, especially since the original Claw missed the mark.
Landing pages for both models have been listed on Amazon and Best Buy. In theory, you should be able to pre-order them now, and they are expected to arrive starting on December 25.
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