MSI Claw A8 Debuts as First Next-Gen Gaming PC

Handheld gaming PCs have steadily gained traction since the Steam Deck's groundbreaking debut in 2022, yet for two years, top-tier devices relied on the same Z1 Extreme chipset. At Computex 2025, MSI unveiled the Claw A8 – the first handheld featuring AMD’s Z2 Extreme chip announced earlier at CES 2025.

The MSI Claw A8 builds upon its predecessor, the Claw 8 AI, with key upgrades. MSI reduced the maximum RAM from 32GB to 24GB of 8,000MHz LPDDR5X while adding variable refresh rate (VRR) support to its 120Hz FullHD display – minimizing screen tearing during gameplay.

The most significant upgrade is the shift from Intel's Core Ultra 7 285V to AMD's Z2 Extreme APU, packing 8 Zen 5 CPU cores and 16 RDNA 3.5 GPU cores. This not only exceeds the Z1 Extreme's 12 compute units but also introduces a half-generation architectural leap.

MSI simultaneously revealed an updated Claw 8 AI+ model with a fresh color option and larger 2TB SSD, though it retains the Intel Core Ultra 7 285V processor.

While MSI plans to launch the Claw A8 later this year, pricing remains undisclosed. Given the Claw 8 AI+'s $999 tag, this AMD-powered variant likely commands a premium.

The AMD Z2 Extreme Showdown Begins

AMD quietly unveiled its Ryzen Z2 Extreme at CES 2025, yet five months later, no handhelds featuring this chip have reached consumers. The race is now on to see which manufacturer delivers first.

Technically, Lenovo's CES-debuted Legion Go 2 employs the Z2 Extreme, but its release timeline remains uncertain. Instead, Lenovo launched the Z2 Go-based Legion Go S – a weaker yet pricier alternative to the original.

If rumors hold, Asus' unrevealed ROG Ally 2 may adopt the Z2 Extreme, with speculation about a potential Microsoft collaboration on an Xbox-branded variant using the same chip.

One confirmed exception is Valve's Steam Deck 2, as developers claim the Z2 Extreme doesn't offer sufficient generational improvements. While this raises questions about the chip's capabilities, upcoming competitors will still outperform current market offerings – a win for gamers.