Preorders Open on Amazon for MSI’s Lunar Lake-Powered Gaming Handhelds: Claw 8 AI+ at $899 and Claw 7 AI+ at $799

Amazon has recently unveiled an intriguing addition to the gaming handheld market: the MSI Claw 8 AI+, priced at $899, as revealed through VideoCardz. What sets this device apart is its status as the first gaming handheld to integrate Intel’s revolutionary Lunar Lake CPUs. Moreover, the gamer community can anticipate the release of the refreshed MSI Claw 7 AI+ scheduled to hit the market slightly ahead.

The MSI Claw 8 AI+ is confirmed to pack the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor, with another configuration option available featuring the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V. Enthusiasts will have the choice between two LPDDR5X-8553 memory options, offering either 16GB or 32GB.

Notably, the Ultra 7 285V operates at a clock speed ranging from 2.2 GHz to a turbo speed of 4.8 GHz. Both editions come equipped with 1TB of PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280 solid-state storage, complemented by a micro SDHC slot for additional storage. This device capitalizes on Arc 14V graphics, adorned with eight Xe2 cores, and boasts an enhanced 8-inch touchscreen display. This display carries a 120Hz refresh rate, illuminating screens with 500 nits brightness and a resolution of 1920 x 1200.

Images show the sleek design of the MSI Claw 8 AI+, underscoring MSI’s attention to both form and function. Enhancements extend to its battery life, as the new model features a robust 80 Wh battery. Port-wise, it sports two Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 ports for charging, docking, or connecting an external graphics processing unit (eGPU). Running on Windows 11 right out of the box, the top-tier version of the Claw 8 AI+ is slated for a Christmas Day release, maintaining the $899 price tag.

Switching focus to the enhanced MSI Claw 7 AI+, it is poised to offer an Intel Ultra 7-258V processor coupled with 32GB RAM, but it scales back with 512GB storage. Additionally, it comes with a 7-inch 1080p display and a 53Wh battery. Launching on December 1, for just a $100 increase in price, you gain a slightly larger display, more storage, and a heftier battery compared to its predecessor.

Here’s a comparative look at the MSI Claw lineup:

– The MSI Claw 8 AI+ is fitted with an Intel Ultra Core 7 258V/256V processor, 16GB or 32GB LPDDR5X-8533 RAM, and 1TB of M.2 PCIe 4.0 storage. It owns Arc 140v Graphics and a stunning 8-inch display, with an 80 Wh battery encased in a frame weighing 794 grams.
– On the other hand, the MSI Claw 7 AI+ carries a similar processor with reduced 512GB storage, and a 53 Wh battery, maintaining a lighter weight of 675 grams.

Initially, speculations pegged the MSI Claw 8 AI+ release around early 2025, but it now aligns just ahead of CES 2025.

Talk around its competitors is heating up. An anticipated launch sees successors to the Lenovo Legion Go and Asus Ally X anticipating an AMD Ryzen Z2 or Z2 Extreme CPU expected to debut in 2025. Interestingly, AMD touts the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, powered by Radeon 890M graphics, as 75% faster than Intel’s Core Ultra 7 285 when it comes to gaming. This sets the stage for buyers to weigh their options as release dates approach.

As the market readies itself for both Intel’s Lunar Lake and AMD’s Z2 series, we’re excited to see how performance, battery life, and user experience will stack up across these next-generation devices. It’s an exhilarating wait for tech reviewers and consumers alike.