MSI’s latest gaming handheld, the Claw 8, powered by AMD’s Ryzen Z2 Extreme APU, was recently showcased at Computex. This device promises a robust gaming experience, albeit with a slight reduction in memory compared to its predecessor.
The Claw 8, officially dubbed the Claw 8 BZ2EM, features AMD’s cutting-edge Ryzen Z2 Extreme, a customized chip designed specifically for handheld consoles. This APU is a streamlined variant of the Strix Point, boasting 8 cores and 16 threads grounded in Zen 5 architecture, with a mix of Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores. Meanwhile, the integrated GPU matches the Radeon 890M found in the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, recognized as one of the swiftest iGPUs available for mobile devices. Although the pricier Strix Halo is an option, the Radeon 890M offers impressive performance akin to entry-level desktop GPUs, making it well-suited for gaming.
Despite the Claw 8’s VRAM being reduced from the Claw 8 AI+’s 32 GB to 24 GB, and a slightly lower memory speed of 8000 MT/s compared to 8533 MT/s, the other specifications largely mirror the previous model. This includes the display, connectivity features, and battery design. Noteworthy changes include differences in weight and wireless capabilities.
The handheld comes with an 8-inch IPS-level screen offering a resolution of 1920x1200p, variable refresh rate (VRR), and touch functionality, capable of achieving up to 500 nits of brightness. It shares its cooling system with the Claw 8 AI+, using the Cooler Boost HyperFlow technology with dual fans and pipes.
Connectivity options are robust, featuring two USB4 ports providing 40 Gbps of bandwidth, Wi-Fi 6E for fast internet access, and Bluetooth 5.3 for connecting peripherals. Interestingly, the Claw 8 is 30 grams lighter than its predecessor and offers new color variants, although pricing and availability details remain under wraps. The Claw 8 AI+ also introduces a Polar Tempest Edition in a sleek white design, expanding options for gamers looking for both performance and style.
