MSI's new Claw 8 AI+ and Claw 7 AI+ gaming handhelds have launched

MSI has officially launched its second-generation PC gaming handhelds, the new MSI Claw 8 AI+ and MSI Claw 7 AI+ (a refresh of the first-gen Claw 7 with the latest Intel Lunar Lake APU). MSI is touting outstanding gaming performance and efficiency, and the flagship Claw 8's look is inspired by 'wind-sculpted desert rocks.'

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The MSI Claw 7 AI+ sports an all-black design with the same overall shape and button layout. The naming refers to the screen sizes of each mode, with the MSI Claw 8 AI+ sporting an 8-inch 1080p 120 Hz VRR IPS display and the MSI Claw 7 AI+ featuring a 7-inch 1080p 120 Hz VRR IPS display.

The big difference between these and other PC gaming handhelds running Windows 11 is that both Claw devices are powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor with integrated Arc 'Battlemage' graphics. MSI says you're looking at 20% more performance than the competition, which we assume is the ROG Ally X from ASUS. Both also feature 32GB of memory, which is impressive.

Both Claw handhelds are packed with ports, including two Thunderbolt 4 ports for display and charging. The flagship Claw 8 AI+ includes a large-capacity 80Wh battery.

Outside the hardware, the handheld's overall ergonomics have been improved, with hall-effect triggers and high-quality buttons. The MSI Center M software for accessing the device features and settings has also been updated with a more intuitive interface - a must for Windows-based handhelds.

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Here's a breakdown of the specs for both models.