The primary time you make something, it most likely received’t come out excellent, so it wasn’t an enormous shock when MSI’s debut gaming handheld struggled out of the gate. And that’s earlier than you take into account the unorthodox option to go along with an Intel chip as a substitute of 1 from AMD like virtually all of its rivals. Nevertheless, MSI didn’t surrender, and now it’s again with not one however two variations of its second-gen handheld, headlined by the Claw 8 AI+. Not solely is it larger than earlier than, it has twice as many Thunderbolt 4 ports, a approach larger battery and a few of the finest efficiency we’ve seen from any system on this class. However extra importantly, because the follow-up to a tool affected by lackluster software program and unfinished drivers, it feels just like the Claw acquired its chew again.
Design and show: The desert cat
With its 8-inch display screen, the Claw 8 AI+ is larger than its predecessor and various its rivals just like the ROG Ally X, although it's nonetheless smaller than Lenovo’s chunky 8.8-inch Legion Go. MSI additionally zagged by giving it a two-toned black and sandstone chassis. Ergonomics are usually superb, but when I’m nitpicking, I would like barely bigger grips for elevated consolation. However apart from that, the hand held contains a comparatively easy mixture of premium elements strewn throughout a well-recognized blueprint.
It has Corridor Impact sensors for its joysticks and triggers together with some embedded RGB lighting, the latter of which has develop into kind of an unstated requirement amongst moveable gaming PCs nowadays. You additionally get two Thunderbolt 4 ports that help each information and charging — that are particularly useful in case you ever plan on utilizing this factor for productiveness — and a microSD card slot for expandable storage. I admire that in contrast to Lenovo’s handhelds, MSI included a built-in fingerprint reader that makes unlocking Home windows-based units just like the Claw much more handy. That mentioned, you don’t get a touchpad, although MSI’s software program does allow you to management your cursor with the joysticks, so it’s not an entire ache within the butt anytime it’s important to change between video games and apps. And eventually, round again, there’s a single pair of paddles.
As for the show, whereas it's an IPS panel as a substitute of the super-rich OLEDs on some handhelds, the Claw’s display screen gives above-average brightness (as much as 500 nits), a strong 120Hz refresh price (with VRR) and the proper decision for a system this dimension (1,920 x 1,200). So all instructed, there’s little or no to gripe about in terms of its visuals. Plus, due to some surprisingly punchy front-facing audio system, it has strong audio too.
Efficiency and software program: A low-key beast
Maybe the most important shock is that after lackluster outcomes from MSI’s first try, the Claw 8 AI+ pumped out robust efficiency that was simply in a position to sustain with and typically surpass what I’ve seen from its opponents. A few of that’s assuredly because of extra polished software program and up to date driver updates from Intel, however nonetheless, between its Intel Core Extremely 7 258V chip, 32GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage, the Claw produced framerates that had been typically 10 to fifteen p.c increased than what we acquired from the Ally X.
For instance, when set to its 30-watt preset, in Cyberpunk 2077 at 800p on medium settings the Claw hit 75 fps versus 65 fps for the ROG Ally X on the similar TDP (thermal design energy). In the meantime, in Returnal at 800p on medium, the Claw additionally bested the Legion Go by reaching 56 fps in comparison with simply 46 fps for the Lenovo. Now it’s necessary to notice that MSI’s midrange energy for the preset on the Claw (which is what I used to get these figures in Returnal) is 17 watts as a substitute of 15 watts like on most of its rivals, which can be MSI’s try and skew benchmarks in its favor. However even after you account for that, the Claw nonetheless comes out forward.
One other good factor concerning the Claw is that in case you don’t need to fiddle round with settings on a regular basis, there’s what MSI is looking its AI Engine mode, which can routinely modify issues to optimize efficiency or battery life relying on what you need. It’s a pleasant choice for shortly altering how a lot horsepower you want, although as at all times, you’re going to wish to tweak issues manually for the most effective outcomes.
The remainder of the MSI Heart app feels considerably spartan. There are sections for launching video games, performing software program updates, altering the RGB lighting and extra. You possibly can even set up sport shops like Steam straight inside this system. However apart from that, the app isn’t very fancy or all that fairly to take a look at. All of the necessary stuff is there although, which is what actually counts since Home windows 11 as a complete nonetheless feels approach clunkier to make use of than extra bespoke platforms like Valve’s SteamOS.
Battery life: Surprisingly good
The Claw 8 AI+ options an 80Whr cell, which is without doubt one of the largest battery packs on this class and permits for prodigious longevity. In Elden Ring on medium settings, the hand held lasted simply over three hours on a single cost. That ain’t too shabby, particularly after my current testing with the Lenovo Legion Go, which solely lasted for 2 and a half hours at finest, and that was when taking part in a a lot much less demanding sport in Steel Slug Ways.
Wrap-up
After the unique bombed, numerous firms would have merely referred to as it quits. Positive, numerous the primary system’s points could have been brought on by Intel’s chip and unpolished drivers greater than something MSI did (or didn’t do). However with the Claw 8 AI+, MSI got here again and completely redeemed itself. Not solely is it a really competent gaming handheld, this cat gives a strong design, nice efficiency and above-average battery life.
Nevertheless, although it pushes out barely fewer frames, the $800 ROG Ally X stays a greater worth (particularly if you will discover it on sale) and its smaller display screen makes it a extra moveable decide for folks planning to sport on the go. In relation to bigger opponents, Lenovo’s Legion Go gives comparable horsepower for even much less cash with beginning costs of $700 (or much less, now that it recurrently receives reductions). However in case you’re searching for top-notch efficiency from a transportable PC with an assortment of premium elements, the Claw 8 AI+ makes an fascinating case as an improve decide amongst gaming handhelds.
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