MSI Claw’s Successor: From Embarrassment to the Best Windows Handheld
▼ Summary
– The author was blacklisted by MSI after criticizing their original handheld gaming PC but now praises the new MSI Claw 8 AI Plus as a major improvement.
– The MSI Claw 8 AI Plus offers significantly better performance, with up to 30% higher frame rates since launch and the longest battery life among current handhelds in most games.
– Despite its large size and Intel Lunar Lake chip, the device has improved ergonomics, a comfortable grip, and an excellent 8-inch screen with minimal bezels.
– Windows 11 remains problematic with bloat, poor sleep behavior, and navigation issues, though the Claw 8 setup is faster and integration with Xbox Game Bar helps somewhat.
– The handheld outperforms competitors like the Asus ROG Ally X and Steam Deck in efficiency and battery life at similar power settings but has a high price and some hardware quirks.
The MSI Claw 8 AI Plus represents a dramatic turnaround for a device once dismissed as a failure, now positioning itself as a top contender in the competitive Windows handheld market. With significant performance upgrades, impressive battery efficiency, and a refined user experience, this handheld challenges established favorites like the Asus ROG Ally X and Steam Deck.
My initial assessment of the original MSI Claw was harsh, I labeled it an embarrassment, a critique that led the company to cut off communication. That makes the transformation of this successor all the more surprising. In many titles, the new Claw delivers nearly double the frame rates of its predecessor, thanks in part to driver updates that have boosted performance by up to 30 percent since launch. After extensive testing, it’s clear that the $1,000 Claw 8 AI Plus isn’t just improved, it’s now a legitimate candidate for the best Windows handheld available.
The device has become a daily companion, whether I’m exploring the atmospheric world of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 or navigating the puzzles of Blue Prince. While other review units sit unused, the Claw consistently feels like the right choice.
Let’s address the “AI Plus” branding upfront. It refers to an AI Engine meant to auto-configure performance using Intel’s NPU, but in practice, this feature feels underdeveloped and isn’t a compelling reason to purchase. What truly matters is how the hardware performs, and here the Claw shines.
Running Windows 11 on a handheld remains a mixed experience. The OS is still bloated, filled with unwanted promotions, and often frustrating to navigate with a controller. Sleep mode remains unreliable, I’ve lost count of how many times a Windows handheld has woken unexpectedly in the middle of the night or drained its battery inside a sealed bag. Yet, the Claw 8 with Intel’s Lunar Lake handles these Windows quirks better than most. Combine that with outstanding battery life, a vibrant 8-inch display, and noticeably improved performance, and you have a device that challenges the Asus ROG Ally X for supremacy, at least until the anticipated Xbox handheld arrives in October.
Physically, the Claw 8 is the largest mainstream handheld, measuring nearly a foot long and weighing 1.75 pounds. Its scalloped grips and balanced weight distribution make it comfortable to hold, a marked improvement over earlier models. While it’s not lightweight, the heft is justified by the generous screen size and substantial 80-watt-hour battery.
Gaming performance is where the Claw truly separates itself. In titles like Expedition 33, the experience is noticeably smoother and more visually engaging than on the Ally X, thanks to a more colorful screen with slimmer bezels. Frame rates consistently outperform the previous generation, with some games seeing improvements of over 30 percent.
Setting up the device was surprisingly painless. Windows initialization took just seven minutes, a stark contrast to the typical 45-minute ordeal. MSI’s Quick Settings now integrate with the Xbox Game Bar, though the widget can be sluggish until you switch the power mode to “Best Performance.” Even then, it doesn’t match the responsiveness of Asus’ Armory Crate or the simplicity of SteamOS.
Battery life is a standout feature. The Claw 8 delivers the longest runtime of any handheld in its class, often lasting significantly longer than competitors under similar loads. In efficiency tests, it even outperformed the Steam Deck OLED at matching power settings, draining its battery 2–3 watts slower in some scenarios. With its large battery capacity, the Claw lasted nearly 80 minutes longer than the Legion Go S in continuous gameplay tests.
There are still drawbacks. The power button remains unreliable for sleep, forcing users to rely on hibernation mode. Manual driver updates are necessary since they don’t appear in MSI Center. The rumble motors are weak, and joystick tuning feels imprecise without manual adjustments. Charging and download speeds are adequate but not exceptional, despite Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 7 support.
At $1,000, the Claw 8 isn’t cheap, and its reign may be short-lived with new competitors on the horizon. But for now, it stands as a compelling option for those seeking a powerful, efficient Windows handheld that learns from past mistakes and delivers where it counts.
(Source: The Verge)
