Since the Steam Deck burst onto the scene in 2022, handheld gaming PCs have been steadily gaining popularity. For the past two years, the most powerful handhelds have relied on the same Z1 Extreme chipset. However, the MSI Claw A8, unveiled at Computex 2025, marks a significant shift as it's the first to harness the power of the newly announced AMD Z2 Extreme at CES 2025.
The MSI Claw A8 shares similarities with the recently launched Claw 8 AI, yet there are notable differences in its specifications. MSI has opted to reduce the maximum RAM from 32GB to 24GB of LPDDR5X, operating at a brisk 8,000MHz. Additionally, the display now supports VRR (variable refresh rate), which means that while both devices feature 120Hz FullHD panels, the A8 will suffer from screen tearing less frequently.
The most significant upgrade is the transition from the Intel Core Ultra 7 285V to the AMD Z2 Extreme. This gaming APU boasts 8 Zen 5 CPU cores and 16 RDNA 3.5 graphics cores. The GPU contains more Compute Units than the 12 found in the Z1 Extreme and benefits from a half-generation architectural improvement.
Alongside the Claw A8, MSI has introduced an updated version of the MSI Claw 8 AI+ with a fresh color option and a larger 2TB SSD. This model continues to be powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 285V.
The MSI Claw A8 is slated for release later this year, though MSI has not disclosed a precise launch window or pricing details. Considering the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is priced at $999, it's likely that this new AMD-powered version will command a premium.
The AMD Z2 Extreme Race Is On
The AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme was quietly introduced at CES in January 2025. Five months on, no handheld equipped with this new silicon has hit the market, setting the stage for a race to see which manufacturer will be the first to launch.
Technically, the Lenovo Legion Go 2, also showcased at CES 2025, is powered by the Z2 Extreme, but Lenovo has yet to provide any indication of its market availability. Instead, they released the Z2 Go-powered Lenovo Legion Go S, which, ironically, is less powerful and more expensive than its predecessor.
Rumors suggest that the Asus ROG Ally 2 will also feature the Z2 Extreme, although no official announcement has been made. There's also speculation about a potential collaboration between Asus and Microsoft for an Xbox-branded version of the Ally 2, which would likely utilize the Z2 Extreme as well.
One device that won't be using the Z2 Extreme is the Steam Deck 2. Valve has stated that the new Z-series chips from AMD don't represent a significant enough leap forward to warrant a new handheld. While this casts some doubt on the Z2 Extreme's performance, the new generation of Steam Deck alternatives should still offer improvements over current models, which is a positive development for gamers.
