MSI Claw A8: The First Next-Gen Handheld Gaming PC

Handheld gaming PCs have steadily risen in popularity since the Steam Deck made its groundbreaking debut in 2022. For the past two years, however, the most powerful handhelds have relied on the same AMD Z1 Extreme chipset. That’s about to change with the introduction of the MSI Claw A8 at Computex 2025 — the first handheld gaming device confirmed to utilize the brand-new AMD Z2 Extreme chipset announced at CES 2025.

The MSI Claw A8 shares similarities with the recently launched Claw 8 AI, though there are a few key differences. MSI has reduced the maximum RAM capacity from 32GB to 24GB of LPDDR5X, which still runs at an impressive 8,000MHz. Additionally, the display now includes support for VRR (Variable Refresh Rate). While both models feature a 120Hz Full HD panel, the inclusion of VRR means the Claw A8 should deliver a smoother visual experience with reduced screen tearing.

The most significant upgrade, however, is the shift from the Intel Core Ultra 7 285V to the AMD Z2 Extreme. This new APU features 8 Zen 5 CPU cores and 16 RDNA 3.5 GPU cores, marking an increase in graphics performance compared to the Z1 Extreme's 12 Compute Units. The architecture also advances by half a generation, promising better efficiency and graphical fidelity.

MSI also unveiled an updated version of the Claw 8 AI+, featuring a fresh colorway and a larger 2TB SSD. However, it remains powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 285V processor.

As for the Claw A8, while no official release date or pricing has been revealed yet, it’s expected to launch later this year. Considering the Claw 8 AI+ retails at $999, the new AMD-powered model is likely to come with a premium price tag.

The AMD Z2 Extreme Race Is Heating Up

The AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme was quietly introduced during CES in January 2025. Despite being announced nearly five months ago, no retail-ready handheld featuring the chip has hit store shelves yet. This sets the stage for manufacturers to be the first to market with the new silicon.

While the Lenovo Legion Go 2 was officially showcased at CES 2025 and is powered by the Z2 Extreme, Lenovo has not provided any timeline regarding its availability. Instead, the company released the less powerful but more expensive Lenovo Legion Go S, which uses the Z2 Go chipset.

Meanwhile, rumors suggest that the upcoming Asus ROG Ally 2 will also feature the Z2 Extreme, based on various leaks. There’s even speculation that Asus and Microsoft may collaborate on an Xbox-branded variant of the Ally 2, which would almost certainly be powered by the same Z2 Extreme.

However, one device confirmed not to be using the Z2 Extreme is the Steam Deck 2. Valve has publicly stated that the performance improvements offered by the latest Z-series chips don’t justify a new iteration of their popular handheld. While this might raise questions about the overall leap in performance, the next wave of Steam Deck alternatives powered by the Z2 Extreme will still offer a noticeable improvement over current-gen devices — and that’s definitely a step in the right direction.