The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ arrives as the first handheld PC to feature Intel's Arc G3 Extreme SoC, promising a significant leap in performance over previous generations. While it largely delivers on this promise, offering graphics capabilities that can more than double that of a Steam Deck OLED in some titles, it also comes with a substantial price tag and the lingering issues common to Windows-based handhelds.
Performance Prowess
At its core, the Claw 8 EX AI+ boasts Intel's Arc B390 integrated graphics, which have already shown promise in compact laptops. This power allows the handheld to consistently outperform rivals like the Asus ROG Ally X and Lenovo Legion Go, even when pushing its 1920x1200, 120Hz display. In benchmarks, the device shows notable gains over its predecessor, the Claw 8 AI+, and significantly outpaces the Steam Deck OLED in various gaming scenarios. For instance, Resident Evil Requiem averaged 57fps with FSR on Quality mode, while Elden Ring maintained over 50fps on Medium settings at native resolution. Subnautica 2 also achieved a playable 56fps average with a combination of its Low preset and TSR Quality.
The integrated Arc G3 Extreme chip's machine learning capabilities are focused on lighter tasks, with its gaming prowess stemming primarily from the B390 GPU. This allows for higher visual settings in many games. Big Walk, for example, averaged 50fps on its High preset, and Forza Horizon 5 achieved 81fps on High, surpassing competitors even when they were set to Low.
Design and Usability
Despite its robust performance, the Claw 8 EX AI+ manages its thermals and battery life competently. Its cooling system operates at a hushed level, avoiding the distracting noise often associated with other handheld PCs. In terms of battery life, it offers competitive endurance, particularly in demanding titles like Elden Ring where it lasted 2 hours and 14 minutes, narrowly beating the Steam Deck OLED's 2 hours and 14 minutes. For less demanding games, its longevity decreases, with Portal 2 lasting 3 hours and 37 minutes compared to the Steam Deck OLED's 5 hours and 48 minutes.
The device features a comfortable design with more rounded grips than its predecessor. It sports Hall effect thumbsticks, a 120Hz, 1920x1200 IPS display, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. However, the screen itself is a point of contention. While it covers 99% of the sRGB gamut and offers a high refresh rate, its contrast ratio and peak brightness fall short of the previous Claw 8 AI+ model, resulting in a less vibrant and deep image compared to both its predecessor and the significantly cheaper Steam Deck OLED.
The Windows Conundrum
A persistent drawback for Windows-based handhelds, including the Claw 8 EX AI+, is the operating system's inherent awkwardness in a portable form factor. Unlike the streamlined SteamOS, Windows 11 frequently requires touchscreen interaction and can present software bugs. Even with Microsoft's Xbox Full Screen Experience overlay, issues such as misplaced notifications and Fullscreen mode failures in games like Cyberpunk 2077 were encountered. The startup lag of the Xbox FSE itself also temporarily renders the controls unresponsive.
Despite these software and display shortcomings, the Claw 8 EX AI+'s raw gaming performance is undeniable. The Intel Arc G3 Extreme SoC positions it as a potential standard-bearer for future high-performance portable PCs. However, its considerable £1,399 price tag makes it a niche product. The review suggests that until Valve brings SteamOS compatibility to MSI's handhelds, much like it has for previous models, users might find better value elsewhere or in waiting for future hardware iterations.
