MSI Claw 8 Ai+ Hands-On: First Impressions of the New Gaming Beast!

Hey everyone, it’s ETA Prime back again! Today, we’re going to review the MSI Claw 8 Ai+ firsthand. I recently had the opportunity to spend some time in Berlin, Germany, testing with this innovative new technology, and I have some fantastic observations to offer.

Design and Build: 

The MSI Claw 8 Ai+ is impressive in terms of build quality first and foremost. The item I handled was an older prototype, but it seemed rather sturdy overall. An 8-inch display with a refresh rate of 120 Hz is featured on the tablet, a notable improvement over earlier models. With a 1200p screen resolution, the visual experience is clear and sharp.

Among its notable attributes is its more capacious 80Wh battery. This is a significant improvement over the MSI Claw’s initial model and ought to offer longer playtime, which is always beneficial for mobile gaming. It’s extremely pleasant to carry and use, and it’s not as hefty as I thought it would be, even with the larger screen and battery.

Performance: 

Energizing the MSI Claw 8 Ai+ is a new Core Ultra 200 CPU from Intel. Although the specific model utilized in this prototype is unknown, it is most likely a modern Ultra 7 CPU, possibly the same one as the Core Ultra 288V. The Intel Arc Graphics 140V, which has eight XE2 cores, is linked with this CPU.

I got the chance to evaluate the Core Ultra 288V’s performance against AMD’s Ryzen AI 9 370, which also has a potent iGPU, during my testing. Similar testing conditions (high 1080p resolution and 28W TDP settings) were applied to both setups on the F1 2023. Better gaming performance was achieved by the Intel arrangement, which significantly outscored the AMD side. According to Intel, the Core Ultra 288V beats the Ryzen AI 9 370 by as much as 16% when gaming and performs 31% better than the Meteor Lake processors.

Hardware and Features: 

With its LPDDR5X RAM operating at 8,533 MHz, the gadget is well-suited to multitasking and handling demanding workloads. It has two Thunderbolt 4 ports with 40Gbps protocols supported by each. This is ideal for attaching fast storage drives or an external GPU.

A 2280 M.2 SSD slot is another feature of the Claw 8 Ai+ that makes storage upgrades more straightforward and reasonably priced. It is compatible with a variety of peripherals and offers quick wireless connections thanks to support for Intel’s Y57 and Bluetooth 5.4.

Controls and Usability: 

The prototype’s d-pad had a slightly jagged feel to it. Although it worked, I recommended to MSI that they think about rounded the edges to make it more comfortable, particularly for players who like fighting games. RGB lighting that can be customized to fit your taste surrounds the analog sticks, adding a wonderful bit of flair.

Audio and Additional Features: 

The overall gaming experience is improved by the high-quality sound produced by the front-facing dual speakers. A little extra style is added by the Mystic Lighting RGB surrounding the analog sticks, however the color possibilities are still being decided. The prototype currently had a sandy tint that contrasted with the black, but for people who like a more subdued appearance, I’d love to see a white and black version or an all-black design.

Software Developments: 

Observing an extremely preliminary version of MSI’s future Center M software was one of the highlights of my stay. The enhancements over the current MSI Claw program are significant, even though it’s only in the Alpha level. The updated Center M interface appears much more professional and intuitive. Numerous concerns regarding the initial program have been addressed by MSI, suggesting that the company is listening to community criticism. A better experience is promised by the new interface, which makes performance optimization and configuration management simpler.

Performance Insights: 

Regarding hardware, Intel’s latest Core Ultra 2000V Series CPUs will be used in the MSI Claw 8 Ai+. These CPUs appear to be very promising, especially in light of the possible applications for portable gaming. The new Core Ultra 2000V Series chips have 8 cores and 8 threads, in contrast to the previous generation’s 16 cores and 22 threads. This is a big change intended to improve performance and efficiency in small, lightweight, or portable devices.

The power and thermal limitations of portable devices are better controlled thanks to the decrease in core count. The iGPU can receive more resources when there are fewer cores to power it, which enhances gaming performance. This is especially crucial for gadgets that try to strike a compromise between mobility and power, like the Claw 8 Ai+. Better overall gaming experiences should result from the new iGPU’s Xe2 cores, which are anticipated to function effectively even at lower power settings.

Future Expectations: 

With the Claw 8 Ai+, MSI hopes to ship it in January 2025, which will allow them time to improve the product before it goes on sale. Although the precise CPU type for this handheld device is unknown, it is possible that it is a Core Ultra 7268 V, which would be consistent with the new architecture. This chip, which has an Intel Arc 140V processor with eight Xe2 cores and a maximum clock speed of about 2 GHz, would use the same GPU as the Core Ultra 9. 

What Would You Like to See? 

I would love to know what you would like to see in the final version of the Claw 8 Ai+, as MSI still has time to make changes. Which color variation would you prefer? How about different button mechanisms like dome switches or rubber membranes, or perhaps a swappable D-pad? Your input is much appreciated, and I will forward your recommendations to MSI. This is our opportunity to shape the final appearance and functionalities of this new gadget.

Final Thoughts

It looks like the MSI Claw 8 AI+ will make a great portable gaming device. Impressive enhancements include the new Intel Core Ultra 200 CPU, a larger battery, and an improved display. MSI appears to be headed in the right direction, even though there are still some unanswered questions and room for improvement, particularly with regard to the precise CPU type and possible design changes.

There is time for more changes because the release is scheduled for January 2025. I’m interested to see how the finished product performs in the real world and what other features MSI decides to include.

Please share in the comments any features or particular adjustments you believe would make the MSI Claw 8 AI+ better. I’ll let MSI know about your suggestions as they work on this fascinating new product. I appreciate you reading, and I’ll see you in the upcoming article!

Video Review of MSI Claw 8 AI+