Computex 2025 is now underway with firms and producers set to showcase upcoming desktop and transportable PC {hardware} – and MSI has simply set the tone for the rest of the largest tech occasion.
After quite a few rumors relating to a possible new AMD-powered handheld, MSI has formally introduced the brand new MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM handheld gaming PC. As speculated, it can use AMD‘s newest Ryzen Z2 Excessive APU, as MSI strikes away from Intel‘s Core Extremely 7 258V used within the Claw 8 AI+.
It’s definitely a giant shock regardless of the earlier leaks, and there are some key takeaways to make – from its new design all the way down to its potential efficiency capabilities. Right here’s the whole lot you need to stay up for with the Claw A8 handheld gaming PC.
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1. It will likely be powered by AMD’s Ryzen Z2 Excessive APU
(Picture credit score: MSI)
Whereas AMD’s newest handheld processor, the Ryzen Z2 Excessive, has been included within the prototype model of the Lenovo Legion Go 2 (and supposedly the rumored Xbox handheld), the brand new MSI Claw A8 will be part of it in doing so – and should even launch forward of it.
Nonetheless, the spotlight is that the Ryzen Z2 Excessive is predicted to be Staff Pink’s strongest handheld Z2 chip but, and an improve from the unique Ryzen Z1 Excessive (used within the Asus ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go). It has 8 CPU cores and 16 GPU cores, a large bounce from the earlier 12 GPU cores on the Z1 Excessive.
We’ve not seen any handheld gaming PC formally use the Ryzen Z2 Excessive but, apart from the Legion Go prototype – and its specs counsel will probably be competing towards Intel’s Core Extremely 7 258V used within the MSI Claw 8 AI+, so it’ll be thrilling to see which system (between the Claw 8 AI+ and the Claw A8) comes out on high.
2. The Claw A8 could also be a barely cheaper various to the brand new Claw 8 AI+ Polar Tempest Version
(Picture credit score: MSI)
Since costs aren’t introduced but, there’s no readability on the brand new MSI Claw A8’s worth. Nonetheless, it could be the marginally cheaper various to the brand new Claw 8 AI+ Polar Tempest Version; it’s utilizing Wi-Fi 6E with Bluetooth 5.3 as a substitute of Intel’s Wi-Fi 7 with Bluetooth 5.4 (which is smart since there’s no Intel chip right here).
It is going to even have as much as 24GB LPDDR5 RAM help, as a substitute of the Claw 8 AI+’s 32GB RAM, which implies there could also be two completely different configurations of the Claw A8 to select from.
We should always have extra readability on pricing throughout Computex 2025, however the worth distinction might stem largely from the Ryzen Z2 Excessive’s efficiency versus the Core Extremely 7 258V.
3. It has a brand new design for hand consolation and a brand new inexperienced colour scheme
(Picture credit score: MSI)
As you’ll be able to see within the photographs, it seems to be just like the MSI Claw A8 will function a special design to supply extra hand consolation. The handles look like curved inwards, which seems to be similar to the Asus ROG Ally’s, and this might go a good distance in offering additional consolation for these lengthy hours of gaming.
I’m completely satisfied to see that MSI has stored the 8-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200) show with the Claw A8, because it’s the best quantity of display area to get the most effective out of transportable gaming. It’ll even be attention-grabbing to see how the Ryzen Z2 Excessive processor tackles the decision, and see the way it fares towards its counterpart’s processor.
Up to now, it seems to be like we’ll have the identical snow-white colour scheme from the Polar Tempest Claw 8 AI+ on the Claw A8, alongside a completely new inexperienced colour to select from. There’s at the moment no affirmation on a launch date, worth, or availability, however you’ll be able to count on to see additional particulars throughout Computex 2025.
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