MSI Claw handheld gaming PC returns with Lunar Lake and 32GB of RAM for $800

In a nutshell: The unique MSI Claw launched Intel chips to the rising handheld PC market however suffered from disappointing efficiency. Lower than a yr later, MSI revised the system with Intel’s newest cellular structure, improved battery life, and made different modifications. New leaks additionally point out that Lenovo is getting ready a budget-friendly variant of the Legion Go.

Pre-orders are actually open for MSI’s Claw 7 AI+ and eight AI+. The successors of the hand-held gaming PC the corporate launched in March are outfitted with Intel’s new Core Extremely 7 258V SoC. The Verge notes that the gadgets start transport on Christmas Day, beginning at $799.

MSI’s first handheld gaming PC, utilizing Intel’s Core Extremely 7 155H, ran video games poorly in comparison with AMD Ryzen-based opponents just like the Asus ROG Ally or Lenovo Legion Go, though subsequent driver updates introduced substantial enhancements. In distinction, early benchmarks point out that the 258V would possibly flip the tables on the ROG Ally and AMD’s new Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, anticipated to energy a brand new technology of handhelds.

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The Claw AI+ gadgets may expertise longer battery life attributable to new batteries and improved vitality effectivity. Whereas the Claw 7’s 54.5Whr battery carefully resembles its predecessor, the Claw 8’s is rated at 80Whr.

The Claw 8 additionally sports activities a barely bigger display and higher decision. The Claw 7 retains the unique handheld’s 7-inch 1080p 120Hz panel with added VRR help, whereas the Claw 8 expands to eight inches at 1,920 x 1,200 to evoke the Steam Deck’s 16:10 facet ratio. Each variants additionally add a second Thunderbolt 4 port.

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In the meantime, particulars relating to Lenovo’s upcoming handheld revisions proceed to leak. Prior experiences indicated that the corporate intends to launch three new Legion Go fashions, probably that includes the three deliberate tiers of AMD’s upcoming Ryzen Z2 chip, one in all which is predicated on the HX 370.

Final month, a leaked Lenovo BIOS replace talked about Rembrandt, the mature RDNA2-based APU structure anticipated to energy essentially the most reasonably priced Z2 chip and the upcoming finances Legion Go variant. Moreover, sources not too long ago offered Home windows Central with an official render of the budget-focused machine.

Carefully resembling the Asus ROG Ally, it options fewer again paddles and ditches the unique Legion Go’s Nintendo Change-inspired options, such because the kickstand and removable Pleasure-Con-like controllers. Pricing and launch particulars stay unclear.