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Tom's Guide
24-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
The MSI Claw A8 could be a game-changer for PC handhelds — 3 reasons why I'm stoked
The MSI Claw 7 distinguished itself from the best handheld gaming consoles by featuring an Intel Core Ultra chip instead of an AMD processor. While that aspect made it unique, Intel's silicon largely kept the device from hitting its potential. Thankfully, we'll soon get an MSI handheld powered by an AMD chip with the MSI Claw A8. Revealed during Computex 2025, the MSI Claw A8 will be the first gaming handheld to utilize an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor. This could make it one of the most powerful Windows 11 handhelds yet. On top of that, the Claw A8 features a more ergonomic design and even comes in a bold new color. It has all of that with that same 80Wh battery, up to 24GB of RAM and an 8-inch 1080p 120Hz display. Though I wish the MSI Claw A8 used SteamOS instead of Windows 11 as its operating system, I'm still excited about this potential Steam Deck OLED rival. Here are 3 reasons why. Let's start with the big one: the MSI Claw packs an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip. While AMD announced this new mobile processor at CES 2025, it was up in the air as to which handheld would utilize it first. Now we have an answer, and I couldn't be more excited. In his MSI Claw A8 hands-on preview, Jason England said he was floored by the handheld's gaming performance. When playing Lies of P on his Asus ROG Ally, he sets the game to medium graphical settings and turns on resolution scaling to achieve 60 frames per second. With these same settings, Lies of P ran at an astonishing 100 fps on the MSI Claw A8! We'll need to test the handheld outside of MSI's controlled environment to truly gauge its gaming performance. But if what Jason experienced at Computex is an indication, the Z2 Extreme chip is going to be a monster for gaming performance on handhelds. I liked the design of the previous MSI Claw handhelds since they looked and felt great. MSI could have kept the same design as the Claw 8+ AI, and I would have been happy. However, the company chose to give its new handheld a bit of a facelift that should make it easier to use and more fun to look at. Per Jason's preview, the Claw A8 has squared-off grips that make it easier to hold. The two analog sticks feel smoother and more accurate, and the four face buttons now have a more tactile click. Lastly, the MSI Claw A8 sports a colorful front shell that immediately sets it apart from the typical black, white or gray handhelds. Though I'm boring and prefer all-black electronics, I always appreciate it when companies at least offer more colorful options. And since this is a gaming device, having a striking color just makes sense! Though I wish the MSI Claw A8 offered an OLED option, I won't complain too much since it seemingly keeps the same display as the MSI Claw 8+ AI. Like that handheld, the Claw A8 has an 8-inch 1200p IPS touchscreen with a 120Hz refresh rate. In our MSI Claw 8+ AI review, we said that colors pop and details are crisp in games like Red Dead Redemption and Cyberpunk 2077. The 8-inch screen also makes it easier to read small text, which can be an issue on smaller 7-inch screens. With more games that can potentially run at over 100 frames per second, the Claw A8's 120Hz refresh rate should ensure they run buttery smooth. The original MSI Claw 7 was a disappointment, but the company made a market improvement with the MSI Claw 8+ AI. Now that MSI is using an AMD chip for the Claw A8, we could see the strongest Steam Deck competitor yet. I'll need to check out the MSI Claw A8 for myself to see if it can live up to the hype. But based on what we've reported so far, this is definitely the handheld to keep an eye on.
Euronews
23-05-2025
- Euronews
The top 5 tech that caught our eye at Computex in Taiwan
The Computex tech fair in Taiwan's capital closes its doors on Friday after a week filled with weird and wonderful product announcements. Euronews Next spent the week trawling the exhibition to find the most practical, beautiful, and frankly, the oddest tech announcements. Here is what caught our eye on the showfloor. Gaming is a massive part of Computex, so as you would expect, there was plenty on display. One bit of tech generating a lot of buzz was MSI's upgraded Windows PC handheld device, the Claw A8 with AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme. It comes in a variety of bright colours and has a built-in front-facing camera and mic, allowing gamers the freedom not to have to use a headset. It also has a massive 80Wh battery and has a roomy screen. It also looks to be the first handheld to use the high-end chip Z2 Extreme, and it boasts plenty of RAM. No release date has been set for its launch, but it comes as the Nintendo Switch 2 is about to be released. Though split keyboards are not exactly new, one designed specifically for gamers is. Asus displayed its ROG Falcata, a wireless keyboard that connects or disconnects magnetically, at the show in Taipei. The exact point of the design is so that gamers can have more space for the mouse. The right side of the keyboard is less interesting for gamers, as the keys that are mainly used are W, A, S, and D. Or, if not used for gaming, you can just detach the two sides for a more ergonomic keyboard. A release date has been set for the summer, but the price is so far unknown. While smart rings can be on the pricey side (think Samsung's Galaxy ring, which retails around €449, or Ultrahuman's luxury 18-carat gold ring, at around €2,000), Acer has a more humble offering. The company showed off a titanium smart ring, which has a $199 (€175) price point. It also, unlike many other companies, has no subscription. The ring comes in black or rose gold, has four days of battery life. It shows health data such as heart rate, sleep quality, and blood oxygen levels. It will be available for purchase this summer. Tech giant MSI showed off a beautiful laptop lid that looks like it had been hand-painted. MSI partnered with Japanese art studio Okadayo to create a limited edition lacquered print laptop. The art can also be placed on a computer mouse. The first design is Hokusai's iconic The Great Wave off Kanagawa. MSI will only produce a few hundred per month for the moment, as applying the art requires extra steps in manufacturing. One of the main highlights at Computex was the level of creativity on show - and the number of beautiful and strange PC cases was certainly one of the focal points. Many of them were colourful and themed; others also had a beer and wine tap built in. It all comes down to personal preference. EU Industry Commissioner Stéphane Séjourné has asked member states to agree among themselves on whether to support the Commission's intention to ditch a proposal on standard essential patents (SEP). The French commissioner for the internal market has said he wants to hear back from governments in the next three weeks. Member states are divided about the way forward after the Commission said in February it intended to withdraw a plan on SEPs which it presented in 2023, arguing that it couldn't see an agreement being reached. SEPs are patents that protect the technology deemed essential in a technical standard or specification and are used in the automotive, smart energy, and payment industry. Which means that if a company wants to make a product that complies with technical standards (such as 5G or wifi), it needs to use the technology covered by SEPs. Disputes over the value of SEPs licenses are proliferating as their use increases. The Commission proposal intended to make the process of licensing SEPs more transparent, which was welcomed by patent lobby organisations who called for modernisation of the rules to make the bloc more competitive. A group of eight countries – Czechia, France, Germany, Italy, Hungary, Latvia, Portugal, Slovakia and Spain – called for other EU member states to support continued work on the file during a meeting of industry ministers in Brussels on Thursday, arguing that the rules are crucial for industry. The Spanish representative said that SEPs will be beneficial for Europe's automotive industry. Italy added that: 'We need to ensure the value chains are resilient in the current geopolitical situation.' Ireland, Finland and Sweden, by contrast, backed the Commission's assessment that since no deal is within reach it should be dropped. The Swedish representative said that the proposal had created 'major divisions in the business community', adding that 'any initiative in this field needs to encourage innovation and not create undue regulatory burden.' Finland added that the decision to withdraw is in line with the Commission's simplification plan. 'We think there are fundamental problems in the proposal, they cannot be amended with this draft.' Séjourné told lawmakers of the European Parliament's Legal Affairs (JURI) in April that the Commission scrapped the SEP proposal in a bid to reach a broader agreement on the topic. Some argue however, that the incoming US administration and the EU Commission's current strategy for deregulation killed the proposal. While the majority of the member states do not see the need to continue with the topic, lawmakers want it kept on the table. The proposed rules on SEPs were agreed by the Parliament in February 2024 - with 454 votes for, 83 against and 78 abstentions - before the Commission announced its intention to withdraw the file. German MEP Bernd Lange (EPP), who chairs the heads of the Parliamentary committees, is expected to discuss the issue with Parliament President Roberta Metsola in June. A letter signed by Lange and seen by Euronews, said that the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) – which is leading on the file – 'objects, by a large majority, to the proposed withdrawal.' 'The proposal remains highly relevant due to its impact on competitiveness, transparency, and innovation, particularly for SMEs,' the letter said. The Commission has until August to decide whether to go ahead with its intention to withdraw the plan.
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Business Standard
20-05-2025
- Business Standard
MSI unveils AMD Ryzen-powered Claw A8 gaming handheld at Computex 2025
Taiwanese electronics brand MSI has officially unveiled a new variant of its Claw A8 handheld gaming device at Computex 2025, this time powered by AMD's Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor. The new model will offer up to 24GB of DDR5 RAM, slightly less than the 32GB available on the Intel-powered version. The AMD-powered Claw A8 BZ2EM marks MSI's entry into offering dual chipset options for its gaming handheld line-up. While the Intel version is already on the market, the AMD edition expands the line-up to give consumers more hardware flexibility. MSI has not yet disclosed pricing details or the expected launch date for the AMD version of the Claw A8. MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM: Details The MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM is a handheld gaming device equipped with some powerful hardware under the hood. According to a report by The Verge, MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM's core is the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor, paired with an AMD Radeon 890M GPU. The system reportedly supports up to 24GB of RAM. The device is likely to feature an 8-inch full HD (1080p) display with a 120Hz refresh rate and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support. Storage options will reportedly include a single M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 slot along with a microSD card reader, providing flexibility for expanding game libraries and media. According to the report, MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM will be shipped with a 80Wh battery and will run on Windows 11 Home, giving users access to a full desktop operating environment. Despite its performance capabilities, the device will reportedly be relatively compact and portable, measuring 299.5 x 126.2 x 24mm and weighing in at 765 grams. MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM: Expected specifications Display: 8-inch, 1080p, 120Hz, VRR Processor: AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme GPU: AMD Radeon 890M RAM: Up to 24GB Storage: 1x M.2 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4) and 1x microSD card reader Battery: 80Wh Operating System: Windows 11 Home Dimensions: 299.5 x 126.2 x 24mm Weight: 765g
Tom's Guide
20-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
I just tested the MSI Claw A8 with AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme — it's so good it made me forget about the Nintendo Switch 2
'When are you going to make an AMD version of the MSI Claw?' You have no idea how many times I've asked this question to MSI — how relentless I've been in wanting them to branch out from Intel and take a taste of Team Red. In fact, it got to the point that when I finally got my hands on the MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM at Computex 2025, a certain company asked a simple question: 'happy?' And oh boy am I, but not just because of the decision made to jump to Ryzen Z2 Extreme. Because that could've just been it and I would be satisfied, but MSI went all-out here with a fresh new aesthetic popping all kinds of color finishes, overhauled ergonomics that make this feel incredible in the hand, and buttons that feel clicker and more satisfyingly tactile. Pair that with that same giant 80Wh battery, up to a massive 24GB of RAM and a gorgeous 1080p 120Hz display, and you're looking at what could very well be one of the best gaming handhelds you can buy — yes, possibly even better than Nintendo Switch 2 (in my opinion). But I do have two questions that are being left worryingly unanswered. First, with the move to AMD, that means we can get SteamOS, right? …right!? And second, while there isn't any pricing information, the fact the Intel version can be found for $949 makes me rather concerned that the BZ2EM could very well break into a four-figure price tag. Let me take you through what I do know, though. And what I do know is that this thing is a beast. Processor AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme GPU AMD Radeon 890M RAM Up to 24GB Display 8", 1080p, 120Hz, VRR Storage 1x M.2 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4) and 1x microSD card reader Battery 80Wh Operating System Windows 11 Home Wireless connectivity 299.5 x 126.2 x 24mm (11.79 x 4.97 x 0.94) Weight 765g Welcome to the Team Red Claw. But MSI has done a lot more than just change the internals. Let's talk about it. We've all been expecting the Asus ROG Ally 2 to welcome us into the world of AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme. But MSI has stolen the company's thunder and burst through the door with its new Claw. This is great for offering choice for gamers between using the built-in graphics of Intel or AMD, but given what I experienced, I'd anticipate most players to opt for the Z2. Why? Well because it's phenomenal in gaming. Normally when playing Lies of P, I'm making strategic choices to balance between fidelity and frame rate — opting for a mix of medium and high settings (with resolution scaling turned on) to achieve 60 FPS on my Asus ROG Ally. Meanwhile, flick on those exact same settings here, and I had to do a double take at the 8-inch display running at a fully locked 100 FPS. I wasn't able to see the wattage going to the chip on the stand, but if it's anywhere close to like-for-like, the performance improvement is going to be significant. First of all, shout-out to the fact that this is not just another gray, black or white gaming handheld. The bold pop of color across the front of the shell here is an eye-catcher that gives this serious gaming machine a far more fun aesthetic than I expected — big fan! Second, MSI has made some tweaks to the ergonomics here that makes it feel immediately better than past versions, and even better than my Steam Deck. The grips are now squared off which makes it far easier to grab a hold of, the joysticks have a nice accurate smoothness to them, the buttons feel more pronounced on the face of it and have a nicer, more tactile click to them. Everything comes together in a gaming package I'd love to spend hours and hours with! So we're off to an amazing start, but I do have two little issues. MSI is celebrating the variety of choice gamers get here between Intel and AMD, which is all fine and good. But that doesn't address the whole Windows 11 kind of sucking on a gaming handheld screen. Lenovo's played a fast one by offering either Windows or SteamOS, and MSI should absolutely do the same now they have a chip that supports it! Much like a lot of the tech I'm seeing at Computex this year, there's a big unknown about prices. That much is the same for the new Claw, and I'm a little nervous. Why? Well the Intel alternative to this is already on sale… for $949. So what the hell is the maxed out Ryzen Z2 model going to cost!? But worries aside, one thing is clear: the MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM is a serious contender to the crown. MSI has gone on such a journey of transformation — from having a rather weak start with the first generation packing that old Intel Core Ultra chip, to leading the pack with Z2 Extreme. If you're serious about ultraportable gaming on-the-go, this should be on your watchlist. Once we've tested it properly, expect a scored review.
Tom's Guide
19-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
MSI Claw A8 packs an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme — the rumors were true
Recently, rumors began to circulate that MSI was releasing another handheld gaming PC with an AMD chip under the hood. It turns out that those rumors were totally true, as the company has unveiled a new 8-inch handheld with the full name MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM. The new gaming handheld features a powerful AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor, an AMD Radeon 890M and as much as 24GB of RAM. This release comes about six months after the Intel-based version of the company's gaming handhelds hit the market. Sure, it's the mobile versions of those chips, but that still makes the MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM a viable Steam Deck alternative that's worth keeping an eye on coming out of Computex 2025. Other notable specs include an 8-inch display with a 1080p resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, VRR and up to 500 nits brightness. There's an M.2 2280 SSD in various sizes available for fast loading times. Processor AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme GPU AMD Radeon 890M RAM Up to 24GB Display 8", 1080p, 120Hz, VRR Storage 1x M.2 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4) and 1x microSD card reader Battery 80Wh Operating System Windows 11 Home Wireless connectivity 299.5 x 126.2 x 24mm (11.79 x 4.97 x 0.94) Weight 765g The 80Wh battery is another standout feature. The original Steam Deck featured a 40Wh battery, and the Steam Deck OLED has a 50Wh cell. This should provide much more juice to keep MSI's large handheld running. Of course, we'll need to test it to see how good the battery life is, but it sounds promising. Unfortunately, while a bunch of information about the new MSI Steam Deck competitor was announced, the pricing and availability were not. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
