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Geeky Gadgets
14 hours ago
- Geeky Gadgets
MSI Claw A8 Gaming Performance Review : RYZEN Z2 Extreme
What if the future of handheld gaming wasn't tied to Windows or consoles? Imagine a device that combines the raw power of AMD's Ryzen Z2 Extreme with the open source flexibility of Linux, delivering a portable gaming experience that challenges the status quo. Enter the MSI Claw A8, a bold contender in the handheld market that dares to redefine what's possible for Linux gaming. With its innovative hardware and promising benchmarks, it's easy to see why this device is making waves. But as with any innovation, the road to perfection is paved with challenges—software limitations and incomplete functionality hint at the hurdles still ahead. In this review, ETA Prime explore what makes the MSI Claw A8 a standout in the burgeoning world of Linux gaming. From its innovative APU to its surprising performance advantages over Windows, this device offers a glimpse into a future where open source gaming isn't just viable—it's competitive. But is the Claw A8 ready to meet the expectations of gamers seeking seamless performance and portability? By the end, you'll have a clearer picture of whether this ambitious handheld is a revolution in the making or a work in progress. Key Features of the MSI Claw A8 The MSI Claw A8 is the first handheld device to feature AMD's Ryzen Z2 Extreme APU, a processor specifically designed for gaming. Its specifications highlight a balance of power and portability, making it a serious contender in the handheld gaming market. Powerful APU: The Ryzen Z2 Extreme features 8 cores and 16 threads, with clock speeds reaching up to 5 GHz, making sure smooth performance even in demanding games. The Ryzen Z2 Extreme features 8 cores and 16 threads, with clock speeds reaching up to 5 GHz, making sure smooth performance even in demanding games. Ample Memory: Equipped with 24 GB of RAM, the device allocates 8 GB to the Radeon 890M integrated GPU (iGPU), enhancing multitasking and graphical capabilities. Equipped with 24 GB of RAM, the device allocates 8 GB to the Radeon 890M integrated GPU (iGPU), enhancing multitasking and graphical capabilities. Impressive Graphics: The Radeon 890M, with 16 compute units, delivers robust graphical performance, allowing high-quality visuals on a portable platform. These features position the Claw A8 as a device capable of handling modern gaming demands while maintaining the portability expected of handheld systems. Linux Compatibility: Progress and Limitations While the hardware of the Claw A8 is undeniably impressive, its software compatibility presents a more nuanced picture. The device demonstrates the potential of Linux gaming but also highlights areas where further development is needed. Steam OS Challenges: The popular Linux-based gaming platform, Steam OS, does not currently boot on the Ryzen Z2 Extreme, limiting its out-of-the-box appeal for some users. The popular Linux-based gaming platform, Steam OS, does not currently boot on the Ryzen Z2 Extreme, limiting its out-of-the-box appeal for some users. Basite OS Success: Basite OS, another Linux-based operating system, has been successfully installed and runs smoothly, showcasing the device's adaptability. Basite OS, another Linux-based operating system, has been successfully installed and runs smoothly, showcasing the device's adaptability. Core Functionality: Essential features such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, audio, and controller support work seamlessly on Basite OS, making sure a functional gaming experience. Essential features such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, audio, and controller support work seamlessly on Basite OS, making sure a functional gaming experience. Inactive Features: Certain elements, including the rear macro keys and additional front buttons, remain non-functional, highlighting areas for future software updates. These mixed results underline the evolving nature of Linux gaming on handheld devices. While some limitations may deter potential users, the Claw A8 demonstrates that Linux gaming is a viable and promising option. MSI Claw A8 RYZEN Z2 Extreme Gaming Watch this video on YouTube. Browse through more resources below from our in-depth content covering more areas on handheld games consoles. Performance Benchmarks: Linux Outshines Windows The MSI Claw A8 delivers impressive gaming performance on Linux, often surpassing its Windows counterpart in key benchmarks. This performance highlights the potential of Linux as a gaming platform when paired with advanced hardware like the Ryzen Z2 Extreme APU. Cyberpunk 2077: Achieves 51 FPS on Basite OS compared to 46 FPS on Windows at a 25W TDP, showcasing better optimization on Linux. Achieves 51 FPS on Basite OS compared to 46 FPS on Windows at a 25W TDP, showcasing better optimization on Linux. Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Runs at 70 FPS on Basite OS versus 64 FPS on Windows at 1080p low settings, demonstrating Linux's capability to handle demanding titles. Runs at 70 FPS on Basite OS versus 64 FPS on Windows at 1080p low settings, demonstrating Linux's capability to handle demanding titles. Other Games: Titles such as Street Fighter 6 , Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart , Elden Ring , The Witcher 3 , and Spider-Man 2 also show promising results, further solidifying Linux's viability as a gaming platform. These benchmarks emphasize the Claw A8's ability to deliver a high-quality gaming experience, making it a strong contender in the handheld gaming market. Battery Efficiency: Optimizing Performance and Longevity Battery life is a critical consideration for handheld gaming devices, and the Claw A8 offers impressive flexibility in this area. By using third-party tools like Simple Decki TDP Control, users can adjust the device's TDP (Thermal Design Power) to balance performance and battery life effectively. Low-Power Gaming: At a 6W TDP, the device achieves over 9 hours of battery life during low-power indie gaming sessions, making it ideal for extended playtime. At a 6W TDP, the device achieves over 9 hours of battery life during low-power indie gaming sessions, making it ideal for extended playtime. Performance Scaling: With a TDP range of 4W to 40W, users can prioritize either maximum performance for demanding games or extended battery life for casual gaming. This adaptability ensures that the Claw A8 can cater to a variety of gaming needs, from casual sessions to more intensive gameplay, without compromising on usability. Challenges and Future Potential Despite its strengths, the MSI Claw A8 faces several challenges that could impact its adoption among Linux gaming enthusiasts. These hurdles, however, also highlight areas for potential growth and improvement. Software Limitations: The lack of official Steam OS support restricts its appeal to a broader audience, particularly those already invested in the Steam ecosystem. The lack of official Steam OS support restricts its appeal to a broader audience, particularly those already invested in the Steam ecosystem. Incomplete Features: Non-functional rear macro keys and additional buttons detract from the device's overall usability, underscoring the need for further software development. Nevertheless, the Claw A8's strong performance on Basite OS and its potential for future software optimizations suggest a promising trajectory. As Linux gaming continues to evolve, devices like the Claw A8 are likely to benefit from improved compatibility, enhanced functionality, and broader software support. A Milestone for Handheld Linux Gaming The MSI Claw A8 represents a significant step forward in the realm of handheld Linux gaming. Its powerful hardware, combined with the performance advantages of Basite OS, positions it as an intriguing option for gamers seeking an alternative to Windows-based devices. While challenges such as incomplete feature functionality and limited software support remain, the Claw A8's early results are encouraging. With further optimizations and broader Linux compatibility, this device has the potential to set a new standard for portable gaming, paving the way for a more diverse and accessible gaming landscape. Media Credit: ETA PRIME Filed Under: Gaming News, Reviews, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Business Wire
a day ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Harmonic Announces IMO Gold Medal-Level Performance & Launch of First Mathematical Superintelligence (MSI) AI App
PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Harmonic, the AI lab that introduced the concept of Mathematical Superintelligence (MSI), today launches Aristotle – the only AI model built from the ground up to be hallucination-free. In a livestream on X, the company released its waitlist ( for the Aristotle iOS app beta, with rollout commencing today. Harmonic also announced that Aristotle is among the first AI models to achieve formally verified gold medal-level performance on the 2025 International Mathematical Olympiad, widely regarded as the world's most prestigious mathematics competition. This places Aristotle at the forefront of advanced mathematical reasoning performance among frontier AI models. Unlike language-based AI prone to hallucinations, Aristotle's use of MSI verifies accuracy – ensuring coherent logical reasoning and transparently flagging errors and inconsistencies. By replacing probabilistic guesses with provable solutions, Aristotle is the most reliable model for high-stakes, real-world applications where accuracy is critical. 'The algorithmic innovations that yielded not just IMO Gold-Medal performance, but formally verified solutions to complex, novel mathematical problems, solidifies Harmonic's position at the leading edge of AI model development,' said Tudor Achim, CEO and Co-Founder of Harmonic. 'We're even more excited to make this advanced AI available to the public.' Aristotle's MSI model is designed to solve mathematical problems at a level far exceeding human capabilities. By accelerating mathematics, the doors open to driving breakthroughs across multiple fields, from theoretical physics to engineering. 'We can't wait for people to start using Aristotle and experience the future of intelligence,' said Vlad Tenev, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Harmonic. 'We believe Mathematical Superintelligence may be one of humanity's greatest inventions and we hope Aristotle will consequently contribute to many useful scientific discoveries and engineering inventions in the future.' The Harmonic model will be available as an app for iOS and Android, on the web and as an API. In July 2025, Harmonic raised $100 million in Series B funding at a nearly $900 million post-money valuation. The round was led by Kleiner Perkins with significant participation from Paradigm. Additional investors included Ribbit Capital, Sequoia Capital, Index Ventures and Charlie Cheever. Harmonic previously raised $75 million in its September 2024 Series A funding round, which was led by Sequoia Capital, included significant participation from Index Ventures, and received additional backing from DST Global partners and Nikesh Arora. About Harmonic Harmonic, an artificial intelligence company founded in 2023, is backed by Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev and led by CEO Tudor Achim. It is developing Mathematical Superintelligence (MSI), the next generation of artificial intelligence which is rooted in mathematics and which guarantees accuracy and eliminates hallucinations. The company is based in Palo Alto, California. For more information about Harmonic, please visit:
Politico
a day ago
- Business
- Politico
DOGE's favorite consulting firm
Presented by Welcome to POLITICO's West Wing Playbook: Remaking Government, your guide to Donald Trump's unprecedented overhaul of the federal government — the key decisions, the critical characters and the power dynamics that are upending Washington and beyond. Send tips | Subscribe | Email Sophia | Email Irie | Email Ben For months, DOGE has made a show of targeting the government's biggest consulting contractors as examples of taxpayer-funded bloat. In March, the Trump administration demanded that agencies justify their relationships with firms like Accenture, Deloitte and Booz Allen. By June, the General Services Administration had sent formal letters to McKinsey, Boston Consulting Group, EY and others as part of a sweeping review of consulting expenditures. 'Based on available procurement data, we have identified the 10 highest paid consulting firms listed below are set to receive over $65 billion in fees in 2025 and future years. This needs to, and must, change,' STEPHEN EHIKIAN, now deputy acting GSA administrator, wrote in the March letter. But while DOGE targets the major players, Ehikian and other DOGE leaders are also relying on the help of one lesser-known firm that has quietly emerged as a trusted partner for DOGE, according to private agency records viewed by POLITICO. That firm is MSI Consulting, a small outfit with around 40 employees working under contract at GSA, an epicenter of DOGE in the federal government, according to the documents. Half a dozen MSI consultants have worked closely with DOGE leaders including Ehikian, JOSH GRUENBAUM, THOMAS SHEDD and MATT PARKHURST-SESSION as executive assistants, according to agency records and two people familiar with the dynamics granted anonymity to discuss them. They've been providing important behind-the-scenes coordination that's allowed DOGE to execute its high-profile agenda, including managing calendars, preparing slide decks and other operational support, the people said. MSI staff have helped organize meetings on agency downsizing, including USDA's recent reorganization, and have taken part in discussions about real estate consolidation, IT audits and artificial intellligence projects across the federal government, according to one of the two people familiar with the internal dynamics granted anonymity to discuss them. The irony? These same MSI employees have been involved in meetings between DOGE leaders and some of the very firms previously under fire from the administration but now seeking to make nice or pitch new services to GSA. MSI COO ANDREW STEGMAIER has played a direct role in carrying out these requests on behalf of Ehikian, according to internal records. MSI worked with GSA during the Biden administration and the company's scope at GSA extends beyond supporting DOGE. Other consulting firms including Censeo Consulting and RMA Associates also have a presence at GSA, but no firm has been more directly involved with DOGE work than MSI consulting, according to agency records reviewed by POLITICO. MESSAGE US — West Wing Playbook is obsessively covering the Trump administration's reshaping of the federal government. Are you a federal worker? A DOGE staffer? Have you picked up on any upcoming DOGE moves? We want to hear from you on how this is playing out. Email us at westwingtips@ Did someone forward this email to you? Subscribe! POTUS PUZZLER President DONALD TRUMP remains in Scotland today, the birthplace of his mother MARY ANNE MacLEOD TRUMP. Who was the first president to boast Scottish ancestry? WHO'S IN, WHO'S OUT JERSEY GIRL: A criminal defense attorney in New Jersey is pushing to get charges against his client tossed by arguing that the Trump administration illegally maneuvered to keep ALINA HABBA as the state's top federal prosecutor, despite the expiration of her 120-day tenure, our RY RIVARD, KYLE CHENEY and JOSH GERSTEIN report. The problems for the U.S. Attorney's Office could grow if other defense attorneys file similar motions. The Oval DEAL OR NO DEAL? The European Union admitted today it doesn't have the power to deliver on a promise to invest $600 billion in the United States economy, only hours after making the pledge at landmark trade talks in Scotland. That's because the cash would come entirely from private sector investment over which Brussels has no authority, two EU officials told POLITICO Europe's GREGORIO SORGI. Meanwhile, the EU's pledge to buy $250 billion worth of U.S. oil, natural gas and nuclear fuels per year for three years, is seen as more aspirational than realistic, the Wall Street Journal's GEORGI KANTCHEV and ED BALLARD report. Purchases of that size would require a major rearrangement of energy flows, and it isn't clear whether U.S. companies could even export that much. AND ABOUT THOSE ARMS: The EU-U.S. trade deal is unlikely to increase the amount of U.S. weapons purchased by EU countries beyond what was already planned, POLITICO Europe's CHRIS LUNDAY and LAURA KAYALI report. While Trump on Sunday said the EU would buy 'vast amounts' of American weapons, European officials – much more quietly – said nothing concrete on arms had been agreed to. WINDOWS INTO DIPLOMACY: Trump today used part of his bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister KEIR STARMER in Turnberry, Scotland to tout his golf course. It's the latest example of how Trump mixes international diplomacy with boosting his family's business empire, the Washington Post's CAT ZAKRZEWSKI and EMILY DAVIES report. 'If you take a look at the windows in the various dining rooms, they're magnificent,' Trump said during his meeting with Starmer in a minutes-long aside to discuss his property. White House officials noted that the golf courses are held in a trust managed by Trump's children. In the Courts NO ALLIGATOR WARDENS HERE: Legal challenges are gathering steam to the Trump administration's bid to outsource immigration detention to the state of Florida at the so-called Alligator Alcatraz jail deep in the Everglades, Josh writes in. U.S. District Judge RODOLFO RUIZ held a 90-minute hearing today on a lawsuit the ACLU filed last month over a lack of access to lawyers and immigration courts for prisoners kept at the makeshift jail built at a site once planned as an airport for supersonic aircraft. Ruiz, a Miami-based Trump appointee, said a 'paramount' issue in the case is whether the state or federal government is in charge. 'There seems to be some confusion as to who exactly is running the show at Alligator Alcatraz,' the judge said, saying he'll consider ordering the state and feds to quickly turn over any written agreements to the ACLU. Ruiz set a hearing for Aug. 18 on the group's request for improved communications with detainees and an expected bid to move the suit to central Florida. 'Anything that tries to transform the court into the warden of Alligator Alcatraz is not going to happen here,' the judge warned. MAXWELL APPEALS TO SCOTUS: GHISLAINE MAXWELL, the co-conspirator of JEFFREY EPSTEIN, made a final plea to the Supreme Court today to take up her appeal of her sex-trafficking conviction. But defense lawyer DAVID MARKUS made clear she's simultaneously making the case to Trump that he should pardon her or commute her 20-year prison sentence, Josh writes in. 'We are appealing not only to the Supreme Court but to the President himself to recognize how profoundly unjust it is to scapegoat Ghislaine Maxwell for Epstein's crimes, especially when the government promised she would not be prosecuted,' Markus wrote on X, days after Maxwell sat for an unusual two-day interview by Deputy Attorney General TODD BLANCHE. Maxwell's appeal argues that a controversial non-prosecution deal Epstein entered into with federal prosecutors in South Florida in 2007 protects Epstein's associates like Maxwell from prosecution. The Justice Department has argued the agreement did not bind federal prosecutors in Manhattan, where Epstein and Maxwell were charged about five years ago. Lower courts agreed. The Supreme Court is expected to announce in September or October whether it will take up Maxwell's case. Agenda Setting UNDOING MAJOR CLIMATE RULES: The Trump administration is planning to release a proposal Tuesday that would overturn a 16-year-old scientific finding that has allowed three administrations to regulate climate pollution, POLITICO's E&E News' JEAN CHEMNICK and ZACK COLMAN report. Revising the so-called endangerment finding for greenhouse gases would represent a milestone in the administration's efforts to weaken the government's authority to curtail carbon emissions from the energy and automotive industries, among others. It will be paired with a proposal for rolling back climate rules for cars and trucks. VITAMIN DEFICIENCY: Health Secretary ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR. often speaks about how many vitamins he takes, causing many in the industry to believe their moment had arrived when he was confirmed. But STEVE MISTER, chief executive of the Council for Responsible Nutrition, says his initial excitement about having an ally in the administration has given way to disappointment, our AMANDA CHU reports. Mister's concerns underscore the tensions facing Kennedy ahead of the release of his final Make America Healthy Again report in August, which will include recommendations to fight chronic disease. DISASTER WARNING: Trump's plans to remake FEMA are bringing to the fore a paradox of disaster policy, The Economist reports. Disaster aid has typically come from the federal government, but decisions about how to use land — such as whether a building should go up in a flood-prone area — are made by local leaders. The Trump administration's decision about how to remake FEMA — the agency was originally going to be taken apart; more recently, administration officials say it will be revamped — should force states to think about reducing their risks related to climate change, Harvard professor SUSAN CRAWFORD told the publication. What We're Reading What is DOGE without Elon Musk? (Bloomberg's Cam Kettles and Gregory Korte) How NASA engineered its own decline (The Atlantic's Franklin Foer) Researchers quietly planned a test to dim sunlight. They wanted to 'avoid scaring' the public. (POLITICO's Corbin Hiar) POTUS PUZZLER ANSWER JAMES MONROE, the fifth U.S. president, was the nation's first to come from Scottish ancestry. Monroe's paternal great-great-grandfather left Scotland for the U.S. in the 17th century.
CNET
a day ago
- Business
- CNET
Save Up to $501 on a New Gaming Laptop in Time for Back-to-School Season
It's back-to-school season, which means many parents, educators, teens and college students are preparing for the start of the fall semester. Aside from a decent smartphone, dorm essentials and textbooks, a new laptop might be on the must-have list. If you or your child is into gaming, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) or just needs a model that can take on demanding tasks, a gaming laptop might be a great choice. Thankfully, many NVIDIA-powered laptops are on sale and available at discounts of up to $600 -- until September 1 or inventory depletes. And many gaming and studio laptops are among the discounted items. We've rounded up standout deals below available at Best Buy, Amazon, Newegg and more. NVIDIA laptop deals Lenovo 16-inch Legion Pro 7i: $2,349 This gaming laptop features a 16-inch screen, 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD. It includes a 2.7 GHz Intel Core and a powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti architecture that's perfect for engineers, architects and students of these high-demand careers. Thanks to current discounts, you can save a massive $501 on this model. Details Save $501 $2,349 at B&H Close MSI 16-inch Vector: $2,800 The 16-inch MSI Vector gaming laptop is sleek, powerful and includes an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor as well as an RTX 5080 GPU. Coupled with 32GB RAM and 2TB SSD, you'll get reliable performance, gorgeous graphics and plenty of space for your files. And for a limited time, you can also save $300. Details Save $300 $2,800 at Newegg Close MSI 14-inch Creator M14 laptop: $1,000 The MSI Creator laptop is perfect for artists, graphic designers, content creators and other creatives. It has a 2.8K resolution display for clear graphics and vivid colors, 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD. This model also features a cooler boost and runs on Windows 11. You can save $200 on this laptop at Amazon right now. Details Save $200 $1,000 at Amazon Close More laptop deals Keep in mind that these deals are bound to go fast, and NVIDIA has announced that there will be a few more upcoming deals before their sale ends on September 1. We plan to keep an eye out for any additions to this list, so check back often. Why this deal matters NVIDIA makes GPUs that power graphics interfaces for many PC laptops. Their gaming laptop deals include savings on brands such as ASUS, MSI, Alienware and more. These high-capacity laptops are great for students in STEM, as well as educators and employees in this sector. Not to mention, they're perfect for hobby gamers who also want the best equipment without paying full price. Buying now can help minimize any tariff-related concerns. Our shopping team also has a list of the best gaming laptops and best cheap gaming laptops if you want to browse other options.
Tom's Guide
a day ago
- Tom's Guide
MSI Claw A8 with AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme gets August launch date in Europe — here's when it may release globally
Next-gen gaming handhelds are upon us, as the MSI Claw A8 looks to be the first to deliver AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme performance. Now, it's set to launch in Germany this August — but there's still no sign of a global release date. According to MSI Germany, the MSI Claw A8 is set to launch between August 4 and August 10, as it states it will be released from "week 32" of this year (spotted by VideoCardz). Pre-orders are also available around Europe, with prices at €999 at the German MSI Store. This comes a month after the MSI Claw A8 launched in China, but there's been no mention of when it will launch in other markets, including the U.S. and the U.K. However, gaming outlet Press Start has reported that the MSI Claw A8 will release in September, with prices starting at $1,749 AUD. Both European and Australian prices put the MSI Claw A8 at over $1,100 when converted, with many believing the gaming handheld will come in at $999. Along with the upcoming ROG Xbox Ally X tipped to be around the same price, it shows the PC handhelds are going to be quite the pricey venture for all markets. Interestingly, MSI announced it's releasing an update that fixes the performance drops in "Manual Mode" when adjusting TDP, among other updates. Despite the handheld not being released to global markets yet, it's already getting a big update. MSI appears to be staggering its launch of its MSI Claw A8 in different markets, as there's currently no word when it will arrive in the U.S. Tariffs could be to blame, but with these releases, it could be inching towards an official release date soon. With the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X set to launch this fall, likely to be around October or November, MSI will want to beat Microsoft's gaming handheld to the punch, seeing as the Xbox Ally X also comes with an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Now, with a launch date set in Australia for this September, it's likely the other markets will follow suit — if not a little later in the month. Of course, this is all just speculation, but with the MSI Claw A8 already set to arrive in Germany (and likely the rest of Europe) this August, and the gaming handheld already getting an update, it's looking like it won't be long until we see the MSI Claw A8 arrive in more markets around the globe. For now, we'll have to sit tight and wait awhile to see when the Ryzen Z2 Extreme-equipped MSI Claw A8 officially launches. It's set to deliver a major boost in PC handheld gaming, sporting an 80Wh battery, up to 24GB of RAM and an 8-inch 1080p 120Hz display. We were impressed with the upcoming handheld in our hands-on with the MSI Claw A8, so here's hoping it sticks the landing. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
