Latest news with #RyzenZ2Extreme
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.
Engadget
07-05-2025
- Engadget
ASUS and Microsoft's Xbox-branded handheld appears in leaked FCC photos
New photos leaked from the FCC appear to confirm that an Xbox-branded handheld gaming console is coming soon. A listing shows two versions of ASUS's ROG Ally 2 handheld, a dark model with a dedicated Xbox labeled button at the top left and a white version with the same button blacked out. The latter could carry a different function or be removed altogether from the production model, according to the leak (related to Wi-Fi modules) from Videocardz seen by The Verge . The models otherwise look identical but carry different specs, according to other parts of the listing. Both have 7-inch 120Hz displays, but the ROG Ally 2 Xbox version (RC73X1) will come with an AMD 8-Core 36W Ryzen Z2 Extreme and 64GB LPDDR5X memory, while the regular model (RC73YA) will pack an AMD 4-core 20W AMD Aeirth Plus chip (memory unknown). Compared to the ROG Ally, the Rog Ally 2 has a thicker design and more rounded grips. It also offers a pair of USB-C controllers, along with HDMI and 3.5mm connectors, according to the rear view. It's not yet known what the Xbox button will do, but Microsoft is expected to add features like support for the Xbox Game Bar, Play Anywhere functionality and Game Pass Ultimate. It could go even deeper, possibly launching the Xbox app on Windows, according to Videocardz . Some peripherals like the Backbone One already carry an Xbox button to open up the Xbox guide, show available games and more. We'll have to wait and see more details, but as Engadget's Sam Rutherford put it, "the case for an Xbox handheld seems so obvious it's kind of surprising Microsoft didn't announce one years ago."
Metro
07-05-2025
- Metro
Xbox handheld pic leaks in new photos of collaboration with Asus
Photos have emerged of Xbox's upcoming Asus handheld collaboration, which is expected to be released later this year. Microsoft has been teasing plans for two separate handhelds for some time now, with one being a next gen device and the other a third party collaboration. Based on a teaser trailer from last month, the latter appears to be a team-up with Asus, which launched its own handheld gaming device, the Asus ROG Ally, in 2023. The company's collaboration with Xbox, codenamed Project Kennan, has now seemingly leaked in full, through a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) listing in the US. As reported by VideoCardz, the pictures appear to show two variants of the upcoming Asus ROG Ally 2. The white version looks like the standard version of the handheld, while the black version is believed to be the Xbox device, aka Project Kennan. There isn't much to differentiate the two systems on the surface – very dusty exterior aside – but a button on the upper left of the black device appears to show a dedicated Xbox button (it's lacking any colour, but you can just about see the 'X' outline). This same button is on the white version too, although it doesn't appear to have the same Xbox marking. According to the leaked listing, the black Xbox model will be more powerful than its white counterpart. The former is said to use the Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor with 8 cores and 36w TDP (thermal design power), while the white model uses AMD Aeirth Plus with 4 cores and 20w TDP. It's unclear whether the Xbox version will have a dedicated operating system, or if it will simply have better integration with the Xbox app through Windows. Considering Microsoft is working on another handheld though, which is a few years away, this will likely intended only as a stop-gap solution to test the market. More Trending Interestingly, Microsoft recently debuted a new 'Xbox PC' brand as part of its reveal for Gears Of War: Reloaded, so it's possible this Asus device could fit under that moniker. However, don't expect this to come cheap. The original Asus ROG Ally costs around £599 through the official store, and after Microsoft's recent price hikes due to US tariffs, it's likely this device will burn a significant hole in your wallet. Aside from the price, the big question is when this handheld will be officially shown. Microsoft has an Xbox summer showcase on June 8, but considering this is primarily an Asus device, it might instead debut at the Computex 2025 trade show on May 20, 2025. Email gamecentral@ leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter, and sign-up to our newsletter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. MORE: Nintendo Switch 2 is less than a month away – here's where you can pre-order MORE: Games Inbox: Was GTA 6 Trailer 2 a disappointment? MORE: 8 hidden details from GTA 6 Trailer 2 that show how the game will play
