Handheld gaming PCs have seen a significant rise in popularity since the groundbreaking launch of the Steam Deck in 2022. For the past two years, the top-tier handhelds have relied on the Z1 Extreme chipset. However, the MSI Claw A8, unveiled at Computex 2025, marks a pivotal shift by being the first to incorporate the newly announced AMD Z2 Extreme chipset from CES 2025.
The MSI Claw A8 shares similarities with the recently launched Claw 8 AI, but with some notable modifications. MSI has reduced the maximum RAM from 32GB to 24GB of LPDDR5X, running at 8,000MHz. Additionally, the display now features VRR (variable refresh rate) support, which, while maintaining the 120Hz FullHD resolution, should reduce screen tearing for a smoother gaming experience.
The most significant upgrade is the transition from the Intel Core Ultra 7 285V to the AMD Z2 Extreme. This gaming APU boasts 8 Zen 5 CPU cores and 16 RDNA 3.5 graphics cores, offering more Compute Units than the 12 found in the Z1 Extreme, alongside an enhanced architecture.
Alongside the Claw A8, MSI introduced an updated MSI Claw 8 AI+ with a fresh color option and an upgraded 2TB SSD, yet it retains the Intel Core Ultra 7 285V.
The MSI Claw A8 is expected to hit the market later this year, though specific launch details and pricing remain undisclosed. Given the MSI Claw 8 AI+'s $999 price tag, the AMD-powered Claw A8 might also command a premium.
The AMD Z2 Extreme Race Is On
The AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme was subtly introduced at CES in January 2025. Five months later, no handheld with this new chip has reached consumers, igniting a race to see which manufacturer will be the first to market.
While the Lenovo Legion Go 2, also announced at CES 2025, is set to use the Z2 Extreme, Lenovo has yet to provide a release timeline. Instead, they launched the less powerful and pricier Z2 Go-powered Lenovo Legion Go S.
Rumors suggest the Asus ROG Ally 2 might also adopt the Z2 Extreme, though no official announcement has been made. There's also speculation about a collaboration between Asus and Microsoft for an Xbox-branded version of the Ally 2, likely featuring the same chipset.
One notable exception is the Steam Deck 2, which Valve has confirmed will not use the Z2 Extreme, citing the chip's insufficient generational advancement. While this casts some doubt on the Z2 Extreme's performance leap, the upcoming alternatives to the Steam Deck are poised to offer improvements over current models, which is a positive development for gamers.
