MSI’s Claw A8: AMD Power Unleashed in New Handheld Gaming PC
MSI Goes AMD with Its Claw A8 Gaming Handheld
MSI is back with a new version of its Claw handheld gaming PC, and this time, it’s ditching Intel for AMD’s powerful Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip. The company unveiled the Claw A8 BZ2EM at Computex 2025, and it’s packed with some impressive specs.
Powerful Performance and Stunning Display
The Claw A8 boasts an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip, paired with up to 24GB of DDR5 memory. While that’s a bit less RAM than the Intel-powered Claw 8 AI Plus (which offered up to 32GB), it’s still plenty for a smooth gaming experience. The handheld also features an 8-inch full HD display with a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring buttery-smooth visuals, and a spacious 1TB M.2 SSD for fast loading times.
Fresh Look and Lenovo’s Competition
MSI is offering the Claw A8 in two stylish colors: white and lime green. This move comes after MSI faced some initial challenges with its original Claw handheld, released in March 2024. However, the company seems to have rebounded with the Claw 8 AI Plus, and the Claw A8 looks to build on that success.
Lenovo is also making waves in the handheld gaming scene with its Legion Go S, which utilizes AMD’s Z2 Go chip. However, as my colleague Sean Hollister pointed out, the Z2 Go doesn’t quite match the performance of its predecessor, the Z1 Extreme. This leaves the Claw A8 with a chance to stand out in the crowded market.
