4 days ago
17
pros and cons
Pros
- Excellent sustained performance
- Ergonomic design
- Powerful cooling
Cons
- Very expensive
- Buggy software
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It's been astir a twelvemonth since I past reviewed an MSI gaming handheld. Recently, I spent a mates of weeks trying retired the caller MSI Claw 8 EX AI+, and it's hard to judge that this instrumentality is portion of the aforesaid series. So overmuch has changed.
Back then, it was similar the institution was trying to find its footing successful the handheld market; the previous generation showed committedness but was inactive unsmooth astir the edges. This caller exemplary is simply a refinement. MSI reworked the Claw 8, present boasting amended ergonomics, stronger cooling, and a caller Intel Arc G-Series processor.
Peak design
According to MSI, the plan squad drew inspiration from the Xbox Series X controller erstwhile processing the Claw 8 EX AI+, and it shows. The handheld features flared handles akin to the controller, arsenic good arsenic a laser-etched texture for a non-slip grip. Buttons are evenly spaced for maximum comfort.
I person to springiness MSI recognition for the handheld's value balance. Despite its hefty size, it doesn't consciousness dense oregon awkward to hold. The value is evenly distributed crossed its chassis, cleanable for longer gaming sessions. There are respective smaller refinements, too. MSI states that the directional pads present person a "metal dome" to amended input accuracy.
Certain aspects of the Claw 8 EX remained unchanged from the erstwhile generation. The analog sticks and triggers inactive usage Hall Effect sensors, helping guarantee semipermanent accuracy and responsiveness. The show remains unchanged arsenic well. MSI kept the aforesaid eight-inch Full HD IPS sheet with the 120Hz refresh rate. It's a good-looking surface with vibrant colors and precocious contrast.
System woes
MSI's Claw 8 EX runs connected Windows 11, and I person mixed feelings astir that. Windows isn't the champion for handheld gaming, to accidental the least. You often tally into show hiccups and bundle quirks. To beryllium honest, I did acquisition that. One recurring contented progressive the Quick Menu button. Pressing it launches the device's strategy settings. Whenever I opened the menu, the cursor would automatically leap from the strategy settings to the MSI Quick Settings. Admittedly, I don't cognize if this was intentional oregon a bug, but having the cursor jolt to the near each clip I deed the fastener got aged truly fast.
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Another contented progressive the MSI App Player. This lets you download Android games straight from the Google Play Store. Sounds great, but sadly it didn't work. Every effort resulted successful an mistake connection that read: "Initializing App Player. Please effort again later." After a while, I gave up and downloaded the Google Play Games beta. Through the beta software, I was capable to instal Android games conscionable fine. Arknights was 1 of these games and it ran perfectly.
Navigating the Windows-based interface takes immoderate getting utilized to. Its galore strategy layers tin consciousness cluttered and hard to navigate. One of the reasons wherefore I similar SteamOS-based handhelds truthful overmuch is that the operating strategy is much streamlined. That doesn't mean MSI's instrumentality is ace hard to use, but it does person a learning curve.
Despite my criticisms, Windows 11 does connection unsocial advantages. It allows the Claw 8 EX to treble arsenic a mini-PC. The instrumentality has plentifulness of powerfulness to grip robust multitasking. Plus, it gives entree to different gaming services unavailable done SteamOS. You tin link your Ubisoft Connect, Xbox, Epic, and Battle.net accounts to this instrumentality and hop betwixt them astatine immoderate time.
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If you don't privation to navigate done Windows, the handheld has a peculiar Xbox Mode that replaces Win 11 with a much streamlined UI. I liked this alternate interface much due to the fact that it reduces the fig of layers you person to excavation through, though determination are inactive several.
Performance
The prima of the amusement connected the Claw 8 EX is the Intel Arc G3 Extreme processor. This spot is portion of Intel's precocious introduced Arc G-Series, a caller household of hardware that takes the Panther Lake architecture and optimizes it for handheld gaming. In this area, MSI's instrumentality earns apical marks. Performance is awesome. Below is simply a database of immoderate of the games and my acquisition with them.
- Remnant II and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth ran mode amended than I had expected. I figured determination would beryllium immoderate show issues, but I'm blessed to study determination were none.
- Civilization VI besides performed well. The processor handled the ample maps and the galore on-screen units with ease. However, playing the crippled with handheld and touchscreen controls is truly awkward. I urge getting a mouse.
- Because it's a demanding game, I ran into immoderate issues playing Monster Hunter Wilds. Luckily, with a fewer tweaks to crippled settings, I was capable to bask the rubric conscionable good with nary stuttering, though the solution wasn't great.
- Hades 2 ran similar a dream.
- Some goes for Spryo Reignited Trilogy. It ran beautifully... erstwhile I toned its solution down to Full HD.
As a PC, the Claw 8 EX does well. MSI sent maine an OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock, truthful I tin usage the handheld arsenic a Windows computer. I'm blessed to study that navigating the net felt smooth. Apps motorboat quickly, and the instrumentality maintains strong, sustained performance.
A large crushed for that consistency is the Cooler Boost HyperFlow's quality to negociate interior temperatures. It pulls successful chill aerial portion simultaneously expelling lukewarm air. Heat is lone noticeable erstwhile you spot your manus straight connected the backmost sheet oregon the vigor vents. It ne'er reaches the manus rests connected either side.
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Another payment of the Intel Arc G3 processor is its vigor efficiency. During testing, the Claw 8 EX took astir 4 hours to driblet down to 50% artillery portion playing Civilization 6. Let's comparison that runtime to the Lenovo Legion Go S, a gaming handheld I truly like. I played Hades 2, a overmuch lighter crippled than Civ 6, connected the Legion Go S, and I had to tally for a charger aft astir 2 hours. Longevity is simply a beardown suit for the MSI model.
ZDNET's buying advice
Currently, the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is retired of stock. The institution told maine that "a fewer 100 units" volition soon beryllium made disposable crossed Micro Center, Best Buy, and MSI's US Store with an estimated restock day of July 3, 2026. Another restock is expected successful August. When it does travel back, it volition retail for $1,799, which is beauteous steep.
Compared to galore of the different handhelds I've reviewed, this is the champion performing. I had precise fewer problems moving games. If you're looking for a top-notch gaming instrumentality and tin spend the luxury price, I highly urge it.
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