MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ Review Roundup: Is the Fastest Handheld Worth $1,799?

The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is the first gaming handheld built on Intel's Arc G3 Extreme chip, and reviewers agree it's the most powerful Windows handheld you can buy. They also agree on the catch: at $1,799, it costs more than many gaming laptops. This MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ review roundup collects what critics have said, rather than our own hands-on testing.

MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ at a glance

What do the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ reviews say?

• Engadget (8.2/10): calls it a beast that has pushed handheld PC performance to new highs, with frame rates often 50 to 75 percent higher than the ROG Xbox Ally X and Legion Go 2. Its verdict is that the price puts it up against a new laptop rather than a companion device.
• Tom's Hardware: the most powerful gaming handheld it has tested, and also the most expensive. Its headline sums it up: unmatched performance and a jaw-dropping price.
• HotHardware: says the Arc G3 Extreme takes the handheld crown, praising Thunderbolt 4, strong battery life and Hall-effect sticks and triggers, but noting it's heavier than rivals and carries a big price premium.
• MySmartPrice: brilliant hardware held back by an uncomfortable price, and one of the most refined Windows handhelds available.

How good is the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ battery life?

Battery life is one of its strengths. With the 80Wh battery and Intel's Endurance Mode switched on, Engadget played Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 at medium settings for more than three hours, and older, lighter games ran for over four. HotHardware also lists strong battery life as a highlight.

Is the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ comfortable?

Mostly, yes. Engadget compares the full, textured grips to an Xbox Series X|S controller, and Tom's Hardware says the grips help offset the weight. At around 785g it's heavy, though, and HotHardware and other reviewers list the weight as a downside. Engadget also found the D-pad stiff and less suited to fighting games.

What are the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ pros and cons?

Critics liked:

• Class-leading handheld gaming performance
• Strong battery life from the 80Wh battery
• Bright, smooth 8-inch 120Hz VRR screen
• Hall-effect sticks and triggers, upgraded rumble
• Two Thunderbolt 4 ports and Wi-Fi 7

Critics didn't like:

• The $1,799 price
• Heavier than other handhelds
• Multi-frame generation limited at launch, and some settings still need MSI Center or Intel's graphics app
• A stiff D-pad (Engadget)

Note that Engadget tested an engineering sample with pre-production drivers, so retail units may perform a little differently.

Should you buy the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+?

If you want the fastest Windows handheld available and price isn't the main concern, critics agree this is it. Most players will get better value elsewhere, though: the ROG Xbox Ally X launched at $999.99 and still runs most games well. Consider the Claw 8 EX AI+ as a laptop replacement rather than an add-on.

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MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ review FAQ