MSI Claw 8+ AI, The Steam Deck’s Intel Processor Rival

The MSI Claw 8+ AI is a Windows-based handheld gaming PC powered by Intel’s latest Core Ultra Series 2 processor, aiming to directly challenge AMD’s dominance in portable gaming initiated by the Steam Deck. With an 8-inch Full HD+ 120 Hz IPS display, 32 DB of LPDDR5X RAM, and a 1 TB PCIe Gen4 SSD, it promises desktop-grade performance in a handheld form factor. Priced at €999 for the 1 TB model, the Claw 8+ comes in at roughly €350-€550 above Valve’s top-tier Steam Deck, reflecting its premium Intel-powered hardware. With a six-cell 80 Whr battery, dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, Wi-Fi 7, and Windows 11 Home, MSI aims to blur the lines between console convenience and PC flexibility.

Design and Hardware Breakdown

MSI has opted for a straightforward, strictly portable design, foregoing detachable controllers or kickstands in favor of a solid, one-piece chassis. Measuring 299x126x24 mm and weighing 795 g, the Claw 8+ AI is larger and heavier than the Steam Deck (298x117x49 mm; 640 g approx). Controls include two Hall-effect analog sticks, Hall-effect triggers, bumpers, a D-pad, ABXY buttons, four programmable rear paddles, and a gyroscope, all laid out for familiar console-stye ergonomics.

The 8-inch IPS panel delivers 1920×1200 resolution; 120 Hz variable refresh rate, 500 nits peak brightness, and full sRGB coverage, though its glossy finish can introduce reflections in bright environments. Audio comes from a pair of 2 W stereo speakers positioned to avoid hand obstruction, complemented by HD-level haptic vibration.

The construction feels premium, with well-finished plastics and responsive buttons; an RGB ring around each stick and the ABXY cluster adds a gaming flourish without significant battery draw, making it perfect for playing an online casino for gamers. Connectivity options include dual USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports (for data, display, or eGPU), a 3.5 mm audio jack, a microSD expansion slot, and Wi-Fi 7 plus Bluetooth 5.4. Battery life varies widely by title and settings, but the 80 Whr pack generally outlasts many competitors in this class.

Intel Inside

As its core, the Claw 8+ AI sports an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor, with eight cores split between four performance cores at up to 4.8 GHz and four efficiency cores at 2.2 GHz, teamed with an Intel Arc 140V GPU. Backed by 32 GB of LPDDR5X-85ee MHz memory and a 1 TB NVMe Gen4 SSD, synthetic benchmarks show a read speed of 3559 MB/s and write speeds of 2922 MB/s.

In real-world gaming tests, titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Horizon Zero Dawn, and Red Dead Redemption 2 averaged 40-50 FPS at 17 W TDP, scaling up to nearly 72 FPS in Forza Horizon 5 at 30 W, with an AI-assisted mode smoothing frame-time lows without exceeding 30 W. Temperatures peak around 80 ºC, and dual fans keep noise levels surprisingly controlled.

By comparison, Valve’s Steam Deck is built around a 6 nm AMD APU (Zen 2 CPU: 4c/8t at 2.4-3-5 GHz; RDNA 2 GPU: 8 CUs at 1-0-1.6 GHz; 4-15 W) paired with 16 GB LPDDR5 RAM and up to a 1 TB NVMe SSD. While the Deck excels in battery efficiency and integration with SteamOS, the Claw 8+ AI delivers substantial performance uplift in Windows titles, thanks to higher TDP headroom and Intel’s Arc drivers.

By comparison, Valve’s Steam Deck is built around a 6 nm AMD APU (Zen 2 CPU: 4c/8t at 2.4–3.5 GHz; RDNA 2 GPU: 8 CUs at 1.0–1.6 GHz; 4–15 W) paired with 16 GB LPDDR5 RAM and up to a 1 TB NVMe SSD. While the Deck excels in battery efficiency and integration with SteamOS, the Claw 8+ AI delivers a substantial performance uplift in Windows titles, thanks to higher TDP headroom and Intel’s Arc drivers.