New MSI Claw challenges ROG Ally and Legion Go as it makes switch to AMD hardware
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The MSI Claw is one of the few gaming handhelds that doesn’t rely on an AMD-based platform, instead running on up to Intel’s Core Ultra 7 285V processor. However, that’s now changing, as MSI has decided to branch out and side with Team Red. The new MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM features the powerful AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme, an AMD Radeon 890M GPU, and up to 24GB of RAM.
Pair that with the same giant 80Wh battery found in the original MSI Claw 8 AI+, a stunning 1080p 120Hz display, and you’ve got a handheld that could seriously challenge other AMD-powered rivals like the ROG Ally and Legion Go. Plus, MSI has also introduced some eye-catching new color finishes, revamped ergonomics that make it far more comfortable to use, and clickier buttons with a more tactile feel. It becomes the first Z2 Extreme handheld to our knowledge.
| Specification | Claw A8 BZ2EM |
|---|---|
| Processor | AMD Ryzen™ Z2 Extreme Processor |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home |
| Memory | LPDDR5x-8000 onboard, up to 24GB, dual channel |
| Display | 8″ FHD+ (1920 x 1200), 16:10, Touchscreen, 120Hz Refresh Rate, 100% sRGB(Typical), 500nits(Typical), VRR, IPS-Level panel |
| Graphics | AMD Radeon™ Graphics |
| Storage Slots | 1 x NVMe M.2 2280 SSD by PCIe Gen 4 x4 |
| Sensor | 6-Axis IMU Vibration Motor / Fingerprint Reader |
| Audio | 2 × 2W Speakers / 1× Audio combo jack / DTS Audio Processing / Hi-Res Audio ready |
| USB Ports | 2 x USB4® Type-C / DisplayPort™ / Power Delivery 3.0 (Thunderbolt™ 4 Compatible) |
| Card Reader | 1 x microSD Card Reader |
| Communication | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth v5.3 |
| Battery | 6-Cell, Li-Polymer, 80Whr |
| Dimension | 29 9.5 x 126.2 x 24 mm |
| Weight | 765g (est.) |
A SteamOS version is the only thing missing
While MSI is giving gamers the option to choose between Intel and AMD, the same unfortunately doesn’t apply to the operating system. Users will still be gaming on Windows 11, which is notorious for being a poor fit on handheld screens. However, that could hopefully change in the near future, and it should, now that MSI has a chip that supports SteamOS.
This is one area where the new Lenovo Legion Go pulls ahead of the MSI Claw. Lenovo was quick to offer both a Windows version, which is already available, and a SteamOS-powered version, set to go live on May 25 in the U.S. Once MSI bridges that gap, there may be very little stopping the Claw A8 BZ2EM from becoming an even better contender for the handheld crown.
That said, outside of the technical upgrades, pricing and availability remain unknown. But considering that the new MSI Claw 8 AI+ Polar Tempest edition starts at $900, the BZ2EM could very well break into four-figure territory. Interestingly, the Polar Tempest dropped unexpectedly on MSI’s website, offering only a storage upgrade and some design changes over the previous model, notably the white colorway.
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