MSI Claw 8 AI+ gaming handheld set to ship in January to rival the Steam Deck

The brand new MSI Claw 8 AI+ handheld gaming PC now has an official launch date and it’s simply weeks away. That follows preliminary uncertainty following its official announcement, with retailers like Amazon and the producer itself all offering conflicting launch dates. Nonetheless, it now seems to be like this new 8-inch handheld and its smaller, 7-inch companion will each launch on the identical date.

This new MSI handheld seems to be set to compete with the most effective handheld gaming PCs as soon as it ships, with preliminary Claw 8 AI+ benchmarks from the corporate suggesting that it gives a 20% efficiency uplift in comparison with the Asus ROG Ally X. If that’s true, this Intel powered handheld will greater than deal with 1080p gaming efficiency on its 1200p, 120Hz show.

Fortunately, we gained’t have too lengthy to attend till we see for ourselves. In a list on MSI’s personal retailer, the corporate confirms that the discharge and delivery date for the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is about for January 15, 2025 in the USA. MSI’s retailer additionally gives a list for the MSI Claw 7 AI+, the 7-inch various to the 8-inch Claw 8 AI+, which additionally shares the identical January 15 launch date.

That date is each earlier and later than different rumored launch dates, which ranged from early December to early February throughout a number of earlier Claw launch leaks for each handhelds. Even official data from MSI conflicted with these dates, with Videocardz sharing leaked slides that confirmed a December 25 delivery date.

Whereas MSI hasn’t made an official assertion, the January 15 date on its retailer is the clearest signal but that these new handhelds are launching in just some weeks time. Nonetheless, these dates solely mirror a launch date for the US, with a wider launch date unclear presently.

It’s been three months since our preliminary MSI Claw 8 AI+ fingers on, however since then, we’ve had some clear indicators that the Intel Lunar Lake handheld will likely be a powerhouse, utilizing a Core Extremely 7 285V APU that includes built-in Intel Arc 140V graphics, together with 32GB of RAM.

On paper, this new Home windows handheld seems to be set to be a winner, however as we noticed with the primary MSI Claw, the satan will likely be within the element. Preliminary MSI Claw evaluations weren’t constructive, but it surely seems to be like MSI has discovered its lesson, with early noise in regards to the Claw 8 AI+ seeming far more constructive this time round, pitching it strongly to compete in opposition to extra established handhelds, such because the Steam Deck OLED, on the prime finish of the market.

If you wish to get your fingers on this intriguing Home windows-powered handheld, you possibly can try our MSI Claw 8 AI+ information, which incorporates all the newest data on specs and efficiency.