MSI Claw 8: Goodbye Intel, Hello AMD for the Handheld!

General news News 05/21/2025

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HANDHELD NEWS – MSI previously used Intel’s Core Ultra APU, but the new models are now switching to AMD’s Ryzen Z2 Extreme…

The new MSI Claw 8 handheld PC looks slightly different on the outside compared to the Claw 8 AI+. While the layout appears nearly identical, MSI has updated the grip design. This version is called the Claw 8 BZ2EM, referring to the APU powering the device: the Claw 8 runs on AMD’s Ryzen Z2 Extreme, a brand-new custom chip designed specifically for handheld PCs. It’s essentially a scaled-down version of the Strix Point, featuring 8 cores and 16 threads based on the Zen 5 architecture—four Zen 5 cores and four Zen 5c efficiency cores.

The integrated GPU remains the same as the one in the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370: the Radeon 890M, one of the fastest iGPUs currently available on these platforms. Although a Strix Halo version exists, its high cost makes it impractical for handheld PCs. Given that the Radeon 890M delivers performance on par with some low-end dedicated graphics cards, this APU should be more than capable for gaming purposes.

Less RAM, but more raw AMD power

Compared to the Claw 8 AI+, the new Claw 8 features lower memory capacity (24 GB vs. 32 GB) and slightly slower LPDDR5X memory (8000 MT/s vs. 8533 MT/s). However, the rest of the specifications remain largely unchanged, including the display, ports, and battery. The new model is 30 grams lighter and differs slightly in wireless connectivity implementation, though it still includes Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.

The device features an 8-inch IPS-level touchscreen display with VRR support, 1920×1200 resolution, and up to 500 nits of brightness—identical to the AI+ model. Cooling is handled by MSI’s Cooler Boost HyperFlow solution with dual fans and dual heat pipes. Connectivity includes two USB4 ports (40 Gbps), Wi-Fi 6E for fast wireless networking, and Bluetooth 5.3 for peripherals.

Notably, MSI has also introduced a new version of the Claw 8 AI+ called the Polar Tempest Edition, which comes in white. Both the Claw 8 BZ2EM and the Polar Tempest Edition will be available in multiple color variants, though pricing and availability have yet to be announced.

Source: WCCFTech

Angyal Anikó

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