By cryptoadmin 
The primary time you make something, it most likely gained’t come out excellent, so it wasn’t an enormous shock when MSI’s debut gaming handheld struggled out of the gate. And that’s earlier than you contemplate the unorthodox option to go along with an Intel chip as an alternative of 1 from AMD like virtually all of its rivals. Nevertheless, MSI didn’t surrender, and now it’s again with not one however two variations of its second-gen handheld, headlined by the Claw 8 AI+. Not solely is it greater than earlier than, it has twice as many Thunderbolt 4 ports, a approach greater battery and a few of the greatest efficiency we’ve seen from any machine on this class. However extra importantly, because the follow-up to a tool affected by lackluster software program and unfinished drivers, it feels just like the Claw received its chew again.
Design and show: The desert cat
With its 8-inch display screen, the Claw 8 AI+ is larger than its predecessor and quite a lot of its rivals just like the ROG Ally X, although it's nonetheless smaller than Lenovo’s chunky 8.8-inch Legion Go. MSI additionally zagged by giving it a two-toned black and sandstone chassis. Ergonomics are typically fantastic, but when I’m nitpicking, I would like barely bigger grips for elevated consolation. However except for that, the hand held encompasses a comparatively easy mixture of premium elements strewn throughout a well-recognized blueprint.
It has Corridor Impact sensors for its joysticks and triggers together with some embedded RGB lighting, the latter of which has change into kind of an unstated requirement amongst moveable gaming PCs today. You additionally get two Thunderbolt 4 ports that help each information and charging — that are particularly useful for those who ever plan on utilizing this factor for productiveness — and a microSD card slot for expandable storage. I admire that in contrast to Lenovo’s handhelds, MSI included a built-in fingerprint reader that makes unlocking Home windows-based units just like the Claw much more handy. That mentioned, you don’t get a touchpad, although MSI’s software program does allow you to management your cursor with the joysticks, so it’s not a whole ache within the butt anytime you need to swap between video games and apps. And at last, round again, there’s a single pair of paddles.
As for the show, whereas it's an IPS panel as an alternative of the super-rich OLEDs on some handhelds, the Claw’s display screen presents above-average brightness (as much as 500 nits), a strong 120Hz refresh charge (with VRR) and the right decision for a system this dimension (1,920 x 1,200). So all instructed, there’s little or no to gripe about in relation to its visuals. Plus, due to some surprisingly punchy front-facing audio system, it has strong audio too.
Efficiency and software program: A low-key beast
Maybe the largest shock is that after lackluster outcomes from MSI’s first try, the Claw 8 AI+ pumped out robust efficiency that was simply in a position to sustain with and generally surpass what I’ve seen from its opponents. A few of that’s assuredly as a consequence of extra polished software program and up to date driver updates from Intel, however nonetheless, between its Intel Core Extremely 7 258V chip, 32GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage, the Claw produced framerates that had been usually 10 to fifteen p.c increased than what we received from the Ally X.
For instance, when set to its 30-watt preset, in Cyberpunk 2077 at 800p on medium settings the Claw hit 75 fps versus 65 fps for the ROG Ally X on the similar TDP (thermal design energy). In the meantime, in Returnal at 800p on medium, the Claw additionally bested the Legion Go by reaching 56 fps in comparison with simply 46 fps for the Lenovo. Now it’s vital to notice that MSI’s midrange energy for the preset on the Claw (which is what I used to get these figures in Returnal) is 17 watts as an alternative of 15 watts like on most of its rivals, which can be MSI’s try and skew benchmarks in its favor. However even after you account for that, the Claw nonetheless comes out forward.
One other good factor in regards to the Claw is that for those who don’t wish to fiddle round with settings on a regular basis, there’s what MSI is looking its AI Engine mode, which is able to routinely regulate issues to optimize efficiency or battery life relying on what you need. It’s a pleasant possibility for rapidly altering how a lot horsepower you want, although as at all times, you’re going to want to tweak issues manually for the perfect outcomes.
The remainder of the MSI Heart app feels considerably spartan. There are sections for launching video games, performing software program updates, altering the RGB lighting and extra. You may even set up recreation shops like Steam immediately inside this system. However except for that, the app isn’t very fancy or all that fairly to take a look at. All of the vital stuff is there although, which is what actually counts since Home windows 11 as an entire nonetheless feels approach clunkier to make use of than extra bespoke platforms like Valve’s SteamOS.
Battery life: Surprisingly good
The Claw 8 AI+ options an 80Whr cell, which is among the largest battery packs on this class and permits for prodigious longevity. In Elden Ring on medium settings, the hand held lasted simply over three hours on a single cost. That ain’t too shabby, particularly after my latest testing with the Lenovo Legion Go, which solely lasted for 2 and a half hours at greatest, and that was when enjoying a a lot much less demanding recreation in Metallic Slug Ways.
Wrap-up
After the unique bombed, a whole lot of corporations would have merely referred to as it quits. Positive, a whole lot of the primary system’s points might have been brought on by Intel’s chip and unpolished drivers greater than something MSI did (or didn’t do). However with the Claw 8 AI+, MSI got here again and completely redeemed itself. Not solely is it a really competent gaming handheld, this cat presents a strong design, nice efficiency and above-average battery life.
Nevertheless, although it pushes out barely fewer frames, the $800 ROG Ally X stays a greater worth (particularly if yow will discover it on sale) and its smaller display screen makes it a extra moveable choose for folks planning to recreation on the go. In the case of bigger opponents, Lenovo’s Legion Go presents related horsepower for even much less cash with beginning costs of $700 (or much less, now that it commonly receives reductions). However for those who’re searching for top-notch efficiency from a conveyable PC with an assortment of premium elements, the Claw 8 AI+ makes an fascinating case as an improve choose amongst gaming handhelds.
This text initially appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/computer/msi-claw-8-ai-review-this-cat-got-its-bite-back-184526430.html?src=rss