MSI’s Claw 8 AI+ turns a faltering debut into a credible comeback. The Claw 8 pairs Intel’s new Lunar Lake silicon with an 80Wh battery, a brighter 8-inch 120Hz display, and cooler, quieter thermals to deliver 25–30% more gaming performance than the original—sometimes far more—at $899.99 to roughly $1,000 depending on configuration. The big question is whether these gains—and bolder hardware—are enough to offset Windows 11 quirks and MSI’s still-maturing software layer.

Key Takeaways

– shows 25–30% gaming uplift over the original, with 3DMark Fire Strike Ultra scoring 2,243 and Assassin’s Creed Mirage averaging ~30 fps at 1080p. – reveals an 80Wh battery delivering up to 4:21 in endurance tests and just over three hours in Elden Ring at medium settings. – demonstrates a brighter 8-inch 120Hz IPS display averaging 524 cd/m², plus quieter fans versus the first-gen model and steadier efficiency under load. – indicates modern I/O and controls: Hall-effect sticks, dual Thunderbolt 4, and Wi‑Fi 7, but software customization remains constrained and occasionally buggy. – suggests improved value at $899.99–$999, yet limited availability and Windows 11 quirks—including unreliable sleep—still undercut the otherwise best-in-class experience.

Claw 8 performance: Lunar Lake turns frame rates from fragile to firm

The Claw 8 AI+ centers on Intel’s Core Ultra 7 258V (Lunar Lake) paired with an Intel Arc 140V iGPU, backed by 32GB RAM, a 1TB SSD, and an 8‑inch 120Hz IPS panel—specs that set a far stronger baseline than the first-generation model’s Meteor Lake platform [2]. Across a broad suite of tests, reviewers measured a 25–30% gaming improvement over the original Claw, positioning this refresh as a meaningful performance step rather than a marginal tune [2].

Synthetic and real-world figures underpin the uplift. On 3DMark Fire Strike Ultra, the Claw 8 scored around 2,243, while Assassin’s Creed Mirage delivered roughly 30 fps at 1080p in testing, aligning with the 20–30% frame upticks seen against select rivals and the prior model [4]. Complementing these gains, independent hands-on impressions cited cooler skin temperatures and quieter fan noise compared to the first-gen unit, which helps sustain clocks without harsh acoustics during longer sessions [3].

Notably, The Verge’s retest cites near-doubling performance versus the original in some scenarios and roughly 30% improvements alongside efficiency and acoustic gains, a dramatic reversal from the prior generation’s underwhelming debut [1]. The throughline: Lunar Lake’s per-watt efficiency plus MSI’s larger chassis and thermal headroom deliver steadier frame pacing, higher averages, and lower noise, making the Claw 8 feel consistently faster—not just in best-case benchmarks but in daily play [1].

Claw 8 battery and thermals: 80Wh endurance changes handheld math

At 80Wh, the Claw 8’s battery is among the largest in a Windows handheld of this size, and real tests reflect that advantage [1]. Engadget clocked “just over three hours” in Elden Ring at medium settings, illustrating that visually demanding titles no longer force sub-two-hour compromises on portable PC play [5]. In controlled endurance testing, reviewers recorded up to 4 hours and 21 minutes depending on mode and workload, with lighter use stretching further [4].

Thermally, multiple outlets observed quieter fans and cooler operation than the original Claw, a key contributor to comfort and sustained performance [3]. However, the experience is not uniformly perfect: Notebookcheck flagged fluctuating fan behavior and some awkwardness in power profile transitions, which can affect perceived responsiveness as the device moves between performance and efficiency states [2]. Still, the overall battery–thermals equation leans decisively positive, thanks to Lunar Lake’s efficiency and MSI’s larger power budget [1].

Display, controls, and connectivity: daily-use upgrades with measurable punch

Beyond raw frames, the Claw 8’s 8‑inch 120Hz IPS screen is brighter and more responsive than the original, averaging a measured 524 cd/m² in independent tests [2]. Subjectively, reviewers praised the panel’s vibrancy and smoothness, with The Verge calling out the lively 120Hz experience as a key part of the device’s appeal [1]. The higher brightness floor is especially helpful outdoors or in mixed lighting, where sub‑400‑nit handhelds struggle [2].

Inputs and I/O are equally modern. Windows Central highlights Hall‑effect sticks that resist drift, dual Thunderbolt 4 ports for high‑speed peripherals or eGPU experimentation, and Wi‑Fi 7 for lower-latency wireless play and downloads [3]. Compared with first‑gen handhelds, these upgrades bring the Claw 8’s daily usability closer to a no‑compromises portable PC—further supported by quieter operation under typical gaming loads than the original [5].

Software and OS: Windows 11 friction still drags a strong chassis

Windows 11 remains the Claw 8’s untidiest variable. The Verge flags inconsistent handheld usability, sluggish widget performance, and unreliable sleep/standby states—issues that complicate quick-resume play and can cause unexpected battery drain [1]. MSI’s software layer has improved, but Windows’ desktop-first assumptions still peek through, and not every overlay or remapping tool cooperates with every store or launcher [1].

Windows Central adds that MSI’s customization options feel constrained, with occasional software bugs undermining a product that otherwise nails many hardware fundamentals [3]. Reinforcing this, Notebookcheck notes awkward power profiles and fluctuating fan speeds, which can occasionally jar the user experience as the system hunts for the right balance between performance and consumption [2]. None of these are dealbreakers, but they’re realities prospective buyers should weigh if simplicity matters more than raw capability [1].

Price, value, and competition: strong hardware, stubborn tradeoffs

The Claw 8 AI+ starts at $899.99, with higher-spec models pushing to $999 or about $1,000 depending on retailers and regional bundles [2]. That pricing lands squarely among Windows handheld heavyweights. Engadget points out that within the $800–$999 window, alternatives like the ROG Ally X and Lenovo Legion Go can be better “value” depending on priorities, especially if software polish outweighs battery size or Lunar Lake curiosity [5].

Availability may also constrain uptake: Windows Central warns the Claw 8’s stock could be limited, at least early on, particularly for preferred configs [3]. Even so, The Verge now calls the Claw 8 “the best Windows handheld yet,” underscoring how far MSI has moved the needle with efficiency, acoustics, and the 80Wh battery [1]. For buyers who want Windows flexibility, Thunderbolt 4 connectivity, and a bright 120Hz screen—and who can tolerate some OS friction—the value proposition is compelling [3].

Who should buy the Claw 8—and who should wait

If your priority is Windows-native libraries (Game Pass PC, Epic, legacy Win32) paired with modern I/O like dual Thunderbolt 4 and Wi‑Fi 7, the Claw 8 leads on versatility while finally matching that flexibility with credible performance and battery life [3]. Its 524‑nit, 120Hz panel and steadier acoustics make it a solid all-rounder for living rooms, travel, and desktop docking alike [2].

If you’re allergic to OS quirks, quick-resume inconsistency, or occasional fan/power-profile oddities, you may prefer to wait for software updates—or consider competitors that trade some battery capacity for smoother out-of-box ergonomics [2]. Price-wise, $899.99–$999 is fair given the 80Wh pack and Lunar Lake uplift, but value hunters should track promotions and availability swings that could reorder the competitive landscape [5].

Bottom line: from zero to hero, with asterisks

MSI’s Claw 8 AI+ is a redemption story rooted in numbers: 25–30% gaming uplift, a 2,243 Fire Strike Ultra score, a 524‑nit display, and an 80Wh battery that finally makes three‑hour sessions in demanding titles plausible [4]. It’s cooler and quieter than before, with modern controls and I/O that validate the device’s “portable PC” promise [3]. What holds it back isn’t the silicon or screen—it’s Windows’ handheld awkwardness and a few MSI software snags [1].

Still, judged as a Windows handheld first, the Claw 8 is MSI’s strongest pitch yet and arguably the most balanced machine in its class today [1]. If you’re willing to live with imperfect software for superior battery endurance, faster frames, and a brighter 120Hz display, the Claw 8 finally delivers the experience its name promised—and the original couldn’t [2].

Sources:

[1] The Verge – I called the MSI Claw an embarrassment, so imagine my surprise: its successor is the best Windows handheld yet: https://www.theverge.com/pc-gaming/769609/msi-claw-8-ai-plus-intel-review

[2] Notebookcheck – MSI Claw 8 AI+ review – The best gaming handheld thanks to Intel Lunar Lake?: www.notebookcheck.net/MSI-Claw-8-AI-review-The-best-gaming-handheld-thanks-to-Intel-Lunar-Lake.974004.0.html” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow noopener noreferrer”>https://www.notebookcheck.net/MSI-Claw-8-AI-review-The-best-gaming-handheld-thanks-to-Intel-Lunar-Lake.974004.0.html [3] Windows Central – The MSI Claw 8 AI+ could have muscled out the Steam Deck’s rivals – was it the last straw for powerful Intel-based handhelds?: www.windowscentral.com/hardware/handheld-gaming-pc/msi-claw-8-ai-plus-last-straw-for-intel-handhelds” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow noopener noreferrer”>https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/handheld-gaming-pc/msi-claw-8-ai-plus-last-straw-for-intel-handhelds

[4] Laptop Mag – MSI Claw 8 AI+ review: Performance and build quality improvements are claws for success: https://www.laptopmag.com/laptops/gaming-laptops-pcs/msi-claw-8-ai-review [5] Engadget – MSI Claw 8 AI+ review: This cat got its bite back: https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/msi-claw-8-ai-review-this-cat-got-its-bite-back-184526430.html

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