I’ve been waiting nearly 6 months to finally get my hands on the MSI Claw 8 AI+, and the upgrades could be a big deal. Could it be a real contender for gamers heading into 2025? 👇🎮
As you should! Too early to tell how well it performs - that said, I have been testing it for the past few days, and in the few games I’ve played, it has been running very well and has noticeable improvements over my ROG Ally.
Agreed. But I'll mention one thing. I owned the og ally now the ally x. Ally x has everything better except the back buttons too far away compared to og. I held the older claw which felt better than the ally x and og to hold, buttons are just as good. So far if this thing can match an ally x get it. Otherwise get the x and a skull n co case.
I almost bought an ROG Ally x this week but decided to wait since so many new ones are coming out. I like the looks of this one but I don't know if I could go with an intel one over AMD with how good AFMF 2 is and lossless scaling isn't always a good replacement. Also hard to trust reviews for this with how bad the original was.
The benchmarks for this chip is already out since the laptop variant is already in the market. The Z2 extreme is still the reliable choice. The ally 2 might have 8 inch screen just wait and see. Intel always have driver issue
XeSS 2 could be significantly better than fsr and much closer to dlss so claw could have more potential than z2 as long as more games start to support XeSS.
Claw 8 just needs to be slightly good to be a huge upgrade over the OG Claw. Happy to see them going in the right direction. Hopefully Intel can keep up with drivers
I have a very outdated PC in which the newest part is the GPU with the RX6650 XT and overall i am still happy with my build and its performance for my purposes. But I happen to be on the road a little more often due to a new position at work and so I REALLY think about ditching my PC completely, take the GPU out of it and use a Windows Handheld as my main gaming device docked at home with an eGPU enclosure and the 6650XT and as a standalone when I am traveling. My only concern is now which handheld to buy. I am really a big Fan of the Legion Go formfactor and with its second Generation basically around the corner, it is really tempting to wait for it and buy the Z2 Extreme Version. On the other hand, I heard multiple Times that the intel based handhelds are a little better for eGPU usage which would make the Claw 8 a really good solution as well. I think it´s best to wait for a head to head comparison once both Devices are out and tested thoroughly!
bro absolutely the same for me haha! i'm also willing to leave every other device behind and to go with a windows handheld only. and i do agree, it probably makes more sense to wait until lenovo and asus release their new beasts, and THEN check out the comparisons. either way: 2025 is going to be a phantastic year for handhelds! i'm so hyped already :D
Lenovo doesnt really do software support for its handheld. Until now the afmf 2 driver for the go is not even released just fyi. But the z2 extreme is rumoured to be updated by amd themselves
Joysticks (and triggers!) already were hall effect on OG claw so they were not upgraded like you say in the video. Old one also has MSI quick settings with exactly same features and you make it seem like it's absolutely new app never seen before :P I mean I'm interested in this device a lot but idk, don't say to your viewers that there are new features where they are not new, makes it seem like a shady sponsoring practice making you say things.
Yes and no. Yes it had Hall effect on the Claw 7, but the Lb and RB Button have been upgraded and are now easier to trigger. MSI Center has been available on the Claw 7, but it too has been upgraded. Semi transparent overlay for quick settings, integration with Xbox Game Bar, and the main app is much more polished.
@paulAntill that's, of course, true. I'm not saying that the device is not an upgrade, I'm just nitpicking on the quality of the vid - it would be nice to mention that now the quick settings menu is in the gamebar which is an actual and very much welcome change (I like gamebar a lot). In terms of available options in the quick settings, nothing really has changed. Saying things changed where they didn't feels just... misleading. I'm very much interested in the new claw, but as an owner of the OG one I felt wronged xD
2025 is less than a week away. All handhelds at $600+ should have an OLED panel. There are no excuses at that price point. I It’s the one issue I have with my Ally X.
Sweet! Have you owned any handhelds before? What made you jump on Claw 8 AI+ so early? Would love to get your impressions once you’ve had the chance to play around with it.
@@paulAntill The Deck OLED. The ROG Ally and Ally X. The Legion Go and the OnexPlayer X1. The only one I still own is the OnexPlayer X1. I love the X1 but the Controls are a bit of the poo. Right thumbstick placement.
Color me skeptical, given the lack of pre-release reviews. Also, even if it turns out to be decent I just can't bring myself to use it until it has solid Bazzite support.
It's somehow scares me to buy Intel powered devices, after learning that Intel stops developing their graphics, integrated included, it's was said by their CEO, correct me if I'm wrong
Yea I read that too so it's interesting to see this still being released especially with AMD's new APU about to be released that's supposed to be on par if not better than this chip lol
I think it's fair to say most handhelds look almost identical - except for the Steam Deck and some of the more "concept" devices. Funny enough - I think the MSI Claw 7 looks like a Black Version of the original ROG Ally whereas the new Ally X now looks like the Claw 7 lol. But.. trust me, the Claw 8 does not really look like the Ally aside from its layout, which again, basically every handheld is going to be basically the same. The 8AI+ is noticeably larger and has a much better display.
$900 nope computer manufacturers have lost sight of the point of handheld gaming its not all about specs its usability and affordability. Can't justify dropping more than $400 for a glorified tablet with a gamepad added.
Well… just like the Ally and other handhelds, it looks like we will be getting some interesting announcements about Steam OS coming to other devices soon. No official support for it yet, but with the original MSI Claw 7, there was some work to port over Steam OS with teams like Bazite. Not sure how that's doing now or if it applies to 8 AI+
I’ve been waiting nearly 6 months to finally get my hands on the MSI Claw 8 AI+, and the upgrades could be a big deal. Could it be a real contender for gamers heading into 2025? 👇🎮
I'll wait for actual customer reviews. Not these that MSI sent them one to showcase
As you should! Too early to tell how well it performs - that said, I have been testing it for the past few days, and in the few games I’ve played, it has been running very well and has noticeable improvements over my ROG Ally.
@@paulAntill damn this reviewer is just a chill guy
Agreed. But I'll mention one thing. I owned the og ally now the ally x. Ally x has everything better except the back buttons too far away compared to og. I held the older claw which felt better than the ally x and og to hold, buttons are just as good. So far if this thing can match an ally x get it. Otherwise get the x and a skull n co case.
$900 in this economy is an absurd price of entry
Don't get scared, initial showcase and full in depth reviews are two entirely different thing you can watch. 😂
I almost bought an ROG Ally x this week but decided to wait since so many new ones are coming out. I like the looks of this one but I don't know if I could go with an intel one over AMD with how good AFMF 2 is and lossless scaling isn't always a good replacement. Also hard to trust reviews for this with how bad the original was.
The benchmarks for this chip is already out since the laptop variant is already in the market. The Z2 extreme is still the reliable choice. The ally 2 might have 8 inch screen just wait and see. Intel always have driver issue
Your right msi are not showing reviews until launch day for the claw so ridiculous don't trust msi
XeSS 2 could be significantly better than fsr and much closer to dlss so claw could have more potential than z2 as long as more games start to support XeSS.
How in the world are yall getting good results with afmf2? It’s awful on my ally x
@@btconnergaming it very from game to game maybe try lossless scaling
Claw 8 just needs to be slightly good to be a huge upgrade over the OG Claw.
Happy to see them going in the right direction. Hopefully Intel can keep up with drivers
I have a very outdated PC in which the newest part is the GPU with the RX6650 XT and overall i am still happy with my build and its performance for my purposes.
But I happen to be on the road a little more often due to a new position at work and so I REALLY think about ditching my PC completely, take the GPU out of it and use a Windows Handheld as my main gaming device docked at home with an eGPU enclosure and the 6650XT and as a standalone when I am traveling.
My only concern is now which handheld to buy. I am really a big Fan of the Legion Go formfactor and with its second Generation basically around the corner, it is really tempting to wait for it and buy the Z2 Extreme Version.
On the other hand, I heard multiple Times that the intel based handhelds are a little better for eGPU usage which would make the Claw 8 a really good solution as well.
I think it´s best to wait for a head to head comparison once both Devices are out and tested thoroughly!
bro absolutely the same for me haha! i'm also willing to leave every other device behind and to go with a windows handheld only. and i do agree, it probably makes more sense to wait until lenovo and asus release their new beasts, and THEN check out the comparisons. either way: 2025 is going to be a phantastic year for handhelds! i'm so hyped already :D
Lenovo doesnt really do software support for its handheld. Until now the afmf 2 driver for the go is not even released just fyi. But the z2 extreme is rumoured to be updated by amd themselves
I'm very happy they didn't add red accents to this device.
Looks like a vast improvement!
Is this out it says release date in January for uk
Can you play battlefields or delta force on it with out any issue ?
I wonder how well it will do with Steam OS.... But needs at least one touchpad on the right.
Joysticks (and triggers!) already were hall effect on OG claw so they were not upgraded like you say in the video. Old one also has MSI quick settings with exactly same features and you make it seem like it's absolutely new app never seen before :P
I mean I'm interested in this device a lot but idk, don't say to your viewers that there are new features where they are not new, makes it seem like a shady sponsoring practice making you say things.
Yes and no. Yes it had Hall effect on the Claw 7, but the Lb and RB Button have been upgraded and are now easier to trigger.
MSI Center has been available on the Claw 7, but it too has been upgraded. Semi transparent overlay for quick settings, integration with Xbox Game Bar, and the main app is much more polished.
@paulAntill that's, of course, true. I'm not saying that the device is not an upgrade, I'm just nitpicking on the quality of the vid - it would be nice to mention that now the quick settings menu is in the gamebar which is an actual and very much welcome change (I like gamebar a lot). In terms of available options in the quick settings, nothing really has changed. Saying things changed where they didn't feels just... misleading. I'm very much interested in the new claw, but as an owner of the OG one I felt wronged xD
2025 is less than a week away. All handhelds at $600+ should have an OLED panel. There are no excuses at that price point. I
It’s the one issue I have with my Ally X.
Preordered and waiting... "patiently".
Sweet! Have you owned any handhelds before? What made you jump on Claw 8 AI+ so early? Would love to get your impressions once you’ve had the chance to play around with it.
@@paulAntill The Deck OLED. The ROG Ally and Ally X. The Legion Go and the OnexPlayer X1. The only one I still own is the OnexPlayer X1. I love the X1 but the Controls are a bit of the poo. Right thumbstick placement.
Color me skeptical, given the lack of pre-release reviews. Also, even if it turns out to be decent I just can't bring myself to use it until it has solid Bazzite support.
I just got the rog ally x for 400 so i am good at that price can't complain.
Where?
Bro where?
how come some games fill up the entire screen whereas others do not??
Because some games have 16:10 resolution support like the Claws native 1920x1200, whilst others only support 16:9 ratio resolutions like 1920x1080.
the joysticks always has been hall effect sensors 😅
899$ shiieeee
That's what I said.
The Legion GO is better.
this hardly improves upon performance.
Intel beats amd in in own territory as well. Nothing left for amd. Rip
It's somehow scares me to buy Intel powered devices, after learning that Intel stops developing their graphics, integrated included, it's was said by their CEO, correct me if I'm wrong
Yea I read that too so it's interesting to see this still being released especially with AMD's new APU about to be released that's supposed to be on par if not better than this chip lol
That thing is seriously ugly!!
It looks much nicer in person, but I would have liked to see more “traditional” colors. Hopefully they’ll drop some special editions in the future.
Extremely
This looks like a copy of rog ally😂
The button layout is quite literally the only similar thing about them, otherwise they are nothing alike
I think it's fair to say most handhelds look almost identical - except for the Steam Deck and some of the more "concept" devices. Funny enough - I think the MSI Claw 7 looks like a Black Version of the original ROG Ally whereas the new Ally X now looks like the Claw 7 lol. But.. trust me, the Claw 8 does not really look like the Ally aside from its layout, which again, basically every handheld is going to be basically the same. The 8AI+ is noticeably larger and has a much better display.
Get your eyes checked.
$900 nope computer manufacturers have lost sight of the point of handheld gaming its not all about specs its usability and affordability.
Can't justify dropping more than $400 for a glorified tablet with a gamepad added.
Without steam OS just trash …. 😅
Well… just like the Ally and other handhelds, it looks like we will be getting some interesting announcements about Steam OS coming to other devices soon. No official support for it yet, but with the original MSI Claw 7, there was some work to port over Steam OS with teams like Bazite. Not sure how that's doing now or if it applies to 8 AI+
Yeah like no other handheld outside the Steam Deck has SteamOS
windows thx god windows exist , not crap linux crap