The age of PC gaming on handhelds is on the horizon. With multiple setbacks from MSI, it seems they are finally here to compete with the Steam Deck and ROG. At Computex 2025, MSI unveiled the Claw A8 BZ2EM, its new handheld gaming PC and the first in its lineup to feature an AMD-powered processor. Yes, the device is powered by the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip, a successor to the Z1 series, designed specifically for handheld gaming performance.
MSI’s new Claw A8 comes with an 8-inch Full HD display featuring a 120Hz refresh rate, up to 24GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and 1TB of M.2 SSD storage. It also includes dual USB-C ports, stereo speakers, and is available in both white and a striking lime green color. The handheld runs Windows 11 and supports MSI’s custom software for system monitoring and performance tweaks, just like the original Claw. Additionally, MSI introduced the Claw 8 AI Plus “Polar Tempest” edition, which offers up to an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V CPU, a 2TB NVMe SSD, and a shimmering white finish MSI calls “glittering.”
MSI Claw A8 Adopts AMD Chip to Take On Steam Deck and ROG Ally
The AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip promises improved GPU performance and better power efficiency compared to the Intel Core Ultra processor found in the original MSI Claw. While MSI attempted to address earlier issues with the Claw 8 AI Plus, it still fell short when stacked against competitors like the Steam Deck and ROG Ally. Many users and reviewers criticized the first-gen Claw for its poor battery life and thermal performance issues MSI now aims to fix with this AMD-powered refresh.
MSI’s move to AMD marks a strategic push to compete more directly with rivals like the Steam Deck and ROG Ally, both of which already use AMD hardware. With the Claw A8, MSI aims to offer smoother performance, extended battery life, and improved overall value for handheld gaming enthusiasts.
MSI hasn’t confirmed an official release date or pricing just yet, but the AMD-powered Claw A8 is expected to arrive later in 2025. Pricing will likely fall in line with the $999.99 Claw 8 AI Plus.
What do you think of the new MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM unveiled at Computex 2025? Are you planning to grab a new handheld gaming PC? Let us know in the comments!
