A new MSI Claw has arrived, and I'm hyped about the handheld's AMD chip

MSI Claw 8 BZ2EM handhelds in white and lime green with red backdrop and CLAW logo in center.
(Image credit: MSI)

A new MSI Claw 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:gaming handheld just rolled into town, and the latest version uses an AMD chip. Specifically, the new portable PC will come armed wiꦐth a Ryzen Z2 Extreme APU, bucking the Intel trend set by the first two devices.

Officially announced at Computex 2025, the MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM will pair the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme with similar specs to the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:MSI Claw 8 AI+. That means you're getting an 8-inch 120Hz 1920 x 1200 display, up to 24GB LPDDR5 RAM, and a 1TB M.2 SSD. Just like 💟before, you'll also (for better or for worse) have Windows 11 at your fingertips and variou♐s other perks like two Thunderbolt USB-C ports and a set of 2W speakers.

The new Claw is available in white or lime green, and there are subtle differences compared to the 8 AI+. In a sense, the A8 BZ2EM look𝓀s like a cross between the last release and MSI's devut device, but I suspect the form factor will be dictated by design changes to accommodate the new Ryzen chipset within.

MSI Claw 8 family handhelds with Polar Tempest AI+ at top, white Claw 8 BZ2EM in center, and lime green 8 BZ2EM at bottom.

(Image credit: MSI)

If you're a big fan of the current 8-inch handheld, you'll be pleased to hear a new MSI Claw 8 AI+ Polar Tempest edition is on the way, too. The company says the "dual launch empowers gamers with the freedom to choose between AMD and Intel," which isn't too dissimila൩🌳r to shopping for a gaming laptop.

despite originally a🍸rriving with a $899 price tag, and I wouldn't be surprౠised if the new Ryzen Z2 Extreme flavors stick with a similar figure.

Intel vs AMD: Which handheld should you go for?

Close up of Intel Core Ultra 7 sticker on MSI Claw 8 AI+

(Image credit: Phil Hayton)

AMD has been dominating the gaming handheld battlefield lately, but Intel is finally gaining some ground. Not only does the MSI Claw 8 AI+ wield an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V chip that can outpace frontrunners like the Asus ROG Ally, but it's not too far behind punchy premium portables like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Zotac Zone and 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Ayaneo Flip DS.

It's also worth noting that while "next-gen" AMD competitors like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Lenovo Legion Go S are already available, they're currently armed with an underwhelming Ryzen Z2 GO chip. That particular portable only boosts fps to around the same level as a 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Steam Deck OLED, meaning you'll actually get better performance out 💜of older Ryzen Z1 Extreme models.

Hand holding Lenovo Legion Go S with Cyberpunk 2077 gameplay on screen featuring red sports car on road.

(Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton)

That said, I am expecting the Ryzen Z2 Extreme to set a new bar for the generation ahead. The chip features 8 cores and 16 threads, just like the Z1E before it, but ramps up its graphics core c♊ount to 16. It also uses a hybrid Strix Point architecture that taps into Zen 5 capabilities to e𒐪nhance power efficiency, hopefully contributing to better battery life.

Based purely on specs, the Ryzen Z2 Extreme theoretically has an edge over the Ultra 7 258V. Intel's chip is🦹 armed with 8 cores and threads, and its 4.8GHz boost clock is just slightly lower than AMD's 5GHz ceiling. What I will say is that benchmarks can paint a completely different performance picture, and I could end up seeing better results on the "lower spec" chip depending on specific game compatibility.

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AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme vs Intel Core Ultra 7 258V

SKU

AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme

Intel Core Ultra 7 258V

Cores

8

8

Threads

16

8

Graphics cores

16

8

Max clock speed

5 GHz

4.8 GHz

Cache

24 MB

12 MB

TDP

15-35W

17-37W

It's well worth noting that while both Intel and AMD have 🐎upscaling techniques up their sleeves, Ryzen Z2 Extreme handhelds could end up with FSR 4 support. The red team's answer to DLSS promises to harness AI-accelerated abilities like Frame Generation, which could make a dramatic difference to game speeds.

Put it this way, many players out there will have grabbed a 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order purely based on the fact that it can run Cyberpunk 2077. That's something it can pull off thanks to Nvidia's DLSS AI upscaling tricks, and if new portable PCs gain access to the same kind of Frame Generation as new 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:graphics cards, we could be looking at devices that'lꩲl make playing at well over 60fps with fewer caveats a rea♚lity.

With all that in mind, here's my TLDR: if you want a premium portable that can outpace current contenders like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Asus ROG Ally X and 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Lenovo Legion Go, the Intel-based MSI Claw 8 AI+ has you covered. If you're not too fussed about high-end performance, you'll be able to save some cash by sticking with the Steam Deck OLED oಌr even the newer Legion Go S.