The handheld gaming PC market has been steadily gaining traction since the groundbreaking launch of the Steam Deck in 2022. For the past two years, the top-tier handhelds have relied on the Z1 Extreme chipset. However, with the MSI Claw A8 announced at Computex 2025, we are set to see the first device powered by the AMD Z2 Extreme, unveiled at CES 2025.
The MSI Claw A8, while similar to the recently launched Claw 8 AI, introduces some notable changes. MSI has reduced the maximum RAM from 32GB to 24GB of LPDDR5X, operating at 8,000MHz. Additionally, the display now supports VRR (variable refresh rate), ensuring smoother gameplay with less screen tearing on its 120Hz FullHD panel compared to its predecessor.
The most significant upgrade in the MSI Claw A8 is the shift from the Intel Core Ultra 7 285V to the AMD Z2 Extreme. This gaming APU boasts 8 Zen 5 CPU cores and 16 RDNA 3.5 graphics cores. The GPU's increased Compute Units and the half-generation architectural advancement over the Z1 Extreme promise enhanced performance.
Alongside the Claw A8, MSI also unveiled an updated version of the MSI Claw 8 AI+ with a fresh color scheme and a larger 2TB SSD, yet it retains the Intel Core Ultra 7 285V.
Although the MSI Claw A8 is slated for release later this year, specific launch details and pricing remain under wraps. Given the $999 price tag of the MSI Claw 8 AI+, expectations are that the new AMD-powered model will not be budget-friendly.
The AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme was quietly announced at CES in January 2025. Five months on, no handheld with this new chip has hit the market, sparking a race among manufacturers to be the first to launch. While the Lenovo Legion Go 2, also debuted at CES 2025, is set to feature the Z2 Extreme, its release date remains undisclosed. Instead, Lenovo introduced the less powerful and pricier Z2 Go-powered Lenovo Legion Go S.
Rumors suggest that the Asus ROG Ally 2 may also adopt the Z2 Extreme, though an official announcement is pending. Speculation further hints at a potential collaboration between Asus and Microsoft for an Xbox-branded version of the Ally 2, likely to be equipped with the Z2 Extreme as well.
Notably, the Steam Deck 2 will not utilize the Z2 Extreme. Valve has stated that the new Z-series chips do not represent a significant enough leap forward to warrant a new handheld. Despite this, the new devices featuring the Z2 Extreme will still offer improved performance over current models, which is a positive development for the market.
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