MSI has added an AMD-powered option to its handheld lineup, but the Claw A8 doesn’t make much sense when stacked against the existing Intel model. Despite using a new chip and chassis, the changes come with compromises, and the price remains exactly the same.
Claw A8 swaps Intel for AMD, but keeps the same €999 tag
The original MSI Claw was built around Intel’s Meteor Lake CPUs, a choice many questioned due to AMD’s superior power efficiency at the time. However, the second-gen Intel-powered Claw now uses Lunar Lake chips, offering strong performance and longer battery life.
Enter the Claw A8, which now features AMD’s Ryzen Z2 Extreme a chip that should theoretically give it an edge in efficiency and graphics performance. But despite those expectations, MSI has made changes that leave the AMD version feeling like a downgrade.
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Claw A8 introduces new chassis with comfort trade-offs
Unlike the Intel variant, the Claw A8 comes in a new, more angular chassis. While it allows for the use of a standard M.2-2280 SSD, it also brings ergonomic drawbacks. The redesigned shell features smaller shoulder buttons and triggers, which many users will find less comfortable during long play sessions.
MSI also changed the cooling layout, which may affect thermals under load. That said, most of the real issues go beyond the hardware design.
Claw A8 drops RAM and loses quick power profiles
One of the biggest downgrades is memory. The AMD Claw A8 ships with 24GB of RAM, compared to the Intel model’s 32GB. For a high-end gaming handheld at €999, that difference matters.
Power profiles also took a step backward. While the Intel model included quick-select TDP profiles that balanced battery life and performance, the Claw A8 removes those in favor of full manual tweaking. That might appeal to tinkerers, but the convenience is gone.
Here’s where the AMD model falls short:
- Smaller triggers and shoulder buttons
- Less ergonomic design
- Reduced RAM (24GB vs. 32GB)
- Manual-only power management
- Same €999 price tag
Claw A8 matches performance, but not value
Performance-wise, both versions are fairly close. But the Intel model consistently delivers better battery life, smoother profiles, and more memory. Unless you’re desperate for the AMD platform or like to tweak every voltage setting the Lunar Lake version simply offers more for the same money.
Why settle for less?
The Claw A8 isn’t a bad device. It’s just mismatched. MSI packed solid silicon into a downgraded shell, removed useful features, and kept the price identical. When value matters, the smarter pick is still the Intel-powered Claw.
