MSI Claw A8 Review: Best Value Z2 Extreme Handheld?

MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM: A New Contender in the Portable PC Gaming Arena

The MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM arrives at a pivotal moment. Demand for dedicated handheld gaming PCs is surging, fueled by the desire for console-quality experiences on the go. The Claw aims to capitalize on this trend, offering a robust feature set and a competitive price point. Currently available in the UK for £850 (and priced around $1150 in the US via Newegg – Newegg), the single configuration boasts the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor, 24GB of RAM, and a 1TB NVMe SSD (MSI Official Store). This positions it squarely against established rivals, demanding a thorough evaluation.

Refined Design and Ergonomics

MSI has addressed some of the criticisms leveled at the original Claw with the A8 BZ2EM. The design features a redesigned button layout and repositioned fans, drawing inspiration from the Asus ROG Ally X and Lenovo Legion Go 2. However, the Claw maintains its own distinct aesthetic with sharper angles and a relatively slim profile. Our review unit came in a clean white finish, with a lime green option also available. While the plastic construction doesn’t exude premium quality, it keeps the weight manageable, a crucial factor for extended gaming sessions.

The rear of the device, while somewhat basic, incorporates textured ridges for improved grip. Shoulder buttons and triggers are present, though slightly smaller than those found on competitors. Despite this, comfort remains largely uncompromised. The inclusion of Hall Effect sticks and triggers is a significant upgrade, promising enhanced durability and precision compared to traditional potentiometer-based alternatives. Customizable RGB lighting around the joysticks adds a touch of personalization, and two programmable rear buttons offer additional control options.

Connectivity is comprehensive, with Bluetooth, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and two USB-C (Thunderbolt 4) ports. The USB-C ports support DisplayPort Alt Mode, enabling connection to external displays. While their close proximity might hinder the use of wider USB-C dongles, the availability of dual ports mitigates this issue. A fingerprint reader integrated into the power button provides a convenient and secure login method.

Internally, the Claw A8 BZ2EM features a larger 2280 NVMe slot, allowing for easy upgrades with standard desktop SSDs – a cost-effective way to expand storage. A MicroSD card slot provides an additional, albeit slower, storage option. The 24GB of RAM, while less than some competitors, is sufficient for most gaming needs.

Display Quality and Immersive Visuals

The MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM sports an eight-inch 1920×1200 IPS display with a 16:10 aspect ratio. This taller screen offers a slight advantage for productivity tasks and browsing, providing more vertical screen real estate. However, the increased pixel count does come with a minor performance trade-off, potentially resulting in slightly lower frame rates in GPU-bound scenarios.

The display supports high refresh rates up to 120Hz, enhancing visual fluidity and responsiveness, particularly in fast-paced games. Crucially, variable refresh rate (VRR) technology is also included, eliminating screen tearing and reducing input lag without the drawbacks of traditional v-sync. This is a significant advantage, as VRR remains uncommon in handheld displays. Brightness levels peak at around 500 nits, providing adequate visibility even in well-lit environments.

Software and User Experience

The Claw A8 BZ2EM leverages the Xbox Full Screen Experience, mirroring the functionality found on the ROG Ally X. This feature allows users to boot directly into a full-screen Xbox app, unifying game libraries from various sources (Steam, GOG, Ubisoft Connect, etc.). Unnecessary Windows services are blocked, potentially boosting performance. Seamless switching between the full-screen Xbox environment and the full Windows desktop is possible, though a reboot is required to restore full performance after returning to Windows.

While the Xbox Full Screen Experience functions well, the MSI Center M application lacks the polish of Asus’s Armoury Crate software. Frequent, intrusive pop-ups from MSI’s “intelligent gaming” feature can be disruptive, even covering the game screen during gameplay. However, these pop-ups can be disabled. Once customized, the MSI Center M app offers basic game bar integration, allowing users to adjust power limits, fan curves, and launch games.

Windows 11 has improved its compatibility with gaming handhelds, but still falls short of the streamlined experience offered by SteamOS. Valve’s operating system remains a compelling alternative, and with the upcoming Steam Machine and Steam Frame (IGN), its development is likely to continue. Considering SteamOS (via Bazzite) is highly recommended for any gaming handheld user.

Performance Benchmarks and Gaming Capabilities

Equipped with the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme, the Claw A8 BZ2EM delivers competitive performance. However, it consistently trails the Lenovo Legion Go 2 and Asus ROG Ally X in our testing. In 3DMark’s Steel Nomad DX12 ray tracing test, the Claw scored 597 points, falling between the Ally X (606 points) and the Legion Go 2 (588 points). Time Spy results mirrored this trend, with the Claw scoring 3711 points compared to 3936 and 4098 for the Legion Go 2 and Ally X, respectively. Night Raid scores followed the same pattern.

Real-world gaming benchmarks revealed more significant performance gaps. In Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, the Claw averaged 37fps with extreme settings and FSR 3 quality upscaling, lagging behind the Legion Go 2 (39fps) and Ally X (41fps). Cyberpunk 2077 saw similar results, with the Claw averaging 34fps compared to 37fps and 44fps for the Legion Go 2 and Ally X. In Forza Motorsport, the Claw matched the Legion Go 2 at 65fps, but the Ally X maintained a lead at 77fps.

Battery Life and Thermal Management

The MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM excels in battery life. PCMark10’s battery test yielded an impressive 11 hours and 31 minutes, surpassing the ROG Ally X (9 hours and 48 minutes) and Lenovo Legion Go 2 (10 hours and 52 minutes). In real-world gaming scenarios, the Claw lasted 2 hours and 48 minutes while playing the demanding DLC areas of Cyberpunk 2077, outperforming the Ally X (2 hours and 34 minutes) and edging out the Legion Go 2 (2 hours and 17 minutes).

Thermal performance is also commendable. The Claw remained relatively cool during testing, indicating an efficient cooling solution.

What are your thoughts on the growing handheld PC market? Do you see these devices replacing traditional consoles, or do they serve a niche audience? Share your opinions in the comments below!

Frequently Asked Questions About the MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM

• What processor powers the MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM?

  The MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM is equipped with the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor, offering high performance for portable gaming.

• How much RAM does the MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM have?

  The MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM comes standard with 24GB of RAM, providing ample memory for demanding games and applications.

• What type of storage does the MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM use?

  The MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM features a 1TB NVMe SSD, offering fast loading times and ample storage space. It also supports MicroSD card expansion.

• Does the MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM support variable refresh rate (VRR)?

  Yes, the MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM supports VRR, which helps to eliminate screen tearing and reduce input lag for a smoother gaming experience.

• What is the battery life of the MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM?

  The MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM offers excellent battery life, lasting up to 11 hours and 31 minutes in PCMark10 testing and around 2 hours and 48 minutes during demanding gaming sessions.