MSI Claw 8 AI+ review: Portable PC gaming for South Africa

Howzit, fellow gamers! Remember dreaming of playing your full-fat PC library during a loadshedding slot, without being chained to your desk? The handheld PC market exploded to solve that, and now there's a new beast in town. The MSI Claw 8 AI+ is landing in South Africa, armed with Intel's brand-new Lunar Lake chip. This MSI Claw 8 AI+ review dives deep to see if it has the muscle to compete with the big dogs. 🇿🇦

MSI Claw 8 AI+ A2VM Handheld Touchscreen Gaming Console / Intel Core Ultra 7 258V / 32GB LPDDR5X RAM / 1TB NVMe SSD / 8" FHD+ (1920 x 1200), 120 Hz, Touchscreen Display / Intel® Arc 140V Graphics / 2 x USB Type-C (Supports Thunderbolt 4 / DisplayPort / Power Delivery 3.0) / 1 x Micro SD Card Reader / 1 x Headphone and Microphone combo jack / 1x Fingerprint Reader / Intel® Killer Wi-Fi 7 BE1750 Wireless LAN / Bluetooth 5.4 / Windows 11 Home (64bit) / 2 × 2W Speakers, Hi-Res Audio ready / 6-Cell, 80Whr Battery / 1 Year Warranty / CLAW-8-AI-A2VM-067ZA

R18999.00In Stock

Razer Kishi V3 Pro Gaming Controller / Supports Android, iPhone & iPad Mini / Full-Sized Console-Style Controller / Fits Phones and Tablets up to 8” / Razer Sensa HD Immersive Haptics / RZ06-05460100-R3M1

R4199.00In Stock

Turtle Beach Atom Mobile Game Controller with Bluetooth for Cloud Gaming on Android Mobile Devices with Compact Shape, Console Style Controls, Low Latency Bluetooth - Red / TBS-0766-05

R2499.00In Stock

Lenovo Legion Go S 8APU1 Handheld Touchscreen Gaming Console - Black / AMD Ryzen™ Z1 Extreme / 16GB LPDDR5X RAM / 1TB NVMe SSD / 8.8" WUXGA (1920 x 1200), Touch Screen, 100% sRGB(Typical), 500nits(Typical), IPS-Level Display/ Integrated AMD Radeon™ Graphics / 2x USB Type-C support (DisplayPort™ 1.4 / Power Delivery 3.0) / 1 x Card Reader / 1 x Headphone and Microphone combo jack / AMD Wi-Fi® 6E RZ616 Wireless / Bluetooth 5.3 / SteamOS / 2 Stereo Speakers / 4-Cell, Li-ion, 55.5Whr Battery / 1 Year Warranty / 83N6002ESA

R17499.00In Stock

Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller - Carbon Black / Hybrid D-Pad / 3.5mm Stereo Headset Jack / Textured Triggers And Bumpers / Compatible for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Android And iOS / QAT-00009

R1599.00In Stock

Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot Wireless Smart Game Controller for Windows PC, Wired for Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One – Rotating Modules, Display Dashboard, Hall-Effect Sticks, Remappable Buttons, Bluetooth / TBS-0120-05

R3199.00In Stock

First Impressions: Built for a Proper Gaming Session

Unboxing the MSI Claw 8 AI+, the first thing you notice is its solid, ergonomic design. It feels substantial in your hands—not flimsy. The Hall Effect joysticks and triggers are a massive plus, promising to dodge the dreaded stick drift that plagues other portables. The button layout is familiar, falling somewhere between an Xbox and PlayStation controller, making it easy to pick up and play.

Weighing in at 675 grams, it’s a comfortable weight for extended sessions. The design clearly focuses on comfort, with grips that fit naturally in your palms. For those who take their gaming on the road, pairing it with the right carry case and power bank from a selection of core tech essentials is a must to keep it protected and powered up.

The Intel Lunar Lake Difference: What "AI+" Really Means

This is where the magic happens. The original MSI Claw had a tough time competing on performance, but the "8 AI+" model is a complete overhaul. It packs Intel's next-gen "Lunar Lake" Core Ultra 200 series processor. So, what does that mean for you?

MSI Claw 8 AI+ A2VM Handheld Touchscreen Gaming Console / Intel Core Ultra 7 258V / 32GB LPDDR5X RAM / 1TB NVMe SSD / 8" FHD+ (1920 x 1200), 120 Hz, Touchscreen Display / Intel® Arc 140V Graphics / 2 x USB Type-C (Supports Thunderbolt 4 / DisplayPort / Power Delivery 3.0) / 1 x Micro SD Card Reader / 1 x Headphone and Microphone combo jack / 1x Fingerprint Reader / Intel® Killer Wi-Fi 7 BE1750 Wireless LAN / Bluetooth 5.4 / Windows 11 Home (64bit) / 2 × 2W Speakers, Hi-Res Audio ready / 6-Cell, 80Whr Battery / 1 Year Warranty / CLAW-8-AI-A2VM-067ZA

R18999.00In Stock

Lenovo Legion Go S 8APU1 Handheld Touchscreen Gaming Console - Black / AMD Ryzen™ Z1 Extreme / 16GB LPDDR5X RAM / 1TB NVMe SSD / 8.8" WUXGA (1920 x 1200), Touch Screen, 100% sRGB(Typical), 500nits(Typical), IPS-Level Display/ Integrated AMD Radeon™ Graphics / 2x USB Type-C support (DisplayPort™ 1.4 / Power Delivery 3.0) / 1 x Card Reader / 1 x Headphone and Microphone combo jack / AMD Wi-Fi® 6E RZ616 Wireless / Bluetooth 5.3 / SteamOS / 2 Stereo Speakers / 4-Cell, Li-ion, 55.5Whr Battery / 1 Year Warranty / 83N6002ESA

R17499.00In Stock

Lenovo Legion Go S 8ARP1 Handheld Touchscreen Gaming Console - Black / AMD Ryzen™ Z2 Go / 16GB LPDDR5X RAM / 512B NVMe SSD / 8.8" WUXGA (1920 x 1200), Touch Screen, 100% sRGB(Typical), 500nits(Typical), IPS-Level Display/ Integrated AMD Radeon™ Graphics / 2x USB Type-C support (DisplayPort™ 1.4 / Power Delivery 3.0) / 1 x Card Reader / 1 x Headphone and Microphone combo jack / AMD Wi-Fi® 6E RZ616 Wireless / Bluetooth 5.3 / SteamOS / 2 Stereo Speakers / 4-Cell, Li-ion, 55.5Whr Battery / 1 Year Warranty / 83L3004VSA

R13499.00In Stock

Logitech F710 Wireless Gaming Gamepad / 2.4GHz Wireless / Broad Game Support / Familiar Button Layout / 940-000142

R849.00In Stock

Razer Kishi V3 Pro XL iPad & Android Tablet Gaming Controller / Full-Sized Console-Style Controller / Fits Phones and Tablets up to 10” / Razer Sensa HD Immersive Haptics / RZ06-05470100-R3M1

R5199.00In Stock

SteelSeries Stratus + Wireless Anroid Controller / Android & Chromebook Wireless Gaming Controller / Bluetooth LE + USB-C PC Support / Adjustable Slim Phone Mount Included / 90-Hour Battery Life with Fast Charge (15 min = 12 hrs) / ALPS Thumbsticks with L3/R3 / Hall Effect Magnetic Triggers for Lifetime Precision / 69076

R999.00In Stock

Think of it as a massive leap in efficiency and graphics power. The integrated Xe2 "Battlemage" GPU is Intel's answer to AMD's dominance in the handheld space, promising significantly better frame rates and image quality. The "AI+" part refers to the built-in NPU (Neural Processing Unit), which helps with tasks like AI-powered upscaling (think Intel XeSS), freeing up the GPU to push more frames. This is the key to getting a smooth portable PC gaming experience on demanding titles.

Real-World Performance: How Does the Claw 8 AI+ Handle Games?

Alright, let's talk frames. An early MSI Claw 8 AI+ review from the tech community suggests that the Lunar Lake chip delivers a serious performance uplift over the original. In titles like Cyberpunk 2077 or Baldur's Gate 3, you can expect more stable and higher frame rates at 1080p with medium settings, thanks to the improved GPU and XeSS technology.

The 8-inch, 120Hz VRR screen is a standout feature. It's bright, colourful, and the variable refresh rate makes gameplay feel incredibly smooth, even when the framerate dips slightly. Load times are also snappy, thanks to the NVMe SSD. While the base storage is decent, serious gamers will want to expand it. Thankfully, upgrading is easy, and you can find some fantastic high-speed SSD deals to build out your library without breaking the bank.

Battery, Ports & Audio: The On-the-Go Essentials

A portable is only as good as its battery. The MSI Claw 8 AI+ boasts a huge 80Wh battery—one of the largest in its class. While intense gaming will still drain it in a couple of hours, the efficiency of the Lunar Lake chip means you'll get more playtime during general use or when playing less demanding indie titles. It’s a perfect companion for surviving those longer power outages. 🔋

Connectivity is top-notch, featuring a Thunderbolt 4 port for fast charging, data transfer, and even connecting to an external GPU. The onboard speakers are decent for a handheld, but for true immersion in the heat of battle, nothing beats a proper headset. Pairing it with one of the latest wireless gaming headsets will let you hear every footstep and explosion with crystal clarity.

Lenovo Legion Go S 8APU1 Handheld Touchscreen Gaming Console - Black / AMD Ryzen™ Z1 Extreme / 16GB LPDDR5X RAM / 1TB NVMe SSD / 8.8" WUXGA (1920 x 1200), Touch Screen, 100% sRGB(Typical), 500nits(Typical), IPS-Level Display/ Integrated AMD Radeon™ Graphics / 2x USB Type-C support (DisplayPort™ 1.4 / Power Delivery 3.0) / 1 x Card Reader / 1 x Headphone and Microphone combo jack / AMD Wi-Fi® 6E RZ616 Wireless / Bluetooth 5.3 / SteamOS / 2 Stereo Speakers / 4-Cell, Li-ion, 55.5Whr Battery / 1 Year Warranty / 83N6002ESA

R17499.00In Stock

Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller - Carbon Black / Hybrid D-Pad / 3.5mm Stereo Headset Jack / Textured Triggers And Bumpers / Compatible for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Android And iOS / QAT-00009

R1599.00In Stock

Turtle Beach Atom Mobile Game Controller with Bluetooth for Cloud Gaming on Android Mobile Devices with Compact Shape, Console Style Controls, Low Latency Bluetooth - Red / TBS-0766-05

R2499.00In Stock

Logitech F710 Wireless Gaming Gamepad / 2.4GHz Wireless / Broad Game Support / Familiar Button Layout / 940-000142

R849.00In Stock

Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot Wireless Smart Game Controller for Windows PC, Wired for Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One – Rotating Modules, Display Dashboard, Hall-Effect Sticks, Remappable Buttons, Bluetooth / TBS-0120-05

R3199.00In Stock

Lenovo Legion Go S 8ARP1 Handheld Touchscreen Gaming Console - Black / AMD Ryzen™ Z2 Go / 16GB LPDDR5X RAM / 512B NVMe SSD / 8.8" WUXGA (1920 x 1200), Touch Screen, 100% sRGB(Typical), 500nits(Typical), IPS-Level Display/ Integrated AMD Radeon™ Graphics / 2x USB Type-C support (DisplayPort™ 1.4 / Power Delivery 3.0) / 1 x Card Reader / 1 x Headphone and Microphone combo jack / AMD Wi-Fi® 6E RZ616 Wireless / Bluetooth 5.3 / SteamOS / 2 Stereo Speakers / 4-Cell, Li-ion, 55.5Whr Battery / 1 Year Warranty / 83L3004VSA

R13499.00In Stock

The Verdict: Is the MSI Claw 8 AI+ Right for South Africa?

So, is this the ultimate device for portable PC gaming in South Africa? The MSI Claw 8 AI+ makes a compelling case. It fixes the performance issues of its predecessor with a powerful and efficient new chip, features a fantastic screen, and offers premium ergonomics. It stands as a serious competitor to the ROG Ally and the rumoured Steam Deck 2.

If you want a Windows-based handheld that gives you access to every game launcher—Steam, Epic, Game Pass, you name it—and has the horsepower for modern AAA titles, the Claw 8 AI+ should be at the top of your list. It’s a premium device that can be expanded with a universe of gaming accessories to create a full-blown portable battlestation. ✨