I reviewed the MSI Claw A1M a few weeks ago and said it was a portable Windows console whose claws weren't quite as "sharp" as the Legion Go and ROG Ally. At Computex, I was able to see for myself the updated model of the MSI Claw 8 AI+ which was not only given an upgrade to the processor chip but also to the internal components that improved all the weaknesses of the first MSI Claw A1M.
The first change lies in the Intel Lunar Lake processor chip replacing the Meteor Lake chip in the original version. With this the Claw 8 AI+ is the first mobile console with the new Lunar Lake chip launched today. Then the LCD screen is now 8″ with a refresh rate of 120Hz which is slightly larger than the previous 7″. Storage now uses an owner-replaceable M.2 SSD putting it on par with the ROG Ally X.
The battery is now 80Wh which is much bigger compared to just 53Wh on the MSI Claw. This will ensure that the battery drain problem in the original model review will be buried. Again the battery capacity of the Claw 8 AI+ is comparable to that of the ROG Ally X. Another change is the two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports that allow the connection of accessories at higher data transfer rates.
MSI has not revealed when the Claw 8 AI+ will be on the market but it may be in Q3 2024 since the original Claw A1M was just launched three months ago.
