MSI expands availability of Z2 Extreme-equipped Claw A8 gaming handheld

MSI has officially launched its Ryzen Z2 Extreme-powered Claw A8 gaming handheld in the United States, significantly expanding the device's availability after its initial China release in July 2025. The US launch comes several months after competitors like Lenovo's Legion Go 2 and Asus's ROG Ally X debuted with similar AMD silicon, positioning MSI's device in a highly competitive premium handheld market.

Available directly through MSI's US store at $1,149, the Claw A8 is also offered at ExcaliberPC with a $50 pre-order discount, bringing the price down to $1,099. While listed on Newegg, purchasing options remain unavailable at the time of publication. This delayed US entry raises questions about MSI's distribution strategy, especially considering competitors launched their Z2 Extreme devices last October.

Performance-wise, NotebookCheck's testing reveals the Claw A8 delivers frame rates comparable to other Ryzen Z2 Extreme devices. The 7-inch display received positive marks for quality, while battery life shows notable improvements over MSI's first-generation handheld. However, the device carries trade-offs: its 16GB RAM configuration falls 8GB short of MSI's Lunar Lake alternative, and ergonomic design presents handling challenges during extended gaming sessions.

When comparing alternatives, the Claw A8 faces stiff competition. Asus's ROG Ally X offers similar performance in a more compact 7-inch form factor at $999.99, while Lenovo's Legion Go 2 remains another compelling option in the same performance tier. For potential buyers, the choice ultimately balances screen size preferences against MSI's slightly higher price point.

Despite the delayed US launch, the Claw A8 represents MSI's continued commitment to the handheld gaming space. As portable gaming hardware evolves, devices like this push technical boundaries while highlighting ongoing challenges in thermal management and ergonomic design that continue to shape the industry.