When it comes to handheld gaming devices, the market is flooded with options catering to your preferences and tastes. In this climate, the MSI Claw has always stood a leg above the rest – not just for its appealing designs and premium-quality builds, but for the simple fact that MSI’s intimate hardware knowledge and experience brings a level of polish to the handheld device that, in all honesty, has impressed me the most thus far. MSI kicks it up a notch with the MSI Claw 8 AI+ A2VM, the bulkier, meaner, and beastly cousin who makes one hell of an impression.

Right out of the box, the weight of the MSI Claw 8 is notable. Coming in at 795 g (compared to the Claw A1M’s lighter-weight 675 g), it immediately sets itself apart before you even set your eyes on its design. MSI went for the “bigger is better” approach without going overboard in crucial areas, and they’ve succeeded. The screen’s 120Hz 8” FHD+ (1920x1200) is a sizeable upgrade over the Claw A1M’s 7” FHD (1920x1080) display – and it looks glorious, but more on that in a bit.

Heavy is the Crown



Focusing on the design, MSI exchanges the sleek black of its previous models for a golden-beige face (which MSI calls “Sandstorm”) on the Claw 8. It gives the handheld a very distinctive aesthetic – beautiful, rugged, and stylish, it’s surprisingly well-designed and definitely looks the part of a premium device.

With its bigger screen, bulkier frame, and heavier weight, the MSI Claw 8 is a beastly handheld that upstages its Claw counterparts in form factor alone. Given its portable nature as a handheld PC, I was able to safely transport it around without it being nearly as heavy as my MSI Katana GF76 laptop, or really any powerful gaming laptop for that matter that takes up a lot of space and carry weight.

Name of the Game

But how is the MSI Claw 8 as a gaming device? More specifically, is gaming on the go a viable option with MSI’s behemoth handheld? The answer is a resounding yes. Without going too much into specifics, the MSI Claw 8 is, first and foremost, an extremely versatile handheld PC that you can cram almost any gaming app on. For this testing, I installed Steam, Epic Games Store, and PC Game Pass (though there are plenty of options for emulation too).




Installing these apps is just as breezy as installing it on a regular PC. With the touch screen, it’s easier and faster to conjure up an on-screen keyboard, punch in your details, and sign into every account. Since it comes equipped with Windows 11 Home, navigating the menus and processes should feel second-nature. MSI had complete accessibility in mind when it came to its OS, and you have to commend a handheld device that streamlines and simplifies its user experience.

As mentioned before, the larger 8-inch screen looks absolutely stunning with its 120Hz refresh rate. Trying out Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Forza Horizon 5, the games looked incredible and felt great to play in your hands despite the Claw 8’s bulkier frame.

Everything in its Right Place



With its 80Whr battery capacity, the MSI Claw 8 is undoubtedly the longest-lasting handheld I’ve ever tried on a single (surprisingly fast) charge. You can comfortably take the MSI Claw 8 on long road trips and only need a charge or two to keep it going and operating at full capacity.

When switched on, the analogue sticks and ABXY buttons dance with RGB lighting to give it that futuristic aesthetic (it looks particularly good on the Sandstorm colour scheme). The device is designed in a way to fit cosily in your hands, with two customisable macro buttons placed on the back. MSI has nailed the design and level of comfort you can get out of any handheld PC on the market, in my opinion, while also delivering stellar performance, ease of use, and accessibility all rolled into one.

Move Your Feet

So why even consider going for a handheld device? As handheld PCs have proven, there’s a huge market for these systems and a large PC-centric audience who are quite eager to take their gaming on the go. It’s not just for the ease of transporting your literal computer everywhere, but also the idea that, no matter where you are, you can simply pick one up, log into your Steam or EGS accounts, and immediately hop into your favourite video games anywhere in the world.

The MSI Claw 8 is more than just a handheld leaning towards gaming, but it’s at the forefront of what makes this iteration of the Claw so compelling. It’s the culmination of what MSI has been learning and reiterating on over the past year – a bold step up from the base models while also greatly improving upon its features. The Claw 8 represents some of the best that handheld gaming has to offer; a rock-solid, well-built and reliable powerhouse that screams “quality”.

Look forward to our ongoing coverage of the MSI Claw 8 very soon! It's currently available to purchase for R19,999 at Takealot and FNB.