MSI's Next-Gen Claw Handheld to Ditch Intel for AMD Z2 Chip

kyojuro poniedziałek, 14 kwietnia 2025

MSI is on the verge of launching the next generation of its Claw handheld gaming PC, now rumored to harness the power of AMD's Ryzen Z2 AI Extreme processor. This strategic decision signifies a notable transition from Intel to AMD, promising to deliver significant impact in the handheld gaming sector.

Previously, MSI introduced the Claw 8 AI+ powered by Intel's Lunar Lake Core Ultra 200V processor. As MSI’s inaugural handheld product, it made a notable market entry, attracting attention not only due to the implementation of Intel's latest processor but also its high performance and innovative design. However, the anticipated absence of a viable successor from Intel or the potential superior performance of AMD's Z2 processor seems to have prompted MSI to consider AMD's Ryzen Z2 AI Extreme for their upcoming Claw model. This processor, known for its powerful performance and AI-optimized features, is rapidly becoming AMD's flagship in the handheld market.

The Ryzen Z2 AI Extreme boasts an 8-core, 16-thread architecture with speeds reaching up to 5.0 GHz and integrates 16-core RDNA 3.5 graphics for impressive performance. Its dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) further augments AI computational capacity, efficiently managing complex gaming tasks such as screen optimization and real-time rendering. In contrast, Intel's Core Ultra 7 258V tends to lag under intense gaming loads. This disparity might partly explain MSI's switch to AMD, whose RDNA 3.5 architecture excels at graphics processing, particularly in high frame rate, low power scenarios, thus providing greater endurance and stable performance for handheld devices.

This is not MSI's first venture with AMD. Back at CES 2025, MSI had already indicated their efforts to develop a handheld device driven by the Ryzen Z2. AMD has successfully gained traction in the handheld market lately, with processors like the Ryzen Z1 Extreme luring manufacturers such as Asus and Lenovo. Compared to Intel's smaller handheld processor market share, MSI's shift could further solidify AMD's leadership.

MSI is expected to maintain its reputation for high-quality design with the new Claw. Drawing on the Claw 8 AI+ blueprint, the device includes an 8-inch Full HD touchscreen with 120Hz refresh rate and VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) for smooth, responsive visuals. Features like an 80Wh high-capacity battery and dual Thunderbolt 4 ports enhance both endurance and expandability. Upcoming hardware improvements might also focus on better cooling systems and enhanced control experiences, including refined joystick precision and feedback, to meet gamers’ preferences for comfort and accuracy.

While MSI has not yet confirmed a precise launch date or pricing details, industry buzz suggests a mid-2025 release with pricing similar to current high-end handhelds, possibly between $800 and $1,000. Whether MSI will retain a dual version with both AMD and Intel options or fully transition to AMD remains uncertain, though AMD's Ryzen Z2 AI Extreme is certainly poised to offer robust support for MSI to meet the demanding performance and efficiency standards of the handheld market.

The handheld gaming landscape is becoming fiercely competitive. ASUS's ROG Ally X and Lenovo's Legion Go 2, showcasing their own Ryzen Z2 Extreme-powered prototypes at CES 2025, are also bolstering the competition. However, MSI's new Claw could shine in this crowded field if it utilizes AMD’s processor capabilities to the fullest while advancing in software optimization and gaming compatibility.

As the rivalry between AMD and Intel heats up in the handheld arena, gamers are poised to enjoy a wider array of choices. MSI's evolving Claw series signals another leap forward in handheld gaming performance, with more details likely to emerge in the coming months to unveil this innovative new product further.

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