MSI Unveils Claw 8 EX AI+ Gaming PC with Intel Arc G3 Extreme for $1799

At Computex, MSI unveiled the Claw 8 EX AI+ handheld gaming PC, now available for pre-order at $1799. The device is powered by the new Intel Arc G3 Extreme processor with integrated Arc B390 graphics and 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM. It is one of the first models on the market to offer such high performance in a compact form factor.

MSI representatives note that this year will be challenging for manufacturers due to a sharp rise in the cost of key components. Andy Chu, MSI’s product marketing director, stated that the company has taken all possible measures to reduce production costs, including strengthening relationships with suppliers. However, the situation in the memory and storage markets remains tense, which may lead to further price increases for finished devices.

Compared to competitors like the ROG Ally X with AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme ($999), the Claw 8 EX AI+ offers higher performance but at a significantly higher price. Even the Steam Deck OLED, positioned as an affordable solution, now retails for $949. In the high-performance handheld PC segment, devices with similar specifications can exceed $2000, making the Claw 8 EX AI+ a relatively competitive offering.

Despite its high cost, MSI emphasizes that the device delivers substantial performance headroom thanks to its flagship Intel GPU. In the coming months, the company does not rule out further price increases, which could affect the accessibility of such devices for end users.