Since the Steam Deck burst onto the scene in 2022, handheld gaming PCs have steadily gained traction. However, for the past two years, the top-tier handhelds have relied on the same Z1 Extreme chipset. Now, the MSI Claw A8, unveiled at Computex 2025, is poised to be the first to harness the power of the Z2 Extreme chipset, introduced at CES 2025.
The MSI Claw A8, while resembling the recently launched Claw 8 AI, features several updated specs. Notably, MSI has reduced the maximum RAM from 32GB to 24GB of LPDDR5X, operating at a brisk 8,000MHz. Additionally, the display now supports VRR (variable refresh rate), which, despite both devices sporting 120Hz FullHD panels, means the A8 will suffer from screen tearing less frequently.
The most significant upgrade comes in the form of a shift from the Intel Core Ultra 7 285V to the AMD Z2 Extreme. This gaming APU boasts 8 Zen 5 CPU cores and 16 RDNA 3.5 graphics cores. With more Compute Units than the Z1 Extreme's 12, and an architecture that's half a generation newer, the Z2 Extreme promises enhanced performance.
In addition, MSI has introduced an updated MSI Claw 8 AI+ model, which features a fresh colorway and a larger 2TB SSD, but retains the Intel Core Ultra 7 285V processor.
While the MSI Claw A8 is slated for release later this year, specific details such as a launch window and pricing remain undisclosed. Given the MSI Claw 8 AI+'s $999 price tag, it's safe to assume that this new AMD-powered model will also carry a premium price.
The AMD Z2 Extreme Race Is On
The AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme made a subtle debut at CES in January 2025. Five months later, we're still awaiting the first handheld to hit the shelves with this new silicon, sparking a race among manufacturers to be the first to market.
Technically, the Lenovo Legion Go 2, also announced at CES 2025, is powered by the Z2 Extreme. Yet, Lenovo has not provided any hints about its market entry. Instead, they introduced the less powerful and pricier Z2 Go-powered Lenovo Legion Go S.
Rumors suggest that the Asus ROG Ally 2 will likely utilize the Z2 Extreme, though no official announcement has been made. Speculation also points to a potential collaboration between Asus and Microsoft for an Xbox-branded version of the Ally 2, which would also feature the Z2 Extreme.
However, one handheld that won't be using the Z2 Extreme is the Steam Deck 2. Valve has stated that the next generation of AMD's Z-series chips doesn't represent a significant enough leap to warrant a new handheld. While this casts some doubt on the Z2 Extreme's capabilities, the new handheld alternatives will still offer improvements over current market options, which is a positive development.
