 |
| Check out the first version of the MSI Claw, captured in this photo by Sean Hollister/The Verge. |
If you're still considering buying the original MSI Claw, I urge you to rethink your decision. MSI has just announced not one, but two successors to the handheld device, with hints of potentially revealing another one at CES in January.
During Computex this week, MSI unveiled an eight-inch Lunar Lake version called the MSI Claw 8 AI Plus. Additionally, they're planning to introduce a new seven-inch version with Intel's Lunar Lake. According to Clifford Chun, the product management director at MSI, both devices will be launched alongside Intel's more efficient Lunar Lake chips this fall.
Lunar Lake offers up to 50 percent more GPU performance than the current Meteor Lake, while consuming significantly less power. This could lead to a noticeable increase in battery life, with early demos showing a 10-watt reduction in power draw. Moreover, the Claw 8 will feature a larger battery pack, providing 80 watt-hours compared to the original's 53-watt-hour pack.
Chun mentions that every Claw 8 in the US will come with the 80-watt-hour pack as standard, though it will be optional elsewhere. Both the new Claw 8 and Claw 7 will sport revised bumpers, improved Hall effect joysticks, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a more accessible SSD, which has been moved away from the fan. Chun also mentions that they will ship with better Intel drivers this time around. However, it's unclear whether the new seven-inch version will also feature the larger 80Wh battery.
We're already brainstorming ideas for Claw 2, Claw 3, and Claw 4
Chun mentioned that both upcoming models from MSI, tentatively named Claw 2 and Claw 3, are expected to be priced similarly to the current MSI Claw, falling in the range of $700 to $800.
He emphasized MSI's dedication to handheld gaming PCs, revealing plans for future iterations like Claw 4 and beyond, with a roadmap spanning two years. The company intends to explore new form factors and ideas, potentially incorporating different CPUs, although they're not currently focused on AMD.
Chun hinted at larger sizes for future handhelds, indicating that previous experiments with five-inch and 10-inch devices were deemed too small or heavy. He suggested that a 6-inch size might be plausible, noting that the distinctions between six and seven inches are minimal.
Interestingly, Chun admitted surprise at the initial lukewarm reception of the original Claw, acknowledging a learning curve. Despite this setback, MSI is committed to addressing issues swiftly, expressing a genuine belief in handheld devices and a willingness to listen to feedback for continuous improvement.
While this may not provide immediate solace to recent Claw buyers, it suggests promising competition in the handheld gaming market moving forward.