When Valve introduced the Steam Deck, it reshaped the landscape of portable PC gaming, making it accessible without breaking the bank. Fast forward to today, and the gaming handheld market is witnessing an evolution, with devices venturing into a new price territory. The recently uncovered Newegg listing for the upcoming MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ highlights this shift, as it carries a staggering retail price of $1,699, positioning itself as one of the most expensive handheld gaming PCs on the market.
The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ Packs Flagship Specs and an Equally Flagship Price
The reported price of $1,699 is for a configuration that features Intel’s cutting-edge Arc G3 Extreme graphics architecture, complemented by 32GB of LPDDR5X memory and a 1TB SSD. Interestingly, MSI’s own online store lists the device at $1,799, while retailers like Newegg and Best Buy are currently showing the lower, reported price. If these figures hold true, the Claw 8 EX would easily outprice many of its handheld competitors.
MSI
Aside from the price tag, the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ boasts a premium build. It features an 8-inch display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, an 80Wh battery to support extended gaming sessions, Hall Effect joysticks and triggers for enhanced responsiveness, dual Thunderbolt 4 ports for versatile connectivity, and Intel’s next-generation integrated graphics poised to significantly boost gaming performance. Enthusiasts seeking the ultimate portable gaming experience are likely to find this device checks many essential boxes.
The Price Isn’t Shocking, But It Still Raises Eyebrows
While the hefty price tag might induce a sense of sticker shock, it reflects a broader trend in the gaming industry. As component costs continue to soar—especially for cutting-edge processors and high-speed memory—the prices of gaming handhelds have steadily climbed with each new generation. This year alone, Valve raised the pricing for the Steam Deck in multiple regions, and premium offerings from competitors like ASUS and Lenovo have similarly seen price hikes, leading to higher overall industry expectations.
Varun Mirchandani / Digital Trends
Nonetheless, the $1,699 price remains a tough pill for many to swallow. In this price range, the MSI Claw 8 EX finds itself not just competing with other handheld devices, but also with fully-featured gaming laptops. These laptops typically offer larger displays, dedicated keyboards, expandable hardware, and often more powerful dedicated GPUs. For enthusiasts fixated on portability, the Claw may indeed justify its cost, but for a broader audience, investing gaming laptop money in a handheld could pose a significant dilemma.
For more details on the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+, visit Here.
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