Handheld gaming PCs have steadily gained traction since the Steam Deck made its debut in 2022, but for the past two years, the most powerful models have all relied on the same Z1 Extreme chipset. The MSI Claw A8, unveiled at Computex 2025, appears to be the first handheld to feature the newly announced Z2 Extreme processor.
The MSI Claw A8 shares many similarities with the recently released Claw 8 AI, though a few specifications have been adjusted. MSI has reduced the maximum RAM from 32GB to 24GB of LPDDR5X running at 8,000MHz. The display now supports VRR (variable refresh rate), meaning that while both units feature 120Hz Full HD panels, the A8 will suffer less from screen tearing.
Of course, the biggest change is the switch from the Intel Core Ultra 7 285V to the AMD Z2 Extreme — a gaming APU with eight Zen 5 CPU cores and sixteen RDNA 3.5 graphics cores. This GPU includes more Compute Units than the Z1 Extreme’s twelve, while also advancing the architecture by half a generation.
MSI has also unveiled an updated version of the MSI Claw 8 AI+ with a new color option and a larger 2TB SSD. This model continues to use the Intel Core Ultra 7 285V.
The MSI Claw A8 is expected to launch later this year, but MSI has yet to reveal a specific release window or pricing. Given that the Claw 8 AI+ is priced at $999, this new AMD-powered variant is unlikely to be affordable.
The AMD Z2 Extreme Race Is On
The AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme was quietly announced at CES in January 2025. Nearly five months later, no handheld device with this new silicon has reached store shelves, so it’s now a waiting game to see which manufacturer will be first.
Technically, the Lenovo Legion Go 2 — also unveiled at CES 2025 — is powered by the Z2 Extreme, but Lenovo has offered no indication of when it might become available. Instead, they released the Z2 Go-driven Lenovo Legion Go S, which is both less powerful and more expensive than the original Legion Go.
Rumors suggest the Asus ROG Ally 2 will also adopt the Z2 Extreme, assuming the leaks hold true — though it hasn’t been officially announced yet. There’s also widespread speculation that Asus and Microsoft are collaborating on an Xbox-branded version of the Ally 2, which would likely be powered by the Z2 Extreme as well.
Still, one handheld is confirmed not to use the Z2 Extreme: the Steam Deck 2. Valve has stated that AMD’s new Z-series chips don’t offer a substantial enough generational leap to warrant a new handheld. While this raises questions about the Z2 Extreme’s real-world performance, new Steam Deck alternatives will at least improve upon current options — and that’s certainly a step in the right direction.
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