The handheld gaming PC market has been steadily growing since the Steam Deck burst onto the scene in 2022. However, for the past two years, the most powerful devices have relied on the same Z1 Extreme chipset. Announced at Computex 2025, the MSI Claw A8 appears to be the first handheld to feature the Z2 Extreme processor revealed earlier at CES 2025.

The MSI Claw A8 shares similarities with the recently launched Claw 8 AI, though several specifications have been adjusted. MSI has reduced the maximum RAM from 32GB to 24GB of LPDDR5X, running at 8,000MHz. Additionally, the display now includes VRR (variable refresh rate) support. While both screens are 120Hz Full HD panels, the A8 will exhibit less screen tearing during gameplay.

The most significant upgrade, however, is the shift from the Intel Core Ultra 7 285V to the AMD Z2 Extreme. This gaming APU features 8 Zen 5 CPU cores and 16 RDNA 3.5 graphics cores. The GPU not only boasts more Compute Units than the 12 found in the Z1 Extreme but also represents a half-generation architectural improvement.

MSI has also unveiled an updated version of the Claw 8 AI+ with a new color option and a larger 2TB SSD. That model continues to be powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 285V processor.

The MSI Claw A8 is expected to launch later this year, though MSI has not confirmed a specific release window or pricing. Given that the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is priced at $999, this new AMD-powered version is likely to command a premium.

The Competition for AMD Z2 Extreme Heats Up

The AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme was quietly announced at CES in January 2025. Nearly five months later, no handheld featuring this new chip has reached consumers, making it a race to see which manufacturer will be first to market.

Technically, the Lenovo Legion Go 2, also introduced at CES 2025, is equipped with the Z2 Extreme. However, the company has provided no indication of its potential release date. Instead, Lenovo launched the Z2 Go-powered Legion Go S, which offered lower performance at a higher price than the original Legion Go.

According to leaks, the rumored Asus ROG Ally 2 is also expected to utilize the Z2 Extreme, though it has not been officially announced. There is also widespread speculation about a collaboration between Asus and Microsoft on an Xbox-branded version of the Ally 2, which would likely be powered by the same Z2 Extreme chip.

One handheld confirmed not to feature the Z2 Extreme is the Steam Deck 2. Valve has stated that AMD's latest Z-series chips do not represent a sufficient generational leap to justify a new device. While this casts some doubt on the Z2 Extreme's performance, new alternatives to the Steam Deck will still offer improvements over current models—a positive development for the market.