Forget the Nintendo Switch 2 – MSI’s wonder new Steam Deck rival might be the hand-held gaming instrument to get with out costing a fortune

Global News Post 2 hours ago Gadgets Leave a comment 1 Views

https://globalnewspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/SPORTS.png

MSI has a brand new Claw 8 AI+ fashion in a position to send for customers on July 15
The Polar Tempest Edition includes a new snow-white colour scheme, and an non-compulsory 2TB of garage
It might be to be had at $999 / round £990 / AU$1,890

MSI has quietly printed a brand new fashion of its contemporary hand-held on its primary website online, which options extra tough and recommended specs over the Nintendo Switch 2 – and it is coming in a while after the console’s release on June 5.

As highlighted by way of VideoCardz, the brand new MSI Claw 8 AI+ Polar Tempest Edition includes a new snow-white colour scheme and an non-compulsory 2TB of garage to be had at $999 (round £990 / AU$1,890). It will reportedly send to customers on July 15.

The base fashion begins at $900 / £899 / AU$1,799, and gives improbable efficiency throughout a number of video games the usage of Intel‘s Core Ultra 7 258V processor. It’s additionally price noting that battery lifestyles is vital with the Claw 8 AI+; it makes use of an 80 WHr battery and will nonetheless yield prime body charges at handiest 17W energy utilization.

This may most likely be much better than the Switch 2’s 5220mAh battery, which must be kind of round 20 WHr. While the Claw 8 AI+ is unquestionably the costlier choice, it is most likely going to outperform the Switch 2 in each and every area on the subject of {hardware} and sport efficiency.

In an international of inflated GPU costs, customers having a look to dive into PC gaming may doubtlessly be spending over $1,000 for {hardware} portions on my own – and that is the reason with out citing the price of a pre-built gadget – and MSI’s hand-held appears to be in a league of its personal as opposed to competition just like the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally X.

The handiest factor is that the bottom fashion already turns out scarce on the subject of availability in the USA, and there is a probability the similar may occur to this new Polar Tempest Edition. Even worse, it might see a significant value soar because of US price lists.

(Image credit score: Future / John Loeffler)

If US price lists have an effect on the MSI Claw 8 AI+ value, then I’ll take again the whole lot I’ve stated

Without sugarcoating it, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is an overly dear piece of {hardware} – and it is fairly most likely the one reason why I would not counsel it for many players. It’s doubtlessly handiest going to worsen if US price lists have an effect on its value; the 90-day pause on price lists is maintaining issues stable for now, but when this adjustments, I’ll consume my phrases.

However, in comparison to shopping for portions for a desktop gaming PC, it is a lot less expensive, and its $450 (or extra, relying at the configuration) upper value over the Switch 2 is worthwhile bearing in mind the higher gaming efficiency features. Traditionally, PC video games also are less expensive to shop for (particularly since Nintendo printed Switch 2 video games may value up to $70), so if you need a big library, it might prevent cash in the end (although, after all, you’ll be lacking out on Nintendo’s first birthday party exclusives, which is usually a deal breaker).

The Switch 2 is the usage of Nvidia’s T239 chip, which can give customers get admission to to DLSS upscaling, however it is exhausting to peer this being sufficient to energy not easy video games like Cyberpunk 2077, let on my own compete with different hand-held gaming PCs.

I may not fake that $900 / $899 / AU$1,799 is not a lot, particularly for many players on the cheap, but when I had the selection of shopping for a Switch 2 or saving for an MSI Claw 8 AI+, I’m selecting the latter.