Updated 4 Nov 2026
Is the MSI Claw A8 (Ryzen Z2 Extreme) worth it?
Only if you want an 8-inch screen and drift-proof sticks.
It has the same Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip as the ROG Xbox Ally X, 24GB of memory, 1TB and an 8-inch 1200p 120Hz screen, with Hall-effect sticks and triggers that shouldn't drift. Battery is good for a handheld PC, about two and a half hours in a big game, and the speakers are strong. Windows is clumsy on the touch screen, the power profiles are confusing, there's no case, and at £849 or €999 it costs about as much as the Ally X.
Good to know
- Windows 11 is clumsy on the touch screen.
- Confusing power profiles, and the fans sometimes spin up at idle.
- No carrying case in the box.
- Costs about as much as the ROG Xbox Ally X, which is more comfortable.
- Ryzen Z2 Extreme speed
- 8-inch 120Hz screen
- Hall-effect sticks and triggers
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Get it if…
- You want a bigger screen than the Ally X's 7 inches.
- Stick drift has ruined a controller for you before.
- You find a good deal on it.
Skip it if…
- You want the most comfortable handheld: the Ally X.
- You want simple: Windows is clumsy by touch.
- You live in the US: MSI barely sells it there.
More on the MSI Claw A8
How we reached this verdict
Tom's Guide praises the Z2 Extreme's speed, the ergonomics, the screen and speakers and good battery, but says the price makes it one for enthusiasts. Club386 likes the punchy 16:10 screen, Hall-effect sticks and build, and notes patchy US availability, and Notebookcheck rates it 83% with very long battery life but finds the AMD version less comfortable than MSI's Intel one and fussy to set up. Its list prices are £849 and €999. We found too few verified owner reviews to count yet.
We compared independent expert reviews with the manufacturer's specifications, then checked it's sold at a major retailer where you live. We don't test products ourselves.
Sources: Tom's Guide, Club386, Notebookcheck, MSI (specs), PC Gamer, Engadget, Tom's Hardware, manufacturer specifications.
Updated 4 Nov 2026How we decide