Two new MSI and Intel Steam Deck rivals could launch imminently, leak suggests Hallie Frederick | usagoldmines.com

We’ve been ready for a MSI Claw 8 AI+ launch date for a while now, but it surely now appears to be like like we’re getting not one, however two. Popping up briefly for pre-order on Amazon earlier this week, MSI’s new Intel-powered gaming handheld appears to be like set for a December launch, with a smaller 7-inch model doubtlessly being launched this weekend.

The primary try by MSI to interrupt into the best gaming handheld market wasn’t an enormous success, with brutal MSI Claw reviews displaying that it struggled to carry its personal in opposition to opponents such because the Asus ROG Ally. MSI will little doubt be hoping that these new handhelds, the primary to be powered by brand-new Intel Lunar Lake APUs, can be higher obtained by players this time round.

Particulars are nonetheless unclear, but it surely appears to be like like Amazon could have jumped the gun slightly by itemizing the MSI Claw 8 AI+ so rapidly. With the product now displaying as unavailable on Amazon, a report by Videocardz mentions {that a} December 25 launch date is deliberate for the brand new MSI handheld, releasing forward of the CES 2025 commerce present only a week later.

MSI has already confirmed MSI Claw 8 AI+ specs again in September and testing it for our preliminary MSI Claw 8 AI+ preview was a optimistic expertise. It’s going to ship with an Intel Core Extremely 7 258V APU, that includes built-in Intel Arc 140V graphics, and the selection of both 32GB or 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM. 32GB of RAM places it forward of another handheld available in the market proper now, together with the Steam Deck OLED. It additionally comes with an 8-inch LCD with a 120Hz refresh charge, together with an 80Wh battery.

If Christmas Day appears so far-off, then you definately is likely to be fortunate, as one other new MSI Claw mannequin has additionally appeared for pre-order on Amazon – this time, with what Amazon has listed as a December 1 launch date. Judging from the Amazon itemizing, the MSI Claw 7 AI+ shares lots of the similar specs because the 8 AI+, together with the identical Core Extremely 7 285V APU and Intel Arc GPU, in addition to 32GB of RAM.

There isn’t a list for a 16GB model, however given the larger and costlier 8 AI+ seems to supply it, we’ll assume {that a} 16GB model is prone to seem right here, too. The one main distinction between these variations, other than some minor design variations, is the show measurement – it’s 7-inch, quite than 8-inch.

The discharge date for these new handhelds hasn’t been confirmed by MSI simply but, however that hasn’t stopped entrepreneurial Reddit customers from snapping up the gadgets. In a current post on the r/msiclaw subreddit, information about these new MSI Claw handhelds showing on Amazon led to a number of pre-orders, which can clarify the early inventory points.

MSI hasn’t confirmed the December 25 launch date for the MSI Claw 8 AI+, but when the itemizing is correct, not less than we have now an concept of how a lot it is going to value. Earlier than it hit Reddit and have become unavailable, Amazon was pricing the MSI Claw 8 AI+ for $899.99. You may’t pre-order it your self for the second, however you possibly can take a look at the Amazon web page within the meantime utilizing this link.

In keeping with Amazon, the MSI Claw 7 AI+ can be $100 cheaper than the 8-inch mannequin, costing $799.99. You may seize it for pre-order, whereas shares final, from Amazon utilizing this link here. Nevertheless, as we talked about, the December 1 launch date hasn’t been immediately confirmed by MSI, so it may nonetheless be topic to modifications (or simply be flat-out mistaken).

Don’t fear if you happen to can’t get your palms on one, although. Take a look at our Asus ROG Ally X review subsequent to listen to our ideas on a really first rate different.