The handheld gaming PC market has matured rapidly over the past few years, evolving from experimental niches into mainstream battlegrounds. Today, we take an exhaustive look at MSI’s latest contender, the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ (CG3EM). Packed to the brim with next-generation hardware, a larger and more vibrant display, advanced AI integration, and robust build refinements, this handheld aims to set a new benchmark for Windows-based gaming portables. Let’s dive deep into what makes the Claw 8 EX AI+ a formidable device for gamers on the go.

Unboxing and Special Launch Bundle

Opening the box of the Claw 8 EX AI+ reveals a generous assortment of accessories, particularly for early adopters who snag the launch pack edition. Users are greeted with a premium custom carry case featuring a sleek holographic logo, a branded claw keychain, thumb grip caps for enhanced precision on the joysticks, and a tempered glass screen protector—an inclusion that every handheld manufacturer should adopt as standard. Furthermore, to celebrate MSI’s 40th anniversary, buyers purchasing before the end of September are eligible for similar promotional redemption items, including the Travel II case and custom lanyards.

Build Quality and Ergonomic Design

Finished in a striking Void Purple colorway, the Claw 8 EX AI+ immediately catches the eye with an aesthetic that feels both futuristic and polished. Weighing in at 785g and measuring 296 x 130 x 25 to 48mm, it is a slightly chunkier device, but that extra volume is utilised precisely where it matters: the grip contours.

The chassis features controller-inspired ergonomic curves meticulously designed to sit comfortably in the hands during extended gaming marathons. There is zero flex or creak in the shell, giving it a solid, premium feel that emulates holding a proper console controller rather than a tablet with strapped-on grip attachments.

Display: Immersive 8-Inch 120Hz VRR Panel

One of the most significant hardware upgrades on the Claw 8 EX AI+ is its visual real estate. MSI has equipped the handheld with an 8-inch FHD+ (1920 by 1200) IPS-level panel boasting a 120Hz refresh rate and full Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support.

The inclusion of VRR is a game-changer for portable PC gaming, effectively smoothing out frame rate fluctuations in demanding AAA titles. Covering 100% of the sRGB color gamut and peaking at 500 nits of brightness, the screen is vivid, responsive, and easily viewable across diverse lighting conditions. The 8-inch form factor hits the sweet spot, offering expansive viewing without making the device unwieldy.

Controls and Precision Inputs

Input fidelity is paramount for handheld gaming, and MSI has spared no expense. The Claw 8 EX AI+ features Hall Effect joysticks and triggers, ensuring absolute precision, elimination of stick drift, and enhanced long-term durability.

The tactile click of the face buttons and the robust D-pad cater perfectly to platformers and fighting games alike. Additionally, two mappable macro buttons on the rear offer quick custom shortcuts via MSI Center M. Security is seamlessly integrated via a responsive fingerprint sensor for instant Windows logins.

Specifications and Next-Gen Lunar Lake Power

Under the hood lies the core of the Claw 8 EX AI+’s performance prowess. Powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor built on the advanced Lunar Lake architecture, paired with Intel Arc Graphics 140V, this machine packs serious computational muscle. Featuring 8 cores and 8 threads alongside a dedicated NPU capable of 46 TOPS, the Claw 8 EX AI+ proudly qualifies as a Copilot Plus PC—a pioneering milestone for the gaming handheld category.

System memory is maxed out at 32GB of LPDDR5x running at 8533MT/s, coupled with a lightning-fast 1TB NVMe M.2 SSD. Wireless connectivity is future-proofed with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4.

Software Ecosystem: MSI Center M and Xbox Mode

Navigating the device is streamlined through MSI Center M, the proprietary companion hub that manages performance profiles, fan curves, power limits, RGB customization, and system monitoring.

A standout software addition is Xbox Mode, which transforms the Windows backend into a clean, console-like frontend tailored for couch gaming and rapid launcher access. Furthermore, MSI Center M leverages the 46 TOPS NPU for intelligent scene detection and adaptive performance tuning, while the dedicated Quick Settings button provides instant toggles without disrupting gameplay.

Thermals and Sustained Performance

To tame high-performance mobile silicon, the Claw 8 EX AI+ utilises MSI’s Cooler Boost Hyperflow cooling system. Designed specifically for the handheld lineup, this thermal architecture keeps the Lunar Lake processor and Arc GPU operating at sustained high performance. During extended gaming sessions, surface temperatures on the grips remain remarkably comfortable, preventing heat fatigue during intense sessions.

Gaming Benchmarks and AI Workloads

Equipped with advanced upscaling technologies like XeSS2 and capable of handling raytracing queries (despite the architecture’s primary focus on rasterization), the Claw 8 EX AI+ delivers highly respectable frame rates across modern titles. Furthermore, the inclusion of a 46 TOPS NPU makes running local AI suites such as ChatRTX, Ollama, and LM Studio effortless, turning the handheld into a portable AI workstation.

Battery Life and Connectivity

Energy management is anchored by a generous 80 watt-hour battery, providing exceptional longevity for a handheld of this magnitude. In real-world testing—gaming at maximum graphic settings with XeSS enabled and audio at 50%—the battery demonstrated incredible resilience, dropping by only 10% after 15 minutes of heavy load. Charging is facilitated by a 65W power adapter, and with dual Thunderbolt 4 ports supporting Power Delivery 3.0, users can refuel using any compatible PD charger.

Conclusion

The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ (CG3EM) is an engineering triumph. By combining Hall Effect controls, Wi-Fi 7, Thunderbolt 4, a gorgeous 8-inch 120Hz VRR display, a massive 80Wh battery, and a Lunar Lake processor with robust AI capabilities, MSI has crafted an elite gaming handheld. While Intel Arc graphics drivers continue to mature across niche titles, the hardware foundation is peerless. Epic PC awards the Claw 8 EX AI+ an unreserved green light.

Award

Review Video

In the competitive arena of high-performance gaming laptops, MSI has consistently pushed the boundaries of hardware engineering. Today, we take an in-depth look at their latest offering, the MSI Crosshair 16 Max HX E2W. Commemorating MSI’s 40th anniversary, this machine arrives with a special collector’s bundle, featuring a custom backpack, gaming mouse, 40th Anniversary Limited Edition mouse pad, and gaming headset. But beyond the celebratory flair, this laptop sits in seriously impressive territory when it comes to raw specifications, high-end display options, and robust AI capabilities. Let’s dive in.

Design and Build Quality: Sleek, Aggressive, and Purpose-Built

The Crosshair 16 Max HX E2W comes in a striking Core Black finish, carrying that sleek, aggressive aesthetic expected from MSI’s gaming lineup. It avoids the trap of becoming an overly bulky desktop replacement while steering clear of fragile ultra-thin designs. Depending on your panel choice, the weight sits at approximately 2.2 kilograms for the OLED variant or 2.3 kilograms for the IPS panel.

For a 16-inch gaming laptop packing this level of heavy-duty hardware, this weight distribution is genuinely impressive. It feels solid in hand without punishing your shoulders during daily commutes.

Display Options: Speed Meets Visual Fidelity

One of the most exciting aspects of the Crosshair 16 Max HX E2W is the display flexibility MSI offers. Both configuration options feature a 16-inch QHD+ resolution of 2560 by 1600 pixels in a productivity-friendly 16:10 aspect ratio.

For competitive gamers prioritising raw speed, the IPS-Level panel runs at a blistering 240Hz, ensuring every single frame is delivered to your eyes with minimal latency. Alternatively, for those who value visual fidelity, the OLED panel option operates at 165Hz, covers 100% of the DCI-P3 color space, carries SGS Eye Care Display certification, and achieves VESA DisplayHDR True Black 1000. The contrast and color accuracy make it an exceptional tool for both immersive gaming and professional content creation.

Performance: Intel Core Ultra 9 and OverBoost Technology

Under the hood, MSI has held nothing back. The laptop is powered by the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor paired with the Intel HM870 chipset, sitting firmly at the top of Intel’s mobile lineup. It brings formidable multi-core grunt to both demanding gaming workloads and intensive productivity tasks.

What truly sets the Crosshair 16 Max HX E2W apart is MSI’s implementation of OverBoost Technology, which allows the CPU and GPU to share a combined power budget of up to 200 watts. The system intelligently juggles power delivery between the processor and graphics card depending on workload demands, maximizing efficiency and frame rates.

Handling graphics is the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU equipped with 12GB of GDDR7 VRAM. Specifically, this is the 12GB configuration of the E2W model, elevating it above standard variants in the Crosshair 16 Max lineup. Capable of delivering a staggering 798 AI TOPS, this GPU unlocks advanced technologies like DLSS 4, Frame Generation, AI computing, and multilayered visual enhancements. Running local AI software such as ChatRTX, Ollama, and LM Studio becomes an absolute breeze, making this machine a dual-threat for gamers and AI developers alike.

Memory and Storage Upgradability

Longevity is a cornerstone of the Crosshair 16 Max HX E2W. The system supports up to 128GB of DDR5 memory across two slots, with speeds scaling up to DDR5-6400. Storage is equally robust, featuring two M.2 slots: one supporting NVMe PCIe Gen 4 and a second slot supporting NVMe PCIe Gen 5.

This configuration guarantees lightning-fast primary performance and extensive future upgrade paths.

Software Ecosystem and Connectivity

MSI includes its proprietary MSI Center application, giving users granular control over system behavior. From switching performance modes and monitoring real-time CPU/GPU temperatures to managing fan curves and MSI OverBoost Technology, the software suite is comprehensive. True Color profiles also integrate seamlessly with the OLED panel’s DCI-P3 color space.

Connectivity across the board is exceptionally strong, featuring 2.5 Gigabit LAN, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 5.4, alongside a generous array of USB ports, HDMI 2.1, and an audio combo jack.

Conclusion

The MSI Crosshair 16 Max HX E2W is a tour de force in the 16-inch gaming laptop category. By combining top-tier mobile processing power, a future-proof RTX 5070 GPU with 798 AI TOPS, flexible high-refresh display options, and extensive upgradability, MSI has crafted a stellar contender for gamers, creators, and power users.

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