MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ G3-based handheld is up for preorder at $1,499
MSI is expanding its handheld lineup with a more budget-friendly configuration of the Claw 8 EX AI+. This G3-based model, powered by the Intel Arc G3 processor, is now available for preorder in the United States for $1,499, which is $300 less than the G3 Extreme version.
Hardware Shift: Arc B370 vs B390
The primary distinction lies in the Panther Lake processor implementation. The new model utilizes the Intel Arc B370 graphics, which features 10 Xe3 cores running at up to 2.2 GHz. This is a step down from the 12-core Arc B390 found in the G3 Extreme, which reaches 2.3 GHz. AI throughput also sees a reduction, dropping from 113 TOPS to 90 INT8 TOPS.
On the CPU side, the chip maintains its 14-core structure (2 Performance, 8 Efficient, and 4 Low Power Efficient cores), though the maximum frequency is slightly lowered from 4.7 GHz to 4.6 GHz.
Display and Specifications
While the GPU performance is scaled back, the rest of the hardware remains consistent with the premium model. The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ features an 8-inch 1920×1200 IPS touchscreen with a 120Hz refresh rate, 500-nit brightness, and VRR support.
The US preorder configuration includes:
- 32GB of LPDDR5X-8533 memory;
- 512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD;
- An 80Wh battery;
- Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0 connectivity;
- Dual Thunderbolt 4 ports.
According to retailer ExcaliberPC, the Luminous Blue model is expected to arrive on October 30, 2026.