MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ vs MSI Claw A1M

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Claw 8 EX AI+ compared with Claw A1M

	MSIClaw 8 EX AI+	MSIClaw A1M
Overview
Released
Released	June 2026	March 2024
Performance
Type
Type	Handheld	Handheld
CPU
CPU	Intel Arc G3 Extreme, 14 cores	Intel Core Ultra 5 135H or Core Ultra 7 155H
GPU
GPU	Intel Arc B390 (integrated)	Intel Arc Graphics (integrated)
Memory
Memory	32 GB (better)	16 GB
Storage
Storage	1 TB	512 GB, 1 TB (better)
Disc drive
Disc drive	No	No
CPU
CPU	Intel Arc G3 Extreme with 14 cores (2 P-cores, 8 E-cores and 4 low-power E-cores), 14 threads and 12 MB Intel Smart Cache; MSI's US configuration sheet states up to 4.7 GHz turbo and up to 46 NPU TOPS	UK models use Intel Core Ultra 7 155H or Core Ultra 5 135H, with Intel AI Boost NPU. MSI lists up to 4.8 GHz for the 155H and up to 4.6 GHz for the 135H in its US configuration table.
GPU
GPU	Integrated Intel Arc B390 with 12 Xe cores and shared memory; supports Intel XeSS 3, with support varying by game	Integrated Intel Arc Graphics with shared system memory; MSI lists 8 Xe cores for both US processor variants and supports Intel XeSS upscaling
Memory detail
Memory detail	32 GB on-board dual-channel LPDDR5x in the confirmed US configuration; the maker's current specification does not publish memory speed	16 GB LPDDR5-6400 on-board dual-channel memory in the listed UK and US models. The current global page states a maximum of 32 GB, but does not identify a matching configuration.
Storage detail
Storage detail	1 TB NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD in MSI's US configuration; one M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 slot, accessible after removing the back cover. TechRadar's contemporary review documents first sale on 23 June 2026; regional availability differed.	One NVMe PCIe 4.0 M.2 2230 SSD slot; MSI's US table confirms Core Ultra 5 with 512 GB, and Core Ultra 7 with 512 GB or 1 TB. Configuration availability varies by market. First US sale on 8 March 2024 is documented by GamersNexus; dates differed by region.
Storage expansion
Storage expansion	microSD Express card reader; MSI states average read speeds of 600–800 MB/s under its test conditions, dependent on card, system and game	microSD card reader
Display and video
Built-in screen
Built-in screen	8″ LCD, 1920 × 1200, 120 Hz	7″ LCD, 1920 × 1080, 120 Hz
Built-in screen
Built-in screen	8-inch IPS-level touchscreen, 1920 × 1200, 16:10, 100% sRGB coverage and 500 nits brightness; 48–120 Hz variable refresh	IPS-level touchscreen, 1920 × 1080 at 120 Hz; MSI states typical 100% sRGB coverage and typical 500 nits brightness
Video output
Video output	DisplayPort over either Thunderbolt 4 USB-C port	Thunderbolt 4 USB-C supports DisplayPort; MSI's separately sold Nest docking station provides HDMI 2.0 at 4K 60 Hz
Variable refresh rate
Variable refresh rate	48–120 Hz on the built-in display	–
Audio
Audio	Two 2 W speakers, array microphone, DTS audio processing and Hi-Res Audio support; 3.5 mm microphone/headphone socket	Two 2 W speakers with Hi-Res Audio support, array microphone and 3.5 mm microphone/headphone socket
Design and power
Weight
Weight	785 g	675 g (better)
Battery life detail
Battery life detail	80 Wh four-cell battery. MSI claims more than five hours of Diablo IV at 1200p with XeSS enabled in Endurance Mode capped at 30 fps; this is a specific game and mode, not a general runtime.	53 Wh six-cell lithium-polymer battery. MSI's January 2024 announcement claims two hours under full workload, without publishing the game or test conditions.
Power use
Power use	65 W USB-C Power Delivery adapter; MSI recommends a 65 W or higher PD charger. Running or sleeping charging supports 45 W at 20 V to 65 W. Cooler Boost HyperFlow uses larger fans and directs airflow across internal components.	65 W USB-C Power Delivery adapter. While running or sleeping, MSI states charging support from 45 W at 20 V to 65 W; charging speed and performance depend on power source and battery state. Cooler Boost HyperFlow uses dual fans and heat pipes.
Colours
Colours	Void Purple; maker dimensions span 296–321 × 130 × 25–48 mm across the body and grips, with 785 g including battery	Black; 294 × 117 × 21.2 mm and 675 g including battery
In the box
In the box	65 W power adapter; accessories vary by country. The separate Launch Pack adds Travel Case III, keychain, grip caps and an 8-inch tempered glass screen protector.	65 W power adapter; accessories vary by country. MSI sells its travel case, Nest dock and screen protector separately.
Connections
Ports
Ports	Two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports with DisplayPort and Power Delivery 3.0; one microSD Express reader; one 3.5 mm audio combo socket	One Thunderbolt 4 USB-C port with DisplayPort and Power Delivery 3.0; one microSD reader; one 3.5 mm audio combo socket
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth	Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE213 and Bluetooth 6; the maker's UK overview also lists LE Audio support	Intel Killer Wi-Fi 7 BE1750 and Bluetooth 5.4; wireless performance depends on configuration and local spectrum availability
Controller
Controller	Hall effect analogue sticks and triggers, D-pad with internal metal dome switch, RGB ABXY buttons, left and right bumpers, View and Menu buttons, MSI Center M and Quick Settings buttons, two rear macro buttons, HD haptics and six-axis IMU. Fingerprint reader in the power button.	Hall effect analogue sticks and triggers, D-pad, RGB ABXY buttons, left and right bumpers, View and Menu buttons, MSI Center M and Quick Settings buttons, two rear macro buttons and HD haptics
Backward compatibility
Backward compatibility	Windows 11 Home with MSI Center M and Xbox Mode for compatible PC game stores and Xbox Game Pass where available; game compatibility varies by title	Windows 11 Home with MSI Center M and supported PC game stores; MSI App Player supports compatible Android games. The current maker page also offers Xbox Full Screen Experience for Claw models.