MSI Claw A1M vs MSI Claw A8

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Claw A1M compared with Claw A8

	MSIClaw A1M	MSIClaw A8
Overview
Released
Released	March 2024	July 2025
Performance
Type
Type	Handheld	Handheld
CPU
CPU	Intel Core Ultra 5 135H or Core Ultra 7 155H	AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme, 8 cores
GPU
GPU	Intel Arc Graphics (integrated)	AMD Radeon 890M
Memory
Memory	16 GB	24 GB (better)
Storage
Storage	512 GB, 1 TB (better)	1 TB
Disc drive
Disc drive	No	No
CPU
CPU	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.	AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme; 8 cores, 16 threads, up to 5.0 GHz
GPU
GPU	Integrated Intel Arc Graphics with shared system memory; MSI lists 8 Xe cores for both US processor variants and supports Intel XeSS upscaling	AMD Radeon 890M; 16 graphics cores
Memory detail
Memory detail	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.	24 GB onboard dual-channel LPDDR5x
Storage detail
Storage detail	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.	1 TB NVMe PCIe Gen4 SSD
Storage expansion
Storage expansion	microSD card reader	Replaceable M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 SSD; microSD reader
Display and video
Built-in screen
Built-in screen	7″ LCD, 1920 × 1080, 120 Hz	8″ LCD, 1920 × 1200, 120 Hz
Built-in screen
Built-in screen	IPS-level touchscreen, 1920 × 1080 at 120 Hz; MSI states typical 100% sRGB coverage and typical 500 nits brightness	8-inch IPS-level touchscreen; 16:10; 500 nits; 100% sRGB (typical)
Video output
Video output	Thunderbolt 4 USB-C supports DisplayPort; MSI's separately sold Nest docking station provides HDMI 2.0 at 4K 60 Hz	DisplayPort over USB-C
Variable refresh rate
Variable refresh rate	–	48–120 Hz on the built-in screen
Audio
Audio	Two 2 W speakers with Hi-Res Audio support, array microphone and 3.5 mm microphone/headphone socket	2 × 2 W speakers, array microphone and DTS Audio; Force Feedback Audio synchronises vibration with sound
Design and power
Weight
Weight	675 g (better)	765 g
Battery life detail
Battery life detail	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.	80 Wh, 4-cell; MSI claims 3.5 hours gaming in Endurance mode and over 19 hours video playback (1080p, 60 Hz, 150 nits, lighting and Bluetooth off); runtime varies by game and settings
Power use
Power use	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.	65 W adapter; USB PD charging up to 65 W
Colours
Colours	Black; 294 × 117 × 21.2 mm and 675 g including battery	Polar Tempest (white); Neon Green in selected markets
In the box
In the box	65 W power adapter; accessories vary by country. MSI sells its travel case, Nest dock and screen protector separately.	–
Connections
Ports
Ports	One Thunderbolt 4 USB-C port with DisplayPort and Power Delivery 3.0; one microSD reader; one 3.5 mm audio combo socket	2 × USB4 Type-C with DisplayPort and Power Delivery 3.0 (Thunderbolt 4 compatible); microSD; 3.5 mm mic/headphone combo
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth	Intel Killer Wi-Fi 7 BE1750 and Bluetooth 5.4; wireless performance depends on configuration and local spectrum availability	Wi-Fi 7; Bluetooth 5.4
Controller
Controller	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	RGB Hall effect sticks, Hall effect triggers, RGB ABXY buttons, D-pad, bumpers, View, Menu, MSI Center M, Quick Settings and rear M1/M2 macro buttons; HD haptics; 6-axis IMU; fingerprint power button
Backward compatibility
Backward compatibility	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.	Windows 11 Home; MSI Center M game launcher; Xbox Full Screen Experience available