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MSI Claw 8 AI Plus vs Acer Nitro Blaze 7: The handheld gaming PCs compared
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Two new handheld gaming PCs have just been announced at IFA 2024: MSI’s Claw 8 AI+ and Acer’s Nitro Blaze 7.
While the Nitro Blaze 7 is Acer’s first foray into the handheld gaming PC market, the Claw 8 AI+ is the successor to theMSI Clawwhich launched earlier this year.
We’ve compared the initial specs of the handhelds below, so you see the key differences and any similarities between the two.
Price
Exact pricing and availability for theMSI Claw 8 AI+ is yet to be confirmed, with MSI stating that the gaming handheld will join the Claw series “at the beginning of 2025.”
Equally at the time of writing the Acer Nitro Blaze 7 has not yet confirmed specific market availability or pricing.
Intel Core Ultra Series 2 vs AMD Ryzen 7 processors
The two handhelds will run on different processors, with the Claw 8 AI+ sporting theIntel Core Ultra 200V(Series 2) while the Nitro Blaze 7 will use AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS.
Boasting 39 total AI TOPS and Ryzen AI technology, the AMD Ryzen 7 mobile processor offers optimised efficiency, performance and responsiveness with support for on-device AI-powered capabilities.
The new Intel Core Ultra 200V, code-namedLunar Lake, is also designed to offer an enhanced AI experience, exceptional core performance and breakthrough power efficiency. The Claw 8 AI+ is the first handheld to feature the new Intel Core Ultra processor, with MSI promising it will offer users “a next-level gaming experience to be enjoyed anywhere, anytime.”
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The MSI Claw 8 AI+ has a larger screen
The MSI Claw 8 AI+ boasts a large 8-inch display whereas the Nitro Blaze 7 has just a 7-inch screen.
Screens aside, both handhelds have two Thunderbolt ports (which is an upgrade from the MSI Claw which only had one) and a microSD card slot. MSI also claims to have “actively listened to user feedback” and upgraded hardware specifications accordingly, such as enhancing the tactile feel of the LB/RB buttons.
Both run on Windows 11
Both the Claw 8 AI+ and Nitro Blaze 7 run on the Windows 11 operating system which means you should have access to most PC stores and apps such as Steam, Game Pass and Epic Games.
The Nitro Blaze 7 also features the new Acer Game Space application which supports the addition of games from multiple platforms, allowing users to easily navigate through its library.
The MSI Claw 8 AI+ should have a larger battery
The MSI Claw 8 AI+ is expected to use an 80Wh battery which is not just a huge upgrade from its predecessor’s 53Wh cell but is substantially larger than the Nitro Blaze 7’s 50.04Wh.
While the Nitro Blaze 7 is firmly set among similar handheld gaming PCs, such as the 4.5-star ratedSteam Deck OLED, the Claw 8 AI+’s battery means it’ll be way ahead of the competition. At the time of writing, we don’t know how many hours of life the 80wh battery will result in.
The Acer Nitro Blaze 7 comes with three months of Game Pass
As it’s compatible with mainstream gaming platforms, the Nitro Blaze 7 comes equipped with three months of PC Game Pass at no extra cost, which allows you access to hundreds of high-quality PC games.
The MSI Claw 8 AI+ comes with one month free of either Xbox or PC Game Pass. The two are fairly similar, although some could argue that thelatter is more versatile.
Early Verdict
As we haven’t tested either device yet, nor do we have the full specs of the MSI Claw 8 AI+ or the pricing details of either, it’s difficult to determine which one could be a better option.
Considering the Claw 8 AI+ is MSI’s second attempt at a handheld gaming PC, we are expecting to see a more fine tuned and impressive device. As it’s the first handheld to run on the Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processor, we hope this will mean fast speeds and better power efficiency, especially as this is paired with an 80Wh battery.
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Jess joined the Trusted Reviews team early in 2024, after working for almost three years in lifestyle and technology PR. Using the skills gained from her previous role, Jess has taken on a new challen…
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Why trust our journalism?
Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.
Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
