MSI Claw 8 EX gets a cheaper $1,499 Arc B370 model
The MSI Claw 8 EX gets a cheaper Arc B370 model for $1,499 in the US, $300 less than the original with about 6% lower performance. Full specs inside.
4 min read
Contents11 sections
The MSI Claw 8 EX now has a cheaper model. MSI's Claw 8 EX AI+ CG3M product page lists the new version with an Intel Arc G3 processor and Arc B370 graphics, and it is now on sale in the US for $1,499.
That is $300 less than the original Claw 8 EX. Handheld PCs have had a busy month, with Auto SR arriving on the ROG Xbox Ally X among the other headlines.
What changed in the new MSI Claw 8 EX?
Two things. The first is graphics. Notebookcheck's report on the new Claw 8 EX says the Arc G3 and Arc B370 replace the original's Arc G3 Extreme and Arc B390. The second is color, with a Luminous Blue shell replacing Void Purple.
The performance hit looks small. In Notebookcheck's testing, the Arc G3 runs about 6% slower in games than the Arc G3 Extreme, while the price is about 16% lower. That makes the value math better.
MSI Claw 8 EX (Arc B370) at a glance
- CPU: Intel Arc G3 (14 cores)
- GPU: Intel Arc B370
- Memory: 32GB LPDDR5X
- Storage: 512GB PCIe Gen4 SSD
- Display: 8-inch, 1920x1200, 120Hz VRR, 500 nits
- Battery: 80Wh
- Price: $1,499 (US)
What are the MSI Claw 8 EX specs?
MSI's official spec sheet lists an 8-inch IPS touchscreen with 48-120Hz VRR and full sRGB coverage. You also get two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a fast microSD Express card reader.
The controls use Hall Effect sticks and triggers designed to avoid drift. Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and a fingerprint reader are standard, and the device weighs 785 grams.
Xbox Mode and battery
The handheld ships with Windows 11 Home. Xbox Mode in MSI Center M cuts RAM use and puts your games in one place. MSI quotes more than five hours of Diablo IV on the 80Wh battery in Endurance Mode, at 30 FPS and 1200p with XeSS on.
Which MSI Claw 8 EX should you buy?
The original Claw 8 EX launched in June at $1,799 with Arc B390 graphics and 1TB of storage. The new model drops to 512GB, but that is easy to fix. MSI says you can remove the back cover and swap the M.2 2280 SSD, and the microSD Express reader is a solid option for extra space.
If you care about every frame in the newest games, the pricier model is still a little faster. For most players, though, a 6% gap will be hard to notice, and the $300 you save buys a bigger SSD or a few games. MSI also bundles two months of Xbox Game Pass Essential, though the offer varies by region.
What does it mean for players?
$1,499 is still a lot of money, but 32GB of memory and an 80Wh battery are strong specs in this class. Memory is not getting cheaper either, and SK hynix's warning that the memory shortage will last until 2030 suggests handheld prices will not fall quickly.
The fight between Windows handhelds and SteamOS goes on, too. Epic Games Launcher SteamOS support and Steam Deck FPS data on store pages both help Valve's side. 3DM's Claw 8 EX report confirms the device is on sale in the US now, while pricing for other regions has not been announced.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the new MSI Claw 8 EX?
The Arc B370 model costs $1,499 in the US. That is $300 less than the original Arc B390 model at $1,799.
How much slower is the new MSI Claw 8 EX?
Notebookcheck's testing puts the Arc G3 about 6% behind the Arc G3 Extreme in games, while the price is roughly 16% lower.
Where can you buy the new MSI Claw 8 EX?
In the US it is available from Amazon, B&H Photo Video, Excaliber PC, Micro Center, Newegg and MSI. Pricing for other markets has not been announced.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
Questions answered in this article
Sources
External links cited in this article
Newsletter
The week's biggest gaming news, every Friday morning
One email every Friday: the week's most-read stories and what's new. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
LoL, TFT ve VALORANT sever bir oyun sever ve oyuncu. Mobil platformlarda ise tam bir Clash of clans hastası.
