MSI has listed the official pre-order price of its new Claw gaming handheld and I think you're going to want to sit yourself down

MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ Pre-Order Price Revealed: Is It Worth the Hype?

The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ has officially landed on pre-order, and while the MSI Claw name has been around for a while, this is the first time we’ve seen it paired with Intel’s brand-new Arc G3 Extreme processor. That’s a big deal, especially after my time with the previous model, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ A2VM, which proved to be a solid contender in the handheld gaming space. And now, with the latest iteration, things look even more promising. Our Dave had a hands-on experience at Computex, and he described it as "the standard all new handheld gaming PCs will be judged by." That’s high praise, and it's clear that the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is aiming to be a leader in this niche.

But here's the catch — the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ has a pre-order price of $1,799, which is a jaw-dropping figure for a handheld gaming PC. That’s a significant jump from the previous model and puts it in a league of its own when it comes to cost. Earlier leaks had suggested the MSRP would be north of $1,500, and with a 32 GB/1 TB configuration and a brand-new Panther Lake-based chip, it’s no wonder the price is so steep. Even with that in mind, the number still feels high.

However, there might be a glimmer of hope for budget-conscious gamers. Best Buy has also listed the Claw 8 EX AI+ at a slightly lower price of $1,700, although it’s currently unavailable. This could mean that once it's in stock, the price might climb — or it could be a rare chance to get a better deal. Either way, it's a reminder that the handheld gaming market is evolving rapidly, and with it, the cost of entry.

The State of Handheld Gaming Prices

It’s not just the MSI Claw that's pushing prices higher. The Lenovo Legion Go S SteamOS, which was once a regular feature on our deals pages at $750 to $800, is now listed at north of $1,500 at most retailers. That’s a massive increase, and it reflects a broader trend in the handheld gaming PC market. As Jacob Fox recently noted, the average gamer is finding it increasingly difficult to justify the cost of these devices, especially with the new Panther Lake-based chips expected to be even pricier.

This trend isn’t new, but it’s becoming more pronounced. The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X, which launched at a $1,000 price tag, now looks like a better deal than it did when it first came out. In fact, it’s starting to look like a value proposition compared to other high-end options. That’s especially true when you consider that a Steam Deck OLED 1 TB with an older APU now costs $50 less than the Xbox Ally X.

Balancing Cost and Convenience

Despite the high prices, handheld gaming PCs offer a unique blend of portability and performance. The ability to play your favorite PC games from the comfort of your bed or couch is a big selling point for many users. However, with prices climbing, it's becoming harder to justify the hefty premium for these devices.

That said, if the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ delivers on its promise, it might just be worth the $1,799 price tag. Our early impressions suggest that it has the potential to be a top-tier device, and if it performs as well as it looks, it could easily justify the investment. But for now, we’ll have to wait and see if the MSI Claw can live up to the hype — and the price.