MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ costs $1,699 at Best Buy, no cheaper Arc G3 model in sight
$200 above expected launch price.
MSI’s next Intel-based gaming handheld has appeared at Best Buy in the US. The retailer lists the Claw 8 EX AI+ CG3EM-024US in Void Purple with Intel Arc G3 Extreme, 32GB memory and a 1TB SSD.
The handheld is listed at $1,699.99 and marked as “Coming Soon.” This is higher than the $1,500 launch price that was reportedly quoted around Computex, and was expected to be the official MSRP for the first configuration.
What you get for $1600
The Best Buy listing confirms the 8-inch FHD+ 1200p display, although the page is not fully consistent. The product name mentions 120Hz, while the key specifications section lists 144Hz. MSI’s own announcement lists an 8-inch 120Hz VRR display, so the retailer spec table may still need an update.
Source: BestBuy
There is one problem for buyers waiting for a cheaper MSI model. MSI is not planning an Arc G3 non-Extreme version in the first wave. The regular Arc G3 has 10 Xe cores, compared to 12 Xe cores on G3 Extreme, but MSI reportedly told PC Gamer that it is starting with G3 Extreme and sticking with that chip for the first wave.
Source: BestBuy
