Intel’s best handheld chip launches in MSI’s $1,799 Claw 8 EX AI+, at the worst possible time
MSI is preparing to launch the Claw 8 EX AI+ on June 23, and preorders have already started in some regions. The handheld is built around Intel Arc G3 Extreme, perhaps the strongest chip Intel has prepared so far for this category. The problem is not the silicon. The problem is how MSI decided to sell it.
Arc G3 arrives, but only in a $1,799 handheld
The Claw 8 EX AI+ has appeared with 32GB LPDDR5x-8533 memory, a 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD and an 8-inch 1920×1200 120Hz VRR display. MSI’s US store lists the handheld at $1,799. We previously reported that Newegg and Best Buy had it listed at $1,699, which is still far above the price many expected when Intel Arc G3 handhelds were first shown. MSI offer is apparently the Launch Pack which features some extra bundle, but there’s is no option to buy it without the pack right now on MSI store.
Source: MSI
In an interview with FRVR, MSI product marketing lead Andy Chu said this is “ a really difficult year for Intel and especially the OEM like us, ” because companies now have to absorb higher memory and storage costs. He also said MSI has “ tried every approach ” to get both components at a lower cost, but the result is still the price buyers see today.
So why not offer other specs?
MSI has not explained why the first Claw 8 EX AI+ configuration has to use Arc G3 Extreme only (Intel also launches non-Extreme chip). It also has not confirmed a cheaper 16GB or 24GB version. MSI had a lot of opporunities to make the handheld cheaper, but they seemingly opted for the best spec they could find and justify the high price.
Intel Arc G3 good chip for bad times
Arc G3 Extreme may be exactly what Windows handhelds needed, with a stronger GPU focus and support for XeSS 3 with Multi Frame Generation. However, its first MSI design is entering the market as a high-cost 32GB model during a memory and NAND price spike.
Source: Intel
MSI clearly wants the Claw 8 EX AI+ to sit above the older Claw 8 AI+ and the Ryzen Z2 Extreme-based Claw A8. That is a valid product position. The strange part is launching the Intel model without a lower memory option, then telling gamers the price is mostly driven by component costs. It doesn’t make any sense.
I will just end this post by saying that MSI has a Core Ultra X7 laptop (Prestige 14 Flip AI+ D3MTG-001US) with Arc B390 GPU and 32GB memory at $1299 launched two months ago. I do not see it in stock anywhere, but somehow it was possible to sell similar spec hardware at $600 less.
Source: FRVR
