Despite costing $1,800, MSI opens the door to new price increases on its Claw 8 EX AI+ console

If the high $1,800 that MSI has priced its new MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ console based on the new Intel Arc G3 Extreme SoC seemed like a lot to you, it seems that the final price could be even higher.

With the price that currently appears on their website, The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is already the most expensive portable console in the worldbut as commented by the head of MSI’s product marketing department, the shortage of RAM and components is getting worse and it seems that ““There is a lot of room for another price increase.”

Currently, the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ costs almost twice as much as the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X

It is true that the current market situation has meant that many companies have taken the opportunity to raise the prices of their devices. Valve itself, which had its Steam Deck as one of the cheapest alternatives, has recently raised its price, in fact, the MSI manager has referred to this increase to say that “it also costs a lot currently.”

However, we must not lose sight of the fact that the Steam Deck OLED, even with the price increase, currently starts at 779 euros, more than 1,000 euros less than the MSI model, which, even though it is considerably more powerful and with greater capacity, at its current price in the face of future increases, places it in a very complicated position within the market despite the company’s supposed efforts to keep the price contained.

Another reference model on the market that has been quite successful, such as the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally, is currently sold for 499 euros, raising the ROG Xbox Ally X version to 999 euros, practically half of what MSI currently charges before the possible price increase.

Technical Specifications of the MSI Claw 8 EX Ai+

• Operating System
• Processor

  • Intel Arc G3 Extreme 1.5 GHz – 4.6 GHz

• Storage

  • 1TB PCIe Gen4x4 M.2 2280 without DRAM

• RAM memory
• Graphics

  • Intel Arc B390 12 Xe-Cores

• Screen

  • 8 inches FHD+ (1920 x 1200)
  • 120Hz, touch
  • 100% sRGB, 500 nits, VRR, IPS level panel

• Controls

  • Hall effect triggers and joysticks
  • Configurable macro keys

• Battery
• Refrigeration

  • Cooler Boost HyperFlow ventilation system

• Connectivity
• Software

  • MSI Center M (console mode)
  • Artificial intelligence optimization engine