The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ appears in Australia with a price starting at around 1,500 euros and reinforces its imminent arrival

The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ has been seen in stores again before its official announcement, this time in Australia, and the new listing serves to reinforce an idea that has been taking shape for weeks: its launch seems to be very close. The retailer Scorptec has published two references of the device, both in Void Purple color, with identical specifications and a difference focused on the contents of the package.

The first version corresponds to the standard model, identified as MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ CG3EM-010AU. The second appears as Launch Pack, under the reference CG3EM Launch Pack-009AU. In both cases the same technical base is maintained, with the new Intel Arc G3 Extreme, 32 GB of LPDDR5X memory, 1 TB SSD, 8-inch touch screen with FHD+ resolution and 120 Hz, WiFi 7 connectivity, 80 Wh battery and Windows 11 Home.

The price listed in Australia places the standard version at 2,749 Australian dollars and the Launch Pack at 2,849 Australian dollars. In exchange, that is equivalent to about 1,780 US dollars without taxes for the base model, or around 1,500 euros. In practice, it is not a direct conversion for Europe, but it does serve to confirm that MSI will continue to position this portable console at the top of the market.

The Launch Pack adds some specific accessories, namely a Claw keychain, tempered glass screen protector, grip caps, and a Travel Case III. Both products are listed as out of stock in the Australian store, something that points more to a early catalog entry than to immediate real availability.

The new listing reinforces what was seen in Italy and points again to Computex

The appearance in Australia fits with previous leaks that had already placed this console on the radar. A few weeks ago we saw how the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ appeared listed in Italy before its official presentation, with a price of 1,599 euros and a practically identical technical sheet. That is to say, the new record does not reveal any great surprises, but it does confirms quite consistently that MSI maintains that configuration and that the product already circulates through different distribution channels.

It also fits with another previous hint about the existence of a special launch package. In previous listings it had already been reported that MSI was preparing a bundle edition for this model, something logical if you take into account that the company already uses similar strategies with the current Claw 8 AI+. The Launch Pack is no longer a diffuse possibility and it is emerging as a fairly specific commercial version.

Obviously, the most relevant thing remains the processor. The Claw 8 EX AI+ aims to become the first known handheld with Intel Arc G3 Extreme based on Panther Lakea platform with which Intel wants to respond to AMD’s push in this segment. If there are no last minute changes, everything indicates that MSI will take advantage of Computex to officially present it. After Italy, Poland and now Australia, what seemed like an isolated leak is beginning to seem like a fairly clear prelude to its real launch.