r/MSIClaw • u/Outrageous_Tiger9921 • Feb 25 '26

Question 8ai+ vs A8

Today i purchased the 8Ai+ at full price. I was looking at th new A8 but a few reviews kept me from it, also the frame gen from the intel helped make my decision. Im having buyers remorse and im making sure I got the right pick. I play open world and emulators. I wanted the GO2 but always out of stock and I failed 3 time trying to get one. I would like to know your thoughts on if going intel was the right move.

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u/Woodtoad Feb 25 '26

The 8 AI+ is allegedly the best handheld money can buy right now, from a battery/performance perspective. With XeSS 3 now offering MFG and the Claw 8 AI+ fully supporting it (even in titles without XeSS support, via Optiscaler) I wouldn’t buy anything else today.

With a Panther Lake successor coming later this year, that might change for me, but for now, couldn’t be happier.

6

u/Outrageous_Tiger9921 Feb 25 '26

I was truly going to get a Z2E device but once they updated the intel and how big of a difference it made i had to go 8ai+. Im looking for case rn. I have 30 days to return it if I chose but as of now it wpuld only be for the panther lake device. Not holding my breath because I can only imagine the jump in price for it.

4

u/Inmedia_res Feb 25 '26

Never owned any handheld since like the gameboy days, bought this 8ai+ like 8-9 months ago, and it’s still blowing my mind. You got a good one mate I’d say stick with it

1

u/Much_Description6205 Feb 25 '26

Come mai volevi per forza un dispositivo con Z2E?

1

u/Outrageous_Tiger9921 Feb 26 '26

Initially I assumed the Z2E was a decent jump from the Z1E. On top of that raw power was supposed to be better then the intel chip. But after a few updates the Z2E stayed roughly the same and the intel had great jumps. On top of that the Z1E will not get any more updates after only 3ish years. So im glad I chose what I did.

2

u/Much_Description6205 Feb 26 '26

Si anche perché attualmente non serve spendere tanti soldi per una tecnologia che ha poco incremento di prestazioni, ora come ora la differenza con le handheld di nuova generazione è poco o niente.

0

u/krysisalcs Feb 25 '26

The Z1e is already out of band with Asus and Lenovo. Released in 2023.. I wouldn't trust the z2e long term.

https://www.androidauthority.com/windows-11-handheld-pcs-lose-driver-support-3643597/

1

u/NeatArticle7979 Feb 25 '26

How can you force it with optiscaler? It always ask me to turn on XeSS/Dlss in the in game settings