ASUS ROG Ally X vs MSI Claw 8 AI+
Both pack an 80 Wh battery, but the Ally X sticks with AMD's proven Ryzen Z1 Extreme (RDNA 3) in a smaller 7-inch body, while the Claw 8 AI+ moves to Intel's Lunar Lake platform with dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, Wi-Fi 7 and an 8-inch VRR display. The Claw 8 AI+ was rated favorably by Notebookcheck for efficiency, but its MSI Center M software is reportedly laggier than ASUS's Armoury Crate.
Spec comparison
| Spec | ASUS ROG Ally X | MSI Claw 8 AI+ |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $799 | $900 |
| OS | Windows 11 | Windows 11 |
| Screen size | 7" | 8" |
| Panel | IPS | IPS |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Resolution | 1920 × 1080 (16:9) | 1920 × 1200 |
| Weight | 685 g | 793 g |
| Battery | 80 Wh | 80 Wh |
| APU | Ryzen Z1 Extreme | Core Ultra 7 258V |
| Max TDP | 30 W | 37 W |
| Hall-effect sticks | No | Yes |
| Gyro | Yes | Yes |
ASUS ROG Ally X
Pros
- Large 80 Wh battery — roughly double the original
- 24 GB LPDDR5x, 1 TB M.2 2280, USB4/Thunderbolt
- Improved grips; gen-1 SD-reader defect resolved
Cons
- Still potentiometer sticks (Hall triggers only)
- Windows suspend/resume friction persists
- Heavier (685 g) and pricier than rivals
MSI Claw 8 AI+
Pros
- Efficient Lunar Lake APU with strong performance-per-watt
- Large 80 Wh battery — ~5–6 hr balanced
- Dual Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 and Wi-Fi 7
Cons
- Laggy MSI Center M software and awkward AI energy profiles
- Fan speed fluctuates under load
- Reach to the sticks awkward for some hand sizes
Who should buy which
Buy the Ally X if you want proven AMD RDNA 3 performance in a smaller, cheaper 7-inch body.
Buy the Claw 8 AI+ if you want Intel Lunar Lake efficiency, dual Thunderbolt 4/Wi-Fi 7 and a bigger 8-inch VRR screen.