MSI's upcoming Intel-based gaming handheld leaked

MSI has officially teased its handheld gaming PC market entry with a brief video on its Instagram account. The video, titled “a whole new breed of MSI dragon is coming,” offers a glimpse into the device’s design, showcasing dual joysticks, ventilation grilles, and the MSI logo.

While details remain scarce, the teaser suggests a Windows 11-powered device with custom software optimizations for handheld gaming.

The video has sparked speculation regarding the internal hardware, particularly the potential use of Intel’s Meteor Lake chips. This would mark a significant shift from the AMD Ryzen processors dominating the handheld gaming PC landscape.

However, questions remain about Meteor Lake’s efficiency at lower power limits, a key consideration for mobile devices. Alternative options like AMD’s Ryzen Z1 Extreme and Hawk Point 8040 series APUs are also under consideration.

Beyond the hardware, the teaser sheds little light on the device’s design or unique features. Some speculate that MSI might take inspiration from the Lenovo Legion Go, known for its detachable controllers and high-resolution display.

Regardless, all eyes are now on CES 2024, where MSI is expected to unveil the device in full detail.

More here.

Update:

Processor:

• High-spec Intel Core Ultra 7 155H with 16 cores (8 P-cores + 8 E-cores + 2 LP-cores) and 22 threads.
• Doubles the core count of the Ryzen Z1 Extreme.
• Uses Intel’s hybrid P-core and E-core architecture, previously unpopular in handhelds due to limited graphics performance.

Graphics:

• Powerful Arc Alchemist architecture with 8 Xe-Cores boosting up to 2.25 GHz.
• Early tests show performance rivaling AMD’s integrated RDNA3 graphics in Ryzen 7040/8040 series.

Other Specs:

• Base power consumption of 28W for the Core Ultra 7 155H, with a max turbo power of 115W.

Potential Significance:

• The MSI Claw could be a game-changer for handheld gaming by bridging the performance gap with traditional PCs.
• Combining a powerful CPU with competitive integrated graphics could offer a portable, high-end gaming experience.
• However, concerns remain about potential thermal management challenges at high power draw.

More here.