PC Gamer’s hardware team has always appreciated handheld gaming PCs, from the Valve Steam Deck to the Asus ROG Ally X and MSI’s Claw 8 AI. While most in the market feature AMD processors, the Claw 8 AI is distinct for incorporating an Intel Lunar Lake chip. However, rumors indicate that its upcoming model might instead adopt an AMD Z2 Extreme chip.

This speculation originates from a recent development reported by Igor’s Lab, which hints that these changes were independently suggested back in January by the user CodeCommando. Currently, the Claw 8 AI+ utilizes an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor (commonly referred to as Lunar Lake), boasting an eight-core architecture with an integrated Battlemage GPU.

Despite being one of the best portable chips available, the Claw 8 falls short of becoming the best handheld gaming PC partly due to its size and relatively high price, around $900, which is substantially higher than competitors like the Asus ROG Ally X and the Steam Deck.

Additionally, the source of the leak suggests that MSI’s potential switch to AMD chips aims to enhance profitability per unit sold, notwithstanding the necessary redesign of the motherboard and cooling solutions.

For gaming enthusiasts, it remains to be seen whether this transition will yield a more affordable Claw 8, as MSI markets it as a premium model. Although some are eager to see the Lunar Lake processor continue, it has proven to be quite expensive for its intended audience.