You can buy an Xbox Series X, PS5, and Switch 2 for less than the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ — It feels to me like the handheld PC gaming era is over
MSI unveiled its new Claw 8 EX AI+ gaming handheld at Computex, but the device’s price has become the focal point of discussion. Originally announced at $1,500, the handheld quickly climbed to $1,799 when listed on MSI’s official website.
The pricing has drawn significant criticism within the gaming community for its poor value proposition. For the same $1,799 investment, a consumer could purchase an Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch 2 combined—three complete gaming ecosystems offering far greater collective value than a single portable PC gaming device.
This pricing strategy has prompted industry observers to question the viability of handheld PC gaming as a market segment. With premium price points that substantially exceed traditional gaming console alternatives, these devices struggle to justify their cost to mainstream consumers. The comparison highlights a fundamental challenge facing the handheld PC gaming market: competing against established, affordable platforms while offering limited differentiation beyond portability.