https://www.pcgamesn.com/steam-deck/antec-ayaneo-handheld
It seems that everyone wants to try their hand at making a PC gaming handheld these days, as even stalwart PC case manufacturers are at it.
They're known for making PC cases, so I assume this one is going to have a fancy case and the internals will be unsupported after like three years.
the only PSU I ever owned that failed catastrophically was an Antec, so I can't say I have a good impression of the brand
At least, they were right, that we would never have guessed the name of a company we didn't know about. 🙃
isn’t actually being manufactured by Antec, but is in fact just a rebranded version of the Ayaneo Slide.
The sliding keyboard looks like a nifty idea (though, of course, everything depends on the execution). Windows, however, is a dealbreaker.
The Steamdeck's USP is that it's a handheld PC which is priced like a console.
Don't get me wrong, these handhelds are cool, but they're not competitors to the steamdeck unless they're hitting the same price points.
How much is a steamdeck ? I'm not much for gaming, but curious. Just not curious enough to actually look.
Used to be able to get Certified Refurbished 64gb from steam goes for $280, but it's not in stock. Keep an eye out, they might become available again.
Agreed. I think whenever the next steam deck iteration comes out, I'll get it. I don't usually like buying the first iteration of something.
Honestly I'm still rocking my Q3 OG 500gb steam deck. To put how much I love this thing in perspective: I had got a slot for the Limited Edition Steam deck, but because my original works so darn well, I could not pull the trigger and didn't see any good reason to upgrade.
Personally, if I were to do it again, I'd go buy a 64gb refurbished cheap af steam deck, but a 500gb nvme or w.e, and then use the extra money to just buy a bunch of 512gb sd cards.
Oh I didn't know Steam Deck can take NVMEs or SDs, I may actually consider buying one then
Yep! Just make sure you get it in the correct formfactor, a 2230 NVME. And id also do a bit of research just because all of it is expensive equipment. Theoretically its just as easy as with a pc, just a bit smaller.
Thanks for the info, just a small question though, does it come with an empty NVME slot or is the storage listed on steam page already in that NVME slot?
Single NVME and single SD slot. However, upgrading the NVME is a breeze. The entire device is designed to be user serviceable and Valve provides steps for reinstalling the OS on their site.
Props to you, OP, for not doing the clickbait thing and putting the answer in the headline of the post.
So people not understand the main benefits of the Steamdeck are: It's cheap It doesn't use windows.
Like honestly, GPD has been making solid windows handhelds for years, but they've never been a popular as now because of these two things.
Don't forget support. For what the Steam Deck is, I'll take runs well over runs fast any day. It's not like these competitors are letting you crank the settings to Ultra at 120 FPS.
Yup, I didn't buy the Steam Deck to do 4K ray tracing at 120FPS. I bought it so I can pick up any Steam Deck Verified game and play it without relative issue. Being able to suspend the game immediately and just knowing things work beats fiddling with Windows on a handheld.
Unless Antec has started a coding division, I can't see it ever having the integration the SteamDeck does.
I have no use for a slide out keyboard, but I love that these PC handhelds are trying out weird shit to see what sticks.
I wish slide out keyboards would make a comeback on high end phones. I might actually play mobile games (but not gachas). Touch controls feel like garbage to me, not to mention blocking the screen with your thumbs.
I really miss the keyboard on my old Motorola Droid 2. Still wasn't any good for gaming honestly, but it's way better for typing than a touchscreen.
Problem with those is portability and convenience. Work breaks, waiting rooms, etc., I'm not going to have a controller with me so a slideout keyboard works better. Any situation I'd play mobile games with a controller would probably be a situation I could just bring a Switch or Steam Deck.
We're in the 'weird' phase of a new form factor.
There are a few designs that have been interesting. I like weird, but as a steamdeck daily driver, its a pretty good starting point. Hard to improve upon.
isn’t actually being manufactured by Antec, but is in fact just a rebranded version of the Ayaneo Slide.
The article says it is.
Great catch. The buttons at the bottom are the exact same. Looks like a clone.
Maybe they only took the exterior like MSI did with their Claw OEMing the ASUS Ally.
It looks like a cross between a sidekick and that weird keyboard attachment that went on 360 controllers. Who is this for?
I didn't even realize Antec still existed. I knew them for their cases (I had the Twelve Hundred), but I haven't seen any build pics with their cases on Reddit/Lemmy for years. There was a year where it seemed like everyone was building in the Bitfenix Prodigy, then another where everyone was in the NZXT Phantom, then after that it's been mostly Corsair, Cooler Master, and Fractal. My last 4 have been Fractal.