How many actual PC handhelds are there?
The link in the article that promises “plenty” of handheld examples talks about Steam deck, Asus, and… the switch. And that’s it. And obviously the switch is not a PC handheld, so… ?
There’s quite a few. Steam deck and Asus, as you mentioned, but there’s also AyaNeo, GPD, OneXPlayer, Aokzoe, Lenovo, etc. And many of these brands have several different models, if you’re counting individual products.
And, most importantly, money bags to subsidise the hell out of it. Let’s not kid ourselves here, the damn low price is one of the main reasons why people buy the SD rather than the ~2x more expensive alternatives.
Not sure what you mean – they all run Linux. The images just have the video hardware configs baked in with a preconfigured user and start script. You would be amazed at how easy that is to do, all things considered. I have a few kiosk configurations I created for the two Home Assistant panels I have in my house.
Anecdotally, I have an Aya Neo. I know a few people with a few of the others brands. There’s a decently sized Aya Neo Discord that I’m part of, and I would assume the other brands have something similar. There’s definitely use of non-Steam handhelds, or there wouldn’t be a growing market for them.
How many actual PC handhelds are there?
The link in the article that promises “plenty” of handheld examples talks about Steam deck, Asus, and… the switch. And that’s it. And obviously the switch is not a PC handheld, so… ?
There’s quite a few. Steam deck and Asus, as you mentioned, but there’s also AyaNeo, GPD, OneXPlayer, Aokzoe, Lenovo, etc. And many of these brands have several different models, if you’re counting individual products.
MSI just announced their handheld PC too, it has an Intel (Meteor Lake) CPU with Arc graphics.
Oh, good shout! That one looks 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻
Ah thanks.
How many of those do people actually use though?
Valve was essentially LATE to the handheld market, they just had the technical and company will to do it the best.
And, most importantly, money bags to subsidise the hell out of it. Let’s not kid ourselves here, the damn low price is one of the main reasons why people buy the SD rather than the ~2x more expensive alternatives.
It helps they actually made their own OS to make it easier for people to get into. Windows really doesn’t work on those small screens
Not sure what you mean – they all run Linux. The images just have the video hardware configs baked in with a preconfigured user and start script. You would be amazed at how easy that is to do, all things considered. I have a few kiosk configurations I created for the two Home Assistant panels I have in my house.
https://wiki.clockworkpi.com/index.php/ClockworkOS
I hear that.
But how many people actually use all of those other brands listed?
It’s ok to just say “no one” without downvoting.
All I’m hearing is crickets
Anecdotally, I have an Aya Neo. I know a few people with a few of the others brands. There’s a decently sized Aya Neo Discord that I’m part of, and I would assume the other brands have something similar. There’s definitely use of non-Steam handhelds, or there wouldn’t be a growing market for them.
Do you have a steam deck too?
I do not
How’s the Aya? Does it dock with the TV/monitor?
Ah yes lemme whip out my magical sales numbers ball and let you know
Such as?
The Nintendo Switch runs on Windows and not a proprietary Nintendo OS?
Are you calling the Nintendo Switch a PC handheld?
I was questioning your statement that it runs on Windows.
I never said it did.
Which switch were you referring to then? A circuitry switch?
I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.
I think I misunderstood you now, but what I was mistakenly confused about until just now was
Ah gotcha, I see.
That’s what was listed in the article as “plenty” of PC handhelds. Ars was including the switch for reasons I don’t understand.
I think we’re on the same page with how that doesn’t make any sense.