This was already true for x86 handhelds, companies like Ayaneo and GPD have been around for quite some time. However, removing Windows from the equation and the huge resource overhead it causes, and making Linux a viable alternative with their work on Proton, has absolutely shaken the industry up. It looks like Microsoft is going to try and release a hybrid Windows/Xbox OS for OEMs. I did try out Win11 on my Lenovo Legion Go for an hour or so and it was just awful compared to Bazzite (that uses the Steam Deck UI). So all up it’s a pretty exciting time for handheld and low power gaming!
Ayaneo and GPD are too expensive for to be compared to consoles imo. They’ve been above a grand and in general similarly priced as a laptop with the same internal hardware. Edit: The Steam Deck basically halved the price for an powerful x86 handheld, and made it comparable to a Switch. This is imo the only reason it sells so well.
Having steam as a platform to advertise the steamdeck probably helps. Tens of millions of people being told about your product, people that are already using your platform as well.
But if it gets more people using Linux I am alright with that. Kinda want a steamdeck but also don’t really want to spend steamdeck money right.
It’s pretty awesome that the steamdeck is now basically a viable and far less limited alternative to consoles for around the same price as one.
This was already true for x86 handhelds, companies like Ayaneo and GPD have been around for quite some time. However, removing Windows from the equation and the huge resource overhead it causes, and making Linux a viable alternative with their work on Proton, has absolutely shaken the industry up. It looks like Microsoft is going to try and release a hybrid Windows/Xbox OS for OEMs. I did try out Win11 on my Lenovo Legion Go for an hour or so and it was just awful compared to Bazzite (that uses the Steam Deck UI). So all up it’s a pretty exciting time for handheld and low power gaming!
Ayaneo and GPD are too expensive for to be compared to consoles imo. They’ve been above a grand and in general similarly priced as a laptop with the same internal hardware. Edit: The Steam Deck basically halved the price for an powerful x86 handheld, and made it comparable to a Switch. This is imo the only reason it sells so well.
Having steam as a platform to advertise the steamdeck probably helps. Tens of millions of people being told about your product, people that are already using your platform as well.
But if it gets more people using Linux I am alright with that. Kinda want a steamdeck but also don’t really want to spend steamdeck money right.