Well at least with this setup you are allowed to make reservations ;)

I was actually thinking the same... If it is just the hardware and I can decide myself whether I install Windows or Linux on it or whatever, then what does it matter if the company behind it exists anymore? It is not like the game support depends on its success, if it can really play lots of normal PC games comfortably.

Of course warranty and repairs is one thing... but I am assuming here it will have a life of several years without needing repairs, and hopefully the battery can be easily replaced by yourself, using stock cells. Some battery-powered portable devices try to prevent that (Apple products anyone?), but some others don't, like the wireless 8bitDo Pro+ gamepads.

I've only once "fixed" one of my phones, and even that was merely about replacing its battery, which was user-replaceable. All the other phones I've had, I use them as long as they are usable, and then if something in them gets broken, it goes to recycling and I buy a new cheapo smartphone.

And if it needs some firmware updates to fix bugs, but I hope the company will be around long enough to get important fixes to firmware. After all, it is normal that laptops and desktop PCs stop getting BIOS/UEFI updates at some point as well, some sooner than later. Some people don't even update BIOS/UEFI even if there are updates available.

Steam Deck may be a bit different if it strongly relies on Valve's support on SteamOS running on the device, but even there I guess the option is to install some other Linux on it, or even stock Windows.

Distribution is not equal across the world and what is available in abundance in one country may be in short supply in others. That was why I hope this or some other handheld becomes mainstream because otherwise, it won't come to my country.

Importing is always an option (as long as the item actually exists) no matter where one lives in the world...

I'm not going to go further off-topic but I'll say that importing is notoriously un-reliable.

Reliable or not, it's still option, more so than an item never existing...

How much extra % you pay above MRP and whether it will reach you at all, and even then, whether it will reach you in once piece is unknown. So I'd say its a gamble with bad odds.

So i have to wonder... is this hardware even wanted/needed?

You can get cheap or decent laptops, chromebooks you can change out the OS. The aspect of having a controller is solved by a USB controller in the $10+ range depenidng on what you're wanting...

... I suppose the advantage of sticking it in your pocket? But Walmart had the mini-laptop for $200 like six years ago and even that is likely replaced by something better.

So... who.. is this for? (Same with the steam deck.). I don't see the point.

I wouldn't be surprised if this is a pc worlds venture into the handheld market, I belief it is somewhere in Valve's explanation about how to expand their markets to ensure the sustainability. That said i belief every dollar on 4 dollars spend on gaming is going towards the pc scene atm. There are a lot of people enjoying Nintendo's handheld's for years now so that is a point for trying right? furthermore it is indeed more mobile and convenient then a laptop and is easily converted into a full fledged desktop setup and certainly if you add a mobile dedicated gpu with thunderbolt

Same as what is point of a laptop, surely everyone can just use desktops, you can change out os having a usb controller…

I own a (several) desktops, and use that as my main machine. I also have a gaming laptop, that’s abroad at my partners place, and it is great for when I am there. It is not great however to lug about and the power block and a usb mouse and keyboard and controller. These devices fill the space where powerful laptops are no longer portable and phones are not good enough for games.. Sure you could get a small laptop, but is the power there, is it easy to use standing up, do you space in your limited travel bag etc.
So there are people interested and that explains why there are more and more appearing as there is a market for them.

The laptop being the first of the portable tech (that we really latched onto), has had many iterations of upgrades. But with tablets i suppose you can ask what the point of a laptop is, except it has a full keyboard and is cheaper to produce/buy because you are't using a touch-screen...

Laptops though have a use. Be it from VNC connecting to your main system and being able to more comfortably sit on a couch and do work, or being able to take a more minimal system with you; you aren't expecting it to do everything; (or if you are expecting everything it's beefier or you have lower requirements)

I find FAR more value in a laptop than in a steam deck, the ds, a gamegear or any of the other devices mobile device including my phone. Is it perfect? No. But then again few devices have a keyboard and hold themselves upright and can be programmed to be as customizable. Nearly all other devices pale in comparison. Hell even as customizable as a nice big tablet is, i can't root it and install certain software i'd want to do or do a custom OS. Mine tend to just become ereaders or slideshow viewers.

Now if you asked the same thing about the raspberry pi, i'd agree with you more, as it's just a system but far smaller and needs all the same cables and hookups, has no battery supply, etc etc. And as much as i love my pi's they don't get as much attention as they should because of that need of having to hook them up and being tethered down the same.

edit: Although systems you can't change the OS (sercure boot, etc) and are locked to say Windows 8 or 10 or 11.... *gags*

When you are in a crowded bus or train or somewhere where there is little room and no desk, you probably wouldn't want to pry out your (gaming) laptop and try to play games on it.

Anyway, I personally am not really in need for a handheld gaming device because I don't commute with public transportation, or have to wait somewhere (like on airports) often. When I decide I want to play some (PC) games, it usually means I have some kind of desk, use a proper mouse, and the laptop is connected to power. So for my personal use, I would probably think "nah, better save that money for a gaming laptop".

However, for my kids, maybe a handheld gaming PC would be ok for many occasions. I bought them a Nintendo Switch already for that, but maybe a gaming PC handheld would have been a better choice because I have lots of PC games to play on them, no need to buy any more games (for Nintendo Switch).

Unfortunately though, my son once tried to play games on the Switch in the car, and he got nauseous very fast. He just couldn't play longer than five minutes or so.

Switch has one thing over these PC handhelds: you can rest assured all Switch games are fully playable with it because they are specifically designed for it (and its controls, small screen etc.), while with these PC handhelds I need to try out each game how feasible it is to play them with this kind of handheld PC, without a keyboard, proper mouse, smaller screen etc. I am sure lots of games are fully playable on them, but not all.

Anyway, we will see. I first want to know how easy and feasible it is to play also non-Steam games on Steam Deck (not making you jump through too many hoops, e.g. do all the controller functions work also without Steam loaded?) and whether you can replace its battery yourself with stock battery cells, and then if I sometime feel I have too much money, I might buy one, or this Aya Neo, or GPD Win 3.

You'd be surprised. Also a gaming laptop would be more high-end, i was meaning lower-end systems where if they are damaged aren't as big an issue ($100 vs $1,400).

But i was more meaning we have enough hardware already that is sufficient. The DS was particularly successful and didn't seem any more powerful than a PS1...