The Problems with Ultra Cheap PC Handhelds, Pre-Orders and SteamOS

Summary

The video covers the host's frustrating experience pre-ordering two AYN Loki handheld gaming devices, culminating in him finally receiving three units. He reviews the $224 Loki Zero, discussing its specs, game performance, versatility of Windows, and process of installing SteamOS. Though underpowered, the Loki Zero seems compelling for its price compared to Android competitors if using lightweight emulators and indie games. The video also examines SteamOS licenses and why companies can't ship devices with SteamOS installed without Valve's approval.

Takeaways

• 😀 The buying process for the AYN Loki was frustrating, with multiple SKU changes and lack of communication.
• 🤔 Getting review units for free may bias reviews compared to regular buyers' experiences.
• 🤨 The Loki Zero is the cheapest Windows handheld at $224, but runs games poorly.
• 😟 Putting SteamOS on the Loki was easy with ChimeraOS, but compatibility is hit or miss.
• 😠 SteamOS licensing issues prevent third parties from shipping it out of the box.
• 😶‍🌫️ The Loki Zero benchmarks low, but runs some 2D indie games fine.
• 😐 Few 3D games run well on the Loki Zero even on Windows.
• 🙂 The Loki is useful for low-powered 2D indie games, especially ones on Steam.
• 😮 The buying experience matters and should be considered in reviews.
• 🧐 Despite flaws, the Loki Zero is compelling for the price versus Android handhelds.

Q & A

What devices did the narrator originally pre-order and what happened to those pre-orders?

The narrator originally pre-ordered the Loki 256 and the Loki Mini Intel version. Both pre-orders ended up being canceled or discontinued by AYN.

What games ran well on the Loki Zero?

Less demanding 2D indie games like Celeste and Gravity Circuit ran great on the Loki Zero.

Why didn't the narrator test out the Loki Mini Pro?

The narrator didn't test out the Loki Mini Pro because it was extremely similar in power and price to the Loki Zero, and AYN had already discontinued it.

What is the narrator's view on getting review units for free?

The narrator doesn't think getting free review units contributes to inherent bias. However, he notes that it can provide a different experience from regular consumers going through a buying process.

What happened when the narrator tweeted about his frustrating ordering experience?

Someone from AYN saw his tweet, reached out apologizing, looked into his order, and offered him a free Odin 2 Pro review unit.

How does the Loki Zero compare to other handhelds in a similar price range?

With the option to install EmuDeck on Windows or ChimeraOS, the Loki Zero seems more and more enticing compared to Android handhelds like the Retroid or Anbernic in a similar price range.

Why aren't there more SteamOS devices besides the Steam Deck?

The Steam client software required for SteamOS is proprietary, so you need a license from Valve to include it commercially. This makes it difficult for other companies to release SteamOS devices.

What was the narrator's experience getting ChimeraOS running on the Loki Zero?

Putting ChimeraOS on the Loki Zero wasn't too difficult overall. Performance seemed on par with running Celeste natively in Windows.

What are some recommendations the narrator gave for handheld gaming PCs?

The narrator recommended saving up for a cheap Steam Deck, base model Asus ROG Ally, or other device with more power if possible. But said the Loki Zero could be decent depending on use case.

What does the narrator think is the best option for compatibility and UI on these devices?

The narrator thinks running Steam in Big Picture Mode on Windows provides the best compatibility and UI experience on these low-powered handheld PCs.