Thank you Russ! I was really looking forward to this review, and it was well worth the wait. I actually ordered my AYANEO2 with the "early bird" perk already, but this video just confirmed that I made the right decision :) keep up the great work, and looking forward to your RP3+ review!
Wonderful and detailed video as always! I'm very glad to see Ayaneo continuing to grow and be successful. I have the Ayaneo 2021 retro power model and it's a great little machine, but to be honest I barely use it because of how uncomfortable I found it to hold. I'm glad Ayaneo are taking ergonomics more seriously. I'm very tempted by the Ayaneo 2, but I'm quite happy with my steam deck at the moment, and it's by far the most comfortable handheld gaming device I've ever owned.
I'd be interested to see battery life at 800p, matching steam deck settings and TDPs to see how much more efficient the 6800u can be over the Steam Deck's chipset.
The Aya Neo looks much more refined than the deck , and the screen section is flawless , I dont care about a super lasting battery life , I care about performance so the Ayaneo is my pick
I hate when people don't do fighting game tests for dpads as it just seems the best way to test them for consistency and execution. Good to see someone do it. I would personally go for 5 consecutive hadoukens, then shoryukens, then back/forward and up/down charge moves like guiles, as sometimes back forward charges can trigger jumps which can make pads nearly unusable. Understand that would maybe pad videos out too much and I'm sure it's something you would have mentioned had it been a problem. Really great review.
Fighting games, shooting games and platformers tend to like different kinds of dpads. though a good shooting game will at the very least tell you how diagonals are.
@@Gravijahz yeah true. I always think if a dpad is good enough to execute combos/moves on in fighting games it generally will mean they're decent for everything else too. You're not wrong though.
Thank you very much for the review! You covered all the topics I wanted to hear and you proved that I made a right choice when chose this handheld device with this gorgeous display and premium materials. It's also a great powerhorse to completetly remove my PC from the shelf and use it as a work machine with those 3 USB-C ports, 32gb RAM and an eGPU support.
I really appreciate this video. this has helped me alot with my decision. thank you for taking the time to go so in depth. this is the perfect review for me and I actually really enjoyed watching the video from start to finish. you are really good at what you do and I appreciate that you do it. awesome video
Great review Russ! As a previous buyer of gaming laptops, I think the price is reasonable for what you get with the Neo 2. Having said that I bought a $400 Steam Deck (received five days after purchase), and put in my own Micron 1TB 2230 SSD for half the price of the Neo 2. I'm really happy with my Steam Deck, I find the grips really comfortable to hold on to and plan to keep it but the Neo 2 does have some interesting features I look forward to on the Steam Deck 2 or maybe I'll buy a Neo 3 someday. The features I'm talking about mostly have to do with using an eGPU and being able to use the handheld as a desktop replacement switch style PC.
The main thing I don't want to let go of with the steam deck is all the extra buttons and configuration - the touch pads alone add so much compatibility for so many games
Great video! I already own a steam deck so it's super hard to justify spending $1k on ANOTHER handheld device, but I'm still soooo tempted! Thanks for the great review.
Sell Steam Deck, in many places they are still going for over MSRP. I have a buyer for mine this weekend for $600 for my 512GB. So only a $400 upgrade to buy this. :)
I still like to play PC games that is more keyboard and mouse heavy. It does take some time to set up virtual menus, mode shifts , etc for these games but I still like the option of playing them on a handheld. Ayaneo 2 is best for games designed around a controller.
Great review. The last device I was using was the 351m with all the mods listed in your videos. It was fun playing around with all the settings. I held out for the ayaneo 2 and ordered it can't wait. Looking forward to your future reviews and mods
Great perspective, as always, Russ. Rupert, Wallace, and the gaming community are always better for your patient, insightful moderation. (What a genius, unexpected addition to the review … THIS is what is missing in other reviews, and the reason why your work is so important! Thank you!)
Great review! Can't wait for the last month to meet Aya Neo 2. Just only 2 wishes for the future pc handhelds: 3h + AAA gameing battery life, half the weight lol
Cheers Russ, enjoyed the review. More interesting for me as a pointer to the future rather than something I'm interested in now, it shows what is possible with a quality screen and plenty of power. Battery life aside it made handheld PC gaming look like a good idea. I'd get a Steamdeck over this all day for the value but it's still super impressive. Just not in that manky Retropower colour scheme, there's a real disconnect between that and the power of this thing to my eyes. :)
Thanks for the review, I was going to get the ayaneo2 but decided I really wanted the Win4 more, since I'm not waiting for the AyaSlide. I really want a keyboard on the go this way I have everything I need/want in a small package. Only reason I considered the Ayaneo2 was that screen is phenomenal.
Im in a similar boat, the Win4 with the slideout keyboard looks very neat. Only issue is, I already find the 7inch screen on the Steam Deck kinda small at times, do you think a 6inch will only exacerabte these issue more ?
Another great review Russ! I loved the case study at the end. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the Retro Pocket 3+. I preordered one yesterday, even though I already own the original RP3. Cheers!
@@altair3090 the SD is around $1200AUD for the 512gb version while I got the 512gb Geek for about the same with the early bird. Not sure what it is now.
I think it is interesting to contrast your review of the AYANEO NEXT review from 9 months ago with the AYANEO 2. Back in February you could not get over the pricing and your "okay, let's talk about that" interruption made the whole review relatable to me. Your AYANEO 2 review does not make a big deal of the pricing apart from stating that there are potential customers where money is no object. I enjoy your opinions on the subjective "value-for-money" aspect of a new console (justifying expenditure against real world bills) and hope that you don't ignore this in your future content.
You bring up a good point, and I appreciate the feedback. I think my outlook has changed since February, and that has to do with the Steam Deck releasing. With the AYANEO Next I struggled to see how the experience could justify that high price point, and it certainly was above something I would be willing to pay. Then the Steam Deck came out, and it 100% became something I think is worth it at the $400 or even the $650 price point. That's the device for me. Now, every handheld PC comparison I make is not whether a new device is worth its price, but whether it's a worthy alternative to the Steam Deck. So yeah, instead of looking at the AYANEO 2 in a vacuum to determine its value, I made that section about SD vs AYANEO 2. In that comparison, I am 100% a Rupert, but as I finished the video I realized that the audience of this video isn't other Ruperts like me, but the Wallaces out there. Hope that makes sense!
Wow russ what an amazing review... I mean you just become better at your craft every video you put out. I understand what you mean by a more premium experience as well because I am one of those people who like to buy the best version of something and take care of it for the next few years. That being said ayaneo rolls out devices fairly fast and I hope that this isn't subject to what we have seen from ayn or retro pocket where the device you buy is literally replaced before the next calendar year. But I love this device and that screen is just stunning to look at.
liked and subscribed immediatly after starting this video :) i came across this chanel while researching this device a couple of weeks ago. your attention to detail has been extremly helpfull so just wanted to say thankyou and keep up the great reviews. ive personaly shelled out and grabed the geek version of this, just to throw 2c in. longivity wise the capability of thunderbolt 4 was a huge pro to me. yes its alot of money with everything considered but if the device lasts then in comparison its worth it. why i steered away from competitors like one x and aok. aok is serisoly new and from what ive read in conjuction with onex. and onex has alot to be improve on customer service wise, also living in aus this was a huge con. cheers
Getting. No more waiting. Waiting is the mind-killer that leads to more newly released devices and more watching videos and more deciding on whether to wait.
@@beezrow Well, in my defense, i sent Aya an email (in English and traditional Chinese) on 01/16 asking about their return policy and never heard back. So...
I really like this device. I think it is probably the best alternative to Steam Deck at the moment. Bit expensive but I would still be willing to splash the cash if I didn't have the Deck. I can wait for an even better device in the near future though. The only issue I have really is no trackpad. I am quite spoiled by the trackpad on the Steam Deck, it has been quite essential for me. Hopefully future devices have one, otherwise I'll just have to wait for the Steam Deck 2.
Couldn't agree more with Wallace I too was looking to upgrade my 2014 gaming laptop. This check all the marks for me portable gaming, upgrade laptop, already have a decent 4k monitor and if I ever needed to play at max settings I could hook up an external GPU. Got myself the white 32gb ram 2T storage.
Great job as always Russ! Got a steamdeck recently as well and am maining it alongside my Miyoo. Aya Neo 2 is great, but I thought the law of dimining returns might apply at a certain point. Either way, both are amazing devices and its great that we live in a time where we can play our games without waiting for a handheld port that may or may not look as good as the original.
Great video, thanks for this. I was close to buying a Aya Neo but that price man...ouch. I love the hardware, competition is great but I do worry that too many Aya devices are being released over a relatively short period of time. Over saturation of the market is a thing as well as consumer confusion. Speaking of saturation, Reshade on Steam Deck has worked wonders for me.
For me this is an excellent turning point in handheld gaming technology. I think it's finally at the point where I could be gaming on this for the next 3-5 years without feeling the need to upgrade. My Steam Deck has been great over this last 9 months, but I was always disappointed in the screen quality and always felt the desire for just a little more power to hit that solid 60FPS in many titles. I can't wait to get my Ayaneo2 in Dec/Jan, I think it will be with me for a long long time.
@@jitterrypokery1526 I love my Vita, I have over 3000hrs on it now, but mine isn't even modded, I just play Vita games. But from what I've read it can't even emulate PS2 so I wouldn't say it's the gold standard. Maybe for 8-16bit stuff, but there's better devices out there now.
I'm on a similar boat, but there's no way I can afford this right now lmao. Maybe when my steam deck stops working or is severely outdated, I'll get something like this
This device is amazing, but is sadly way out of my price range, especially when a company like this releases new offerings every other month. I'll for sure be sticking with the Steam Deck for now, and in all honesty, I'd probably be better waiting on a Deck 2 or refresh down the road. As that will be priced right, and probably offer more quality of life improvements that couldn't make it on the first deck due to cost cutting measures.
Yeah, if money is a concern it's absolutely the right choice for you. For me I'm really happy with the Steam Deck overall, as it's nearly perfect for how I use it. However the one glaring drawback is the screen, it's terrible IMO and it bothers me every time I use it. I ordered the Ayaneo 2 B.Duck version and as soon as it arrives, my 512GB Steam Deck is getting sold. It's close to double the price sure, but I think that the upgrades are well worth it. I look forward to seeing what Valve does with the Steam Deck 2.
@@WitchDoctor87 It depends. Opinions vary and also the hands of the people are different, as well. That means that the Steam Deck won't be comfortable for everyone. Same with the AYANEOs. I held the Steam Deck in my hands for only 10-15 minutes (the one of my friend) and have hated it already. I hate the looks, I hate the bad display and colors of it and I hate the sticks being so far towards the middle of the device. My hands are very small and my thumbs short making it tough to reach out to those analog sticks. I love my AYANEO NEXT, also my AYANEO Air Pro but as I said - it all comes down to your own opinion and especially to your own preferences.
Youre attention to detail for these devices is amazing. It makes me think about these devices in different way! Great videos keep up the amazing work👍🏻
Talking about the ergonomics got me thinking about the steam deck ergonomics. I found that the bumpers are a bit hard to reach on the deck for me. Which is why I LOVE the R4 and L4 buttons on the back. I usually re map the bumpers to those on my deck. The fact that this device doesn't have R4 and L4 would be a bit worrying for me. The steam decks controls just can't be beat in my opinion.
I need at least two back buttons for jump/slide in shooters like Destiny and Halo. I'm just too used to it and I hate alternate control schemes cause something always has to be sacrificed. Valve and GPD get big points from me for recognizing this and I really hope Aya follows along soon. I'd like to see Aya try a slightly deeper grip with buttons like Scuf Vantage has in the depression - I think that would be a good compromise that might minimize accidental presses.
Aya Neo seems to be more aimed at PC games to be played on a controller while the Deck is aimed to included playing PC games that are keyboard and mouse heavy.
Not only the back buttons themselves, but Steam Input’s overall customizability is off the charts. That’s an area that is hard to beat the Steam Deck (for those who care about it).
Would you ever be willing to make a full out the box setup and troubleshooting/tips and tricks video for a device like the Ayaneo 2? For those of us that might be getting one but have never used something like it before.
I'm really curious about how the Ayaneo Geek compares. Seems like the differences are some software, the way the panel bezels look (if you get the purple one) and different controller placement
I also want to see the Geek Compared. I guess AYA hasn’t ship review units of the Geek since it is not the top device. However it looks by the campaign it is the one they are selling the most.
On a guess, the Geek is probably roughly the same experience as the Ayaneo 2. The most noticeable differences about the specs will probably be the screen resolution and the lack of HD rumble support.
@@bluemidnight5926 but even the purple Geek has the same screen as the Ayaneo 2 .. so the differences will be HD rumble an additional gyro (which I have no clue what it will do differently than a single one) and slim bezels
Hey Russ. I know you’re busy with Ragnarok but I was just curious when you have a chance if you have an AOKZOE review in the nearish pipeline as these seem like pretty obvious competitors. Thanks!
Great review, would be lovely if you can do a separate in-depth video just focusing on running the games at the highest TDP both with native resolution and 800p at high settings and testing as many PC games as possible with no emulation games included to see how exactly powerful is the AMD chip here and what are it’s limits. Also does the Aya Neo 2 have a quick resume feature similar to the SD?
I'm very curious how the sound tab function and the vibration motors are doing. So far I haven't seen any reviews that have reported about it. Was hoping to learn more here.
I'll probably wait for a Steam Deck 2 as I basically want what the Ayaneo 2 is but with a lower price, community support, better screen and form factor as well. Hope Valve can do that.
@@HairyBottom very doubtful. Valve isn't stupid, they know the Steam Deck isn't a typical console, so they have to on a modified PC lifecycle. Look at laptops, a new version is released every year. I would be surprised if Valve didn't have a new Steam Deck available for Holiday 2023.
Value strategy seems totally different from the AYaneo. You seem to think Value is in competition with the Ayaneo but Value is using the console strategy of selling the hardware at cost hoping to get more gamers in pc games which increase sales on Steam. Ayaneo 2 success helps Value since their goal is sell more games.
@@bnr32jason i think valve cares more about device longevity than releasing new models every year. I mean you dont need any proof for that just look at their line up of devices. I think steam deck will be around for a long time before they even attempt to make a new one and it is not their mean of making profit. That is still just steam games which makes them alot of money. Steam deck can probably play most of the games on steam as more of them get supported in the future. So yeah, like you said valve isn’t stupid. They wouldn’t want to release a new device every year like these Chinese companies whose sole profit model is the hardware itself hence their high price.
This is likely the first higher tier Windows handheld that really feels enticing to me. Most of the others looked to be relatively flat with the bare minimum of comfort built in to hold compared to a steam deck, which I feel is a major strong point for that device along with battery life. This Ayaneo 2 looks to do good enough in both of those categories while also materially upping the power and giving a premium casing and screen. I am more interested in emulation than modern pc gaming but if I decide to get a power boost, I would pick this device at the moment.
There's a part of me that wants very badly to buy this, because it looks incredible. But I've already purchased an Aya Neo 2021 and OXP last year, and bought a Steam Deck a couple of months ago. I literally cannot justify buying this, unless I sell all three of those and replace it with just this. Still tempted. But for a handheld all-in-one PC, you could do worse than around $1000--but you could also do a lot better. It's really down to personal preference, but it is an absolutely amazing device, and I'm so glad that the handheld market has grown to this level.
Just like any PC, it's not really worth it to upgrade each generation unless you are upgrading from a low/mid end model of the previous generation to a high end of the new generation. In your case it won't even be a full generation if you consider the cpu/integrated graphics as a whole.
@@samh5886 For sure. Honestly, for all the quirks of the Iris Xe drivers, its capabilities is pretty on par with my Steam Deck, and the OXP's 8 inch screen is the main reason I'm holding onto it. I got the Steam Deck because I was up in the queue and curious enough to give it a shot, and I can always recoup most (if not all) of the cost if I decide to sell it. I like it, but I don't know if I like Linux yet. And I love my 2021 model, but if I'm being honest, I tend to use the OXP more purely because of the superior screen. So while I'd love to dive into this model, I know I wouldn't use it enough to justify the price tag. ...But it's so pretty.
I would say sell all three, unless for some reason you need multiple handheld devices. Also, I'm curious what better handheld you can get than this for $1000?
@@bnr32jason I mean, the Steam Deck is about half the price. Also, older models selling used for half to two-thirds of the price. Also, gaming laptop with a controller could net you way more power for the same/less price, even if you lose the form factor. Like I said, it's all down to personal preference.
Great review, but Rupert forgot the biggest factor going for Steam Deck: trackpads, gyro and backbuttons. I really can't imagine going back after using these. Without them, I think you really are cutting down the ways you can use a handheld.
Great review! Just waiting for the real wave of Next Gen games (PS5/XSX) to come to PC and then get whichever handheld could play them best. Imagine playing GTA6, Marvel Spiderman 2 or the next DBZ Budokai Tenkaichi on a handheld?
I want the ayaneo 2 so bad. It’s just so gorgeous and powerful. My question is would you buy one for your own personal use? To me it’s the best looking and best overall handheld device using the 6800u soc.
We need to get you some GPD devices - I just got my Win Max 2 and I'm loving it so far. The performance is going to be on-par with this thing, but the screen is awesome and having a keyboard can come in very handy. It's a good "do everything" device, rather than being exclusively for gaming (without a dock anyways).
@@RetroGameCorps oh, yeah, that's probably true. They've had 2-3 covid shutdowns between their office and their factory, and they're still struggling to get the IGG units shipped.
Your comparison at 27:10 is the wisest, more Salomonic I've ever seen , instead of saying Steam Deck is the best and all other are 💩(like everyone who has been paid by steam) you decide to be objective and to point the public towards wich one is directed for in a very creative way , that gets you my like and my suscription. For me the Aya Neo is an obvious winner (like Wallace 😁)
to the date, is steam deck still the most capable + bettery battery life of all these new handhelds or has it been dethroned? Seems like all these new devices are similar/stronger than steam deck but battery life is a miss
Just looking at the games that have been tested on various RUclips channels and battery life estimates, it seems roughly the same. When I crank my Steam Deck up to 15 watts in order to play something like Tales of Arise at 60FPS medium settings my battery lasts just under 2 hours. That's about the same as this one.
@@bnr32jason thanks for feedback. Got my odin pro a couple of days ago (ordered since end of july) and was considering a windows handheld now but think ill wait since battery life on the odin is amazing
@@n0nefalcondorf on the same note, I can get 9 hours out of my Steam Deck playing visual novels, and this will likely be close to the same, maybe 8 hours. So it can get good battery life, just depends what you are playing.
Not buying just now, but I'll probably buy this or its successor when I need to get a new PC. Currently using a Lenovo Thinkpad yoga x1 gen 3 (circa 2018).
At 1:37 it shows the lineup but the shape of the devices on the bottom is different to the unit reviewed. The review unit has a flat bottom but the images show a more agronomic looking control which goes lower than the screen. I know the unit was a pre-production one so which is accurate, the images or the review unit?
I actually want to know how long this device would give optimum performance. Given the price and less repairability compared with steam deck, how would it compare in 3-4 years to come? And how easy is it to change the battery when it degrades?
As cool as it is that there is so much improvement in handheld devices so quickly, it also makes it really frustrating to want to buy one, just one, and have it be competitively performant for as long as possible. If I bought the Ayaneo 2 now and in another 9 months, what if there's as significant an upgrade to it as there was from the Next to the 2 for the same price or even less?
21:10 Just want to say how useful this section is to get an overall preview of the device. So many youtubers just put the tdp and a barely visible framerate and expect you to do the math yourself.
love the look of it, but I'm definitely done with Windows handhelds after getting my steamdeck. Once SteamOS has a general release that works bug-free on these devices, I'll start looking, but having my aya neo air pro, which should be my perfect device, and preferring my steam deck 9 times out of 10 tells me that it's just not worth better performance/screen/build or anything else when the user experience is so sub-par.
I can partially agree with you there. Once the Steam client update came out for Windows giving us the new Steam OS interface, I had to give it a try so I installed Windows on my Steam Deck. I love the console like experience that you get with Steam OS 3.0, and while I only did it for testing, I found that I was barely touching Windows at all, it was just running in the background. I think on this device, the new Steam interface plus the AyaSpace interface to give quick access to TDP settings will be the best of both worlds. Then you get all the flexibility of Windows and being able to install any game and mods and stuff while just being able to game in a console-like environment using the Steam interface. Whenever full SteamOS 3.0 is available, I'll probably dual-boot. I've enjoyed my Deck a lot since I got in February, but I think my time with it is up now that this is available.
I'm the complete opposite. As soon as I tried SteamOS and Linux, I was like "Nope, so done with this." Everything is so freaking complicated and not every Windows game will play great on it (emulation is also lacking too at least with GameCube and things like Metroid Prime where there's still stutters here and there.) All this is when I realized that what I really wanted was a handheld with Windows in mind. Hence why I bought the AYA Neo Geek two days ago, and I can't wait.
Just out of curiosity is there any way you’d be able to do a comparison of AYANEO 2 against the AYANEO Geek? I’m thinking about getting one or the other but since no one is really talking about the Geek I was curious as to if the increase in prices from the Geek to the 2 is definitely worth it or not.
How would it feel for people with really large hands? The issue I have with portable devices is that I'm 6'9" with much larger than average hands so I get cramped up super easily using tiny devices because I have to curl my fingers in order to comfortably handle the buttons.
@@obvious_giraffe8386 lol the steam deck actually works decently well for me because the buttons and sticks are at the top of the device. I was just curious about this one.
Hear ya. I love my Switch but I can't play it for long without cramping (have to hover my hand to use the d-pad), but that would be better if the sticks were horizontally oriented. Hoping for a change in the next handheld generations!
@@Tyler-hk4wo im a midget then 6'2. Havent tried other devices but they dont seem to have depth as the deck does. Probably cant get as good as a grip on them. I can only assume if its smaller the grips are smaller too so they wont look off with a weird proportions
I'm very curious how the Ayn Loki Max will turn out - it's advertised as having very similar specs to this, but in a smaller form factor and at a (slightly) lower price. Too bad it's been delayed, but either way, the emergence of more 6800U devices seems like something to look forward to!
Keeping my preorder for the Ayn Loki. Ayn give constant updates and are very transparent about what they’re doing. I also think it looks cleaner than this Ayn Neo 2. Though I would rather have the bigger screen. Ayn says they’ve figured out their display now to allow running at lower res AND refresh rate on the panel itself which should give greater battery life for those who want it.
I’m in the same camp. I have a Loki Max on preorder which is supposedly shipping in January. This AyaNeo2 piques my interest. I’m on the fence on whether to cancel the Loki Max and get this, since it has better resolution, a 32GB RAM option, etc.
The Ayaneo 2 looks great, but the price is slightly eye watering. And with your brothers scenario at the end, I'd be an advocate of the Deck. I'm watching this on my docked Steam Deck and it works excellently as a desktop/media center. Browsing, productivity, playing media, games, and emulation. Kinda does it all.
I like it too but the battery sucks really bad for high-ends games install PS remote play that would be interesting to see how long battery last then light games use console
How is that a good alternative? So then you have a 64GB Steam Deck + SD card so $500, and a $500 laptop? What's the point? A $500 laptop isn't going to do anything for you.
Retro game corps please can you do a ayaneo 2 vs gpd win 4 review pros and cons. I really liked your indept review for both, but it would really help if you can do a comparison in one video. I think it would help buyers like me torn between the two.
Thanks for the video, this is great! How do you think the fan noise is at lower TDP settings? I find that the way I normally play my Steam Deck (40hz, TDP set as low as possible for a smooth experience) I rarely even hear my fan at all. Is it similar with the Ayaneo 2? So if you set them both at 5/10/15watts, playing the same game or benchmark, which one is louder?
I am considering buying one of these units and was wondering if you would mind giving me your opinion and personal choice on which one you would recommend? I want it to be windows based so the Aokzoe A1 and the AyaNeo 2 seem to be the best choices or if there is something else you would recommend? The steam deck was also an option but seems not to support all pc titles. Thanks in advance!
I have the OG ayaneo and it's fine, it is awkward to hold when using shoulder buttons as remapped functions ie rocket league boost as R1/R bumper and drift as L1/L bumper. I have a nintendo switch with the hori joycons that are huge and so confortable to hold. Need something like that for the ayaneo. Also the OG thumbsticks are trash they are horrible imo. Does the ayaneo 2 improve the joysticks, I think they're Hall joysticks?
I don't think there's much reason to, it's going to absolutely destroy the Next. But I'm sure someone will come out with a video comparing them when these get into the hands of more people.
I'm def Rupert lol altho given the steam deck has been out for a while i am imagine a refresh coming if not soon in a year or two, so i will probably wait then. Thanks for the video.
My wife owns a steam deck and I play with that from time to time while im on my switch but I want this. This or wait for a successor to the aya neo air. If they release a Aya Neo Air 2 with a larger battery with Rdna 2 graphics instead of vega then im all in. I read from alot of comments that they would havr a hard time getting a stronger chip inside of that small of a chasis but with the progression that Aya has made with their skus im hoping that will change
Thank you Russ! I was really looking forward to this review, and it was well worth the wait. I actually ordered my AYANEO2 with the "early bird" perk already, but this video just confirmed that I made the right decision :) keep up the great work, and looking forward to your RP3+ review!
In total agreement with the Triggers. It's really hard to explain but on paper you'd think they'd be perfect but in reality they just feel.. alien.
Fantastic and thorough review. Thank you! I still haven’t jumped into handheld PC gaming yet, but I want to.
Hey Karl, hard to get one in India
Wonderful and detailed video as always! I'm very glad to see Ayaneo continuing to grow and be successful. I have the Ayaneo 2021 retro power model and it's a great little machine, but to be honest I barely use it because of how uncomfortable I found it to hold. I'm glad Ayaneo are taking ergonomics more seriously. I'm very tempted by the Ayaneo 2, but I'm quite happy with my steam deck at the moment, and it's by far the most comfortable handheld gaming device I've ever owned.
Thanks for the info. Trying to by my first win handheld and dont know if should save money and get the deck to start or go all in on loki or neo 2?
I'd be interested to see battery life at 800p, matching steam deck settings and TDPs to see how much more efficient the 6800u can be over the Steam Deck's chipset.
The phax actually did a great video on it already.
Steam deck still does better on lower tdp. Higher tdp easily any of the 6800u devices
@@junlau780 the steam deck use more tdp that it sows for expample at 15watt use 16watts or more thats why the battery go faster then the aya neo
@@deckverse they are both x86????
@@Robotcreeper101 Yes, they are both x86. But many people will see SteamOS and think not Windows so not x86
The Aya Neo looks much more refined than the deck , and the screen section is flawless , I dont care about a super lasting battery life , I care about performance so the Ayaneo is my pick
I hate when people don't do fighting game tests for dpads as it just seems the best way to test them for consistency and execution. Good to see someone do it. I would personally go for 5 consecutive hadoukens, then shoryukens, then back/forward and up/down charge moves like guiles, as sometimes back forward charges can trigger jumps which can make pads nearly unusable. Understand that would maybe pad videos out too much and I'm sure it's something you would have mentioned had it been a problem. Really great review.
Why do all those moves when you can just executive Zangiefs spinning pile driver to test the entire thing all at once.
@@jamesyu5212 lol
Fighting games, shooting games and platformers tend to like different kinds of dpads. though a good shooting game will at the very least tell you how diagonals are.
@@Gravijahz yeah true. I always think if a dpad is good enough to execute combos/moves on in fighting games it generally will mean they're decent for everything else too. You're not wrong though.
@@jamesyu5212 😆 awesome comment. If my bro was still alive he would approve.
While I'm dead set on my Steam Deck, I love seeing you put out consistent content. Thanks Russ
Thank you very much for the review! You covered all the topics I wanted to hear and you proved that I made a right choice when chose this handheld device with this gorgeous display and premium materials. It's also a great powerhorse to completetly remove my PC from the shelf and use it as a work machine with those 3 USB-C ports, 32gb RAM and an eGPU support.
I really appreciate this video. this has helped me alot with my decision. thank you for taking the time to go so in depth. this is the perfect review for me and I actually really enjoyed watching the video from start to finish. you are really good at what you do and I appreciate that you do it. awesome video
Great review Russ! As a previous buyer of gaming laptops, I think the price is reasonable for what you get with the Neo 2. Having said that I bought a $400 Steam Deck (received five days after purchase), and put in my own Micron 1TB 2230 SSD for half the price of the Neo 2. I'm really happy with my Steam Deck, I find the grips really comfortable to hold on to and plan to keep it but the Neo 2 does have some interesting features I look forward to on the Steam Deck 2 or maybe I'll buy a Neo 3 someday. The features I'm talking about mostly have to do with using an eGPU and being able to use the handheld as a desktop replacement switch style PC.
The main thing I don't want to let go of with the steam deck is all the extra buttons and configuration - the touch pads alone add so much compatibility for so many games
@@machi_dev This. Older PC games are almost unplayable without the touchpads and extra L and R buttons.
@@machi_dev yeah I use the mouse pads and the back buttons. Seems like it'll be hard getting use to anything different
Badass video bro super informative and I love the examples you provided as well as the gameplay. This was an amazing experience thank you.😎
Thanks for going through the battery life so in depth, it really shows you the picture
Great video! I already own a steam deck so it's super hard to justify spending $1k on ANOTHER handheld device, but I'm still soooo tempted! Thanks for the great review.
Sell Steam Deck, in many places they are still going for over MSRP. I have a buyer for mine this weekend for $600 for my 512GB. So only a $400 upgrade to buy this. :)
I still like to play PC games that is more keyboard and mouse heavy. It does take some time to set up virtual menus, mode shifts , etc for these games but I still like the option of playing them on a handheld. Ayaneo 2 is best for games designed around a controller.
im getting one, havent even watched this and i know im getting one. i love these things
Great review. The last device I was using was the 351m with all the mods listed in your videos. It was fun playing around with all the settings. I held out for the ayaneo 2 and ordered it can't wait. Looking forward to your future reviews and mods
Great perspective, as always, Russ. Rupert, Wallace, and the gaming community are always better for your patient, insightful moderation. (What a genius, unexpected addition to the review … THIS is what is missing in other reviews, and the reason why your work is so important! Thank you!)
Russ is the 🐐!
i loved the Rupert and Wallace bit at the end lol.
Great review! Can't wait for the last month to meet Aya Neo 2. Just only 2 wishes for the future pc handhelds: 3h + AAA gameing battery life, half the weight lol
I'm surprised that this video is mostly PC Games even though you mostly upload emulation tests. Thank you for doing that.
Cheers Russ, enjoyed the review. More interesting for me as a pointer to the future rather than something I'm interested in now, it shows what is possible with a quality screen and plenty of power. Battery life aside it made handheld PC gaming look like a good idea. I'd get a Steamdeck over this all day for the value but it's still super impressive. Just not in that manky Retropower colour scheme, there's a real disconnect between that and the power of this thing to my eyes. :)
Major props to your reference to the team in Australia working on bringing back the tasmanian tiger!!!!
Thanks for the review, I was going to get the ayaneo2 but decided I really wanted the Win4 more, since I'm not waiting for the AyaSlide. I really want a keyboard on the go this way I have everything I need/want in a small package. Only reason I considered the Ayaneo2 was that screen is phenomenal.
Im in a similar boat, the Win4 with the slideout keyboard looks very neat. Only issue is, I already find the 7inch screen on the Steam Deck kinda small at times, do you think a 6inch will only exacerabte these issue more ?
Another great review Russ! I loved the case study at the end. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the Retro Pocket 3+. I preordered one yesterday, even though I already own the original RP3. Cheers!
Love that reference to the ps vita. The ayaneo 2 feels like a spiritual successor to the vita in a way
THANK YOU FOR MENTIONING AUSTRALIA!
Exactly why I went with the Geek.
How much do they cost in Australia? Both the steam deck and the Neo 2 thanks
@@altair3090 the SD is around $1200AUD for the 512gb version while I got the 512gb Geek for about the same with the early bird. Not sure what it is now.
I think it is interesting to contrast your review of the AYANEO NEXT review from 9 months ago with the AYANEO 2. Back in February you could not get over the pricing and your "okay, let's talk about that" interruption made the whole review relatable to me. Your AYANEO 2 review does not make a big deal of the pricing apart from stating that there are potential customers where money is no object. I enjoy your opinions on the subjective "value-for-money" aspect of a new console (justifying expenditure against real world bills) and hope that you don't ignore this in your future content.
You bring up a good point, and I appreciate the feedback. I think my outlook has changed since February, and that has to do with the Steam Deck releasing. With the AYANEO Next I struggled to see how the experience could justify that high price point, and it certainly was above something I would be willing to pay. Then the Steam Deck came out, and it 100% became something I think is worth it at the $400 or even the $650 price point. That's the device for me. Now, every handheld PC comparison I make is not whether a new device is worth its price, but whether it's a worthy alternative to the Steam Deck. So yeah, instead of looking at the AYANEO 2 in a vacuum to determine its value, I made that section about SD vs AYANEO 2. In that comparison, I am 100% a Rupert, but as I finished the video I realized that the audience of this video isn't other Ruperts like me, but the Wallaces out there. Hope that makes sense!
Wow russ what an amazing review... I mean you just become better at your craft every video you put out. I understand what you mean by a more premium experience as well because I am one of those people who like to buy the best version of something and take care of it for the next few years. That being said ayaneo rolls out devices fairly fast and I hope that this isn't subject to what we have seen from ayn or retro pocket where the device you buy is literally replaced before the next calendar year. But I love this device and that screen is just stunning to look at.
liked and subscribed immediatly after starting this video :) i came across this chanel while researching this device a couple of weeks ago. your attention to detail has been extremly helpfull so just wanted to say thankyou and keep up the great reviews. ive personaly shelled out and grabed the geek version of this, just to throw 2c in. longivity wise the capability of thunderbolt 4 was a huge pro to me. yes its alot of money with everything considered but if the device lasts then in comparison its worth it. why i steered away from competitors like one x and aok. aok is serisoly new and from what ive read in conjuction with onex. and onex has alot to be improve on customer service wise, also living in aus this was a huge con. cheers
Getting. No more waiting. Waiting is the mind-killer that leads to more newly released devices and more watching videos and more deciding on whether to wait.
Never mind. I'm full of crap. Ordered a Steam Deck.
@@ulmwurttemberg1682 😂😂😂
@@beezrow Well, in my defense, i sent Aya an email (in English and traditional Chinese) on 01/16 asking about their return policy and never heard back. So...
Just received an email from Aya. My message went into Spam. One year warranty, 7 day return policy (from date of receiving package).
Cutting off in the middle of the game that early in power-mode is almost a no-go, but overall a nice alternative to the regular laptops out there
That’s why you would want to connect to power if you’re going to play with a higher wattage.
@@HairyBottom yeah, and carry a nuclear backbag when you go out... In all seriousness, something like a safe shutdown shouldn't be hard
I really like this device. I think it is probably the best alternative to Steam Deck at the moment. Bit expensive but I would still be willing to splash the cash if I didn't have the Deck. I can wait for an even better device in the near future though. The only issue I have really is no trackpad. I am quite spoiled by the trackpad on the Steam Deck, it has been quite essential for me. Hopefully future devices have one, otherwise I'll just have to wait for the Steam Deck 2.
Couldn't agree more with Wallace I too was looking to upgrade my 2014 gaming laptop. This check all the marks for me portable gaming, upgrade laptop, already have a decent 4k monitor and if I ever needed to play at max settings I could hook up an external GPU. Got myself the white 32gb ram 2T storage.
Great job as always Russ! Got a steamdeck recently as well and am maining it alongside my Miyoo. Aya Neo 2 is great, but I thought the law of dimining returns might apply at a certain point. Either way, both are amazing devices and its great that we live in a time where we can play our games without waiting for a handheld port that may or may not look as good as the original.
Great video, thanks for this. I was close to buying a Aya Neo but that price man...ouch. I love the hardware, competition is great but I do worry that too many Aya devices are being released over a relatively short period of time. Over saturation of the market is a thing as well as consumer confusion. Speaking of saturation, Reshade on Steam Deck has worked wonders for me.
For me this is an excellent turning point in handheld gaming technology. I think it's finally at the point where I could be gaming on this for the next 3-5 years without feeling the need to upgrade. My Steam Deck has been great over this last 9 months, but I was always disappointed in the screen quality and always felt the desire for just a little more power to hit that solid 60FPS in many titles. I can't wait to get my Ayaneo2 in Dec/Jan, I think it will be with me for a long long time.
Watch out for this scammer ^
@@CLOYO scammer? LOL what are you talking about?
Not true, psvita remains the gold standard for retro emulation
@@jitterrypokery1526 I love my Vita, I have over 3000hrs on it now, but mine isn't even modded, I just play Vita games. But from what I've read it can't even emulate PS2 so I wouldn't say it's the gold standard. Maybe for 8-16bit stuff, but there's better devices out there now.
I'm on a similar boat, but there's no way I can afford this right now lmao. Maybe when my steam deck stops working or is severely outdated, I'll get something like this
For the LEDs around the sticks, I’d either go with a pale violet (complementary color for the case) or a dark red (matching the ABXY buttons).
This device is amazing, but is sadly way out of my price range, especially when a company like this releases new offerings every other month. I'll for sure be sticking with the Steam Deck for now, and in all honesty, I'd probably be better waiting on a Deck 2 or refresh down the road. As that will be priced right, and probably offer more quality of life improvements that couldn't make it on the first deck due to cost cutting measures.
The Steam deck is the only PC handheld to go with.
Yeah, if money is a concern it's absolutely the right choice for you. For me I'm really happy with the Steam Deck overall, as it's nearly perfect for how I use it. However the one glaring drawback is the screen, it's terrible IMO and it bothers me every time I use it. I ordered the Ayaneo 2 B.Duck version and as soon as it arrives, my 512GB Steam Deck is getting sold. It's close to double the price sure, but I think that the upgrades are well worth it. I look forward to seeing what Valve does with the Steam Deck 2.
@@bnr32jason the steam deck panel is pretty bad, it’s worse than the OG Nintendo switch. That is the only reason I got the aya Neo 2.
@@WitchDoctor87 It depends. Opinions vary and also the hands of the people are different, as well. That means that the Steam Deck won't be comfortable for everyone. Same with the AYANEOs. I held the Steam Deck in my hands for only 10-15 minutes (the one of my friend) and have hated it already. I hate the looks, I hate the bad display and colors of it and I hate the sticks being so far towards the middle of the device. My hands are very small and my thumbs short making it tough to reach out to those analog sticks.
I love my AYANEO NEXT, also my AYANEO Air Pro but as I said - it all comes down to your own opinion and especially to your own preferences.
@@edgarc7344 Worse than the OG Nintendo Switch? How do you figure?
You’re the best Man on explaining these handhelds.
Youre attention to detail for these devices is amazing. It makes me think about these devices in different way! Great videos keep up the amazing work👍🏻
Talking about the ergonomics got me thinking about the steam deck ergonomics. I found that the bumpers are a bit hard to reach on the deck for me. Which is why I LOVE the R4 and L4 buttons on the back. I usually re map the bumpers to those on my deck. The fact that this device doesn't have R4 and L4 would be a bit worrying for me. The steam decks controls just can't be beat in my opinion.
I need at least two back buttons for jump/slide in shooters like Destiny and Halo. I'm just too used to it and I hate alternate control schemes cause something always has to be sacrificed. Valve and GPD get big points from me for recognizing this and I really hope Aya follows along soon. I'd like to see Aya try a slightly deeper grip with buttons like Scuf Vantage has in the depression - I think that would be a good compromise that might minimize accidental presses.
Yeah, it is a shame there are no programmable back buttons. Missed opportunity. Otherwise it seems pretty great.
Aya Neo seems to be more aimed at PC games to be played on a controller while the Deck is aimed to included playing PC games that are keyboard and mouse heavy.
Not only the back buttons themselves, but Steam Input’s overall customizability is off the charts. That’s an area that is hard to beat the Steam Deck (for those who care about it).
This thing is way smaller, so it won't have to accommodate (I think).
excellent review the best one i ve seen so far on youtube frfr
100% hadoukennable... Love it. 😅 Thanks for the in depth review. 👍🏾
Rupert and Wallace analogy was amazing.
I think I'm going to buy this one! Lol thanks for the review
The ending made the whole video worth it!
Powerful and retro style😍 I only hope for better battery life in the future models.
Yh same but if you got playstation remote play with it anywhere you go should easy get full day battery from ps remote play
“I don’t mind any fan noise”
People around you “excuse you, when is the jet taking off ?”
Would you ever be willing to make a full out the box setup and troubleshooting/tips and tricks video for a device like the Ayaneo 2? For those of us that might be getting one but have never used something like it before.
Incredible video, ser. 10/10
I'm really curious about how the Ayaneo Geek compares. Seems like the differences are some software, the way the panel bezels look (if you get the purple one) and different controller placement
I also want to see the Geek Compared.
I guess AYA hasn’t ship review units of the Geek since it is not the top device. However it looks by the campaign it is the one they are selling the most.
On a guess, the Geek is probably roughly the same experience as the Ayaneo 2. The most noticeable differences about the specs will probably be the screen resolution and the lack of HD rumble support.
@@bluemidnight5926 The purple one has the same resolution I believe. The thing I love about the geek one is the offset controls
@@bluemidnight5926 but even the purple Geek has the same screen as the Ayaneo 2 .. so the differences will be HD rumble an additional gyro (which I have no clue what it will do differently than a single one) and slim bezels
ok, I want Rupert and Wallace and you have a podcast :D I think it'll be fun lol
Hey Russ. I know you’re busy with Ragnarok but I was just curious when you have a chance if you have an AOKZOE review in the nearish pipeline as these seem like pretty obvious competitors. Thanks!
Great review, would be lovely if you can do a separate in-depth video just focusing on running the games at the highest TDP both with native resolution and 800p at high settings and testing as many PC games as possible with no emulation games included to see how exactly powerful is the AMD chip here and what are it’s limits. Also does the Aya Neo 2 have a quick resume feature similar to the SD?
Most likely will never buy this, but still watched it all! 😀 Always so thorough with your reviews.
I'm very curious how the sound tab function and the vibration motors are doing. So far I haven't seen any reviews that have reported about it. Was hoping to learn more here.
I'll probably wait for a Steam Deck 2 as I basically want what the Ayaneo 2 is but with a lower price, community support, better screen and form factor as well. Hope Valve can do that.
If Valve does release a new Steam Deck, it will probably be 5 to 8 years from now.
@@HairyBottom very doubtful. Valve isn't stupid, they know the Steam Deck isn't a typical console, so they have to on a modified PC lifecycle. Look at laptops, a new version is released every year. I would be surprised if Valve didn't have a new Steam Deck available for Holiday 2023.
Value strategy seems totally different from the AYaneo. You seem to think Value is in competition with the Ayaneo but Value is using the console strategy of selling the hardware at cost hoping to get more gamers in pc games which increase sales on Steam.
Ayaneo 2 success helps Value since their goal is sell more games.
@@HairyBottom more like two years, I’d bet
@@bnr32jason i think valve cares more about device longevity than releasing new models every year. I mean you dont need any proof for that just look at their line up of devices. I think steam deck will be around for a long time before they even attempt to make a new one and it is not their mean of making profit. That is still just steam games which makes them alot of money. Steam deck can probably play most of the games on steam as more of them get supported in the future. So yeah, like you said valve isn’t stupid. They wouldn’t want to release a new device every year like these Chinese companies whose sole profit model is the hardware itself hence their high price.
This is likely the first higher tier Windows handheld that really feels enticing to me. Most of the others looked to be relatively flat with the bare minimum of comfort built in to hold compared to a steam deck, which I feel is a major strong point for that device along with battery life. This Ayaneo 2 looks to do good enough in both of those categories while also materially upping the power and giving a premium casing and screen. I am more interested in emulation than modern pc gaming but if I decide to get a power boost, I would pick this device at the moment.
There's a part of me that wants very badly to buy this, because it looks incredible. But I've already purchased an Aya Neo 2021 and OXP last year, and bought a Steam Deck a couple of months ago. I literally cannot justify buying this, unless I sell all three of those and replace it with just this. Still tempted. But for a handheld all-in-one PC, you could do worse than around $1000--but you could also do a lot better. It's really down to personal preference, but it is an absolutely amazing device, and I'm so glad that the handheld market has grown to this level.
That's how I feel. I said I'm not getting a new one until wifi 7 and rdna 3 comes.
Just like any PC, it's not really worth it to upgrade each generation unless you are upgrading from a low/mid end model of the previous generation to a high end of the new generation.
In your case it won't even be a full generation if you consider the cpu/integrated graphics as a whole.
@@samh5886 For sure. Honestly, for all the quirks of the Iris Xe drivers, its capabilities is pretty on par with my Steam Deck, and the OXP's 8 inch screen is the main reason I'm holding onto it. I got the Steam Deck because I was up in the queue and curious enough to give it a shot, and I can always recoup most (if not all) of the cost if I decide to sell it. I like it, but I don't know if I like Linux yet. And I love my 2021 model, but if I'm being honest, I tend to use the OXP more purely because of the superior screen. So while I'd love to dive into this model, I know I wouldn't use it enough to justify the price tag.
...But it's so pretty.
I would say sell all three, unless for some reason you need multiple handheld devices. Also, I'm curious what better handheld you can get than this for $1000?
@@bnr32jason I mean, the Steam Deck is about half the price. Also, older models selling used for half to two-thirds of the price. Also, gaming laptop with a controller could net you way more power for the same/less price, even if you lose the form factor. Like I said, it's all down to personal preference.
ciao ho bisogno di aiuto come faccio a installare tutti questi emulatori sulla Ayaneo 2 aiutatemi grazie
Great review, but Rupert forgot the biggest factor going for Steam Deck: trackpads, gyro and backbuttons. I really can't imagine going back after using these. Without them, I think you really are cutting down the ways you can use a handheld.
Great review! Just waiting for the real wave of Next Gen games (PS5/XSX) to come to PC and then get whichever handheld could play them best. Imagine playing GTA6, Marvel Spiderman 2 or the next DBZ Budokai Tenkaichi on a handheld?
I think i still prefer the 8inches screen and price point of AOKZoe, but this dominates the steam deck
I want the ayaneo 2 so bad. It’s just so gorgeous and powerful. My question is would you buy one for your own personal use? To me it’s the best looking and best overall handheld device using the 6800u soc.
Great in-depth video. You hit all the very important points.
Would you recommend the Ayaneo 2 over the new OneXplayer 6800u? 🤔
We need to get you some GPD devices - I just got my Win Max 2 and I'm loving it so far. The performance is going to be on-par with this thing, but the screen is awesome and having a keyboard can come in very handy. It's a good "do everything" device, rather than being exclusively for gaming (without a dock anyways).
I'd love to test more GPD devices, but unfortunately when I asked for the Win Max 2 they said they didn't have any :(
@@RetroGameCorps oh, yeah, that's probably true. They've had 2-3 covid shutdowns between their office and their factory, and they're still struggling to get the IGG units shipped.
Your comparison at 27:10 is the wisest, more Salomonic I've ever seen , instead of saying Steam Deck is the best and all other are 💩(like everyone who has been paid by steam) you decide to be objective and to point the public towards wich one is directed for in a very creative way , that gets you my like and my suscription. For me the Aya Neo is an obvious winner (like Wallace 😁)
to the date, is steam deck still the most capable + bettery battery life of all these new handhelds or has it been dethroned? Seems like all these new devices are similar/stronger than steam deck but battery life is a miss
Just looking at the games that have been tested on various RUclips channels and battery life estimates, it seems roughly the same. When I crank my Steam Deck up to 15 watts in order to play something like Tales of Arise at 60FPS medium settings my battery lasts just under 2 hours. That's about the same as this one.
@@bnr32jason thanks for feedback. Got my odin pro a couple of days ago (ordered since end of july) and was considering a windows handheld now but think ill wait since battery life on the odin is amazing
@@n0nefalcondorf on the same note, I can get 9 hours out of my Steam Deck playing visual novels, and this will likely be close to the same, maybe 8 hours. So it can get good battery life, just depends what you are playing.
Not buying just now, but I'll probably buy this or its successor when I need to get a new PC. Currently using a Lenovo Thinkpad yoga x1 gen 3 (circa 2018).
Yes my favourite obscure handheld, kerrygold butter. Great review btw
At 1:37 it shows the lineup but the shape of the devices on the bottom is different to the unit reviewed. The review unit has a flat bottom but the images show a more agronomic looking control which goes lower than the screen. I know the unit was a pre-production one so which is accurate, the images or the review unit?
Would love to see a vid on cloud gaming on the Ayaneo 2.
I actually want to know how long this device would give optimum performance. Given the price and less repairability compared with steam deck, how would it compare in 3-4 years to come? And how easy is it to change the battery when it degrades?
Every manufacturer out there should ship portable devices with no bezels. That screen to body ratio is amazing
As cool as it is that there is so much improvement in handheld devices so quickly, it also makes it really frustrating to want to buy one, just one, and have it be competitively performant for as long as possible. If I bought the Ayaneo 2 now and in another 9 months, what if there's as significant an upgrade to it as there was from the Next to the 2 for the same price or even less?
thats life bro lol
can you compare the vent smell of the steamdeck vs the ayaneo 2?
😆
😂😂weirdo
21:10 Just want to say how useful this section is to get an overall preview of the device.
So many youtubers just put the tdp and a barely visible framerate and expect you to do the math yourself.
love the look of it, but I'm definitely done with Windows handhelds after getting my steamdeck.
Once SteamOS has a general release that works bug-free on these devices, I'll start looking, but having my aya neo air pro, which should be my perfect device, and preferring my steam deck 9 times out of 10 tells me that it's just not worth better performance/screen/build or anything else when the user experience is so sub-par.
I can partially agree with you there. Once the Steam client update came out for Windows giving us the new Steam OS interface, I had to give it a try so I installed Windows on my Steam Deck. I love the console like experience that you get with Steam OS 3.0, and while I only did it for testing, I found that I was barely touching Windows at all, it was just running in the background. I think on this device, the new Steam interface plus the AyaSpace interface to give quick access to TDP settings will be the best of both worlds. Then you get all the flexibility of Windows and being able to install any game and mods and stuff while just being able to game in a console-like environment using the Steam interface. Whenever full SteamOS 3.0 is available, I'll probably dual-boot. I've enjoyed my Deck a lot since I got in February, but I think my time with it is up now that this is available.
I'm the complete opposite. As soon as I tried SteamOS and Linux, I was like "Nope, so done with this." Everything is so freaking complicated and not every Windows game will play great on it (emulation is also lacking too at least with GameCube and things like Metroid Prime where there's still stutters here and there.)
All this is when I realized that what I really wanted was a handheld with Windows in mind. Hence why I bought the AYA Neo Geek two days ago, and I can't wait.
@@3godzilla3 Sadly windows is definitely worse
@@3godzilla3 Did you keep the SD? I've been thinking of selling mine for your exact reasoning. Apparently, I need windows to enjoy my games.
@@jollyrancherchick I sold mine on eBay! Haha
The body design is really beautiful
Just out of curiosity is there any way you’d be able to do a comparison of AYANEO 2 against the AYANEO Geek? I’m thinking about getting one or the other but since no one is really talking about the Geek I was curious as to if the increase in prices from the Geek to the 2 is definitely worth it or not.
I'll wait for Ayaneo 3 and all the improvements as my main PC
Russ your a legend. Your effort and consistency is inspiring 🔥
How would it feel for people with really large hands? The issue I have with portable devices is that I'm 6'9" with much larger than average hands so I get cramped up super easily using tiny devices because I have to curl my fingers in order to comfortably handle the buttons.
Steam deck comments in 3....2....1....
@@obvious_giraffe8386 lol the steam deck actually works decently well for me because the buttons and sticks are at the top of the device. I was just curious about this one.
Hear ya. I love my Switch but I can't play it for long without cramping (have to hover my hand to use the d-pad), but that would be better if the sticks were horizontally oriented. Hoping for a change in the next handheld generations!
@@Tyler-hk4wo im a midget then 6'2. Havent tried other devices but they dont seem to have depth as the deck does. Probably cant get as good as a grip on them. I can only assume if its smaller the grips are smaller too so they wont look off with a weird proportions
I'm very curious how the Ayn Loki Max will turn out - it's advertised as having very similar specs to this, but in a smaller form factor and at a (slightly) lower price. Too bad it's been delayed, but either way, the emergence of more 6800U devices seems like something to look forward to!
Keeping my preorder for the Ayn Loki. Ayn give constant updates and are very transparent about what they’re doing. I also think it looks cleaner than this Ayn Neo 2. Though I would rather have the bigger screen.
Ayn says they’ve figured out their display now to allow running at lower res AND refresh rate on the panel itself which should give greater battery life for those who want it.
I’m in the same camp. I have a Loki Max on preorder which is supposedly shipping in January. This AyaNeo2 piques my interest. I’m on the fence on whether to cancel the Loki Max and get this, since it has better resolution, a 32GB RAM option, etc.
The Ayaneo 2 looks great, but the price is slightly eye watering. And with your brothers scenario at the end, I'd be an advocate of the Deck. I'm watching this on my docked Steam Deck and it works excellently as a desktop/media center. Browsing, productivity, playing media, games, and emulation. Kinda does it all.
I like it too but the battery sucks really bad for high-ends games install PS remote play that would be interesting to see how long battery last then light games use console
Thx for this vídeo. Well done!
Your voice sounds a lot like Jesse Eisenberg’s, very funny. Great review, thanks!
The individual comparison is spot on. Unfortunately SD user antagonize people who want other most of the time. It is a pc, there is no absolute.
A good alterative would be a steam deck plus a laptop computer for a similar price. This will also give some redundancy, just in case
How is that a good alternative? So then you have a 64GB Steam Deck + SD card so $500, and a $500 laptop? What's the point? A $500 laptop isn't going to do anything for you.
Retro game corps please can you do a ayaneo 2 vs gpd win 4 review pros and cons. I really liked your indept review for both, but it would really help if you can do a comparison in one video. I think it would help buyers like me torn between the two.
“Lives in Australia”
Lols spot on, main reason I’ve backed the Aya Neo 2.
Thanks for the video, this is great!
How do you think the fan noise is at lower TDP settings?
I find that the way I normally play my Steam Deck (40hz, TDP set as low as possible for a smooth experience) I rarely even hear my fan at all. Is it similar with the Ayaneo 2? So if you set them both at 5/10/15watts, playing the same game or benchmark, which one is louder?
I really wish I could see the white and the black versions in person before I make a purchasing decision.
I am considering buying one of these units and was wondering if you would mind giving me your opinion and personal choice on which one you would recommend? I want it to be windows based so the Aokzoe A1 and the AyaNeo 2 seem to be the best choices or if there is something else you would recommend? The steam deck was also an option but seems not to support all pc titles. Thanks in advance!
I have the OG ayaneo and it's fine, it is awkward to hold when using shoulder buttons as remapped functions ie rocket league boost as R1/R bumper and drift as L1/L bumper. I have a nintendo switch with the hori joycons that are huge and so confortable to hold. Need something like that for the ayaneo. Also the OG thumbsticks are trash they are horrible imo. Does the ayaneo 2 improve the joysticks, I think they're Hall joysticks?
would of been nice if u compared performance between the aya 2 and next
I don't think there's much reason to, it's going to absolutely destroy the Next. But I'm sure someone will come out with a video comparing them when these get into the hands of more people.
out perform ofcourse but destroy i dont think so
Happier with my Steam Deck order after seeing the price and performance of this
I hope all handhelds moving forward are compared to 2 bars of Kerrygold butter, that's what sealed the deal for me that this was the right handheld
Nice I'm go with Wallace and buy the best handheld on the market
I'm def Rupert lol altho given the steam deck has been out for a while i am imagine a refresh coming if not soon in a year or two, so i will probably wait then. Thanks for the video.
My wife owns a steam deck and I play with that from time to time while im on my switch but I want this. This or wait for a successor to the aya neo air. If they release a Aya Neo Air 2 with a larger battery with Rdna 2 graphics instead of vega then im all in. I read from alot of comments that they would havr a hard time getting a stronger chip inside of that small of a chasis but with the progression that Aya has made with their skus im hoping that will change