Yay another overpriced handheld in what some call a "niche space". The GPD Win 5, before the possible 128GB, is literally over $2k (closer to $2.5K). Getting to the point of absurdity where only "Trust Fund Babies" will be able to afford one. Valve KEPT IT SIMPLE with an infinitely tweakable device at a decent price. Almost like the other handheld companies only want a sliver of a slice of that niche pie that Valve controls.
Quote from: Cajunasian on November 13, 2025, 20:04:59Yay another overpriced handheld in what some call a "niche space". The GPD Win 5, before the possible 128GB, is literally over $2k (closer to $2.5K). Getting to the point of absurdity where only "Trust Fund Babies" will be able to afford one. Valve KEPT IT SIMPLE with an infinitely tweakable device at a decent price. Almost like the other handheld companies only want a sliver of a slice of that niche pie that Valve controls.
It's possible their goal is to aim for a double market. A handheld with a strix halo 395+ can effectively double as both handheld and a minipc.
If you are in the market for just a handheld, then yeah its quite expensive. But if you are in the market for a minipc and handheld or want a portable AI terminal, it starts making more sense.
Quote from: A on November 13, 2025, 21:02:32Quote from: Cajunasian on November 13, 2025, 20:04:59Yay another overpriced handheld in what some call a "niche space". The GPD Win 5, before the possible 128GB, is literally over $2k (closer to $2.5K). Getting to the point of absurdity where only "Trust Fund Babies" will be able to afford one. Valve KEPT IT SIMPLE with an infinitely tweakable device at a decent price. Almost like the other handheld companies only want a sliver of a slice of that niche pie that Valve controls.
It's possible their goal is to aim for a double market. A handheld with a strix halo 395+ can effectively double as both handheld and a minipc.
If you are in the market for just a handheld, then yeah its quite expensive. But if you are in the market for a minipc and handheld or want a portable AI terminal, it starts making more sense.
Modern Capitalism at work.
None of the major players had a viable handheld system at the time of the Steam Deck release (Nintendo's S1 was/is WAY under powered+limited) and Valve released what might end up being a high volume & low margin product.
The other OEM's that have jumped into the space with much higher spec'ed devices have much higher margins on those devices to go along with it.
For the FEW that can afford it they might go with the high end stuff. Why not?
However as always one needs to ask ones self, is the
'experience' really worth the extra cost?