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PayPalThe SMACH Z [Official Site] gaming handheld is still a thing apparently and they've now release the final specs along with a trailer and pre-orders start soon.
First up, here's their shiny trailer:
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There's still going to be two models, a standard and a "Pro" variant. Here's their final specs sheet:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen V1605B
- GPU: AMD Radeon Vega 8 Graphics
- RAM: 4GB DDR4 2133MHz or 8GB DDR4 2133MHz (pro)
- 6" 1080p touchscreen
- 5MP Camera (pro only)
- 64GB SSD or 128GB SSD (pro)
- WiFi (b/g/n etc) and Bluetooth v2.1
- Ports: USB-C, USB-A, Micro USB, Display Port, SD card slot, Audio "minijack"
- SMACH OS Linux or Windows 10 Home
It's not going to be cheaper either, the standard model will set you back $699 and the pro model $899.
I'm happy they're still including the option to have Linux on it and it will be interesting to see how they've customized Linux for their needs, as a super nerd I'm quite interested.
I will still be surprised if this actually turns out to be 100% real and not completely awful. They say pre-orders will start on March 15th, although as usual I urge you to go for a "wait and see" approach.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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The comments on this article are closed.
slaapliedje Mar 6, 2018
Quoting: KuduzkehpanThis will fail twice price too high and League of legends, gta5 and many others only works under windows not linux.
Also there are much more better devices for mobile pc.
This is a form that Valve should work on. I think the problem is, and probably always will be is the hardware that can be small enough to be capable enough of what we want it to do (max settings, high frame rates) for modern PC games. I mean we can't even get the console versions of PC games to have the same level of detail at the same frame rates. But then again most gaming PCs are like 3-4 times the price of a console.
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Quoting: KuduzkehpanThis will fail twice price too high and League of legends, gta5 and many others only works under windows not linux.The Smachz can run Windows too. And LoL works quite well under wine, if you want to stay on Linux.
Also there are much more better devices for mobile pc.
Gta5 can run on Wine too, but the performance is far from acceptable, sadly.
Anyway, you said there are better devices... For example?
Last edited by Iperpido on 6 March 2018 at 3:07 am UTC
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Quoting: KuduzkehpanThis will fail twice price too high and League of legends, gta5 and many others only works under windows not linux.Wine.
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Whether it runs on Linux or not, who wants to play LoL on a handheld device?
Even Dota 2 that runs very well on Linux, I'll still play it on my main desktop.
As for GTA 5, well if most of the games you want to play are AAA games, then maybe it would be better to install Windows on this device, don't you think?
I guess you'll choose your OS depending on your profile. If you don't know Linux and/or want mainly to play AAA games, then it is probably better to go with Windows. On the other hand, if you like indie, "AA" games and are not afraid to tinker a little with your device, then Linux is probably the right choice for you.
Even Dota 2 that runs very well on Linux, I'll still play it on my main desktop.
As for GTA 5, well if most of the games you want to play are AAA games, then maybe it would be better to install Windows on this device, don't you think?
I guess you'll choose your OS depending on your profile. If you don't know Linux and/or want mainly to play AAA games, then it is probably better to go with Windows. On the other hand, if you like indie, "AA" games and are not afraid to tinker a little with your device, then Linux is probably the right choice for you.
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Quoting: CreakAs for GTA 5, well if most of the games you want to play are AAA games, then maybe it would be better to install Windows on this device, don't you think?
Why would you? The whole point is to have a Linux handheld computer. What it can run is already secondary ;)
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Doc Angelo Mar 6, 2018
Quoting: ShmerlWhy would you? The whole point is to have a Linux handheld computer. What it can run is already secondary ;)
This doesn't strike me as something where Linux is the core part of the thing. For me, it sounds like they just mention Linux because its a kinda popular thing for people to give money in advance.
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Doc Angelo Mar 6, 2018
Quoting: CreakBeing able to play good 'ol SNES games on that could be very fun!
EDIT: Also, there is a display port, so maybe the possibility to plug it to the TV?
You can play SNES games and other retro games on pretty much any Android device. Just get yourself a bluetooth gamepad. Most smartphones can be connected to TVs also. No need for 900 bucks for doing that.
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One thing that I just thought of that would be very interesting is your machine, the SmachZ, and the Steam Cloud!
So you can play a game on your PC, quit it, take your SmachZ and continue playing with the same saved state.
Must admit that it's pretty cool! ;)
So you can play a game on your PC, quit it, take your SmachZ and continue playing with the same saved state.
Must admit that it's pretty cool! ;)
1 Likes, Who?
Quoting: HoriI'm gonna be that guy who's gonna say that you can already have a "Linux" handheld if you mount a controller on an Android smartphone. There's actually quite a few good games (in a sea of otherwise terrible and insulting ones) like Crashlands, Don't Starve, GTAs, Meltdown, many others.
Well, show me a device that can run proper Wayland compositor without libhybris hacks, and I'd agree. So far Librem 5 didn't come out.
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Quoting: Doc AngeloThis doesn't strike me as something where Linux is the core part of the thing. For me, it sounds like they just mention Linux because its a kinda popular thing for people to give money in advance.
OS should not be core part of the hardware. But as long as hardware has open drivers - Linux would run there. AMD APU is already a plus there (Mesa and all). What about controller drivers? Will they be open?
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