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The Smach Z handheld gaming PC is an interesting device, utilizing elements from the Steam Controller to make PC games more portable. LowSpecGamer had a chance to check one out.

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There is also now an official Smach Z impression video from Gamescom:

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I've been rather sceptical about the Smach Z device, but considering they have devices actually built and working with impressions from people it seems to be coming together nicely.

Overall, I think people will end up expecting too much from it. A PC handheld that can play PC games to me seems risky.

For me personally though, if it does ever actually launch properly and come to market then I will pick one up for sure to cover here.

The Smach Z is due on Kickstarter sometime this month, so I will keep an eye on it. I am personally hoping it is a success, as it is a very cool idea.

It will run either SteamOS or Windows 10 (Windows being a stretch-goal when it comes to Kickstarter), so it will be very interesting to see how each OS goes down with people.

What I am most curious about is the chipset it will use, as they claim it will use an AMD Falcon SOC. I know AMD + Linux is a heated topic, so I will leave my thoughts on that for when I am able to test it myself. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Hardware, Video
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I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly came back to check on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly. Find me on Mastodon.
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15 comments
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ChiKin Sep 8, 2016
They only show one game and not that impressive a game either. hmmm. Maybe the prototype is underpowered.
neowiz73 Sep 8, 2016
this has a lot of promise, I'll definitely keep my eye on it as it develops.
ElectricPrism Sep 8, 2016
Switched to Red Camp AMDGPU - RX480.

It runs most games well @ 1080p - about 300 FPS in CS:S and CS:GO each (Though theres some weird anti aliasing or filtering slow down I had to turn down low.)

I'm curious how much juice they can pull out of their AMD Falcon SoC APU. I guess at 440p you wouldn't even need anti aliasing @ 1080p, I sortof honestly feel like a handheld would do better at 720p at this size to conserve GPU and maximize framerate.

This will be a interesting watch, I consider AMD to be becoming a increasingly dangerous contender to Nvidia, especially in the Linux scene.
Mountain Man Sep 8, 2016
SteamOS makes sense because it's a lean operating system, but Windows 10 on that thing? Yeah, right.


Last edited by Mountain Man on 8 September 2016 at 6:38 pm UTC
Homepcgamer Sep 8, 2016
This is the 3rd attempt about build a "steamboy" by those boys...

maybe this is the time. Good luck
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