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The 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.
Tags: AMD, Hardware
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dubigrasu Mar 5, 2018
"SMACH OS Linux"
That ought to be interesting to see...
Keyrock Mar 5, 2018
I wish them luck, but I think the SMACH Z is going to be dead on arrival. The price is just WAY too high for a handheld.
TheSHEEEP Mar 5, 2018
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Quoting: KeyrockI wish them luck, but I think the SMACH Z is going to be dead on arrival. The price is just WAY too high for a handheld.
Yeah, I don't get it, either.
At that price, why not buy a DS and quite some games that were actually made to be played on a tiny screen?
Nanobang Mar 5, 2018
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If I watched the video I'd probably know how it's pronounced, but I'm a reader more than a watcher, and from a reader's perspective, the name hits my ear like a dead flounder: cold and flat.

How is that pronounced? Is it "Smach" like "smock?" or is it pronounced "Smach" like "match," only with an "S" in front? or is it pronounced like "smack?" My wife point out that it could also be pronounced "Smash," so there's that, too.


That's a lot of uncertainty out of the gate, certainly more than I'm willing to pony up $700 to $900 for.
melkemind Mar 5, 2018
Quoting: NanobangIf I watched the video I'd probably know how it's pronounced

No...no, you still wouldn't. :D
Keyrock Mar 5, 2018
Quoting: TheSHEEEP
Quoting: KeyrockI wish them luck, but I think the SMACH Z is going to be dead on arrival. The price is just WAY too high for a handheld.
Yeah, I don't get it, either.
At that price, why not buy a DS and quite some games that were actually made to be played on a tiny screen?
At that price you could buy 2 Nintendo Switches and still have $100 left over.

I guess the argument for the SMACH Z is that you have access to all your Steam games on the go without having to pay for them again. That's definitely a plus, but the price of the unit itself is so prohibitive that I don't think it matters.
Leopard Mar 5, 2018
Stupidly expensive
thelimeydragon Mar 5, 2018
Smach Z is a scam. A number of videos on youtube showing the shady things they have done.
Ardje Mar 5, 2018
Quoting: KeyrockI wish them luck, but I think the SMACH Z is going to be dead on arrival. The price is just WAY too high for a handheld.
The price is the same as the GPD-WIN2. Lower even if you order now from indiegogo. The SoC specs are way above the GPD-WIN2.
The difference is that the GPD-WIN2 is an openpandora on steroids: keyboard, x-box type game controller.
The SMACH-Z only has the steam controller like controllers. If they really work like steam controllers, it is well worth the difference.
The intel SoC in the GPD-WIN has very bad (intel) support for linux. The GPD-WIN2 seems to be more pc-like and less embedded, so I have higher hopes for that. It's easier to run linux on an ARM than on a GPD-WIN :-).
I assume (without fact checking) that the AMD support is better for linux.
Jahimself Mar 5, 2018
I don't understand, the pre order is 300€. It's the same price as the nintendo switch, but you can play witcher 3 or GTA V (if you use the windows version). If you don't use the windows version I don't see why would you buy a nintendo switch (the os is also a spyware).
In the case of linux, well it's a small gaming pc for 300€.

I guess the pro version will handle those game a bit better, but not by a big margin.

Are the pre order prices really that different from the final prices?
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