Although they have existed for a long time now, it seems that handheld PCs are finally taking root in the market. These mobile gaming devices are becoming more numerous, including a few from well-known manufacturers as well as a bit more obscure brands. That, unfortunately, also means that some designs are getting all too common, even if there’s still plenty of room for experimentation and innovation. At Computex 2024, we’re seeing some of these bold designs that are trying to challenge the status quo and one of them comes from an unlikely name yet could also be bringing some much-needed improvements to handheld gaming computers.
Designer: ADATA XPG
Handheld PCs are pretty much miniature laptops and they even use some of the same hardware but with weaker cooling solutions. That practically means you’re stuck with the specs you got when you bought the device, though there might be options to upgrade the storage and only that. Many laptops these days, however, also have upgradable RAM, and ADATA, a brand better known for its data storage solutions, is bringing that to the handheld PC market with the XPG Nia.
This feat is being attributed to the equally new LPCAMM2 memory module which, unlike most RAM on handhelds and some laptops, isn’t soldered to the motherboard. This makes memory upgradable in theory, though how easy it will be still remains to be seen. The XPG Nia also features upgradable storage courtesy of a more standard M.2 2230 SSD slot. This might sound like minor improvements since the capability has been around in laptops for many years, but it goes a long way in making handhelds last longer and be more sustainable in their own small way.
That isn’t the only novelty that the ADATA XPG Nia is bringing to the table, however. The handheld has a tilting screen that you can adjust to your comfort, and it has a built-in kickstand that lets you put the device down on a table without requiring a separate stand or dock. And unlike the majority of handheld gaming PCs, it has a front-facing camera that can be used for eye-tracking and, possibly, video chat among gamers. Again small details, but ones that significantly improve the usability and ergonomics of a device that still hasn’t cemented its place in the market.
As admirable as these improvements might be, the big drawback to the ADATA XPG Nia is that it’s not a product you can buy, at least not any time soon. What was shown at Computex was just a prototype, and the earliest ETA for the handheld PC is 2025. That leaves not only a lot of room for the brand to change or even backtrack on these features, it also gives its competitors the opportunity to steal the limelight even before the XPG Nia has a chance to get out the door.
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