AyaNeo has unveiled the Air Plus handheld game console, powered by AMD’s Mendocino chip. This system-on-a-chip packs four Zen 2 cores and a RDNA 2 based GPU, a combination that positions the device alongside the Steam Deck in terms of raw hardware ambition. The announcement makes clear that the Air Plus is designed to bring PC gaming into a compact, portable form, offering a balance between performance and portability that has long been the dream of handheld gaming enthusiasts.
The device sports a 6-inch display with a sharp 1080p resolution, delivering a crisp image for games, emulation, and other media on the go. The inclusion of an M.2 2280 SSD means quick load times and ample storage potential, which is a meaningful upgrade over many traditional handhelds that lean on slower storage options. Details on RAM capacity and battery size were not given at the time of the briefing, leaving room for curiosity about how long gamers can expect sessions between charges and how the system will manage memory-intensive titles.
Pricing stands out in a market where high-end handhelds often command premium prices. The Air Plus is listed at 290 dollars, a figure that positioning it as a notably affordable option for a full PC gaming experience on a portable device. There is also mention of a limited edition offering priced at around 200 dollars later in the year, suggesting a strategy to appeal to budget-minded buyers and collectors alike. The operating system landscape for the Air Plus is described as versatile, with Linux, Windows, and SteamOS all listed as viable choices, giving users freedom to tailor the software environment to their preferences and game libraries.
At this stage, it remains unclear which markets will receive the Air Plus in the first wave of availability. The absence of a defined launch plan should not overshadow the broader takeaway: a console at this price point, capable of running a desktop-grade OS, broadens the expectation for what portable gaming hardware can deliver. It signals a trend toward greater openness and flexibility in handheld devices, inviting gamers to compare the Air Plus against traditional consoles and PC-based handhelds on a level playing field.
In the months ahead, potential buyers will be watching for confirmations about global availability, battery benchmarks, memory configurations, and the user experience when installing and navigating multiple operating systems. The prospect of a compact device that can run Linux, Windows, or SteamOS, paired with a robust Mendocino core and a capable RDNA 2 GPU, has the gaming community watching with interest as the market responds to this bold entry into the portable PC space.