Ayaneo Air: A Transportable and Aesthetic Different to the Steam Deck

Indiegogo staffers are placing crowdfunded merchandise to the check in our new collection of product opinions. On this version, our very personal Affiliate Director of Content material and Social Media gives a evaluation of Ayaneo Air, a brand new extremely skinny OLED gaming handheld that everybody’s speaking about. Does it dwell as much as the hype? Learn on as we put it to the check!

I like to journey, and once I do, my philosophy is to journey gentle with only a single carry-on and backpack. So I’m all the time looking out for devices which might be moveable, light-weight, and may maintain plenty of media. For bringing some good books with me on trip, I’ve my Amazon Kindle Oasis. For catching up on my favourite exhibits and movies, I’ve my iPhone 13 Professional Max. For all my favourite video games, I normally take my gaming laptop computer, but when I run out of house in my bag, I find yourself simply leaving it (and all my favourite video games) behind at house. Whereas I do have a helpful Nintendo Swap, I’m restricted to simply taking part in video games which might be made for the Nintendo platform. So when the crew at Ayaneo requested me if I wished to take a look at a prototype of their new gaming handheld Ayaneo Air, I couldn’t cross up the prospect to present it a strive! I additionally wished to do a side-by-side comparability of the Ayaneo Air with different well-liked gaming handhelds, so I invited my brothers over to assist me evaluation as they’re each avid players, who personal a Steam Deck and Nintendo Swap.

Unboxing the Ayaneo Air

Unboxing the Ayaneo Air was a delightfully thrilling expertise. It jogged my memory of unboxing a brand new Apple product. The crew at Ayaneo was considerate about the way in which they packaged the machine, designing a complete expertise from begin to end. From the second you carry the lid off the field…

You’ll come nose to nose with a basic black inlay card like this…

So what comes within the field?

Upon unboxing, I discovered all of the components to be very well-packed in a type becoming foam. I just like the frustration-free packaging and as somebody who cares about sustainability, evidently solely minimal single use plastic packaging was used.

The field comes with a plug and an AC adapter (CE marked/UL listed), which turns out to be useful for journey. It additionally comes with two USB-C to USB-A dongles, a guide with Home windows OS directions within the form of the machine.

Lifting the guide lastly reveals the much-anticipated Ayaneo Air!

It appears I acquired the Aurora White shade! The opposite obtainable colours are Polar Black and Sakura Pink. One other factor to notice is that the Ayaneo Air crowdfunding marketing campaign has different obtainable fashions, just like the Ayaneo Professional, which is available in Polar Black, Aurora White, and Vivid Silver. There are additionally different particular editions obtainable just like the B. Duck and Retro Energy.

First Take a look at the Ayaneo Air

A few first impressions stood out to essentially the most to me upon lifting the machine out of the field. First was simply how light-weight and durable it feels. The grips and buttons at first contact really feel much more ergonomic than the Steam Deck.

Second was the design and aesthetic. As you’ll be able to see from the photographs I took under, the housing isn’t only a strong white. It has a twin gradient pink and inexperienced shade, which is really distinctive. I just like the artistry and look of it!

On the backside of the machine, it has a micro SD cowl, a USB port, and headphone jacks. There are additionally downward firing stereo audio system on the backside. To check, the Steam Deck is entrance firing, and this attribute may very well be lots higher for some players.

On the high of the machine, it has one other USB port, quantity rocker, a vent for the cooling system, and On/Off buttons.

For a measurement comparability, right here’s what the Ayaneo Air seems like subsequent to the Steam Deck and the Nintendo Swap. As you’ll be able to see, the Ayaneo Air is lots smaller and extra moveable than the others. Whereas it has a bulkier depth than the Nintendo Swap, it’s fairly skinny at 18mm. I additionally discovered the Ayaneo Air’s buttons and grips to be much more ergonomic than the Swap. The buttons and joystick glow and light-weight up too, which is an fascinating addition. Although I’m wondering if the glowing joystick might add to battery drain. One other benefit it has over the Steam Deck? Different reviewers declare SteamOS will be placed on the Ayaneo Air, calling it a mini OLED Steam Deck.

And talking of OLED, the display screen is pure OLED goodness. I’m very excited to check this out with some video games.

So let’s transfer on to the setup…

Setup

Unboxing the Ayaneo Air was a enjoyable expertise as a result of this factor is really stunning in design and well-built.

The setup, nevertheless, was not a straightforward, easy one. Now this isn’t due to the way in which the machine was constructed; fairly, I believe it’s due to Home windows. Now Home windows has plenty of benefits, however the draw back is its tedious setup. Upon connecting the machine to wifi, I needed to register with a Microsoft account. (Professional-tip: you’ll be able to briefly block Web entry out of your router to register with an offline account.)

Additionally, there are simply so many Home windows updates upon setup! It was just a little irritating, as a result of I used to be so excited to simply play video games on the gorgeous Ayaneo Air immediately. For many who are used to taking part in on SteamOS (which hides all the things within the OS and simply exhibits a recreation launcher), there could also be a steep studying curve with Home windows setup and driver updates.

For comparability, with the Steam Deck, SteamOS is an easy setup with video games preloaded. On the Nintendo Swap, it’s a straightforward plug and play expertise after you arrange or log in to your Nintendo account. Due to Home windows, organising the Ayaneo Air took a really very long time.

My advice to the crew at Ayaneo is to have Direct-X preinstalled. It’s a gaming API for Home windows video games, and can be a pleasant to have for a future iteration.

Setup: Charging

Whereas I used to be ready for all of the Home windows updates (so many updates!) to finish, I made a decision to cost the machine. Proper out of the field, the Ayaneo Air had a 30% cost. I discovered that charging it was a easy expertise. The machine glows crimson when it fees, and there are 2 ports, which implies there may be much more flexibility to cost whereas in its case. (As for the tomtoc carrying case it comes with, I’ll get to that later in my evaluation.)

Gaming: Placing it to the Check

Now first off, I wish to level out that this shall be a primary look, first impressions sort of evaluation. I do know that over time, I’ll uncover new issues to get pleasure from, like, or dislike the extra time I spend on it, taking part in all types of video games and having totally different form of experiences. Possibly I can do one other evaluation 1 or 2 months to any extent further my full Ayaneo Air expertise. However for now, I’m simply going to check with it a couple of various video games that I like.

Recreation #1: Witcher 3

I do know this photograph taken on my iPhone 13 Professional Max don’t do it justice, however the OLED display screen is a factor of magnificence. Pair that with the ultra-wide angle and the complete area of view, the sport seems so vibrant on each aspect. It makes for an immersive expertise, and heightens the story a lot extra. The one factor I seen that I didn’t like was that the textual content is a bit small on the display screen.

Recreation #2: Yoku’s Island Categorical

My brother urged I strive taking part in this indie recreation known as Yoku’s Island Categorical. So we loaded it up on the Ayaneo Air and right here’s what it seems like…

With the OLED display screen, the colours had been good and vibrant. I watched as my brother performed, and in response to him, the controls — particularly the sensor on the Corridor impact joysticks — had been responsive.

Recreation #3: Gato Roboto (indie recreation)

I used to be curious how a black and white recreation would carry out on the Ayaneo Air. We loaded up an older, indie recreation known as Gato Roboto to place it to the check.

As you’ll be able to see from the photographs, the excessive distinction B&W visible actually popped.

This recreation could be very action-packed so it has plenty of vibration, and on the Ayaneo Air, we loved the haptic suggestions and management depth.

My brother and I took it outdoors in my yard simply to see the way it seems like taking part in underneath the solar. In any case, it’s meant to be moveable sufficient to make use of even outdoor whereas on the go. And it didn’t disappoint! The graphics and visible expertise was simply as stunning.

Talking of being on the go, the Ayaneo Air comes with its very personal customized carrying and storage case by tomtoc. I like the colours that match the twin gradient shade of the Aurora White machine.

The case appears to be made from a water-resistant materials, in case of any spills. It seems like the within materials can also be molded and flocked to guard the joystick and button of the machine, holding them in place as you journey or in case you drop it or knocks round in your bag. l just like the YKK zipper which is easy, and the strap can also be adjustable. Other than the helpful storage operate, it makes for a terrific journey accent.

There’s even just a little pocket to retailer stuff in.

With the Ayaneo Air in its tomtoc case, I’m able to go wherever with all my favourite video games!

Ultimate Ideas: Who’s This For?

General, the {hardware} seems good. Mechanics seems good. The OLED display screen is a gamechanger, in addition to it measurement, weight, portability, and thinness. My solely suggestions is that Home windows might not be the perfect factor for this machine, because the setup time and updates took so lengthy.

The Ayaneo Air is for the gamer who’s prepared to sacrifice efficiency on the ever-popular Steam Deck for larger portability. As a result of it’s so light-weight and ergonomic, this one is really for players on the go. It additionally comes with different media and productiveness options, which I disregarded on this evaluation however will revisit afterward, so it might probably act like a mini laptop computer.

It is a good possibility for players who don’t like the constraints of Nintendo as a closed system, as you get with the Nintendo Swap. Those that prefer to play indie retro video games like Yoku’s Island Categorical, Useless Cells, and Gato Roboto, and want to play them with enhanced and wealthy visuals, the Ayaneo Air may have the extremely huge angle OLED display screen the place the graphics self-illuminated on all sides. In the event you’re on the lookout for the next high quality efficiency than most retro handhelds in the marketplace, you’ll wish to get this in your arms.

The Ayaneo Air is a transportable and aesthetic various to the Steam Deck.

Present your assist for the marketing campaign, and again it now on Indiegogo if you wish to get it earlier than it’s gone!