World's First Fully Modular Gaming Handheld!

invidious.fdn.fr World's First Fully Modular Gaming Handheld!

Project I've been working on that I'm very passionate about. A fully upgradeable gaming handheld where you can upgrade the battery, mainboard (cpu), ram, storage by utilising Frameworks modular components. I will be selling it soon as a DIY kit for those that want another way to reuse (or buy new) t...

Only initial thoughts are why in their right mind are they using windows on a handheld device

34 comments

Linux gaming

Windows 11 desktop

Is there device support for Linux?

37
- Looking at the thumbnail, I'm assuming they're using the guts from a framework laptop: https://frame.work/linux
  
  Of course, that doesn't say anything about the display or controls, but it's a solid maybe.
  
  24
  
  It is a framework mainboard. The display is almost certainly connected via displayport on one of the framework usb-c ports, so that should be fine, and I'm pretty sure they mention the game pads are Bluetooth. There should be no issues running Linux on this.
  
  10
- I would think so given that the mainboard runs well with Linux but I'm not about everything else
  
  5
Wow, this looks cool as fuck.

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- Thought the same thing, just wondering what the DIY kit might end up costing. I'm also curious to see what would happen if you put in one of the newer 8 core AMD mainboards that frameworks is working on
  
  7
  
  What I worry about is the developer kneecapping the whole thing by not releasing design files and BOMs for 3D prints and PCBs under an open source license. The point of a device like this is going to be longevity, upgradability, and repairability. Having to rely on some dude to keep making a kit is completely antithetical to that. I love the idea of being able to repurpose my framework parts in different ways as I upgrade, but I won't be jumping to buy a kit that I can't trust to be available a year later.
  
  10
  
  Thr 7840U is core config wise, the same as the Asus ROG Ally with the Z1 Extreme, just different clocks/binning. (Handhelds are drsigned for 10w handheld use, and 15-30w docked)
  
  The 7840u is designed for 15-30w, but is meant for the 30w usecase. Other chinese pc handhelds like the Ayaneo Air 1s or the GPD Win 4 Pro already use the 7840u im their designs.
  
  4
LOL your initial thought is valid, BUT being able to run Windows is a big plus for a lot of gamers. There are still a lot of games that don't run well on Linux, even though Valve has been making big improvements to Linux compatibility with Proton recently.

Plus, if you're the type of nerd that prefers to run Linux, then it's pretty trivial for you to install it yourself. So starting with a Windows image is the safest bet to be user-friendly for the biggest number of potential users.

Ideally they would let you choose your OS while purchasing.....

2
- It's a third party person doing it so they're planning on doing a DIY kit soon. I checked and seems like you would just install linux like you would on any other framework laptop so I'm actually pretty excited!
  
  6
  
  Yup. I don't expect devices to ship Linux, I can install it myself.
  
  2
So I don't game a lot and I'm not sure what that car driving game is, but I noticed at ~1:30 his left thumb is moving all over the place and the car keeps driving in a straight line? It doesn't seem like any of his hand/finger movements match what's on the screen, am I crazy?

2
- It looks like the rally game Dirt and can confirm that keeping the Ford Sierra Cosworth in a straight line can be a challenge!
  
  6
  
  and on dirt? that's pretty much impossible. That guy's good.
  
  2
- Yeah I think I agree. Honestly, owning a Framework 12 main board I was kind of shocked at how good the graphics were for this guy (it's just Intel integrated which suuucks, though to be fair I've barely tried gaming on my Framework). I'm wondering if he's just playing a video to show more proof-of-concept (not super dishonest, as Framework is going to soon release a Ryzen mainboard that is expected to have pretty reasonable graphics built in)
  
  2
  
  @festus @BaconIsAVeg AMD advantage!!
  
  1
- Yeah it doesn't make sense to me either but I also don't look at my thumbs when playing driving games.
  
  1
Why wouldn't you?

-1
- This is a Linux circle jerking community, so naturally Windows bad.
  
  3
  
  Windows is bad for handheld gaming devices since it is not built to be used in such a way. There is a rumor that a handheld gaming version is on the way for Windows, but as of right now SteamOS is the only widely available mobile gaming OS available.
  
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  👆
  
  2
- Why wouldn't I what?
  
  3
  
  Only initial thoughts are why in their right mind are they using windows on a handheld device
  
  0
Permanently Deleted

-3
- You can replace the main board, screen, etc all separately. So if you want an upgraded processor, you can buy a main board and be on your way.
  
  It's not modular in the sense that you can plug random stuff together, it's modular in the sense that you can replace each piece independently.
  
  15
  
  You can also swap the RAM and SSD
  
  2
  
  Permanently Deleted
  
  -1
Windows because it will cost Framework or whoever it is a lot to do it Valve style - coming out with your own distro, support it and yeah the proton issue. If it will run only Linux games, that market will be minuscule.

-6
- I mean, you're not wrong, but I'm pretty sure Valve would allow other companies to download SteamOS for their own platform. You can already do it yourself for free.
  
  16
  
  @HRDS_654
  Not to mention the main functional part: proton doesn't only work on SteamOS
  @Ecology8622
  
  11

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