Indiegogo staffers check crowdfunded merchandise in our new collection of trustworthy critiques. In this version we unbox and take a look at the Ayaneo 2, a well-liked crowdfunded gaming handheld that everybody within the gaming group is speaking about. Together with its predecessor Ayaneo Air, it additionally made our checklist Top 10 Crowdfunding Campaigns of 2022. Does it dwell as much as the hype? Read on as we put it to the check!
One of us Top 10 Crowdfunding Campaigns of 2022 is the Ayaneo 2, a gaming handheld with spectacular {hardware}, together with a 35W TDP 8-core Ryzen 6800U APU, 32GB DDR5-6400Mhz RAM, 2TB PCIe 4 NVME SSD and a 1200p IPS show. Thoughtful product design, crystal clear picture high quality and Hall impact joysticks make it stand out amongst different gaming handhelds in the marketplace such because the Steam Deck. The Steam Deck has a 15W 4-core customized Ryzen APU, 16GB DDR5-5500MT/s RAM, a 512GB PCIe 3 NVME SSD, and an 800p IPS show. On paper, the Ayaneo 2 seems to be considerably sooner than the Steam Deck, however the Steam Deck is popularly recognized for that “special magic sauce” among the many gaming group. In addition, the Ayaneo 2 options Hall Effect Joysticks, that are recognized for extra correct motion in comparison with conventional potentiometer-based joysticks.
In this evaluation, we’ll take a more in-depth take a look at the options and efficiency of the Ayaneo 2 to see if it lives as much as its hype. We’ll even be testing the Ayaneo 2 in opposition to its predecessor Ayaneo Air and competitor Steam Deck to see how they examine when it comes to options and efficiency.
But first an unboxing!
Unpacking And First Impressions
Unboxing the Ayaneo 2 was a enjoyable and pleasant expertise. The packaging field was embossed which was a pleasant contact. Inside the field, all elements had been wrapped in molded foam for cover. The gadget itself has a novel, rounded form in a putting star black colour.
The Ayaneo 2 comes with a variety of charging equipment, together with two Type A to C adapters, a C to C charging cable and a USB-C energy supply charger with a most energy of 65 watts. This must be greater than sufficient for many customers, particularly because the Ayaneo 2 additionally comes with two extra converters to be used in several nations, making it journey companion.
Compared to the Steam Deck, the Ayaneo 2 is extra compact, however nearly as thick. It has loads of ports, together with three USB-C ports, an SD card port, and a headphone jack. This means you may cost the gadget from the highest or backside and nonetheless join a number of equipment with out working out of ports. You may even dock the gadget whereas nonetheless having different ports obtainable for headphones, USB storage or HDMI.
Overall, the Ayaneo 2 looks like a transportable gaming laptop computer that is effectively outfitted to deal with a wide range of duties.
For the loyal Ayaneo fan you additionally get a swag field containing, amongst different issues, a espresso mug and thumbstick caps.
These are good extras that add a lot worth.
Set Up
Setting up the Ayaneo 2 was a blended expertise for me. On the one hand, I appreciated having the ability to use my very own Anker cable for charging; it was an extended cable than Ayaneo’s cable, and it gave me extra flexibility in positioning the gadget whereas it charged. The blue gentle on startup was additionally a pleasant contact, including a bit of favor to the gadget. The display itself seemed nice, with smooth colours and sharp photographs.
However, there have been additionally some frustrations in the course of the set up course of. One downside I encountered was that I might solely use the touchscreen to arrange Windows and never the joystick or D-pad in any respect. This made navigating the menus a bit tough and time consuming.
Plus, Windows took a very long time to arrange, which was a ache level for me. Finally, I observed that a number of the ports weren’t charging the gadget – for instance, the highest left port did not appear to work, whereas the highest proper and backside USB-C ports did.
Once I obtained previous the preliminary setup, I discovered that the Ayaspace software program, which runs on Windows and controls varied capabilities of the gadget, was a bit complicated and buggy.
I like that it instantly requested me which recreation launcher I needed to make use of, with choices like Steam, Epic Games, GOG, EA, Battle.internet, Origin, and others. (I selected Steam.)
Setting up the Ayaneo 2 to be used with the English language was additionally a little bit of a problem. The Ayaspace software program and installer initially defaulted to Chinese. I had to make use of Google Translate to navigate the menus throughout set up.
It took a number of makes an attempt to vary the language to English, however ultimately it was efficiently switched. Despite these points, it is value noting that the Ayaneo 2 runs on Windows, which is a large profit because it permits customers to do extra on the gadget and simplifies sure duties, even when Windows is a ache to arrange and set up.
Data switch on the Ayaneo 2 is a robust level of the gadget. With a USB-C SSD, you may simply switch video games from one other PC or an exterior laborious drive to the Ayaneo 2.
The gadget has three ports, permitting customers to even join a mouse.
By comparability, the Steam Deck runs on Linux. When transferring video games from USB-C SSD to the interior Ayaneo drive, the gadget has a excessive switch velocity of over 700 MB, which takes solely 6-7 minutes to switch 6 video games to the interior drive.
This is a novel benefit of the Ayaneo 2, due to its use of Windows, as customers must look ahead to video games to obtain on the Steam Deck. For instance, putting in World of Warcraft on the Steam Deck took an hour to do by means of hidden menus, whereas on the Ayaneo 2 it took simply minutes and it was straightforward to replace add-ons for the total expertise. Being capable of keep the gadget and replace add-ons later may also be simpler on the Ayaneo 2.
While the Ayaneo 2 has some strengths such because the display and charging choices, total the setup course of was a bit irritating and the Ayaspace software program might use some enchancment. I discovered that the set up of Ayaspace was extra difficult than the straightforward set up course of on the Steam Deck. But in the case of the convenience of transferring video games to the Ayaneo 2, Ayaneo 2 was a transparent winner.
Put To The Check: Gameplay
Game #1: World Of Warcraft
In phrases of gaming efficiency, the Ayaneo 2 delivers a stable expertise. World of Warcraft is a recreation many customers wish to take with them on the go, and the Ayaneo 2 handles it with ease.
The colours within the recreation are good and vibrant, and the loading occasions are quick with no stuttering within the graphics.
The joystick of the gadget is extra exact and responsive than conventional joysticks, with no useless zone, permitting for extra exact turns within the recreation. It performs easily even in areas with a lot of different gamers, and we had been capable of common 50-60 FPS (59.9 FPS) with out even utilizing most efficiency mode.
Overall, the Ayaneo 2 is a good alternative for individuals who wish to play WoW on the go.
Game #2: Hades
Hades is one other recreation the place the Ayaneo 2 performs effectively. The display seems extra vibrant and produces wealthy colours due to the shiny end. This does present extra reflections, but in addition a nicer and richer picture high quality.
The gadget’s Hall Effect joystick is a standout function, because it feels correct and goes precisely the place you need it to. Compared to the Steam Deck, Ayaneo 2’s joystick has no useless zone and offers a extra correct gaming expertise.
The Ayaneo 2’s handles warmth up throughout play, probably as a result of gadget’s smaller dimension. The shoulder buttons on the Ayaneo 2 are extra responsive than these on the Steam Deck, however the set off buttons on the Steam Deck really feel extra substantial. The Ayaneo 2’s vibration operate is stronger and extra responsive, and the mixing is seamless with no extra settings required. By comparability, the Steam Deck usually misses vibrations even with the function enabled.
The gadget’s audio system lack the readability and quantity of the Steam Deck, dealing with downwards fairly than forwards, which does not present such an immersive expertise.
Despite its larger 1200p native decision, the Ayaneo 2 nonetheless manages to get comparable FPS to the Steam Deck’s decrease 800p decision.
Compared to the Ayaneo Air, the vibration operate is simply as sturdy and the gadget is lighter, however the OLED display of the Ayaneo Air is extra vibrant.
Overall, the Ayaneo 2 gives a robust gaming expertise, with notable options in its joystick and vibration.
Game #3: DOOM
In my expertise taking part in DOOM on the Ayaneo 2, I discovered that the gadget might deal with the sport’s demanding graphics at native decision at excessive settings, whereas sustaining a easy body charge of 75-80 FPS. The set off buttons on the Ayaneo 2 did not have the very best suggestions, felt like they bottomed out with a plastic slap.
However, the gadget dealt with the sport’s fast-paced motion effectively, reaching a body charge of over 40 FPS. Overall, the Ayaneo 2 ran the sport easily with no stutter or lag.
The Joystick Hall Effect function was particularly helpful in a primary particular person shooter like DOOM, permitting exact motion and fast reactions. The Ayaneo 2’s stereo sound was enough, however did not supply directional sound.
Final Thoughts: Who Is That This For?
The Ayaneo 2 is way more highly effective than its predecessor Ayaneo Air or its competitor Steam Deck. I’ve been capable of strive video games that simply do not run on the Steam Deck (not all video games are suitable with the Steam Deck), which is a large plus.
In addition to being a handheld, the Ayaneo 2 feels extra like a pc, even making it a possible laptop computer substitute in the event you’re prepared to bypass the distinctive consumer expertise that comes with utilizing a handheld (just like the joystick and the generally want to attach a mouse and keyboard for max performance). With three USB-C ports, I can simply join a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and hub for a good higher gaming expertise.
As somebody who’s owned a Steam Deck for some time, I can confidently say that the Ayaneo 2 is a robust contender to exchange it. In comparability, the Steam Deck runs a customized Linux distribution and is restricted within the variety of video games it could possibly run.
Of the 468 video games in my Steam library, solely 80 have been rated “Great” on the Steam Deck, whereas the Ayaneo 2 can run all 468 video games with none additional steps or complexity. That’s implausible!
For instance, whereas WoW will be run on the Steam Deck with some effort, it runs natively on the Ayaneo 2 by way of Battle.internet. Overall, the Ayaneo 2 gives a way more pleasant gaming expertise with much less upkeep.
In quick, the Ayaneo 2 is a superb gaming handheld for individuals who desire a seamless and hassle-free expertise. Its highly effective {hardware} and Windows working system enable for a variety of video games to be performed with ease, making it an amazing alternative for the typical gamer. While it might include the next price ticket, it is value it for the comfort and ease of use it gives. On the opposite hand, the budget-friendly Ayaneo Geek is an effective choice for these in search of a extra inexpensive various that also delivers good efficiency and appears. In the tip, all of it comes down to non-public desire and finances.
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Source: go.indiegogo.com