As AMD lays the groundwork with a dedicated APU, and as giants like Lenovo and Asus explore this new frontier, Ayaneo, an already recognized name in the field, introduces us to the Kun.
A little reminder, if you’ve been disconnected for a few months. If we thought we had seen everything with portable consoles and gaming PCs, here is a new category emerging: PC-consoles. A happy medium between the two worlds, and the market is already booming.
AMD paves the way for PC-consoles
AMD’s announcement of the marketing of an APU specifically designed for this type of format has opened the door to a profusion of products. We remember the remarkable launches of the Steam Deck and the Asus ROG Ally. Lenovo was quick to follow suit, offering a product reminiscent of the Nintendo Switch, but with a much larger size. Then there is Ayaneo.
Ayaneo Kun: power in the palm of your hand
But the product that is generating the most interest at the moment is theAyaneo Kun. This gaming handheld, comparable to the Asus ROG Ally, has very solid technical characteristics. With a core powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 7840U (AMD Radeon 780M GPU) that can operate between 5 and 54 watts, its performance will be there.
But, the specificity of the Kun is that it comes in several versions to meet all needs: 16 GB of RAM with 512 GB of internal memory, or an impressive 64 GB of RAM coupled with a 4 TB SSD. Using an M.2 2280 SSD offers far more choice than the M.2 2230 SSD form factors of the Steam Deck and ROG Ally.
Its IPS LCD screen of 8.4 inches offer a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels, with a maximum brightness of 500 cd/m². The controls are not left out: joysticks, reverb pads, three-way digipad and configurable buttons on the back of the device. A special mention for touchpads (there are two) which simulate mouse input, reminiscent of the Steam Deck. In terms of connectivity, the Ayaneo Kun is ultra-complete. Two USB 4 ports, WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, not to mention the option of a 4G modem.
The device is also equipped with stereo speakers, vibration motors, as well as a front camera with infrared facial recognition, supplemented by a fingerprint reader. Authentication is therefore simplified with Windows Hello facial recognition or fingerprint.
Everything runs under Windows 11, with a user interface adapted for optimal use in console mode. The device, despite its power, remains relatively compact with its dimensions of 312.4 x 132.5 x 21.9 millimeters, for a weight of 950 grams.
The Ayaneo Kun is only the beginning of a long series. The market is booming and other players will soon be offering their console-PC versions. And above all… 931 euros for a participatory campaign. We are waiting to see.
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