I DESPERATELY Wanted to Love This... - AyaNeo Air

The video is Linus Tech Tips’ in-depth look at the Aya Neo Air and Aya Neo Air Pro, focusing on whether the compact handheld can truly deliver a premium 1080p OLED experience without sacrificing the portability and price comparison that haunts the handheld PC market. The reviewer begins by framing the Aya Neo Air as a potential wishlist-completing device for handheld gaming enthusiasts, highlighting its size, OLED screen, two USB-C ports, and the promise of strong upgradability with a standard 2280 SSD. They contrast the Air family with the Steam Deck and other competitors, noting the bright OLED panel, excellent color accuracy, and the 5.5 inch display design, while also acknowledging the tradeoffs of a smaller chassis such as bezel size and ergonomic quirks. A significant portion of the discussion is devoted to value, where the base 128GB 16GB RAM configuration hits a tempting price point around $499, and the fully equipped Pro version lands at around $1,400, presenting a compelling price-to-performance proposition relative to the Deck. The narrative then shifts to hands-on impressions: the form factor, the two versions’ physical differences, the lack of IO compromise, and the ability to upgrade storage with a standard NVMe M.2 2280 drive. The reviewer evaluates gaming performance, noting that indie titles at 1080p can run smoothly, while AAA titles push for lower settings and resolutions; battery life is compared across the Aya Neo Air Pro and Steam Deck under constrained power. The OLED screen’s brightness, color gamut, and contrast are praised, with comparisons to the Steam Deck’s LCD display underscoring the Air’s visual edge in typical lighting. UX and software quirks are acknowledged, including occasional cursor display issues, Aya Space resolution changes, and SD card access; the teardown is highlighted to illustrate the upgrade process and cosmetic considerations. The video concludes with a nuanced verdict: for sheer display quality and portability, the Aya Neo Air Pro stands out, particularly for emulation and 1080p indie gaming, but enthusiasts should temper expectations for high-end performance-per-dollar against the Steam Deck. The host nods toward future updates and next-generation hardware, including potential RDNA 2 graphics or even a newer Aya Neo 6,000-series iteration, while encouraging viewers to weigh form factor against performance and longevity. The wrap-up reinforces that the handheld PC space is heating up, with competition driving down prices and expanding capabilities, and invites viewers to share whether they’re excited about the handheld boom and what device they’d pick for their own gaming rig in a portable form. Finally, related content and future videos are teased, including a look at the Win Max Two for broader context.

Topics · handheld gaming · pc gaming · hardware reviews · display technology · emulation · battery life