Alienware unveiled the Concept UFO PC handheld at this years CES 2020. I've been clamoring for a PC handheld like this for years and last year bought a Switch because it was everything I wanted in a handheld gaming device minus my Steam library. The Concept UFO is essentially a handheld PC that has nearly all the features of the Switch except it runs Windows 10. The Verge has an incredible video i've linked above that gives the device it's due and even though it may or may not come out it looks quite good. With that, now that I have a Switch and the fact that so many PC only indie games are coming to it it makes a device like this less appealing. Still, taking your entire PC gaming library with you on the go seems incredibly compelling and if this ever comes to market I imagine it will find a loyal fanbase.
https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2020/1/6/21048262/alienware-concept-ufo-prototype-gaming-pc-nintendo-switch-ces-2020
https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2020/1/6/21048262/alienware-concept-ufo-prototype-gaming-pc-nintendo-switch-ces-2020
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I saw something about this, but didn't look into details. I have some thoughts I'd thought I'd share, since you posted this, perhaps others will join in on the conversation. I don't own a Switch yet. I may get one, I'm not completely sure if or when I might get one. It could be soon, it could be a while from now, it kind of depends on a variety of things. One thing is that my local GameStop is closing, so they may have a discounted Switch I can buy, if they haven't closed yet and if I can afford to get one. I don't personally want one, but I'd buy one for my son. I wouldn't mind having one, but I have little to no interest in console (including mobile) gaming. I've been primarily a PC gamer for years now and have done very little console (including mobile) gaming. I just don't have the interest for it. So, I think this looks cool, but I'm still not really interested. It could be cool for my son, since the PC he uses is terrible for PC gaming (it doesn't even meet the minimum requirements for Minecraft, even though he still plays it on it). I have a gaming PC as I've had for years now. I built myself a new PC this past summer and expect it will still be quite capable of gaming for a few years at least, maybe longer. I would like to build my son a gaming PC, but that's not exactly an available option at the moment. This device actually kind of scares me. I love PCs, I love being able to build and upgrade them. I really love PC hardware. This device makes me fear the day when PCs no longer are these relatively bigger things, which are easier to build and upgrade. That is not a day I want to see. This does make me curious, though. I wonder what kind of specs it has. Technological evolution is certainly interesting. It's amazing what hardware can easily do now that required a much greater effort (or power) to do years ago. I wonder how much something like this would cost and how long it would last. I would assume and hope that it could run Steam and would also do the same for Minecraft. Right now I feel like I have a mostly positive impression/opinion of the Switch, yet it still seems to not be very powerful. Since I haven't yet experienced it, I can't say for sure, though I've seen discussions or issues it's run into. Sure, it can play the Witcher 3, but it still has some trouble doing so along with problems with other games. The 2/3DS is also some what disappointing in the same way. However, technology will progress and I'm sure mobile consoles like these will get better as time moves forward. This having the Alienware brand name makes me believe it will be powerful, but it will also probably be expensive. My last PC was an Alienware and it was both. Although, this summer I built a PC for about half the cost, which is probably even more powerful and superior to that old PC. This may also be more relevant for people who are "on the go" and want or need a mobile device like this. However, I'm not one of those people, so this isn't exactly for me.
Wow the 3,000 character limit is really tough sometimes! Good thing I was able to remove some characters to get that comment to fit.
If the price point is right, that may be cool, but I already own a switch. I don't see me adding another handheld like this.
> This device makes me fear the day when PCs no longer are these relatively bigger things, which are easier to build and upgrade. That is not a day I want to see.
I've heard many say (not you but others) that PC's are dead and for all of that doomsaying PC's are still going strong. Whereas people seem to prefer tablets, phones and the like PC's are still quite popular with enthusiasts and I liken them to gearheads or foodies.
That said, a device like this really doesn't replace a PC or maybe it would for some but not for people that love running the most powerful hardware as it's not the most powerful hardware.
> Right now I feel like I have a mostly positive impression/opinion of the Switch, yet it still seems to not be very powerful. Since I haven't yet experienced it, I can't say for sure, though I've seen discussions or issues it's run into. Sure, it can play the Witcher 3, but it still has some trouble doing so along with problems with other games.
The Switch is an incredible console / handheld and MAY BE the culmination of the best things Nintendo has ever done. The graphics aren't as good as a PS4 but for what it is, it's quite incredible. I'm at a place now where it's better to have a system that I can play anywhere than have the most cutting edge graphics.
> If the price point is right, that may be cool, but I already own a switch. I don't see me adding another handheld like this.
I think i'm in the same place too.
>I've heard many say (not you but others) that PC's are dead and for all of that doomsaying PC's are still going strong. Whereas people seem to prefer tablets, phones and the like PC's are still quite popular with enthusiasts and I liken them to gearheads or foodies.
That's a comforting statement, even though I don't know what you're talking about with regards to gearheads or foodies.
>That said, a device like this really doesn't replace a PC or maybe it would for some but not for people that love running the most powerful hardware as it's not the most powerful hardware.
I feel like I've learned that the most powerful hardware isn't necessary, unless you're doing a lot of heavy stuff. I think I've learned that there are things more taxing on PC hardware than gaming, or maybe in other cases, like creating content for YouTube, encoding video, etc. I now feel like I don't have to have the most powerful hardware, even if I still want it. If I could afford the most powerful, maybe I'd get it, but I can't. Luckily, what I have is pretty good and for the price it seems really good and reasonable. I think right now 8K gaming (or PC use) would require the most power to do. But, it's not very common at all, at least from what I see. Heck, 4K seems to require a lot of power just to get 60FPS. I haven't jumped into that boat yet. I'm still happy with 1080p and I'm going to stick with it, for now. I think I may gradually jump into higher definition in due time and perhaps in increments. I'd probably already be a step above what I have now had my experience with monitors from Amazon gone well. On the other side, I saw a new 360hz monitor at CES 2020 that may make it to market eventually. Hopefully, it would make other monitors cheaper. I'm still ok with my 60hz. I still play some games (like Ark) that don't always reach 60FPS, so I feel like 60FPS is my goal right now. Although, even experiencing more FPS didn't seem to feel much different to me.
>The Switch is an incredible console / handheld and MAY BE the culmination of the best things Nintendo has ever done. The graphics aren't as good as a PS4 but for what it is, it's quite incredible. I'm at a place now where it's better to have a system that I can play anywhere than have the most cutting edge graphics.
It does seem incredible and impressive. I wish it was more powerful, though. Although there's rumor that a new Pro model might release soon, although I think that rumor is about a year old. I saw a quick video about it. This makes me feel more like waiting to get one.
Thanks for the conversation!