The Nintendo Switch Pro has been rumored for quite some time already, with some reports suggesting it will launch early this year. But officially there's no word from Nintendo. However, some companies are already imaging a beefier Switch-like handheld device. The latest in this trend is the LaVie Mini concept from Lenovo and its sub-brand NEC which was introduced at CES 2021. This netbook-lookalike features a foldable keyboard, an 8" touchscreen, dedicated gaming controller attachments à la Joy-Cons and would weigh 1.28 pounds without these.

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If it were to get produced, the LaVie Mini would pack the following specs:

• 8-inch touchscreen
• 1900x1200 resolution
• Intel 11th-gen i7-1180G7 processors
• 16GB of LPDDR4x 4266MHz RAM
• 256GB m.2 SSD
• Two USB 3.1 and Type-C ports
• An optical touch sensor instead of a trackpad

While it's a concept and might not get mass produced like the UFO from Alienware, other handheld PCs are already on the market like from GPD and AYA-NEO. What do you think of the LaVie Mini concept? Do you wish to see it available for purchase?

SOURCE 1, SOURCE 2

 

[IC_]

Lenovo and its sub-brand NEC

For a moment I thought that Lenovo bought NEC.

 

[Goku1992A]

I made that mistake with my Dell G3 laptop. When it comes to gaming machine it is better to go for desktops because you can upgrade your graphics card down the road. I don't see the lenovo selling well and it may cost maybe $800 considering the I7 processer.

Another thing with PS Now and Xcloud you can already steam AAA games on any mobile device

 

[Veho]

I always welcome more UMPCs, so yes, I really would like to see it available, games notwithstanding.
Those controller wing things look awkward and impractical. The whole keyboard-folding-docking-controller attaching thing seems impractical to carry around in any configuration.
No word on the retail price? Because I fear it might be something prohibitive.

 

[raxadian]

Lenovo is like 3 years and a half too late.

 

[yoofo]

GPD WIN but uglier

 

[Axido]

I made that mistake with my Dell G3 laptop. When it comes to gaming machine it is better to go for desktops because you can upgrade your graphics card down the road. I don't see the lenovo selling well and it may cost maybe $800 considering the I7 processer.

Another thing with PS Now and Xcloud you can already steam AAA games on any mobile device

If you got a powerful CPU, enough RAM and a port that supports Thunderbolt 3 or 4, you could go with an eGPU, which could give you the best from both worlds.

The upcoming GPD Win 3 seems like such a device.

 

[KingVamp]

Just makes me want a clam design for the switch.

 

[Deleted User]

gaming devices need a dedicated graphics chip, that spec list makes it seem like it's just gonna use the onboard intel hd garbage
if i'm gonna pay for an overpriced gaming handheld i'll just get myself a gpd win, at least they put a proper graphics chip in it

 

[_v3]

For a moment I thought that Lenovo bought NEC.

Same, the font even looks the same...

 

[Prans]

If you got a powerful CPU, enough RAM and a port that supports Thunderbolt 3 or 4, you could go with an eGPU, which could give you the best from both worlds.

The upcoming GPD Win 3 seems like such a device.

Yeah, I'm digging its design.

 

[Noctosphere]

what about the price?
I mean, an estimated price?
Anyone has one?
Based on the component, the miniaturisation, the portability, the accessories, etc
What do you think&

 

[Tom Bombadildo]

gaming devices need a dedicated graphics chip, that spec list makes it seem like it's just gonna use the onboard intel hd garbage
if i'm gonna pay for an overpriced gaming handheld i'll just get myself a gpd win, at least they put a proper graphics chip in it

Hate to burst your bubble, but all of the GPD Win products use "onboard Intel HD garbage", none of them have a "proper graphics chip".

This will likely use the same Intel Xe GPU the GPD Win 3 is using, so all and all it perform more or less the same as the Win 3.


But it doesn't matter anyways, it's just a concept and will probably never go into mass production anyways. Not enough demand for a super small "portable gaming PC", or at least not when they're dumb expensive like all of them are.

 

[MohammedQ8]

Worst looking handheld ever. Lenxvx.

 

[Bladexdsl]

great another shit handheld to play INDIES on

 

[Noctosphere]

why dont they say what the gpu is?
is it because it's crap?

 

[Tom Bombadildo]

what about the price?
I mean, an estimated price?
Anyone has one?
Based on the component, the miniaturisation, the portability, the accessories, etc
What do you think&

why dont they say what the gpu is?
is it because it's crap?

The latest in this trend is the LaVie Mini concept from Lenovo and its sub-brand NEC which was introduced at CES 2021. .

It's a concept, not a real product. They don't need to list detailed specs or a price because it doesn't exist outside maybe a prototype.

 

[Deleted User]

This concept has Windows as it premise Operating System and I fail to see what middling PC Gaming title is worth paying for a middling Handheld PC.

In a bubble, it may make some sense, but Nintendo already has a sizeable share of the Market and its own IPs, alongside several Franchise Exclusives and a host of Cross-Platform Titles. That leaves Emulation which are already taken care of by either older versions of Nintendo Handheld Consoles or Smartphones and|or Tablets.

Outside of those, there is very little left and even less that is specifically designed for Gaming on-the-go.
This is another case of not understanding the need to create a unique Gaming Environment to support the hardware.

That said, if Lenovo were to somehow incorporate the Android Operating System into this, alongside the Android Game Library, it would probably be the next hardware cheat sought after by the Mobile Esport Community.

 

[ZoNtendo]

I think Alienware already did this, meh

 

[Deleted User]

Hate to burst your bubble, but all of the GPD Win products use "onboard Intel HD garbage", none of them have a "proper graphics chip".

This will likely use the same Intel Xe GPU the GPD Win 3 is using, so all and all it perform more or less the same as the Win 3.


But it doesn't matter anyways, it's just a concept and will probably never go into mass production anyways. Not enough demand for a super small "portable gaming PC", or at least not when they're dumb expensive like all of them are.

isn't the new one going to use amd vega graphics, i know that the win max used a ryzen cpu with vega graphics, which is still miles better than anything intel can crap out