/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23962442/acastro_STK067__03.jpg)
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24247717/lp_logo_3.0.jpg){kind=logo}
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24016885/STK093_Google_04.jpg)
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24808816/Starfield__The_Settled_Systems___Supra_Et_Ultra_____Starfield__The_Settled_Systems___Su)
[ad_1]
Ayano recently announced Ayaneo 2SA refresh of your previous PC gaming handheld during a livestream. And now the Chinese company has launched its portable machine through crowdfunding, looking to fully fund its production.
Ayaneo 2S Indiegogo campaign has already raised $320,460 of its initial $6,640 goal, which puts it almost 5,000% above its goal. According to previously released information, the handheld uses an AMD Ryzen 7840U chip, which is the same as the Asus ROG Ally’s own Z1 Extreme CPU.
But what is new is another model that is part of the same crowdfunding campaign, the Ayano Geek 1S. It has a 7-inch 1280 x 800 pixel IPS LCD display, either 16GB or 32GB of RAM, and 512GB or 2TB of storage. And the 2S version has a 1920 x 1200 pixel display, 16GB to 64GB of RAM, 512GB to 4TB of storage, better controls, better motion controls, and more.
Both versions have special crowdfunding exclusive price tags: the Ayaneo Geek 1S is currently $700 while the Ayaneo 2S is $949. Once both models hit retailers, depending on the configuration you choose (and there are plenty of options) the highest MSRP for the 2S will be $1,999 while the Geek 1S will reach $1,299.
Ayano needs to rethink pricing
While the specs of the Ayano 2S look incredible and the fact that you can configure it in a number of ways is quite attractive, the price is a big issue. This was also an issue with the Asus ROG Companion before official pricing was confirmed to be under $800.
but as I pointed out earlier, gamers will not buy any gaming console that they find too expensive and this has been shown time and again in the past to be true. Couple that with the cost of living crisis Laptop and PC sales are being negatively affectedAnd you have a recipe for disaster if the gaming handheld is too expensive.
And here’s exactly the point: most configurations are prohibitively expensive, more so than many low-cost gaming laptops and PCs. Even the crowdfunding exclusive prices are pretty high. If Ayano wants to be competitive with the ROG Companion, Steam Deck, and Nintendo Switch, it needs to rethink its current pricing model.
Because it’s guaranteed to seriously hurt sales, which would be a shame considering how well designed this handheld is.
