AYANEO SLIDE + Mini PC AM01 Review Roundup - HandheldHQ

Recently, we have begun our sister site, HandheldHQ, where we post about handhelds that aren't the Steam Deck. There are so many we plan to cover, but with how big the scope is, we decided to create an entire second website for it! With it being so new, we still plan to do a little cross-posting as we expand and grow. To start us off, I want to talk about the two newest AYANEO devices we reviewed that I loved: The AYANEO SLIDE and Retro Mini PC AM01.

Below are summaries of our experience/review with the devices. If you'd like top read our full review, head on over to HandheldHQ!

AYANEO SLIDE - 8/10 (HandheldHQ Review) ($702 - $1,304)

The first device I want to talk about is the AYANEO SLIDE. Of all the Windows handhelds I have, I think I will be using it the most. It has a great compact size, is not too heavy, has a close button layout so all my fingers reach without stretching, and a bright/vivid 6-inch screen. It has an AMD Ryzen 7 7840U APU, which means similar power to the ROG Ally and Legion Go, and it can play most games with ease.

However, my biggest draw is the hidden keyboard underneath the screen. This keyboard has become essential for me when navigating the desktop. I hate always using my finger on the touchscreen's virtual keyboard and having to wipe away fingerprints afterward, but with the keyboard on the device, I don't need to do that! The SLIDE's 1080p screen also snaps up, which creates a nice clicking noise when it is slid up, and it can be angled slightly to ease some strain on your neck.

The SLIDE doesn't have a 3.5mm audio jack, which is a bit of a shame, and the screen can jiggle a little when it is up, but it doesn't take away from the positives that the device brings to the table. My unit does get a little hot as well, but this could be something my unit has since I have seen other reviews that have praised the cooling.

As for gaming performance, it is on par with other 7840U devices. Cyberpunk 2077 and Witcher 3 can run above 30 FPS with 720p, Stardew Valley shows we can get around 4.5 - 5 hours of battery on a single charge with lower-end games, and Palworld plays quite well on there too at 30 FPS, medium settings, and 1080p. There may be some games that won't work due to the keyboard inputs being recognized instead of the gamepad, but in all the games I tested, I only encountered this with Prey.

Even with the issues, the SLIDE impressed me and changed my way of navigating Windows on a handheld. It will be hard to go back; the keyboard has spoiled me, and to that end, I find it to be one of the best Windows devices out there!

The SLIDE is available to purchase now on Indiegogo with the base 16gb RAM + 512gb SSD model at $702, which I find to be an extremely competitive price. There are other models which go up to 32gb RAM and 2tb SSD, but with the MicroSD card slot, I think the base price will be more than worth it.

You can also check out our full review on HandheldHQ, which goes way deeper into the device and what it's like to use it.

AYANEO Retro Mini PC AM01 - 9.5/10 (HandheldHQ Review) ($200 - $421)

Then, we have the Retro Mini PC AM01. As someone who primarily works with handhelds, I was shocked at how much I love this PC. When using mobile desktop solution, I would usually plug in my ROG Ally or AYANEO KUN to a dock and use a keyboard, mouse, and portable monitor, and it works fine, but the Retro Mini PC AM01 has changed that for me. Thanks to its awesome aesthetic and competitive price point, I would easily recommend this over other similar PCs.

The highlight of the AM01 is easily the aesthetic. The device is modeled after the original Macintosh computer, and it does so extremely well. I love the look of it, and with some stickers and magnets to customize how it looks even more, I can make it even more unique. Personally, I didn't want to change a thing, but I like being able to have options.

As for the price point, the cheapest model is $200, and it comes with an AMD Ryzen 3 3200U APU, which is okay for very light gaming/emulation and office work, but I would recommend the $300 version that comes with the Ryzen 7 5700U APU and more RAM. With this, you will be able to do most work you need to, while also getting in some surprising performance in games.

Lower-end games like DUSK and Stardew Valley will run without any hitches, and Dishonored was a good time, too, at 720p. I would say you will be able to comfortably play most indie games and some 2015 and older AAA titles, but you may find some newer ones running decently. Elden Ring was playable at 30 FPS with a 720p resolution, which stunned me completely.

And don't worry. Using it as a work computer is great. I am currently using the AM01 as my main computer and have written and researched for my work extensively on it. It can also handle some more intensive productivity applications like Photoshop and Premiere Pro, though I wouldn't recommend rendering large videos on it due to the limited power of the hardware.

I really didn't find any big issues with the AM01 either. The only complaint I could think of is that AYASpace isn't as comfortable to use on a desktop as it is on handhelds, but you can also just close the program, and it isn't an issue. The price, mixed with the awesome aesthetic and power, is a great solution for those looking for mobile desktops but don't want to pay the higher price for a full handheld.

The Retro Mini PC AM01 is currently available for purchase on Indiegogo and check out our full review on HandheldHQ!

And there you have it! Those are the two newest devices we have reviewed recently over on HandheldHQ. We do have some new ones coming, like the AYN Odin 2, GPD WIN 4, and more, which will be posted here in a similar fashion. Thank you guys again for all of your support!

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