Antec Core HS: A New Contender in the Handheld Gaming PC Market

by Arthur Herring
in News, PC, Release, xEL
on 21 May 2024

Antec, a well-established name in PC cases and components, has made a surprising entry into the handheld gaming PC space with their latest offering, the Antec Core HS. However, it is worth noting that Antec is not manufacturing this device themselves. Instead, they have rebranded the Ayaneo Slide to create their new rival to the Steam Deck.

What sets the Antec Core HS apart from other handheld gaming PCs is its slide-up screen, reminiscent of old Windows Mobile phones. This unique design feature allows users to reveal a keyboard, offering a more convenient alternative to the typical touchscreen keyboard for text input. Additionally, it enables gamers to utilize full keyboard commands for titles that benefit from such input methods.

Another significant difference between the Antec Core HS and its competitors is the choice of chipset. While devices like the Asus ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go feature the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip, the Antec Core HS opts for the Ryzen 7 7840U chip. Despite sharing many specifications, including an eight-core/16-thread CPU and a GPU with 12 compute units, the Ryzen 7 7840U is not an exact match.

One potential drawback of the Antec Core HS is its TDP rating. The Ayaneo Slide, upon which it is based, has a TDP rating of 15-28W. In comparison, the ROG Ally boasts a range of 9-30W, while the Steam Deck offers a more power-efficient 4-15W. This suggests that the Ryzen 7 7840U may not be as optimized for low power consumption as its counterparts.

Apart from a slightly different color scheme, the Antec Core HS is practically identical to the Ayaneo Slide. Its anticipated price falls between $600 and $900, depending on the chosen configuration.

While an exact release date for the Antec Core HS has not been mentioned, considering that it is based on an existing product dating back to September 2023, we can expect its arrival in the near future. In the meantime, if you’re eager to experience gaming on the best handheld device available, consider checking out the Steam Deck OLED, which is currently a favorite among enthusiasts.

Additional relevant facts:
– The Ayaneo Slide, which the Antec Core HS is based on, features a 7-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels.
– It is powered by a 60Wh battery, which is expected to provide decent battery life for gaming on the go.
– The Antec Core HS supports USB Type-C connectivity for charging and data transfer.
– It offers expandable storage options with a microSD card slot.
– The device runs on Windows 10, providing access to a wide range of PC games.

Most important questions and answers:
1. What is the unique design feature of the Antec Core HS?
– The Antec Core HS has a slide-up screen that reveals a keyboard, offering a more convenient alternative to touchscreen keyboards.

2. What chipset does the Antec Core HS use?
– The Antec Core HS uses the Ryzen 7 7840U chip, which is different from its competitors’ choices of the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip.

3. What is the TDP rating of the Antec Core HS?
– The Antec Core HS has a TDP rating of 15-28W, which suggests that it may not be as power-efficient as some of its competitors.

Key challenges or controversies associated with the topic:
– One potential challenge for the Antec Core HS is standing out in a crowded handheld gaming PC market that already has well-established players like the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally.

Advantages of the Antec Core HS:
– Unique slide-up screen design with a built-in keyboard.
– Choice of the Ryzen 7 7840U chip offers powerful performance.
– Expandable storage options and USB Type-C connectivity.
– Runs on Windows 10, providing access to a wide range of PC games.

Disadvantages of the Antec Core HS:
– Potentially higher power consumption compared to some competitors.
– Based on an existing product with a similar design, offering limited differentiation.
– Anticipated price range of $600-$900 may be seen as expensive compared to other handheld gaming PCs.