AYANEO 2S Review: Very Powerful Handheld But Very Expensive!
Introducing the AYANEO 2S – the much-anticipated successor to the popular “AYANEO 2,” set to be released in early August 2023. This new lineup boasts three striking models, each featuring unique color schemes: Retro Power, Starry Black, and Sky White.
The AYANEO 2S is powered by the latest AMD Ryzen 7 7840U processor, ensuring seamless performance and swift multitasking capabilities. With a massive 32GB of RAM, users can run resource-intensive applications and games with ease, making lag a thing of the past. Moreover, the spacious 2TB storage provides ample space for storing games, media, and other files without any worry of running out of space.
One of the standout features of the AYANEO 2S is its stunning 7-inch display. Boasting a WUXGA (1,920 x 1,200 dots) resolution, the screen delivers crisp and vibrant visuals, perfect for immersing oneself in the world of gaming and entertainment.
With the AYANEO 2S, gamers can expect a remarkable gaming experience, thanks to its powerful hardware, stunning display, and commitment to delivering top-notch performance. Whether gaming at home or on the move, the 2S promises to be a formidable companion for any gaming enthusiast, raising the bar for portable gaming devices in June 2023 and beyond.
AYANEO 2S: Video Review
| Specs | AYANEO 2S |
| Display | 7″ IPS, no-bezel screen, 1920×1200 resolution, 323 PPI, |
| 500 nits, 1200:1 Contrast ratio, 6600K colour temperature | |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 7 7840U |
| GPU | AMD Radeon 780M |
| RAM | 16GB / 32GB / 4GB LPDDR5X 7500 MT/s |
| STORAGE | 512GB / 2TB/ 4TB m.2 2280 SSD |
| CONTROLLER | Master controller, hall effect sensor sticks, with linear hall triggers |
| GYROSCOPE | Fuselage + Grip. Dual six-axis gyroscope |
| VIBRATION | HD Linear motor |
| COMMUNICATIONS | WiFi 6E & Bluetooth 5.2 |
| PORTS | 2x USB 4 Type-C, 1x USB 3.2 Type-C, 3.5mm headphone |
| Extreme speed Micro SD card slot supports up to 300MB/s | |
| BATTERY | 13050 mAh 50.25Wh rechargeable battery |
| OS | Windows 11 Home Edition |
| SIZE | 10.3 x 4.1 x 0.8 inches / 26.4 x 10.5 x 2.1 cm |
| WEIGHT | 667g |
What is in the box?
The AYANEO 2S comes bundled with a comprehensive range of accessories, ensuring users have everything they need to maximize their gaming experience.
First and foremost, the package includes an AC adapter, also includes three AC conversion plugs. These plugs enable compatibility with various power outlets around the world, making it convenient for travelers or individuals living in different countries to use the AYANEO 2S without any hassle.
A USB Type-C cable is also included, two USB Type-C/Type-A conversion adapters, cosmetic parts x 4, special tools for maintenance, and a simple manual.
Design
The AYANEO 2S retains the familiar design of its predecessor, the AYANEO 2, with minor adjustments that enhance the overall user experience. One noticeable change is the improved right and left triggers, which now offer a significantly better feel and responsiveness. The device is also available in black for the first time, a color previously reserved for AYANEO’s Geek line. However, it’s worth noting that the black finish may be prone to fingerprint smudges.
With dimensions of approximately 264 x 115 x 46 mm (including the grip part), the AYANEO 2S gives off a substantial impression when held. Weighing in at about 667 g, it’s nearly twice as heavy as the original Game Boy, which used four AA batteries and weighed around 320 g.
The grip of the AYANEO 2S is gently contoured, providing a comfortable hold that feels more like it’s hanging from the ring finger to the little finger rather than being tightly gripped. This ergonomic design ensures extended gaming sessions can be enjoyed without discomfort.
While the display size is 7 inches, when you factor in the left and right controller parts, the width extends to about 264 mm, causing your elbows to spread apart. Combined with the weight of the main unit, it is natural to rest your hands on a desk or your knees for support during use.
In terms of connectivity, the AYANEO 2S features a USB 3.2 Type-C port (for data only) on the upper right side, USB 4, a 3.5 mm audio jack on the bottom, a microSD card slot for expandable storage, USB 4, wireless LAN compatible with IEEE 802.11 ax (Wi-Fi 6E), and Bluetooth 5.2. These options ensure seamless connectivity with various devices and peripherals, offering flexibility and convenience.
Screw holes are discreetly positioned on the left and right sides of the device for SSD maintenance. Although you can remove the screws, disassembling the exterior may require additional knowledge or guidance.
Application
The AYANEO 2S offers users a dedicated application called AYA Space, which serves as a comprehensive control center for the device. This application allows users to perform essential system settings and monitoring, providing a convenient way to customize their gaming experience.
With AYA Space, users can adjust settings such as TDP (Thermal Design Power) and fan speed, allowing for personalized optimization of performance and cooling. This feature ensures that users can tailor the device’s performance to their specific needs, whether they prefer maximum power for demanding games or a quieter operation for less resource-intensive tasks.
Additionally, AYA Space enables users to manage platforms like Steam and Xbox Live, providing easy access to their gaming libraries and online gaming communities. This integration streamlines the gaming experience, making it more convenient to launch games and connect with friends.
One of the notable features of AYA Space is its extensive customization options for key bindings. With many setting items related to key bindings, users can assign their preferred controls for different games, enhancing gameplay comfort and efficiency. This functionality proves particularly useful for games that require numerous key operations, allowing users to create personalized control schemes that suit their playstyle.
Moreover, the AYANEO 2S supports the function of the Xbox 360 Controller, enabling mouse operation using a joystick. This feature provides versatility in control options, allowing users to choose their preferred input method for different games and scenarios.
The device also incorporates a Bosch acceleration sensor that supports screen rotation. This sensor enables the gyro function, allowing users to enjoy motion controls in compatible game titles. With this feature, players can immerse themselves in games that utilize motion-based interactions, adding a new layer of interactivity and engagement.
AYANEO 2S: Performance
The AYANEO 2S is equipped with the latest Zen 4 architecture Ryzen 7 7840U CPU, offering excellent battery life and gaming performance. This CPU boasts 8 cores and 16 threads, along with a built-in AI inference accelerator called Ryzen AI, providing enhanced processing capabilities. Manufactured using a 4nm process, the CPU operates at a base clock speed of 3.3GHz, with a boost speed of an impressive 5.1GHz.
The graphics capabilities of the AYANEO 2S are powered by the latest RDNA 3 architecture, featuring the Radeon 780 GPU integrated into the CPU. With 12 GPU cores running at 2,800MHz, the graphics performance is poised to deliver immersive and visually stunning experiences.
The system memory consists of LPDDR5 8GB x 4, providing ample memory capacity for multitasking and resource-intensive applications. The storage is a 2TB M.2 SSD (Type 2280) with PCIe Gen 4.0 connection, enabling fast data transfer speeds and ample storage space for games, files, and multimedia content. Windows 11 Home is the operating system pre-installed on the device, offering a modern and user-friendly interface.
Performance benchmarks showcase the capabilities of the AYANEO 2S. In Cinebench R23, a CPU rendering benchmark, it achieves a multicore score of 9974 and a single-core score of 1154. In PCMark10, a benchmark measuring overall system performance, it achieves a score of 5176. These results indicate that the device performs well not only for gaming but also for general office tasks such as web browsing and document creation.
When tested with BLUE PROTOCOL, an online action RPG developed with Unreal Engine 4, the AYANEO 2S achieves a score of 3,875 on the highest image quality preset, which may be challenging to run smoothly. However, on the low image quality preset, it achieves a comfortable score of 10,236 at Full HD resolution, providing a smooth gaming experience. It should be noted that the graphics settings may need adjustment to achieve optimal performance.
In terms of GPU performance, the AYANEO 2S performs impressively in 3DMARK benchmarks. It achieves a score of 23,246 in Night Raid, 14,061 in Wild Life, 6,104 in Fire Strike, and 2,646 in Time Spy. These scores demonstrate that the device is comparable to recent compact PCs with high gaming performance, making it capable of handling browser games and casual titles with ease.
The AYANEO 2S with its cutting-edge CPU and GPU, ample memory, and spacious storage offers impressive gaming and computing performance, making it suitable for a wide range of tasks from gaming to office applications.
Fan noise
When it comes to fan noise, the AYANEO 2S produces a slight whistling sound during idle times, while under high load, the fan noise increases slightly. Given the screen size, the distance from the face is approximately 30 cm, and the fan noise may be a little noticeable at high loads. However, the high-definition and high-brightness panel ensures outstanding visibility, compensating for any potential concerns related to screen size.
Autonomy
The AYANEO 2S features the same battery capacity as its predecessor, which is 50.25Wh. In terms of battery life, when running at maximum power, I can expect around 55 minutes of usage. However, when operating at 15W, I can enjoy a little over two hours of battery life. Although these figures are comparable to the Steam Deck, it’s important to note that the AYANEO 2S has a 25% larger battery. The Steam Deck, on the other hand, performs better at lower wattages, resulting in improved battery life. Nevertheless, the AYANEO 2S offers longer-lasting battery performance compared to its predecessor.
Furthermore, the AYANEO 2S comes with an exceptional charger that stands out among other electronic products. This charger is compact in size and impressively delivers 100W of power through its four different ports: two USB-C and two USB-A. I was genuinely surprised by the quality and functionality of this charger, which ensures convenient and efficient charging for the device.
AYANEO 2S: Conclusion
The AYANEO 2S stands out as one of the top handheld PCs currently available on the market, offering a comprehensive package of features and capabilities. From its powerful hardware specifications, including the latest Zen 4 architecture Ryzen 7 7840U CPU and Radeon 780 GPU, to its generous system memory and storage capacity, the AYANEO 2S delivers impressive performance for both gaming and general computing tasks.
The AYANEO 2S operates on the Windows 11 operating system, providing users with seamless access to native Game Pass integration. This means that users can enjoy a wide range of games from various launchers without the need for additional steps or workarounds.
The device’s dedicated application, AYA Space, provides users with extensive customization options, allowing them to fine-tune settings, manage platforms, and customize key bindings to suit their preferences and optimize their gaming experience.
Additionally, the AYANEO 2S boasts a high-quality display with a wide viewing angle and excellent color reproduction, contributing to a visually stunning gaming experience.
However, it’s worth noting that the AYANEO 2S comes at a higher price point, reflecting its premium features and performance. While it offers a comprehensive and top-of-the-line handheld PC experience, potential buyers should consider their budget and specific needs before making a purchasing decision.
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