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Gaming Hardware

All articles tagged with #gaming hardware

Ayaneo's Konkr Pocket Advance Reimagines the Game Boy Advance for Modern Retro Gaming
technology23 days ago

Ayaneo's Konkr Pocket Advance Reimagines the Game Boy Advance for Modern Retro Gaming

Ayaneo announced the Konkr Pocket Advance, a Game Boy Advance–inspired handheld that packs a 3.5-inch 960×640 display, extra controls, USB‑C, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, microSD, a 3.5mm jack, and a volume wheel in Indigo and Spice Orange. Pricing and release date are not yet disclosed, but it’s positioned for a growing retro-handheld market as third-party makers fill demand Nintendo hasn’t heavily pursued with dedicated retro hardware.

Europe braces for higher Xbox prices as Microsoft shifts to sustainability
technology23 days ago

Europe braces for higher Xbox prices as Microsoft shifts to sustainability

Microsoft announced Aug 1 price increases for Xbox Series S and X in Europe and the UK due to a memory/storage crisis, with up to €200/£170 hikes across models; Series S prices now near premium consoles and Series X prices rise beyond launch levels. The changes align with global increases but are steeper locally, and Sony has also raised PS5 prices. Microsoft says Xbox must become sustainable after years of investment, with goals of growth and broader engagement by 2030, a move that could impact hardware sales ahead of major game launches like GTA VI.

Playability over power: Miyamoto on what gamers want today
gaming1 month ago

Playability over power: Miyamoto on what gamers want today

In a Famitsu interview, Shigeru Miyamoto argues that modern players aren’t chasing hardware specs; they want to be able to play software on the device they own. He points to Nintendo’s Switch as an example of successful hybrid play, notes the console lasted 8–9 years, and stresses Nintendo’s focus on unique gameplay and a streamlined development environment (single architecture) over chasing power.

Valve Steam Machine Sells 12–15K Units Weekly, Boiling Steam Estimates
technology1 month ago

Valve Steam Machine Sells 12–15K Units Weekly, Boiling Steam Estimates

Valve’s Steam Machine is reportedly moving 12,000–15,000 units per week, per Boiling Steam’s napkin math based on Steam’s Global Top Sellers data. About 65% of buyers purchase the base $1,049 model, with 35% opting for the $1,349 version, implying weekly revenue around $10–$18 million and an annual pace of roughly 0.6–0.75 million units if the trend persists, though demand may wane as initial hype fades and Valve remains secretive about official figures.

Yoshida Praises Steam Machine’s Quiet, Compact Design While Questioning Its Performance and Price
technology1 month ago

Yoshida Praises Steam Machine’s Quiet, Compact Design While Questioning Its Performance and Price

Veteran industry voice Shuhei Yoshida offers a mixed first impression of Valve’s Steam Machine: he criticizes its 3D performance as underwhelming and notes the device defaults to 1080p, a concession that underscores power concerns versus current-gen machines, and questions the price. Yet he also highlights the software polish, easy-to-navigate UI, and standout touches like waking from the Steam Controller, swappable faceplates, and a notably quiet, compact form factor, and later says he’s genuinely enjoying the device despite the critiques. The takeaway: strong software/UX and niche appeal for enthusiasts, with substantive questions about raw performance and value for mainstream buyers.

PS5 Pro Emerges as the Clear Pick for Most Gamers Over Steam Machine
gaming1 month ago

PS5 Pro Emerges as the Clear Pick for Most Gamers Over Steam Machine

Tom's Guide compares Valve's Steam Machine to Sony's PS5 Pro, arguing that the PS5 Pro is the better value for most gamers: it costs $899, offers strong 4K/120fps performance and a hassle-free plug‑and‑play experience, while the Steam Machine starts at $1,049–$1,349, is effectively a 1080p device with limited ray tracing and less‑than‑ideal performance for AAA games, and sacrifices some console convenience for PC freedom. If you want a library-rich, low-maintenance setup, the PS5 Pro is the smarter buy; Steam Machine is only for those with a large Steam library and a desire for an open platform.

DIY Steam Machine Faceplates: Cheap, quirky mods using everyday items
technology1 month ago

DIY Steam Machine Faceplates: Cheap, quirky mods using everyday items

Rock Paper Shotgun’s feature shows how to personalize a Steam Machine on a budget using everyday items (paper plates, seaweed sheets, tote bags, a learner plate, popcorn bags, etc.) with magnets and glue. While third-party shells cost 15–40 quid, the piece demonstrates playful, airflow-conscious DIY options that lean into humor about 3D printing and consumer hardware, offering a cheeky guide to creating unique, personal faceplates.

Valve’s Steam Machine price lands above $1K, signaling a niche, high-cost play
technology2 months ago

Valve’s Steam Machine price lands above $1K, signaling a niche, high-cost play

Valve revealed Steam Machine pricing from $1,049 for 515GB to $1,428 for 2TB with a controller, a level driven by higher DRAM/NAND costs as AI demand tightens supply. The price anchors the device as a niche, limited-launch product unlikely to move mainstream console volumes, with analysts forecasting constrained availability and considering implications for next-gen systems (PS6, Project Helix) and potential shifts to subsidies, streaming boxes, or hardware-subscription models as costs stay high.

Valve Opens Region-Based Reservations for Steam Machine with Randomized Allocation
technology2 months ago

Valve Opens Region-Based Reservations for Steam Machine with Randomized Allocation

Valve is offering four Steam Machine configurations via region-based reservations with a June 25 deadline and a one-time randomization to assign reservation order. You can sign up for multiple configurations and regions, but will end up with one reservation (the highest-end model you joined); waitlisted users are placed by proximity. Eligibility requires a Steam account in good standing and a prior purchase before April 27, 2026, with one signup per household. If reserved, you have 72 hours to complete the purchase; first emails go out June 29. Regions covered are North America, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and Australia.

PS5 Still a Smart Buy as PS6 Launch Likely Slips to 2028–2029
technology2 months ago

PS5 Still a Smart Buy as PS6 Launch Likely Slips to 2028–2029

With analysts suggesting a PS6 could be delayed to 2028–2029, buying a PS5 now remains sensible given uncertain next-gen pricing and features. Sony is likely to support the PS5 for years even after a new console arrives, so waiting for the PS6 may not offer better value or guarantees on backward compatibility, price, or launch titles.

Steam Controller Deliveries Stretch to 2027 Amid Persistent Shortage
technology2 months ago

Steam Controller Deliveries Stretch to 2027 Amid Persistent Shortage

Valve says Steam Controller demand outpaced production, with new orders not expected to ship until 2027. Current estimates show existing orders might be fulfilled in September 2026 or December 2026, and new orders could arrive in 2027; customers should check Steam’s order page for updates. The controller is Steam-exclusive, as Valve also pushes other hardware like Steam Machine and Steam Frame this summer.

Most Gaming Giants Improve on Conflict Minerals in 2025, But Sony and Amazon Lag
business2 months ago

Most Gaming Giants Improve on Conflict Minerals in 2025, But Sony and Amazon Lag

Kotaku surveys 2025 conflict-mineral disclosures from major gaming hardware firms and finds uneven progress: Microsoft and Apple show robust due diligence; Nintendo, Nvidia, Turtle Beach, Logitech, and GameStop report strong audits; Alphabet/Google and Meta are mixed but improving; Sony lags in auditor coverage, and Amazon remains notably opaque; overall, the industry is moving toward greater accountability, though gaps remain.

Computex 2026: 17 standout gadgets redefining next-gen PC tech
computing2 months ago

Computex 2026: 17 standout gadgets redefining next-gen PC tech

Tom’s Guide’s Computex 2026 coverage highlights 17 standout gadgets—from Nvidia’s RTX Spark AI GPU and Windows-on-Arm ambitions to premium laptops, AI-powered desktops, handhelds, and next‑gen monitors—showcasing high-value devices such as the Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra, Asus ROG Strix Scar 18, Dell XPS 13, MSI Claw 8 EX AI+, Klevv PC builds, MSI MEG Vision X2 AI+, Asus Ascent QN10, Intel Arc G3 handhelds, Qualcomm Snapdragon C, Alienware 39 5K OLED monitor, MSI LuckyClaw, and more, signaling a shift toward agentic AI and AI-accelerated compute across PCs, laptops, mini PCs, and peripherals.