I tried out Alienware’s ridiculous handheld gaming PC, and it made me want a Switch Pro
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Alienware showed off a prototype handheld gaming PC called Concept UFO at CES 2020. When you see a UFO, your first reaction might be to think it’s basically a Nintendo Switch with a Steam library, which in theory sounds like the best thing ever. UFO does seem to be heavily inspired by the Switch, and it even improves upon some of the Switch’s design flaws (like the flimsy stand and the problematic console). It has a large, bright 8-inch display, detachable magnetic controls, and a well-built stand. It even has a dock for attaching a monitor. But that’s where all the comparisons stop, because the UFO is a fully functional Windows 10 PC.
We’ve seen Asian hardware makers experimenting with Windows 10 gaming devices, say, with mixed results. Being able to carry your entire PC game library with you is such an attractive proposition that Alienware has even designed special software to act as a universal launcher for your games no matter where you buy them. You can even connect a keyboard and mouse to the UFO and use it as a PC for gaming or normal work.
I spent some time playing F1 2019 in handheld mode, then docked and connected World War Z to a USB-C monitor for a more traditional gaming PC setup. The Concept UFO’s shoulder buttons are a bit too small and the trigger position is a bit off. While playing F1 2019, I found myself accidentally pressing the trigger when I wanted to press the shoulder button because the trigger and bumper felt too much like one big button instead of two. The same thing happened when I tried to destroy a lot of zombies in World Z.
(Image credit: Future)
It runs at 1200p in both docked and handheld modes, beating the Nintendo Switch’s 720p in handheld mode and 1080p in docked mode. (Alienware won’t say, but it looks like the game is running on medium settings.) Even in games like World World Z, where you’re constantly inundated with zombies and explosions, the frame rate remains solid. Since Alienware hasn’t revealed the UFO’s specs, it’s hard to speculate on how more demanding games will perform, but I do like the idea of being able to play Cyberpunk 2077 at the dog park, even on lower settings.
Given that Steam, Xbox Game Pass, and other digital storefronts require some sort of internet connection to run your games, I do wonder about the practicality of using something like a UFO while commuting. Steam offline mode is an option, but it can be a pain to activate every time you leave home.
Heck, I wonder if this thing will last more than an hour on battery. Again, it’s a prototype, so I’ll take Alienware a little slack, although it does say the UFO will be Wi-Fi capable. Since it’s running Windows 10, it’s sure to have an SSD so you can download and install your games to play on the go in offline mode. But exactly how much storage space is unknown, making cloud syncing a challenge if you can play in offline mode – and being able to pick up where you left off on your PC later on feels like a key feature .
If we’re still comparing it to Nintendo’s offering, the UFO feels like the weight and girth of the Wii U, minus all the weird gyroscope and accelerometer controls. It’s lighter than a typical gaming laptop, but heavier than the Switch/Switch Lite. This won’t replace your main gaming laptop, but it’s more portable and less bulky on the train.
Aside from the fact that the Concept UFO has Intel’s 10th Gen processors, there are a lot of unanswered questions about hardware specs, battery life and price point (we’re guessing it’s not cheap). We don’t even know if Alienware will turn it into a real product. The more I thought about the Concept UFO, the more I wanted a Nintendo Switch Pro. As I hold it in my hand, I keep thinking how much I wish my Switch was more like this – a more powerful processor, higher resolution screen, better controls and Bluetooth that feels less fragile .
However, given the reaction and general excitement around its unveiling, I wouldn’t be surprised if Alienware worked harder to make the concept UFO a reality. Hopefully if there is a consumer version of the UFO, I’d like to be able to connect to a bluetooth gamepad of my choice. If not, hopefully Nintendo will notice a future redesign of the Switch.
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