SteamBoy, the PC gaming handheld

If you’ve ever wanted to play PC games on the go, you probably already have a gaming laptop. One group, though, thinks you should be able to play them on a handheld. This isn’t a streaming option either like the Shield. It contains native PC hardware. They call it the SteamBoy.

Naturally, it will run SteamOS, Valve’s Linux based operating system tailored for gaming. Though few specs have been finalized, The Escapist has uncovered a few of its inside secrets.

It will have a quad-core processor, 4GB of memory, 32GB of built in storage, and a 5” touch screen. Presumably it will be able to play any Steam games that are compatible with Linux. You should be able to stream Windows and Mac games with it as well.

Plays your PC games, but how well? Photo via The Escapist

The real question is, how well.

We don’t expect anything crazy from this thing. Given its form factor, it could accept embedded, low voltage versions of AMD Puma or Intel Core. Most likely with integrated graphics. It should be able to play older games, and some newer ones on low detail. Would you want to though?

This brings us fill circle to my article about the Vita a couple weeks back. Building a console quality handheld is foolish, because there’s always a better system to play on. Especially if you’re targeting PC gamers.  A group that are known to be sticklers for performance.

If this were built as a streaming device and the price was low enough, it might not be a bad a concept. Though, Nvidia’s Shield has taught us that there isn’t much of a market for that.

Colour us sceptical.

The people behind the SteamBoy expected to launch sometime in 2015.

Source: The Escapist 

Steam Engine photo by A.M.Hurrell