Introduction to the Orange Pi Neo
The handheld gaming PC market has grown significantly since Valve launched the Steam Deck in 2022. However, it’s not the only option available. The Orange Pi Neo, a Linux-first handheld, is an upcoming alternative.
Development and Updates
The Manjaro team has been posting updates on the project’s development. Unfortunately, the latest update states that the project is on hold due to high DDR5 RAM and SSD prices.
Meanwhile, the team has made progress in other areas, such as clearing CE and FCC certifications. Additionally, they have continued refining Manjaro Gaming Edition, the operating system that will ship with the device.
Key Features of the Orange Pi Neo
The Orange Pi Neo features a 7-inch 1920×1200 display with a 120Hz refresh rate, dual touchpads, and Hall effect joysticks with RGB lighting. Furthermore, it runs Manjaro Gaming Edition, an immutable OS built on top of Manjaro Linux.
For example, the device boots into SteamUI by default but lets you switch to a Desktop mode when needed. Therefore, it offers a unique gaming experience.
Conclusion and Future Plans
In conclusion, the Orange Pi Neo is a promising Linux-powered handheld gaming PC. Although the project is currently on hold, the team is working on refining the operating system and waiting for the right time to launch the product. Finally, we can expect a unique gaming experience with the Orange Pi Neo.
