The handheld PC gaming race continues to heat up as more and more companies look to enter the space, and it looks like NVIDIA may be the next company to do so. This wouldn’t be the first time that NVIDIA has come out with a handheld. Years ago it offered something that many may have forgotten about called the SHIELD Portable. It was a clamshell-style handheld that had a flip-down screen that covered the top of the controller. It wasn’t really a PC handheld like the Steam Deck or ROG Ally, or any of the options from GPD or Ayaneo.
Instead, it ran on Android and would allow you access to Android games. As well as the (at the time) very early version of GeForce NOW. Since then NVIDIA hasn’t dabbled at all in the handheld space. Focusing mostly on other ventures like its long-standing GPU business, and the growing AI market. Which has helped it become a $2 trillion company recently.
However, it seems NVIDIA may be interested in creating a handheld gaming PC that rivals the Steam Deck and other similar options. One thing to note is that all of those options run on AMD hardware designed specifically for handhelds. Obviously, that would change with NVIDIA.
An NVIDIA PC gaming handheld would run on its own GPU tech
More companies jumping into the PC gaming handheld space is going to be exciting for enthusiasts and the market in general. Regardless of what company that happens to be. But NVIDIA being one of those companies is extra exciting. Because it means there would finally be a handheld based on NVIDIA’s GPU technology.
According to a recent video from Morre’s Law is Dead on YouTube, (via TechRadar), NVIDIA isn’t happy that AMD more or less has the market cornered on handheld gaming PCs. And feels like it could be “missing the boat” in a segment of the market that is ripe with opportunity.
NVIDIA would not be making this handheld all by itself
Unlike the SHIELD, which was released by NVIDIA, the upcoming handheld would not solely be an NVIDIA product. Moore’s Law is Dead says they’ve been told directly that NVIDIA is looking to “work with someone” to create it. This would be similar to what AMD has done with manufacturers. It worked with companies like Valve to create the handheld using custom AMD hardware. NVIDIA reportedly wants to do the same thing.
This handheld is also said to be a “premium” handheld. Which suggests it would be a powerful device with potentially better specs than other devices. Maybe even a more premium design and build. The other thing to note is that this handheld would be “years from now” if it does end up being made. Still, it would certainly be interesting to end up with a handheld gaming PC that is capable of accessing features like NVIDIA’s DLSS technology. Assuming NVIDIA would develop that in.
2024-03-02 15:04:54