The folks at Indiegogo are putting crowdfunded products to the test in our new series of honest reviews.In this release, we unbox and try Ayane 2, a popular crowdfunded gaming handheld that everyone in the gaming community is talking about.Along with its predecessor, the Ayaneo Air, it also made our list Top 10 crowdfunding campaigns for 2022. Does it live up to the hype? Read on as we put it to the test!
one of us Top 10 crowdfunding campaigns for 2022 Is Ayane 2, this gaming handheld boasts impressive hardware including a 35W TDP 8-core Ryzen 6800U APU, 32GB DDR5-6400Mhz RAM, 2TB PCIe 4 NVME SSD, and a 1200p IPS screen. Its well-crafted product design, crisp picture quality, and Hall Effect joystick make it stand out from other gaming handhelds on the market, such as the Steam Deck. Steam Deck features a 15W 4-core custom Ryzen APU, 16GB DDR5-5500MT/s RAM, 512GB PCIe 3 NVME SSD, and an 800p IPS screen. On paper, Ayaneo 2 appears to be much faster than Steam Deck, but Steam Deck is well known in the gaming community for having a “special magic sauce”. Additionally, the Ayaneo 2 is equipped with a Hall-effect joystick, known for its more precise movements compared to traditional potentiometer-based joysticks.
In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the features and performance of the Ayaneo 2 to see if it lives up to the hype. We’ll also test the Ayaneo 2, its predecessor, the Ayaneo Air, and its rival, the Steam Deck, to see how they stack up against each other in terms of features and performance.
But first, unboxing!
Unboxing and first impressions
Unboxing the Ayaneo 2 was a fun and enjoyable experience. The box is embossed which is a nice extra touch. Inside the box, all parts are wrapped in molded foam for protection. The device itself is a distinctive circular shape, finished in a striking starry black.
Ayaneo 2 comes with a range of charging accessories including two Type A to Type C adapters, a Type C to Type C charging cable and a USB-C Power Delivery charger with a maximum output of 65W. This should be more than enough for most users, especially since the Ayaneo 2 also comes with two additional converters for use in different countries, making it a great travel companion.
Compared to Steam Deck, Ayaneo 2 is more compact, but almost as thick. It has plenty of ports, including three USB-C ports, an SD card port, and a headphone jack. This means you can charge the device from the top or bottom and still plug in multiple accessories without running out of ports. You can even dock devices while still having other ports available for headphones, USB storage or HDMI.
Overall, the Ayaneo 2 feels like a well-equipped portable gaming laptop that can handle a variety of tasks.
For loyal Ayaneo fans, you’ll also get a gift box with items like a coffee mug and rocker cap.
These are nice extras that add a lot of value.
set up
Setting up Ayaneo 2 was a complicated experience for me. On the one hand, I’m glad to be able to use my own Anker cable for charging; it’s longer than the Ayaneo’s cable, and it gives me more flexibility in positioning the device while charging. The blue light on startup is also a nice touch, adding some style to the device. The screen itself looks great, with muted colors and crisp graphics.
However, there were also some setbacks during the setup process. One problem I have is that I can only use the touchscreen to set up Windows, not the joystick or directional keys at all. This makes navigating menus a bit awkward and time-consuming.
Also, Windows takes a long time to set up, which is a pain point for me. Finally, I noticed that some of the ports weren’t charging the device — for example, the top left port didn’t seem to work, while the top right and bottom USB-C ports did.
After going through the initial setup, I found the Ayaspace software, which runs on Windows and controls various functions of the device, to be a bit confusing and buggy.
I like that it immediately asks which game launcher I want to use, options include Steam, Epic Games, GOG, EA, Battle.net, Origin, etc. (I chose Steam.)
Setting up Ayaneo 2 to use English was also a bit of a challenge. The Ayaspace software and installer are initially set to Chinese by default. During setup, I had to use Google Translate to navigate the menus.
Tried multiple times to change the language to English, but finally managed to switch. Despite these difficulties, it’s worth noting that Ayaneo 2 runs on Windows, which is a huge benefit because it allows users to do more with the device and simplifies certain tasks, even though Windows can be difficult to set up and install.
Data transfer on the Ayaneo 2 is the device’s forte. Using the USB-C SSD, games can be easily transferred to Ayaneo 2 from another PC or external hard drive.
The device has three ports, and users can even connect a mouse.
In contrast, Steam Deck runs on Linux. When transferring games from the USB-C SSD to the built-in Ayaneo drive, the device has a fast transfer speed of over 700 MB, transferring 6 games to the built-in drive in just 6-7 minutes.
This is a unique advantage of Ayaneo 2, as it uses Windows, since the user has to wait for the game to download to the Steam Deck. For example, installing World of Warcraft on Steam Deck via the hidden menu takes an hour, but it takes just minutes on Ayaneo 2, and it’s easy to update add-ons to get the full experience. On Ayaneo 2, it will also be easier to be able to maintain the device and update add-ons in the future.
Overall, while the Ayaneo 2 has some positives, like its screen and charging options, the setup process is a bit frustrating, and the Ayaspace software needs some work. I found Ayaspace setup to be more complicated than the simple setup process on Steam Deck. But when it comes to the ease of transferring games to Ayaneo 2, Ayaneo 2 is the clear winner.
Test it out: Gameplay
Game #1: World of Warcraft
When it comes to gaming performance, the Ayaneo 2 delivers a solid experience. World of Warcraft is a game many users may want to take with them, and the Ayaneo 2 handles it with ease.
The colors in the game are beautiful and vibrant, the load times are fast, and the graphics don’t stutter.
The device’s joystick is more precise and responsive than traditional joysticks, with no dead zone for more precise steering in games. It plays smoothly, and even in areas with a lot of other players, we were able to hit an average of 50-60 FPS (59.9 FPS) even without using the highest performance mode.
Overall, Ayaneo 2 is an excellent choice for those who want to play World of Warcraft on the go.
Game #2: Hades
Hades is another game where Ayaneo 2 does well. Thanks to its glossy finish, the screen looks more vivid and produces rich colors. While this does result in more reflections, it also results in a prettier, richer image quality.
The device’s Hall Effect joystick is a standout feature, as it feels accurate and goes exactly where you want it. Compared with Steam Deck, the joystick of Ayaneo 2 has no dead zone, providing a more precise gaming experience.
The grip on the Ayaneo 2 does get hot during gaming, likely due to the device’s smaller size. The shoulder buttons on the Ayaneo 2 are more responsive than the buttons on the Steam Deck, but the trigger buttons on the Steam Deck feel sturdier. Ayaneo 2’s vibration is more powerful, more responsive, and integrates seamlessly without additional setup. In contrast, Steam Deck generally lacks vibration, even when the feature is turned on.
The device’s speakers lack the clarity and volume of the Steam Deck, and are bottom-firing instead of front-firing, which doesn’t provide an immersive experience.
Despite having a higher native resolution of 1200p, Ayaneo 2 still manages to achieve similar FPS to Steam Deck’s lower resolution of 800p.
The vibration function is equally powerful and the device is lighter compared to the Ayaneo Air, but the OLED screen of the Ayaneo Air is more vivid.
Overall, the Ayaneo 2 offers a strong gaming experience, and its joystick and vibration features are excellent.
Game #3: DOOM
In my experience playing DOOM on the Ayaneo 2, I found that the device was able to handle the game’s demanding graphics at native resolution on high settings and maintain a smooth frame rate of 75-80 FPS. The trigger button on the Ayaneo 2 doesn’t have the best feedback, it feels like plastic slapping bottom.
However, the device handles the game’s fast-paced action well, hitting frame rates above 40 FPS. Overall, the Ayaneo 2 runs games smoothly without any stutter or lag.
The Joystick Hall Effect feature is especially useful in first-person shooters like DOOM, allowing for precise movement and quick responses. The Ayaneo 2’s stereo sound is adequate, but doesn’t offer any directional sound.
Final Thoughts: Who Is This For?
The Ayaneo 2 is far more powerful than its predecessor, the Ayaneo Air, or its rival, the Steam Deck. I was able to try games that simply wouldn’t work on Steam Deck (not all games are compatible with Steam Deck), which was a huge plus.
The Ayaneo 2 is more of a computer than a handheld, and could even be a potential replacement for a laptop if you’re willing to deal with the unique user experience that comes with using a handheld (such as a joystick and sometimes having to plug in a mouse and keyboard to for maximum functionality). With three USB-C ports, I can easily connect a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and hub for a better gaming experience.
As someone who has owned Steam Deck for a while, I can confidently say that Ayaneo 2 is a strong contender to replace it. In contrast, Steam Deck runs a custom Linux distribution, and it has a limited number of games it can run.
Of the 468 games in my Steam library, only 80 are rated “Excellent” on Steam Deck, and Ayaneo 2 can run all 468 games without any extra steps or complications. Great!
For example, while WoW can run on Steam Deck with some effort, it can run natively on Ayaneo 2 via Battle.net. Overall, the Ayaneo 2 provides a more enjoyable gaming experience and requires less maintenance.
All in all, the Ayaneo 2 is an excellent gaming handheld for those who want a seamless and hassle-free experience. Its powerful hardware and Windows operating system can easily play various games, making it an excellent choice for ordinary gamers. While it may come with a higher price tag, the convenience and ease of use it offers is worth it. On the other hand, the affordable Ayaneo Geek is a great option for those looking for a more affordable alternative that still offers good performance and looks. Ultimately, it all comes down to personal preference and budget.
express your love and support Ayane 2now on Indiegogo InDemand!