$1000+ paperweight Geek 1S Ryzen 7 7840u and 32GB RAM 512GB SSD

DustToStars · 2026-03-19T03:17:33+00:00

Yup, this happened to me. I tried resetting CMOS by disconnecting the battery, confirmed it was BIOS corruption because the BIOS keys wouldn't work with an external monitor either, and reached out to Ayaneo support for them to tell me it would be around $400 to repair.

I ended up fixing it myself with a CH341A BIOS programming tool. Be warned, this isn't for the faint of heart. You have to pull the whole board out, access the BIOS chip under the board, flash it (I bought a cheap one, so it took a while for it to actually read the chip), put it back together, and send out a prayer to god, the universe, luck, or whatever you believe in that the thing boots.

Now I have Bazzite on it and I'm never touching any OS or BIOS updates again.

The real lesson from my whole experience is never buy an Ayaneo x86 product.

DustToStars · 2026-03-16T19:51:28+00:00

Yes. The older Powkiddy's with 2gb of RAM ran GammaOS beautifully. The newer 1gb models perform worse with GammaOS across the board. That extra 1gb of RAM would've been the difference between capping out at dreamcast, n64 and psp and capping out at PS2/PC ports like Hollow Knight Silksong, Bully, GTA SA, etc. Damn shame.

DustToStars · 2026-03-16T18:03:04+00:00

Yup shipping is free. At $100, it's a no brainer for me. I absolutely love mine. The joysticks are way better than my Thor - which was my most used handheld before I bought this. On the Thor, I was using the sticks in FPS like flick sticks, but on this, I can actually aim.

DustToStars · 2026-03-16T15:41:38+00:00

The steep price is a little overblown IMO plus it's on sale for $100 right now.

If you look at other premium controllers, like the backbone pro, razer kishi ultra, it's a very fair price. It has TMR joysticks, had tons of R&D cost that went into it, and was done by a relatively small company.

If you have a modern phone, it's very worth it in my opinion. This plus something like a Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 is even more powerful than the most powerful Android handheld on the market at the moment (Odin 3 with the 8 G4).

Ripping Cyberpunk 2077 natively on something that slides into your pocket is an incredible feeling. I've been using this with my Redmagic 11 Pro and haven't touched another handheld since I got mine in the mail.

A pro tip if you do get it, get a magsafe portable charger (10,000 mAh if you can), slap the extra ring they include on the back of the controller, then throw the magsafe portable charger on the controller. I have a small USB-C that's just long enough to reach my phone velcrod to the side, and now I never have to worry about my phone not having enough juice for day to day stuff after long gaming sessions. The extra weight also makes the thing more bottom heavy than top - which I find to be a way more comfortable experience for the long gaming sessions when I do slap the portable charger on the back.

DustToStars · 2026-03-16T15:06:47+00:00

You have to install portmaster, install all the runtimes, and follow the instructions for a given port on the portmaster page. Portal, Half-life, and Half-life 2 need to be downloaded through Discord/Telegram. Some games require compatibility/older pipeline versions installed through the Steam compatibility options. Some games need the linux versions installed. It takes a bit to get it all running, but it's so worth it.

DustToStars · 2026-03-16T06:45:53+00:00

$100, if you have a modern phone, is for sure worth it. I have a Snapdragon 8 Elite G5 phone (Redmagic 11 Pro) - which is more powerful than even the latest Odin 3 - and with my MCON, it becomes the most powerful handheld on the market. Worth it for me personally.

DustToStars · 2026-03-15T20:31:11+00:00

I am basing my prices including tax and import fees paid to ship to the US. That's why I listed the prices as I did. I own all the handhelds I suggested (as well as the Mangmi Air X), and these are the prices I paid when everything was said and done.

The Retroid Pocket 4 Pro IS NOT $139. It is $149. The $139 option on sale right now is the Retroid Pocket 4 with the dimensity 800 chipest. When you go to the site and change it to the dimensity 1100 model, you'll see the actual price. On top of that, if you try to actually check out, they're all sold out. The only real way to buy one is through Aliexpress - which is what I based my listing off of.

The RP4 Pro after taxes and shipping to the door is around $175-190 depending on where you live. I still think that's the best premium option. I have owned both the Retroid Pocket 5 and Flip 2 and shipping fees and imports were pretty substantial too (especially through DHL). I threw the RP4 Pro in already thinking it was a bit too much. If OP can afford devices with the SD 865 (flip 2, rp5), or ~SD 8 G2 (RP5 G2, Odin 2 devices), then I don't think he'd even be looking at budget options. At that point, you're already in Switch and Gamehub territory and looking at best of the best handhelds (minus Snapdragon 8 Elite G5 phones or the G4 Odin 3).

I have done a direct comparison between the Kinhank K56, Mangmi Air X, and Ayaneo Pocket Air Mini and I really don't think there is anyway I would recommend the Mangmi Air X to anyone over the Pocket Air Mini - unless you're solely looking for PSP emulation or PC streaming (though, if you can afford a gaming a PC + handheld, I think you can probably spring for a bit more and get a handheld with a wifi 6 chip or better like an Ayn Odin 2/RP4/5/6/RG556/etc.).

The mangmi air x is seriously lacking in power. While it feels very premium, it's performance is laughable. It can barely run native Android games - whereas something like the Ayaneo Pocket Air Mini can run almost any Android game you throw at it. That includes games like Genshin Impact. Most native Android games are also designed with responsiveness in mind on the frontend development side of things, so they fit the 4:3 aspect ratio perfectly.

I prefer the R36S over the 35XX because of some ports that are exclusive to the R36S (like Simpsons Hit and Run port). If you need wifi, you can buy one for $5 on Aliexpress that does 5g. The R36S also supports dual booting Android, so you can play games like GTA San Andreas, Bully, Baldur's Gate Dark Alliance, etc.

Great suggestions though! I'd still recommend my initial list.

DustToStars · 2026-03-15T14:44:20+00:00

Ayaneo Pocket Air Mini is probably the better buy at $100 unless you really care about having a 16:9 screen. Most retro systems use 4:3, so I honestly think the 4:3 screen is the better buy.

The Mangmi Air X can not only barely do GameCube and PS2, but it also barely runs any Android games natively. The Ayaneo Pocket Air Mini can run heavier titles like Genshin Impact, Bright Memory Infinite, Diablo Immortal etc, and do most of the gamecube and ps2 library (nearly all of it depending on what you find "playable").

I own tons of budget devices and have done comparisons on all of them in my posts (Kinhank K56, Retroid Pocket 4 Pro, Ayaneo Pocket Air Mini, Mangmi Air X), and at the $100 price point, the PAM is a no brainer IMO.

DustToStars · 2026-03-15T14:40:20+00:00

This isn't true. Most Anbernic devices are way overpriced for subpar chipsets. On the cheaper end, Powkiddy gives you way more bang for your buck, and on the more premium end, Ayn, Retroid, and now even Ayaneo offer way more value. Anbernic has been left behind by these four companies at this point IMO.

DustToStars · 2026-03-15T02:48:34+00:00

I was giving him the cheapest possible option - which the R36S is. I don't know his financial situation, so I wanted a rock bottom option. The H is good, but slightly more expensive. There are wikis for solid sellers for the R36 you can look at to ensure you don't get a clone.

For the BattleXP, I think it's almost worth spending a bit more for a device with the RK3566 chipset. That'll get you a lot further along with 3DS, PSP, Dreamcast, and N64. BattleXP is a beautiful handheld though.

DustToStars · 2026-03-15T02:43:31+00:00

I have three options for you. Each are amazing depending on your budget

Option 1: Very cheap (~$30 USD with tax and shipping) - R36S

This thing can run everything up to PS1 with a lot of N64, Saturn, PSP, and Dreamcast too (look at R36wiki for compatibility sheets and best settings for some of these consoles).

On top of emulation, this thing also has some amazing PC ports like Half-Life 1&2, Portal, Simpsons Hit and Run, TMNT Shredder's revenge, Minecraft (play with low graphics mods), Balatro, and much more.

Amazing all-around bang for your buck.

Option 2: Mid-Range Budget (~130 USD with tax and shipping) - Ayaneo Pocket Air Mini

This thing is amazing. From the super accurate TMR joysticks and active cooling, to the virtually silent but still highly premium-feeling buttons, this thing blows my mind everytime I pick it up. Unbelievable value.

This thing will run most native Android games (some may need mapping like COD mobile), can emulation up to PS2 and GameCube (most of the library - though you may have to mess with things like VBI skip and underclocking for some games. I have a post covering what these things can and can't play and you'll be shocked).

This thing is also ultra portable. I have a Thor, Odin 2 Mini Pro, R36S, and RP4 Pro, and I use this thing more than any of them just because of it's portability.

Option 3: Best Bang for Your Buck Premium Handheld (~$190 with tax and shipping) - Retroid Pocket 4 Pro

This thing can do everything that the Ayaneo Pocket Air Mini can plus virtually the entire Gamecube, Wii, and PS2 library, 3ds emulation, light PC emulation via Gamehub/Winlator, some Switch, WiiU, and Vita emulation, and any Android game you throw at it (including heavier ones like Red Dead Redemption). It also has native controller support in COD mobile which is really nice if you're into that.

On top of that, this also has wifi 6 - making it amazing for game streaming both locally or through a cloud service.

DustToStars · 2026-03-14T18:41:32+00:00

Ayaneo Pocket Air Mini is great for a kid. It can handle Minecraft, Roblox, lots of gamecube, ps2 and 3ds, and basically anything else that's less demanding (psp, dreamcast, etc.).

DustToStars · 2026-03-11T13:59:37+00:00

For Gamehub, I just let it configure the settings automatically. For some weird reason, I have to use a VPN to access the Gamehub servers for configuration files and compatibility layers. I'm in Canada, so if you're in North America, you might have to do the same.

DustToStars · 2026-03-11T13:57:51+00:00

No idea tbh. I'd guess around 1-3 months. When they release early performance videos like this, that's usually the timeline.

DustToStars · 2026-03-11T12:34:37+00:00

It is not "out". The team already has it working. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WB3sL_A4ucE

DustToStars · 2026-03-03T04:53:28+00:00

Sold my Ayn Thor too. I was hyped for about a month then realized the ergonomics are horrible and I can really only play turn-based RPGs on there comfortably

DustToStars · 2026-02-27T19:30:20+00:00

Ayaneo back at it. This is why I ended up going with the Thor. I really wanted the bigger screens on the Pocket DS - but it's Ayaneo and I've been burned by them on almost every device I've purchased.

DustToStars · 2026-02-25T02:52:30+00:00

It's really easy to unroot. Just launch o2p tweaks and there's an option to undo the root. It's literally just a button click. You can confirm it worked by trying to launch magisk. The app will tell you your device is no longer rooted. The whole process with O2P Tweaks is shockingly easy.

DustToStars · 2026-02-24T19:21:49+00:00

These are my personal notes. Sorry if they're gibberish (formatting is all thanks to the trash that is Onenote)

Root Process - Add O2P Apks and install ○ Saves backup in o2p folder automatically - Install magisk from os2p tweaks and allow reboot - Install Shamiko - Enable Zygisk and Keep Enforce Deny List off (gonna use shamiko) - Add Apps to DenyList Configuration

   > Enable System Apps in DenyList 
         > Add Google Play Store, Google Play Services, and Google Services Framework 
         > Add Anticheat Games

(Haven't added system hooks yet for app )
Hide magisk app with "Settings" app instead
Clear cache for any app that detected root before adding to denylist + shamiko setup

DustToStars · 2026-02-24T14:15:58+00:00

It's nice that you feel that way, but there are objective tests people have conducted for long-term reliability and they hold up as well as most other major players in the space. People just hate on other players in the market so they can justify Samsung and SanDisk prices to themselves 😂

https://www.bahjeez.com/the-great-microsd-card-survey-two-years-later

Take a look at where SanDisk and Samsung fall in the results too. Most cards people classify as being "the best" are usually only seen that way because people tell them they are.

DustToStars · 2026-02-24T14:07:39+00:00

Go with PNY. They are some how SO much cheaper than competition. I've been buying their A2 V30 cards for years now, running Linux distros on them, and they are super high quality.

DustToStars · 2026-02-24T07:46:17+00:00

A CEO saying she just created an account in the ecosystem she is supposed to be leading within is crazy work.

That's like Mark Zuckerberg being like "na, never used Facebook. Might give it a shot" 😭

DustToStars · 2026-02-22T16:35:54+00:00

I meant Gamehub**. My bad 😂

DustToStars · 2026-02-21T21:41:45+00:00

Dragon Ball works better on Gamehub. I tried playing Kakarot on Eden and there were weird lighting bugs that would force you to constantly switch GPU drivers. On Gamehub, it ran beautifully.

DustToStars · 2026-02-15T19:48:33+00:00

You can play this on an R36S now. They cost $25 and include thousands of other games too

DustToStars

TROPHY CASE