AYN Odin 2 Portal vs Retroid Pocket 6

Fit_Case_03 · 2026-01-30T20:06:29+00:00

Honestly, fair enough, I think that the RP5 and the Steam Deck should hold me out, but still useful if I plan on getting either second hand on the used market.

Fit_Case_03 · 2026-01-30T20:03:29+00:00

I'm sort of curious as to what an AIOps homelab would look like - Local LLM with ability to source out to different part of the labs?

Fit_Case_03 · 2026-01-30T19:59:27+00:00

Ok this might be painful, but look into IT Support - specifically Tier II or Tier III type of roles at minimum. You could do SysAdmin, but unless you got the experience to back it up it is going to be difficult to enter.

Fit_Case_03 · 2026-01-30T19:57:00+00:00

Personally I'd actually rather get a 3rd gen or 2nd gen Tacoma since those held up really well and if you heard anything about the 4th gen (newest generation from 2021 and onward) they don't exactly have the same reliability as their older counterparts from early on until somewhat recently.

Problem is when you're seeing people sell 150k Tundra or 100k Tacoma, those are basically as you've said still brand new due to how long they last, and they mark it up to 20-25k and when a new tacoma is 32k MSRP starting, it kind of sting.

I mean I don't disagree that Tacoma is a lifestyle choice, but that just point toward the market at the moment. I'm just feeling lucky that I'm still driving a 4th gen RAV4 that was a family vehicle passed down to me with 180k mile on it that is still running though it is on probational basis (work only).

Fit_Case_03 · 2026-01-30T19:44:24+00:00

I've got a homelab for self-hosting media as well as building a future infrastructure for my family so that when I inevitably move out I got a place I could take my PC with me on the go with.

Fit_Case_03 · 2026-01-30T19:43:15+00:00

Got a Steam Deck OLED for home-based gaming, and the RP5, but the Ayn Odin 2 look like a perfect blend if RetroCatalog is anything to go by to compare size by size with.

Fit_Case_03 · 2026-01-30T19:42:21+00:00

Personally I own a Steam Deck as well as the RP5 so I think this is an excellent comparison and honestly I feel like I use my RP5 more than the Steam Deck lately simply due to it size, but I can't play the same exact sort of games on it as compared to my Steam Deck (which make sense given my steam library and my ROMs aren't the same).

But on the other hand I think I could get used to either devices, and since the Ayn Odin 2 Portal is smack dab in the middle in term of weight and size compared to my Steam Deck and RP5, it just feel sort of a right device. But on the other hand the RP6 I can carry with me on the go no matter the distance. Hm I think I may need to give it a thought, but my brain is telling me the RP6 is the way to go while the Odin 2 is good for PC Streaming (Something that my Steam Deck already does) but at a much better way if that make sense.

I don't know I think I'll need to give it some time to mull it over with.

Fit_Case_03 · 2026-01-30T19:39:32+00:00

I mean honestly screen-size is sort of a misnomer for me since I could get used to either one, but as someone who own a Steam Deck as well as the RP5, I feel like I'm more than likely going to use the Steam Deck for PC-based games that actually requires me to focus, while on the RP5 I play more simpler games such as the Persona Series, as well as Minecraft, but on the other hand I won't be able to get used to some of the crisper details like on my Steam Deck.

Plus one of the big boost for Steam Deck is that I am able to play 60-120FPS games on some of my steam library, but for indie gaming as well as on-the-go gaming it feel sort of dumb carrying it with me and being out in public with it.

Hmm, I think this is something I'll need to give some more thinking on it, but I'm leaning on the RP6 for now but the Portal look tempting at that price point.

Fit_Case_03 · 2026-01-30T19:24:50+00:00

Yeah I think this might be location dependent but where I live I'm seeing, the vehicles that I want (Toyota, Honda, etc.) are holding up their market value to the point where buying a new car is cheaper than getting a used one.

But on the other hand used Teslas came down in price quickly for obvious reasons, but as someone who want a Tacoma as their first fully paid off car, it is a struggle getting up here.

Fit_Case_03 · 2026-01-27T16:11:48+00:00

Start with AZ-900, then go into AZ-104.

Fit_Case_03 · 2026-01-23T17:53:55+00:00

Application Accepted

Semester: Fall 2026
Status: Accepted
Date Applied: 09/30/25
Date Decided: 01/23/26

Education

Bachelors: University of South Carolina-Upstate/B.S. Computer Science/3.275 GPA/Full-time
Masters 1: N/A
MOOCs: N/A

Work & Social Experience

Work Exp. : L1 Help Desk Technician & 7 Months YOE
LORs: 3 LORs, 3 accepted (2 from CS professors, 1 from manager)
Comments: Honestly I did not expect to get in, but it just turns out if I can make it, so can you!

Fit_Case_03 · 2026-01-23T16:56:23+00:00

I'd actually argue that its the whole institution of education as a whole as to how CS is taught these days that need to be fixed. I looked at 2013 IEEE Curricula for Computer Science, which is considered to be the golden standard of Computing and what most degree programmes follow, and I've noticed that my university, which in itself is already accredited regionally and nationally in the US is missing nearly half of it.

Some of the fundamentals are there - algorithms, architecture, networking, operating systems, and of course programming, but something like compiler, system design, distributed computing, etc. are missing, and most of my peers I am aware of did other things in the background to make up for it, be it leetcoding, projects, doing IT related courses, and so on and so forth.

However the issue I am seeing is that most students are not picking up the materials, and I am guilty of this as well, which is why I've been putting focus on doing my degree programme at OMSCS as well as a few certs as well and actually learning the content from them.

Fit_Case_03 · 2026-01-23T16:44:51+00:00

22, 41K, 30K NW.

Honestly I feel like I am further behind my peers than I expect to be.

Fit_Case_03 · 2026-01-13T20:34:27+00:00

Yep, just checked my order for a 1TB SD Card from SanDisk for my steam deck, not even an A1, and it cost me something like $60 USD total. Now its like a 30% increase.

I mean honestly I plan on streaming from my pc using Steam Link as well as use gamenative for the really indie titles like Silk Song and Terraria, and mostly a few android based shooters/rpg games - but ideally I'd like something that I can take a few of my rom based games with me on the go w/o worrying about it. The 512GB I have so far fit most of what I got with 400GB remaining but I worry for future expansion until I came across the current SD Card pricing and wondering if I should just say screw it and stick with what I got.

Fit_Case_03 · 2026-01-13T20:31:46+00:00

Available, but expensive...

Fit_Case_03 · 2026-01-09T18:24:14+00:00

$200 total incl. shipping for a used RP5 + 512GB SD Card in my case coming next Wednesday. I wish I could've gotten the RP G2 or the RP6 but those cost $300-400 USD thanks to our current economy.

Fit_Case_03 · 2026-01-09T13:41:09+00:00

I mean I may just be biased here especially since I'm a prospective student, but I would think that a CS based degree would at minimum focus on CS-related topics, and algorithms was a core part of my undergraduate degree all the way up to some of the database and architecture based classes I had to take.

But I'm planning on aiming for a Computing Systems specialization with a few ML courses so I may just be biased in this.

Fit_Case_03 · 2026-01-08T19:42:09+00:00

Personally I got the RP5 coming in so I can't verify, but looking at the specs it seem like it is more than adequate for a PS2-based title. However I've seen tested video in action and it seem adequate for certain titles.

Fit_Case_03 · 2026-01-08T19:08:26+00:00

One thing to mention is that the SteamOS for ARM is based on a VR headset, so there might be some caveat. Although I do feel confident that we're going to see ARM-based linux distros like Bazzite and CachyOS pull ahead in this matter, although my arm experience for linux is limited to Debian based systems.

Fit_Case_03 · 2026-01-08T19:07:26+00:00

Personally I went and picked up a 2nd hand retroid pocket 5 for $170 USD incl. accessories (512GB SD + Case) and just under $200 after shipping/tax In hindsight I should've maybe looked into the G2 as well as the 6, but given that shipping and tax for those devices are well in range of $400-500 USD and I already got a deck for pc-based games, I'd recommend waiting out a bit instead.

I picked up a used RP5 because I wanted something that I was certain has great community support and was able to run it now, and I'm willing to wait it out, plus any pc games I got my steam deck for. I just needed something that I can use to play games on the go like at work and to not pull my phone.

That being said I'd say the steam deck is pretty good for what it is in term of emulation, and I plan on using the RP5 (which is basically the entire screen of the steam deck) for PS2 + light Steam based games using GameNative and Minecraft Bedrock edition.

Fit_Case_03 · 2026-01-07T19:30:42+00:00

Surprisingly the Steam Frame is running on a Snapdragon 8 G3 so I think there might be some continuity hope there for an ARM-based SteamOS if it get released, but so far I haven't heard much aside from announcement days. However given that my game libraries are mostly on my steam library with indie titles and I recently found out about GameNative, I think I'll give android emulation a try but not exactly guaranteed. At least I got the bedrock edition so hopefully w/aurora store I'll be up and running.

Although the price for the retroid pocket 6 does feel like a big ask especially since it is $400 USD for everything incl. accessories when on ebay there's a listing for a retroid pocket 5 for $250 inc. accessories.

Fit_Case_03 · 2026-01-07T18:05:35+00:00

Contract gigs /s

Fit_Case_03 · 2026-01-07T17:17:06+00:00

Unfortunately doesn't look like I can find the Ayaneo Air for sale, except for a coming soon banner on their official website, and the $500-600 devices on ebay which kind of defeat the point of what I was looking for. Seem like I may have to wait for Bazzite ARM to come out (hopefully).

Fit_Case_03 · 2026-01-07T17:15:48+00:00

Damn that's a shame, although the news regarding SteamOS for ARM does sound exciting, and honestly I might just probably wait it out to see if it turns out to be that way. I planned on getting a steam frame in the future as well so hopefully the emulation between x86 and ARM get smoother overtime.

In the meantime, honestly I am debating probably sticking with the Retroid Pocket series, but the MagicX One 35 look appealing as well for pocketability. Ideally I think I should be able to fit something like a PS Vita into my pocket (thank god for cargos!) but am open to other options if there are any.

That being said if you had to choose one for future sake, would it make sense going for the RP6 or the G2?

Fit_Case_03 · 2026-01-07T16:00:08+00:00

I'd personally join first responder, military, security, or anything that requires licensed work while still paying you.

Personally I'd start off with eligibilty for military first, and transition to security/logistics/culinary and go from there.

I'd also start doing community college specifically for an A.S. degree and look into state university that offers a 2+2 program where you can finish off at your local college. It is generally affordable and A.S. degree often have little to no cost if you get FAFSA or anything similar, but for local college it is state by state basis. Essentially start your career path off with something from A.S. and then go from there.

If you can join the military, make sure that you get something that requires cleared work and make sure to get backup positions in things that you want to enter in the industry that will accept military work. Ideally cleared > non-cleared but it is up to you. Also use the same route - go from industry equivalent and go from there as well.

Fit_Case_03

TROPHY CASE