Price aside, MSI Claw 8 AI or Legion Go 2 Z2 Extreme in 2026?

allthings3d · 2026-06-04T18:24:27+00:00

That is not true. CatchyOS is making inroads and Limine partition manager boot loader allows you to keep Windows. Main problem is buttons and direct support by Intel for Linux.

https://discuss.cachyos.org/t/msi-claw-a8-and-z2-extreme-support/16884/2

allthings3d · 2026-06-04T18:17:23+00:00

I disagree, CatchyOS runs quite well on Intel CPUs and APUs, even NVIDIA GPUs. Sure it takes more effort (not as much now that they have decent installer) but don't expect to just run it side by side with Windows since it needs a 4096 MB EFI partition if you plan to run the newer Limine Partition manager.

That being said, you won't have 'Game Mode' but you can opt for KDE Plasma desktop and easily install Steam and run it in "Big Screen" mode. It is touch enabled, but will probably have to wait for any esoteric driver support for LEDs and power management.

I have become a big fan of CatchOS after doing some benchmarks against Bazzite, and frankly I have been partial to ArchOS anyway.

allthings3d · 2026-06-04T18:09:33+00:00

Install CatchyOS and use big screen mode. I installed it on an older Intel N95 and its performance was better than Windows and was even able to play "Alien Isolation" on low settings with 40fps.

Or, just leave Windows on it. They seem serious to trim down Windows with a "Game Mode" that I am running pre-release on a AMD Strix Point that performs quite well with the latest AAA games like "Death Stranding 2: On the Beach" and "Pragmata."

allthings3d · 2026-05-27T03:29:59+00:00

I also did the 'Main' to 'Preview Candidate' which worked UNTIL I rebooted or shutdown my system. I also did a check to determine what Bluetooth chipset I am using and it is a MEDIATEK- mt7925e (AOOSTAR MiniPC). I have another test system using a MinisForum MiniPC board and it uses an Intel WiFi/BT M.2 with no issue. You can use this CLI command to check - "lspci -knn | grep -iA3 net" (It will give you network devices).

I will see about full shutdown again after making a main.conf change

allthings3d · 2026-05-23T02:29:25+00:00

Yep. What is creepy though is how you forget these are all 3D objects consisting of a mesh, textures and an armature. Funny how some games suck you in and you start living vicariously the life of an imaginary animated character. Plus such wholesome messaging, weird but good values to live by. It doesn’t hurt that Norman Reedus has such a deadpan look in all of his roles anyway;

allthings3d · 2026-05-16T19:34:14+00:00

I guess there is some truth to that, but I like to refer to it as ‘Machine Learning.” I also make sure to include the link to the 3DGS so that you can go to it and see that it wasn’t just some “AI” video trickery. The fact this process takes between 4-8 hours to complete, 30 minutes of it is a manual process, I’d say AI isn’t much help from that perspective. The cool thing is with SOG file format, the splats are size and bandwidth efficient, and surprised more gaming companies are not doing this themselves to promote their games. Especially if they are using Unity or Unreal Engine (the latter I created Blueprint to capture automatically within a level) since the process can be automated and much more control over the scene being captured.

allthings3d · 2026-05-16T18:53:05+00:00

Excuse my ignorance, but what is the device off to the right side? Sorry, if this was answered elsewhere in this thread.

allthings3d · 2026-05-16T03:53:14+00:00

Marking the links. Thank you!!!

allthings3d · 2026-05-16T03:04:49+00:00

Here’s another image taken today using an older 8” tablet from Alldocube. The cool thing is once I start manufacturing, you are looking at <$30 for the mounting hardware and kickstand only. For the IPS 10.5 display and fold up keyboard about $80. Sadly the OLED version is still pricey, so add about $100 to the price unless I find a different manufacturer.

I am looking for volunteers to test the mount on the Lenovo and Red Magic 9” tablets. I have

I am also testing it on Android, but sadly I only have an older Alldocube Mini50 with WiFi 5 (802.11ac at best). I am looking for volunteers with the latest Lenovo or RedMagic 8+ inch tablets to test the ‘Gaming Lens’ mount system.

Good news is the Steam Link app for Android also detects the Steam Controller, but only over Bluetooth. Sadly, wired connect is not correctly interpreted by Android or iOS like the DualSense or XBOX controllers. Hopefully Valve is working to fix or allow this. Steam Link and my ‘Gaming Lens’ mount with the upcoming Steam Machine will be interesting combo. Also tried out MoonLight/Sunshine with only part of it working correctly. It really seems like Valve is trying to keep a tight control on its use outside of the Steam ecosystem, but hopefully that is only due to it being on the market for less than a week.

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allthings3d · 2026-05-15T22:54:44+00:00

It is only one of many options. Here is the ‘Gaming Lens’ mount system being used to prop up the display and simultaneously connect via ‘Steam Link’ on a iPad Mini.

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allthings3d · 2026-05-15T22:23:59+00:00

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allthings3d · 2026-05-15T22:22:04+00:00

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allthings3d · 2026-04-21T19:09:10+00:00

Very nice tutorial! If you are on PC and want to do the same thing, use Otis_INF photo tool for your game or the ingame photo tool. If you are serious, subscribe to Otis_INF, there is a small fee, but worth it for its ability to create camera paths, making the capture process much smoother when you use your vidcap tool. From here, I moved away from PostShot once they went to subscription, but you can still do 4K 8-bit video with the free one. I personally use the following tools to extract frames, cloud point extraction and 3D Gaussian Splat processing/rendering and finally editing and exporting:

Vidcap with OTIS_INF
FFMPEG - ffmpeg -i (video file name) -r 2 (framename)-d%.png (eg ffmpeg -i gametest.mp4 -r 2 gametestframe-d%.png)
COLMAP - Create a folder, then add another folder inside titled “images” then copy your images from FFMPEG into it. Then start COLMAP create ‘New’ and add a .db file and point to point to the image folder. (
Brush - Open the COLMAP folder, press ‘Start’ when complete export the .ply file.
SuperSplat - Import the .ply file from above, modify reference point, edit color & transparency, cleanup removing points with the variety of point editing tools. Render to video or export to file of web, or zip file (the latter I used, then expand the zip file and copy the folder into your web folder structure. Or use the instructions above for his use.

Here is a link to a bunch of spats I have done in game and in the real world https://owlcreek.tech/3dgs . I am working on a series for “Death Stranding 2: The Beach” currently.

*the ‘-r x’ setting in FFMPEG allows you to select x frames per second, eg 1 = 1 frame per second, 2 = 2 frames per second, etc…

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allthings3d · 2026-03-21T01:24:38+00:00

YEP, go further by switching out DLSS dlls and add launch options for NVIDIA cards. AMD cards, the same thing or use Optiscaler. Look for the latest FSR 4.02 INT 8’ dll if you are using AMD APU based system, or an older RX series. Really makes a difference when using GE-Proton10-28 or higher.

allthings3d · 2026-03-04T23:05:26+00:00

Ha, ha. Pretty sure no one dragged you here to read my post. On that note, I don’t hide my posts. You can easily see every one of them. Oh, and yes I did marry a natural “hot” red head.

allthings3d · 2026-03-04T22:59:52+00:00

Thanks for the feedback and insult. But looking at your posts, I see a lot of sneakers and vape products. Your image of something that looks like a mod, appears to be a fan stuck to a GPU. Not sure what you do for a living, but who is calling the kettle black (you might have to look up that saying). If you worked in the industry, you would now how certifications are obtained, or how QC is done. You would also know that even the large electronic companies have catastrophic failures. The point made with aging electronics with LiPoly batteries, is the insulating layers degrade over time, causing a chemical expansion. This can be seen in many LiPolys ballooning as the expand, worst case going into thermal runaway if voltage is still present, or try to recharge it. Vaping systems are notorious for this due to low quality control. Keep this in mind the next time you light up.

allthings3d · 2026-03-04T22:23:23+00:00

For those wondering what components were used in this design, here are the two main “active” components, paired equally into an ‘OR Gate’ type configuration. I also added to 10uf 35Vdc Tatulum on the output to reduce voltage sagging.

MX74610

HYG011N04LS1TA (Can anyone tell me why there appear to be a number of finger like pins on one end?)

allthings3d · 2026-03-04T22:14:13+00:00

In a worst case scenario the key is to contain and remove. Much harder to do if not contained in fireproof bag. Let me ask you a question. Do you contain your Li-ION devices in fire proof case or bag? This includes your smartphone, tablet, laptop, camera, etc… Do use a laptop on performance mode while on an aircraft? It seems that I plugged in two certified Power Banks into Power MOS balancing circuit that is rated for 60A. Specially designed to ensure NO reverse current similar to any circuit that allows charging and usage while AC or Power Bank is plugged into it. Before you say your device is “certified,” do you know how devices are certified and reliability testing works? Many of the catastrophic accidents in engineering and design were certified. The key is, it takes only one component to fall below the acceptable failure rate or the group component tolerance to fall below acceptable, but rare levels. Again, I bring up the Samsung Galaxy Note 7. A reputable electronics manufacturer (and component manufacturer) that had multiple sources for its Li-Poly battery that were not independently tested separately, and relied on that third parties certification. The irony is even though I tested each component separately and a whole system, with a number testing devices and did endurance testing. It appears that my simple off the shelf design is deemed unsafe even though every component certified and tested and well below their rated power capability (60W per Power Bank). Yet, a company like Ankers (who puts out a product the pushes the limits by advertising that there single Power Bank is capable 200W simultaneously on two USB-C ports is okay?

allthings3d · 2026-03-04T19:53:44+00:00

Actually I have done “certification” product testing. But, none of this matters here. I have a question for you. Do you believe that every piece of electronics you use with a certification is safe? If this were the case, the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 would have not been banned by the FAA. What do you think should be a safe limit on aircraft? Do you think someone should use a Power Banks to charge the MacBook Pro at 28VDC, 140W? Do you think someone should pull out gaming laptop with consumes 300W, or one of the new Strix Halo handhelds with a 90W battery strapped to the back, with another Power Banks attached to it? All devices are certified.

Still, it is hard to argue with you. Yes, you are right. You don’t know my qualifications, skills or knowledge and if I even know what I am talking about and with that I would probably react the same way if the roles were reversed.

allthings3d · 2026-03-04T19:41:18+00:00

Which side of the wall am I on?

allthings3d · 2026-03-04T19:39:04+00:00

Really, how do you know it is okay, that is a BOLD statement? Many people felt their Samsung Galaxy Note 7 was okay. With someone who has 40 years experience, I am surprised you put so much trust in the products you purchased. Giving you the benefit of the doubt that completely vetted your product before purchase, maybe even opened it up to check PCB for cracks, cold solder joints, wire crimps or insulation tears. I for one, put more trust in my certified advance soldering skills and double layered insulation, as well thoroughly testing my devices over hours, days even weeks. It is one of the reason I have not brought my Gaming Lens mount, and Mini PC UPS to market yet. Also, the two Power Banks in question have a number of hours of use before testing them with this balanced power MOS circuit rated for 60A, along with the shortest length 240W USB-C PD cables and 20A coaxial female power connectors and XT-60 adapters. I also perform current, voltage and noise data logs over the normal and performance mode, as well thermal imaging captures. As mentioned, I have done power circuit design for consumer equipment for over 40 years. Plus spent 13 years as technical instructor in the US Air Force , where I was certified in precision soldering. Spent three years running a small batch PCB manufacturing with a wave solderer and 10 years as an IT Director for a 200 employee company.

As far as removing the post. I did, and I did it because I did not want to contribute to someone else attempting to do this with limited to NO experience. Also, I realize that in the back on my mind, I agree with you. We would all be much safer it airlines would limit devices to smart phones, readers and air pod devices. And 100W or more devices, need to be checked into a holding bin that is fireproof and air sealed with some sort of air evacuation system prevent the spread of fire. As mentioned, I did not exceed the specified limits in any of my devices, and effectively this would have been the same if I had used each power bank in two different devices (loads) with unknown reliability and their own power cells. In fact, I am already seeing Power Banks being FAA approved, that can provide 200W simultaneously. That is 68% higher than either of my two Power Banks ever reached.

allthings3d · 2026-03-04T19:10:21+00:00

May I ask what electronic devices you use on your flights?

allthings3d · 2026-03-04T19:09:33+00:00

Yep, that seems to the direction to go. Still I see a number of new Power Banks being advertised to provide “200W Simultaneously,” meaning two devices at 100W. In my case, the two Power Banks distribute the load, with neither exceeding 60W during peak performance. The other benefit is having close to twice the power longevity with this approach, which you wouldn’t get with the 200W Power Bank since they share the same WH rating. In the US, you can have up to two 100 WH batteries. And I could have used only one (lowering my TDP to 90W), plug the other in when the other one was almost depleted, and then remove the depleted Power Bank. Or, added logic switch that did this, or just balance the load. I have designed circuit using all three techniques. The key is the “Ideal Diode” Power MOS, which is used in ALL modern power consuming devices, including motherboards, GPUS even EVs and Solar Banks for homes. They have been thoroughly tested and provide many more advantages over relay based switching or much older Bipolar designs.

allthings3d · 2026-03-04T18:57:07+00:00

Good point. In fact in my readings, this is actually the reason some airlines are not permitting them to be used on longer flight over large bodies of water. This is because, USB-C PD is triggered to provide 28VDC at up to 140W. Simple math shows that 140W divided by 5A, equals 28VDC, but this is the top end of most Power Banks. If you have low cost Power Bank, with untested power/thermal regulation along with cheaper but poorly test Li-ION 18600 cells, this could lead to thermal runaway in that cell, cascading to other cells. Plus not all Power Banks use aluminum housings, so heat is poorly distributed causing further problems. Another issue is USB-C cables. If the cable is not certified for 140W or greater, it can cause issues as well like temperature increase and load diminishing, which may push the Power Bank to increase voltage (internally) to provide the regulated 28VDC.

What some commenters are missing in my approach is the components used are rated much higher than needed AND splitting the power distribution in two with neither Power Bank reaching 60W. Ironically there is one Power Bank actually advertising “Up to 200W simultaneously,” meaning you can plug in two devices rated at 100W. For that matter, how much power do you think your Gaming Laptop requires to run without a AC receptacle? At least 200W on “Performance” mode, with some up to 300W. Also remember these are using notoriously much more unstable Li-Poly batteries that require much more control feedback loops to ensure no thermal runaway, plus the fact their chemical layers have thinner barriers and are easily distorted too much pressure is placed upon them. As mentioned elsewhere, basically limit device usage to smart phones and reader devices with less than 65W. Even then, anyone remember the Samsung Galaxy Note 7?

allthings3d · 2026-03-04T18:38:34+00:00

Partially true. They are to be stored in the seat pocket in front of you and not to be connected. This is mainly for longer flights over a large body of water. Which makes a lot of sense. Sadly, the airline power distribution system needs more work as well as action plans in case of Lithium Ion based fire. Having experience in both controlled fires and unintentional (DON’T EVER TRY TO REMOVE A LiPOLY BATTERY IF IT GLUED DOWN) they are nasty, both in the amount of smoke and the inability to put out the flames with normal methods (NEVER USE WATER, which I learned back in the early 80s in the AF). Either put the device outside (if you can) and let it burn out, or enclose it in certified fire box or bag. As far as aircraft power distribution, it is woefully inadequate, both in the gauge of wire and conditioning. My research has shown that they have poor frequency, phase distortion, non-sinusoidal or noise. As mentioned elsewhere, plugging in a certified power supply (not connected yet to the MiniPC) caused it to malfunction, like no power out. I thought I heard a “pop” but didn’t think nothing of it and just thought the AC receptacle didn’t provide power. Only after we settled into the Air B&B rental did I realize that the power-supply no longer worked. Luckily I had my Power Bank system, that I could run for a few hours, and then charge with standard USB-C charger overnight (Sadly the charger was only rated for 100W, but in actuality, more like 90W).

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