Ayaneo and GPD have recently announced the first portable gaming consoles in the world equipped with the AMD Ryzen 7 8840U processor.
The Ayaneo Flip is particularly notable as it is the first portable device with two screens powered by this processor. This console, resembling a small laptop, features one variant with a second screen in place of a keyboard. Additionally, Ayaneo Flip will offer both Ryzen 7 7840U and Ryzen 7 8840U processors. The key difference between these two processors is the presence of an upgraded XDNA module for AI processing in the Ryzen 7 8840U, although this does not significantly impact gaming performance.
GPD, on the other hand, is preparing the Win Mini model based on this new APU. The Win Mini maintains the same form factor as the Ayaneo Flip but without the second screen. Currently, a version of the Win Mini is available with the Ryzen 7 7840U processor, with the updated model expected to launch in early January.
The Ryzen 7 7840U and Ryzen 7 8840U use the same processor socket, indicating compatibility should not be an issue. The Ryzen 7 8840U features 8 Zen4 cores, 16 threads with a frequency of up to 5.1 GHz, and an iGPU RDNA 3, representing a slight improvement over the previous generation Ryzen 7 6800U (8 Zen4 cores and 16 threads with a frequency of up to 4.7 GHz, iGPU RDNA 2).
Based on the specifications and market positioning, these new portable gaming consoles with Ryzen 7 8840U processors represent a significant development in the portable gaming industry. The Ryzen 7 8840U, with its higher clock speed and updated RDNA 3 iGPU, suggests improved graphical performance and efficiency, which is crucial for portable gaming devices where battery life and heat management are key concerns.
The dual-screen feature of the Ayaneo Flip is particularly innovative, offering a unique gaming experience and potentially new gameplay mechanics. This feature could appeal to gamers looking for versatility and a novel gaming experience in a portable format.
The compatibility of the Ryzen 7 8840U with the same socket as the Ryzen 7 7840U indicates an easy upgrade path for manufacturers and potentially for users as well. This backward compatibility is beneficial for both manufacturers and consumers, offering flexibility and a degree of future-proofing for these devices.
Developments could be seen as part of a broader trend in the portable gaming market towards more powerful, versatile devices that can offer experiences comparable to traditional consoles and PCs, but in a more compact and mobile form factor.
7800X3D VS i5-14600K test in 8 AAA games