It's no secret that PC gaming is the go-to for hardcore gamers. It offers the fastest frame rates, best graphics and the largest and least expensive libarary of games when compared to consoles or handheld devices.
The only disadvantage for PC gaming is that it isn't really portable. Sure, there are laptops, but unless you can make your own, then getting a solid gaming-quality laptop is quite expensive and still doesn't match the power of a desktop. Not to mention even if you do have one, walking around with a $1,700-plus piece of tech on you is ill advised. Mobile gaming has addressed some of these issues, allowing people to play simple games and ports of their favorite series, but its not quite the same as the PC. Now, that may no longer be an issue.
Enter the PGS, a new handheld by Portable Solutions that's small enough to fit in your pocket but has power "comparable" to a PC. It comes in two versions: a regular version and a "Lite" version with reduced specs.
Here is a rundown of both iterations specs:
CPU - Intel® Atom x7-Z8750 Quad-Core 2.4GHZ
Display - QHD IPS 2560x1440 (5.7*) (HD IPS 1280x720 (5.5*) for PGS Lite)
GPU - Intel HD Graphics 600 MHz 16 cores
RAM - 8GB LPDDR3 1600 (4GB LPDDR3 1600 for PGS Lite)
OS - Windows 10 (64-Bit), Android 6.0
Storage - 128GB SSD (64GB SSD for PGS Lite)
Communication - 802.11a/b/g/n/ac + Bluetooth® 4.0 + 3G/LTE (without 3G/LTE for PGS Lite)
Battery - Li-Po 6120mAh battery (Li-Po 4080mAh battery for PGS Lite)
Additional Features - USB 3.0 Host, HDMI 2.0 Host, 3.5mm combo, Built-in 5.0 speakers (2.0 for PGS Lite), Built-in cam and webcam (8.0MP/2.0MP) (5.0MP/1.3MP for PGS Lite), Second HD IPS display (4*), Telescopic analog sticks (basic analog sticks for PGS Lite).
Size - 164.1 x 84 x 1.8 mm (160.0 x 81 x 1.4 mm for PGS Lite)
Weight – 320 g. (245 g. for PGS Lite)
The ability to have PC-quality gaming is definitely attractive, but how feasible would such a product be? It's already been met with extreme skepticism, and for valid reasons. This all looks great on paper, but the reality may not turn out as nicely. For starters, how will the device keep itself cool? The PGS is supposed to push out some serious power and has a big battery, but the small design appears to have little space for ventilation or fans. Additionally, what prospective buyers will get seems too be good to be true considering the price. A full version of Windows 10, the hardware and two HD screens is too much of a good deal to recieve for a mere $250.
With a deal like that, there must be some catch. There is, which can be seen once looking at the results of a preliminary performance test:
"Batman: Arkham City" | medium-level graphics, HD-resolution, 27-32 FPS.
"Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance" | medium-level graphics, HD-resolution, 30-35 FPS.
"Dark Souls 2" | medium-level graphics, HD-resolution, 32-37 FPS.
"Mirrors Edge" | minimum-level graphics, HD-resolution, 26-31 FPS.
"The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim" | minimum-level graphics, HD-resolution, 25-30 FPS.
"DmC: Devil May Cry" | minimum-level graphics, HD-resolution, 24-29 FPS.
"Fallout 3" | medium-level graphics, HD-resolution, 31-36 FPS.
"Fallout 4" | minimum-level graphics, SUB HD-resolution, 20-25 FPS.
"GTA V" | minimum-level graphics, SUB HD-resolution, ultra low patch, 21-26 FPS.
"Witcher 3: Wild Hunt" | minimum-level graphics, SUB HD-resolution, ultra low patch. 20-25 FPS.
That doesn't look like serious PC-quality gaming. But to be fair, no one should have expected it coming from a handheld. It would, for better or worse, be the equivalent of playing a console, which isn't what the device promised.
So is this real? We'll just have to wait until the end of the year when the PGS supposedly comes out. Until then, let's not get ahead of ourselves and get our hopes up.
Check out a video below (note that the video is a prototype and was allegedly made when Portable Solutions had planned to go on Kickstarter):
