Anbernic is a Chinese firm that develops vintage gaming portable devices, the majority of which are powered by Android or Linux software. However, it appears that the business is working on its first Windows-based mobile gaming PC.
This might make the next Anbernic Win600 a viable alternative for gamers wishing to play recent PC games, albeit the new model will almost certainly be Anbernic’s most costly system to date, with most of the company’s existing devices costing between $50 and $250.
The new Windows handheld hasn’t been formally revealed by Anbernic, but a collection of images included in a recent patent filing make it plain that the device is meant to run Windows. A video showing what seems to be an engineering sample has also lately gone viral.
The video displays a device that appears quite similar to the generated pictures we’d previously seen, with a display in the middle and gaming controllers that include a D-Pad, two analog sticks, X, Y, A, and B buttons, as well as shoulder buttons. On the rear, there’s a vent that indicates the gadget is actively cooled, as well as USB Type-A and Type-C connectors on the top.
On one side, there’s a home key, and on the other, there’s a Windows key, which will most likely be used as a Start Key. Stereo speakers, a 3.5mm audio connector, and a microphone are likely to be included as well.
There’s also a button on the left side of the device that allows you switch between game controller and mouse modes, something we’ve seen on previous Windows-powered handhelds that makes Windows a bit simpler to use on devices without a mouse or physical keyboard. This will most likely allow you to move a cursor with an analog stick while performing left and right-click activities using action buttons.
There’s no news on specs or pricing, but it’s a good guess that a Windows-powered handheld will feature a more costly processor than most of Anbernic’s devices to date, resulting in a higher price tag.
If and when Anbernic’s Windows-based handheld hits the market, it’ll join a competitive field that already includes tiny Chinese businesses like GPD, One Netbook, and AYA, as well as Valve’s Steam Deck (which will ship with the Linux-based Steam OS, but which has all the hardware necessary for Windows gaming if anyone feels the urge to replace the operating system).