In the world of PCs, the Onexplayer is a bit of an outlier in that it is a handheld touchscreen PC with built-in gamepad controllers.
Also, just think of it as a high-end Nintendo Switch that runs Windows and is built with PC technology you’re familiar with.
The Onexplayer is available in a variety of SKUs, depending on what kind of CPU you want it built around.
It was also born out of an incredibly successful Indiegogo campaign that saw it reach $1 million in funding on its first day.
In addition, all of the launch models are powered by Intel’s 11th-generation Tiger Lake processors, which include Iris Xe graphics cores.
Specification
| CPU | Intel Core i7 1165G7 |
| GPU | Intel Iris Xe (96 EU) |
| Storage | 512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD |
| RAM | 16GB DDR4-4266 |
| Display | 8.4-inch IPS, 358 PPI |
| Connectivity | 2x USB 4.0 Type-C, USB 3.0 Type-A, 3.5mm audio |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5 |
| Battery | 59Wh |
| Weight | 820g |
| Size | 288 x 130 x 21mm |
| Price | $1200 |
There are two variants available right now: one with an Intel Core i5 1135G7 processor and a 512GB SSD, and the other with an Intel Core i7 1165G7 processor with a 1TB SSD.
With 16GB of DDR4-4266 RAM, a classic XYAB button layout on the right, an 8.4-inch display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600, fast PCIe SSDs, analog controllers on either side of the screen, as well as bumpers and triggers, One-netbook, the company behind the Onexplayer, did an excellent job on the rest of the core specifications.
There are also two speakers, which are small and a little tinny—they’re not spectacular, but they’ll get the job done in a hurry.
If only to counteract the noise of the fans battling to keep the portable cool—a large noisy ask when you’re gaming—plug in some headphones whenever possible.
Because Intel’s Tiger Lake processors power the handheld, you’ll get access to some exciting next-gen features like USB 4.0 and Wi-Fi 6 support, which means you’ll be able to connect it to a 4K monitor or an external GPU dock in the future.
To be sure, a monitor with a USB port is an excellent partner for this machine, but we’ll get to that later.
Interface
Unfortunately, there are issues with the Onexplayer, with Windows 10 proving to be a major flaw once you start using it.
Windows 10 doesn’t make for a silky smooth experience, whether it comes to touch or controllers, despite its attempt to straddle numerous means of input.
Also, you’ll have to deal with disappointments.
Steam Big Picture mode feels like it’s a must-have, as it provides a simple interface that doesn’t require the usage of a mouse for even the most basic of tasks.
Obviously, this only applies to games that you own on Steam, which isn’t as broad as it once was. Non-Steam games can also be added to the interface; however, this can sometimes be a pain.
Is the world’s most popular operating system’s familiarity and versatility enough to compensate for its flaws?
Maybe, but there are moments when you feel like you’re a Linux user from the past, forced to utilize arcane methods to accomplish whatever simple activity you’re attempting.
However, this shows one of the advantages of running Windows on the Onexplayer: it functions as a conventional PC.
The device’s lone USB Type-A connector lets you bring in a variety of accessories and have them operate right away.
There are also two USB 4.0 Type-C connections up top, which can charge or attach newer accessories.
Is Onexplayer Good for Gaming?
So, is Onexplayer good for gaming? Well, that depends on the kind of game you want to play and whether the Onexplayer has the raw processing power to handle whatever you’re attempting.
It’s worth noting that you’re using integrated graphics, which means even the most recent triple-A games will struggle, particularly at the screen’s native resolution of 2560 x 1600.
You’ll be running at 1280 x 720 for the most part, at least when gaming. Although not every game supports it, 1280 x 800 is preferable because it is half the screen resolution.
You might be able to get away with operating at 2560 x 1600, but the lack of dedicated RAM on the GPU will hold you down the most, which is why we saw issues in games like Horizon Zero Dawn at launch.
Intel’s integrated graphics have gone a long way, and at 720p, it’s capable of running a wide range of games at decent framerates.
It’s best to play games designed for controllers, which is also a good enough reason to revisit Dirt Rally, Braid, and Spelunky.
The fact that these are all older games helps the system as well, and You will have no issues with framerates, especially after changing the settings for Dirt Rally.
You can also play first-person shooters on it, which are known for providing good performance, even on low-end hardware.
Conclusion
As a full-fledged Windows 10 PC, the Onexplayer has a lot going for it.
However, Microsoft’s operating system can have a clumsy touch interface, especially when you’re just trying to get a game started, and it doesn’t always feel like the best solution.
However, it does mean that you have access to the entire world of PC gaming, which is definitely worth jumping through a few hoops for.
A strong desktop PC (assuming you could actually purchase the components) or, more fairly, a fairly nice gaming laptop with an Nvidia GPU can be purchased for the price of an Onexplayer.
However, both of those devices do not provide the same level of enjoyment as this portable touchscreen gaming device.
Even though this version isn’t quite there yet, it appears to have a place in the PC gaming environment, and that should be considered a success.
