The Nerd Nest - A Video Game Podcast Is the Xbox Handheld DEAD?
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Jun 2, 2025 Joining the discussion are The Phawx, a handheld gaming PC expert, and Fan The Deck, a savvy commentator on various gaming topics. They dive deep into the speculation surrounding Microsoft's would-be handheld device, its competition with Sony, and the implications of performance differences between Windows and SteamOS. Personal anecdotes about gaming nostalgia and potential future innovations, including a fascinating new handheld with a rotating screen, provide a captivating backdrop to their analysis of the current gaming landscape.
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Xbox Handheld Status Insight
- Microsoft canceled an Xbox handheld project but is still doubling down on Project Kenan, a PC handheld collaboration with Asus.
- The cancellation likely reflects internal division and reconsideration, not a reaction to SteamOS or competition.
SteamOS Outperforms Windows on Handhelds
- SteamOS runs certain games significantly better on handhelds than Windows due to better Linux drivers and optimized CPU management.
- Windows suffers from poor power management, driver inefficiencies, and legacy cruft causing lower performance and battery life.
Windows Power Management Issues
- Windows' complex power limit settings and CPU management create fake benchmark data and inefficient performance under sustained load.
- Linux-based SteamOS simplifies this by managing CPU and GPU more efficiently, benefiting battery life and consistent gameplay.