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The ONEXPLAYER line of handheld gaming PCs feature Nintendo Switch-style designs with a screen sandwiched between a row of game controllers. But until now, they’ve been missing a feature that makes the Switch stand out: These controllers are non-detachable.
That is set to change next year with the launch of ONEXPLAYER 2. It’s the first model in the range to feature detachable controllers, allowing you to use the device as a gaming handheld, tablet, or laptop (with optional keyboard accessories). The ONEEXPLAYER 2 goes up for pre-order on December 18th via an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign, with early bird pricing starting at $899 for a model with an AMD Ryzen 7 6800U processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. The handheld gaming computer should ship to backers in March or April 2023.
The company changed the start date for the crowdfunding campaign a few times. At first it was supposed to start on November 25th, but then the date was pushed back to December 20th. Why did the company move it up two days? Will most likely launch before the GPD Win 4 handheld gaming PC, which is due to release on Indiegogo on December 19th.
Both small computers have AMD Ryzen 7 6800U processors with integrated Radeon 680M graphics and at least 16 GB of RAM. GPD’s model is slightly smaller with a 6-inch display. But that screen also slides up to reveal a physical keyboard, something the ONEXPLAYER 2 doesn’t have.
What the ONEXPLAYER 2 has is an 8.4 inch 2560 x 1600 pixel display, a 65.8 Wh battery and detachable controllers. While Nintendo innovated the tablet’s design with detachable controllers, it’s a style that’s evolving light better known. The Razer Edge Android tablet, for example, has a similar design. But the ONEXPLAYER 2 stands out from both the Switch and the Edge thanks to its larger, higher-resolution display and full PC specs.
One netbook has indicated that it will be available with a choice of either AMD or Intel 13th Gen mobile processors, but as Intel has yet to officially launch these chips, only the AMD models are available for pre-order for now. Here is a price guide for the ONEXPLAYER 2 crowdfunding campaign:
| Construction | early bird price | Indiegogo Prize | retail price |
| 16GB + 512GB | $899 | $989 | $1249 |
| 16GB + 1TB | $999 | $1099 | $1349 |
| 16GB + 2TB | $1099 | $1209 | $1500 |
| 32GB + 1TB | $1099 | $1209 | $1500 |
| 32GB + 2TB | $1299 | $1429 | $1599 |
This makes the early bird prices for the ONEXPLAYER 2 $100 higher than a GPD Win 4 with similar specs, and after the early bird deals are sold out, the price will go even higher (GPD is not doing early bird deals this time – all Indiegogo backers get the same price).
These prices may not include the detachable controllers as they are listed as an optional accessory with a retail price of $79 and crowdfunded prices starting at $59.
So if you’re looking for an AMD-powered handheld gaming PC with RDNA 2 graphics, it looks like you have a few options:
- Pay $399 and up for Valve’s Steam Deck
- Pay $799 and up for a GPD Win 4 if you want more power and a physical keyboard
- Pay $899 and up for an ONEXPLAYER 2 if you want a big screen and detachable controllers
- Pay $857 and up for an AYA Neo Geek or AYA Neo 2 if you don’t need the detachable controllers
It’s probably worth remembering that the last three options involve crowdfunding, while the first doesn’t. 
The Onexplayer 2 handheld measures 310 x 127 x 22.5mm with joysticks attached or 208mm wide when used as a tablet without joysticks. It’s also designed for use with an optional pen accessory that supports 4096 levels of pressure-sensitive input, and can also be used with a Bluetooth keyboard if you want to use the gaming tablet as a pseudo-laptop.
One thing to keep in mind, however, is that while One Netbook makes some very fascinating hardware, the company has a patchy track record of customer service and support.
While I’ve been quite impressed with a number of demo devices the company has sent me to review over the years, I’ve also heard a number of complaints from customers during that time that the company couldn’t get the company to issue repairs and refunds to offer , or other assistance.
One Netbook will also offer a range of optional accessories, with crowdfunded prices starting at:
- $39 – Magnetic Keyboard
- $39 – Pen
- $69 – Magnetic keyboard and stylus bundle
- $29 – Protective case
- $9 – Tempered glass screen protector
via /r/ONEXPLAYER (1)(2)
This article was originally published on November 21, 2022 and last updated on December 15, 2022.
