The world of handheld gaming PCs is heating up. Devices like the Steam Deck have captured the imaginations of gamers who want desktop-quality graphics on the go. But Steam Deck is far from the only option. A wide range of mini gaming laptops from companies like AYA, GPD, and OneXPlayer promise premium power in the palm of your hand.
In this expert guide, we’ll be taking an in-depth look at the ONEXPLAYER 2 to see how it stacks up against the current king of handheld PCs, the Steam Deck. There’s no doubt the ONEXPLAYER 2 brings some unique capabilities to the table. But is it truly a superior alternative when taking into account aspects like software, value, and the overall user experience? Read on for my full analysis as a PC gaming expert.
An Introduction to the Hardware Power of the ONEXPLAYER 2
First, let’s breakdown the core hardware specs inside this compact chassis:
- Display: 7-inch IPS LCD, 1200p Resolution (16:10 Aspect Ratio), Touchscreen
- Processor: Intel Core i7-1260P (12 cores, 16 threads, up to 4.7 GHz Turbo)
- Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics (96 EUs)
- Memory: 16GB LPDDR5 5200 MHz RAM
- Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
- Battery: 62 Whr
- Weight: 1.55 lbs
Right away, we can see areas where the ONEXPLAYER 2 pulls ahead of the Steam Deck on paper. That 12th Gen Intel Core i7 is far newer and faster than Steam Deck’s AMD Zen 2 processor. You get PCIe 4.0 and DDR5 RAM for excellent bandwidth. The SSD is around four times larger and faster than Steam Deck’s. And battery capacity is over 50% higher as well.
However, as we’ll see throughout this analysis,spec sheets don’t tell the full story. Actual usability, software, and real-world gaming performance are just as crucial.
Vastly Improved Connectivity Options
One area where the ONEXPLAYER 2 objectively beats the Steam Deck is connectivity. Alongside the device, you get the following I/O:
- 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Port
- 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Port
- 1x USB 4 with Thunderbolt 4 Support
- 1x Micro SD Card Reader
- 1x 3.5mm Headphone Jack
With USB4, you get cutting-edge 40 Gbps transfer speeds perfect for connecting blazing fast external SSDs. Thunderbolt 4 enables compatibility with external GPU enclosures like the Razer Core X for even more graphics horsepower.
The USB 3.2 Gen 2 port means you can rapid charge the device at up to 65 watts. And the SD card slot makes it easy to augment the already large 1TB internal storage.
By comparison, the Steam Deck is limited to USB 3.2 Gen 1, USB 2.0, and microSD. So if high-performance peripherals and accessories are important, the ONEXPLAYER 2 is the superior choice.
Benchmarks Reveal a Power Difference in Turbo Mode
In terms of real-world gaming metrics, the ONEXPLAYER 2 again shows some advantages thanks to its cutting-edge 12th Gen Intel hardware. However, there are some big caveats.
For the tests, I played games like Forza Horizon 5, God of War, Spiderman Remastered. These are demanding AAA titles that put hardware through its paces.
In the ONEXPLAYER 2’s standard TDP mode, it performed very similarly to the Steam Deck overall. Frame rates were slightly improved thanks to the faster CPU and memory, but we’re talking 5-15% better in most titles at 800p medium settings.
However, the ONEXPLAYER 2 also features a manual turbo mode which increases the power limit from 15 watts all the way up to 27 watts. With TDP maxed, gaming performance takes a big leap upwards, with the device averaging over 60 fps in every game tested.
So at maximum blast, the ONEXPLAYER 2 showcases almost 2X better frame rates compared to Steam Deck. But you pay the price in battery life. While Steam Deck lasts about 2 hours gaming, ONEXPLAYER 2 plummets down to just 50 minutes of playtime at max settings. There’s a similar heat tradeoff with surface temps spiking over 60 °C in my testing.
So the takeaway is that ONEXPLAYER 2 offers fantastic performance potential…but not consistently across real-world scenarios. You have to choose between lower frame rates for more playtime away from AC power or sacrificing mobility for maximum frames. With Steam Deck, gaming capabilities are reliable and consistent regardless of settings.
Display and Design: A Great Screen Undermined by Issues
The 7” 1200p touchscreen display on the ONEXPLAYER 2 is a noticeable jump up from Steam Deck in clarity, colors, and sharpness. Side-by-side, AAA games look more saturated and detailed by a visible degree. And having support for 10-point multi-touch overlays helps navigate Windows 11 when you don’t want to use the attached controllers.
Speaking of controllers, let’s talk about that unique detachable design choices. In concept, it’s great to enable different scenarios like portable monitor mode. But the lightweight battery-less controllers feel junky to actually use when removed from the chassis. For a truly modular experience, you need to buy a separate $99 dock peripheral with its own battery and connection mechanisms. Considering the ONEXPLAYER 2 already demands ultra-premium pricing, this feels like an obvious attempt at a cash grab.
While nice on paper, various aspects of the hardware design caused occasional annoyances as well. The glossy chassis and screen attract fingerprints very easily compared to Steam Deck’s grippier matte surfaces. The lack of lighting on the ABXY game buttons makes them hard to see in dim environments. And I never fully understood the purpose of the mysterious button on the top edge – it seems to toggle between “gamepad mode” and standard input detection, but this simply led to confusion when drivers and modes got bungled up.
Overall from a design standpoint, the ONEXPLAYER 2 gets lots right on paper but stumbles on poor execution of ambitious concepts. And especially for such premium price tag, small hardware annoyances add up noticeably during prolonged usage sessions.
Clunky Software Causes Headaches and Compromises Experience
By far the weakest aspect of the ONEXPLAYER 2 is out-of-box software functionality. Running a full copy of Windows 11 Pro gives you access to any game or application. But it’s nowhere near as tailored, optimized, and seamless as SteamOS. I ran into various quirks and compromises that made using the ONEXPLAYER 2 feel clunky even as an experienced power user.
The default OneXPlayer interface intended to streamline operation between mouse/keyboard and controller input modes often glitched up and prevented me from using both control schemes simultaneously. Sometimes the virtual keyboard wouldn’t pop up when desired. Other times, game controllers weren’t mapped correctly in certain titles. I had to resort to rebooting or reattaching the gamepads multiple times to straighten out problems.
Settings customization and game software management also felt very limited compared to Steam Deck. Critical options for adjusting power limits and performance settings are buried away through third party apps. And while Windows obviously provides more app and game compatibility, you lose lots of Steam Deck quality of life perks around sleep/wake, quick access menus, and universal game configurations.
After over a week of testing, I had to factory reset the ONEXPLAYER 2 multiple times to resolve nagging software hiccups interfering with usability. And searching online, my experience is far from isolated based on forums full of frustrated owners. While this could partly come down to immature drivers for bleeding edge hardware, it highlights why a tailored OS goes a long way.
As is, while the ONEXPLAYER 2’s Windows environment enables desktop-class flexibility and freedom, you sacrifice too much nuanced functionality that makes gaming handheld experiences truly special. Steam Deck simply provides better optimized and unified software.
Gameplay Experience and Value Doesn’t Justify Cost Premium
When evaluating any gaming hardware purchase, a key metric is evaluating the complete end-to-end experience you’re paying for. And factoring together all objective benchmarks along with hands-on gameplay immersion, the ONEXPLAYER 2 fails to provide an experience that warrants its staggering price tag.
Available base configs with 16GB RAM/1TB storage start at $1,800. Fully loaded models with extras like 4G LTE connectivity push up to $2,400+. That’s over 4X more expensive than a comparably outfitted Steam Deck. For the difference in cost, the ONEXPLAYER 2 simply does not deliver 4X as good performance, features, or enjoyment.
And with various hardware niggles around flashing lights, hard-to-reach buttons, and excessive fan noise, gameplay feels clearly compromised compared to Steam Deck’s carefully considered industrial design. As the original trailblazer for handheld x86 gaming, Valve’s attention to nuanced elements like ergonomics, control schemes, haptics, and tactile buttons make the Steam Deck feel like a premium cohesive product that’s greater than the sum of its parts.
By comparison, playing AAA games on the ONEXPLAYER 2 proved underwhelming even with its faster CPU and GPU. The experience felt closer to traditional PC gaming, with more power but more roughness around the edges. Instead of wanting to dive back in for exciting virtual adventures, I felt relief putting the device down after sessions.
So ultimately, while benchmarks clearly demonstrate areas of superiority over the Steam Deck, that doesn’t directly translate into a meaningfully better real-world experience that makes the ONEXPLAYER 2 a compelling value at over 4X the price. Cooling fan whine, janky software, slippery surfaces, and other quirks detract from fun factor. And the ONEXPLAYER 2 costs too much to provide merely comparable enjoyment to the cheaper Steam Deck.
Target Users Who Could Still Benefit from ONEXPLAYER 2
To be fair, depending on your priorities as a portable gamer, the ONEXPLAYER 2 could still prove a good fit:
Hardcore Enthusiasts Seeking Max Power – With an external GPU and manually overclocking the CPU/GPU, you can create a beastly mobile rig for enthusiasts who want every last frame. Just be prepared for very high cost and poor battery life.
Professionals Wanting Desktop Replacement – Thanks to full Windows capabilities, a creator on the go may prefer the ONEXPLAYER 2’s unfettered app support and multi-monitor output. But for most, a laptop or 2-in-1 convertible remains far more practical.
Niche Gamers Needing Specific Titles – A major benefit granted by Windows compatibility is playing any game launcher like Epic, GOG, Origin etc. So if you absolutely require certain titles excluded on SteamOS, the ONEXPLAYER 2 has you covered.
Tinkerers Seeking Endless Customization – For those who love tweaking their gadgets, the open nature of the ONEXPLAYER provides endless software and hardware avenues for modifications. But expect lots of initial headaches.
As you can see, for general consumers who just want a great mainstream portable gaming experience, the Steam Deck remains hands-down superior. But depending on factors like budget and particular use case needs, the ONEXPLAYER 2 can still prove a good option worth considering.
Key Takeaways: Cool Potential Undermined by Premium Price and Poor Execution
To wrap up this deep dive analysis, I want to summarize my key conclusions:
The Good
- Excellent connectivity like USB4/Thunderbolt support
- Cutting-edge Intel 12th Gen CPU enables turbocharged performance
- Vibrant, high-res touchscreen display
- Windows 11 flexibility plays any game or app
The Bad
- Glitchy software and confusing control schemes
- Mediocre battery life when gaming at high performance
- Overheating and loud fan noise issues
- Cheap feeling detachable controllers need a paid add-on to work wirelessly
- 4X the price but not 4x the experience of cheaper Steam Deck
The Bottom Line
The ONEXPLAYER 2 brings some cool capabilities to the table. But half-baked execution coupled with an exorbitant price tag ultimately makes it NOT a clearly superior alternative to the cheaper and more refined Steam Deck. As is, the ONEXPLAYER 2 feels more like an ambitious but uneven first draft rather than a polished product I can widely recommend to most gamers.
While the ONEXPLAYER 2 has its select applications, Valve’s Steam Deck remains the best choice for gamers wanting a holistically great handheld experience. Superior ergonomics, intuitive software, excellent battery life, and reasonable pricing beat out specs alone.
But hopefully, ONEXPLAYER iterates and improves upon this initial offering over future generations. More competition pushing innovation benefits all mobile gamers in the long run. Just don’t buy into marketing hype that the ONEXPLAYER 2 already delivers the “best” portable solution.