Lenovo and NEC Release Handheld PC Gaming Device Prototype “LaVie Mini”

Lenovo and NEC have not given up on the dream of a handheld PC-gaming console unit. Adding to their roster of projects, the companies have announced a LaVie Mini prototype which is a concept that offers a laptop-portable gaming hybrid, supposedly including a touchscreen, controller, and dock series, that rivals the Nintendo Switch.

The LaVie Mini appears to be a reasonably powerful computer, boasting a higher resolution of 1920 x 1200 and an 11th Gen Intel Processor with Xe graphics. Other features include, a 16GB of LPDDR4X RAM running at 4,266MHz effective and a 256GB NVMe SSD. It is expected to feature twin controllers that are structurally formatted to fit on either side of an 8-inch touchscreen, once the keyboard swivels back behind the screen. Its screen size is slightly larger than the Switch’s 6.2-inch screen.

The controllers maintain the same layout as the Xbox gamepad, meant for familiarity amongst gamers. Thought anticipated to compete with the Switch, the entirety of the LaVie laptop, including the controller, is much heavier. For comparison, the Switch, including the Joy-Con, is 0.88 pounds, whereas the LaVie laptop weighs 1.28 pounds without the controller.

The device has similar Switch-like operations such as an optional dock attachment for a 4K60 TV output and both USB-C and -A ports. It differs from the Switch since it is technically a 2-in-1 hybrid of a gaming console and laptop, complete with its own keyboard.

There is currently no further release information about the LaVie Mini or any other portable devices that allows gamers to play PC-quality games anywhere. However, those interested may want to tune into next week’s CES for more details about the Mini device.

In other tech gaming news, Pokémon GO raked in $1.92 billion USD in 2020.

Lenovo chases dream of making a PC Nintendo Switch with the LaVie Mini concept https://t.co/vVEY9fNmyn pic.twitter.com/vSohomZInQ

— The Verge (@verge) January 10, 2021