Ayaneo Next Lite will ship with Windows 11, but that upsets many users

After initial reports that Ayaneo Next Lite will feature the HoloISO system (community version of SteamOS), the developers recently confirmed that the console will instead ship with Windows 11 preinstalled. Though the price remains unaffected at $299.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the official Ayaneo handle confirmed the development on January 25, 2024. The reason, they state, is that users weren’t too pleased with their choice of OS and would prefer Windows over HoloISO. But this has certainly upset others!

We agree, HoloISO wasn’t a reliable option, but is Windows the answer? This is a question many of us are grappling with.

The good news is that Ayaneo Next Lite hasn’t ditched HoloISO altogether. While the console comes with Windows 11 64-bit Home edition pre-installed, you can still install HololSO from the official website. The system images and all other relevant files will be available for download.

What can we expect from the new Ayaneo Next Lite?

Ayaneo, founded in 2020, has risen up the ranks pretty quickly, primarily owing to its user-oriented handheld gaming consoles. Ayaneo Next Lite is being marketed as a value-for-money product, and we certainly can’t deny that. Let’s take a quick look at the specifications:

Ayaneo Next Lite is surely a pocket-friendly option and will attract many first-time handheld console users, given the competitive pricing.

Is Windows the right platform for handheld gaming devices?

Windows doesn’t work best on handheld consoles. But that could also be blamed on companies not tailoring the OS for the system, which significantly affects the performance and user experience since Windows 11 has emerged as the best version for gaming on PC.

Until we get our hands on Ayaneo Next Lite, commenting on the performance and stability won’t be possible. But, if the developers get it right, Ayaneo Next Lite might be the game changer!

If history tells us anything, Ayaneo is known to experiment. Ditching HoloISO could be seen as an attempt to entice a much larger user base. Subscriptions have been open since January 11, 2024. And if you want to find out more about Ayaneo Next Lite, visit the official website.