Cheap and good mini-PCs for gaming?
Cheap and good mini-PCs for gaming?
Hello, everybody! I want to have a little mini-PC for gaming that operates like a console. I don't want to have a big, clunky case in the back or front of the TV. Furthermore, I don't play many AAA titles from recent years, so the hardware doesn't need to be high-end. It would be nice if I could run Scarlet Nexus, Nier: Automata, and Horizon Zero Dawn at a stable 60 FPS. The graphics don't need to be extreme; I just want to enjoy the game.
Also recommend some great distro's for gaming.
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Steam Deck is my recommendation. If you want to use it with your TV, grab a dock, and Bluetooth controller (Sony Dualsense works great). Bonus: Runs Linux out of the box. Double bonus: Actually remotely affordable, unlike a high-end gaming rig.
Cannot recommend steam deck enough. Full-on console experience with your entire steam library. Proper PS/Xbox controller support as well as M/K. Can boot into Linux directly for tweaks. They also just started selling refurbished devices with full warranty.
Fully recommend a Steam Deck as well. Only difference is that I can't recommend a Bluetooth controller since it can't wake it due to a Bluetooth limitation. If you use a USB dongle controller it can wake it. Unfortunately the Xbox wireless controller adapter is not officially supported, and you need to install the drivers manually (and after each update to the Steam Deck). I'm sure there are good options out there for USB dongle controllers, but I have just been doing the Xbox controller driver install, so I haven't looked for them.
Only difference is that I can't recommend a Bluetooth controller since it can't wake it due to a Bluetooth limitation.
Difference from what?
Difference from the recommendation of the person I responded to. They recommended Steam Deck + Bluetooth controller. I recommend Steam Deck + USB receiver controller.
I see. If you're close enough to the computer to have a wired controller, you might as well just push the button anyway 🤷
USB receiver isn't wired. It's wireless, but the computer doesn't turn off USB in its sleep unlike Bluetooth. So it is able to be woken up like any wireless mouse or keyboard that isn't Bluetooth.
Oh I see, thanks!
it can't wake it due to a Bluetooth limitation.
That's a great point. I'll have to think about a good solution there (it's Linux, so, should be able to do it). It is probably an OS level think like a udev script. The only requirement SHOULD be that the controller acts in HID mode as that shouldn't need the whole stack, to my knowledge.
I think it's a hardware problem. The Deck doesn't have its bluetooth radio connected to a low power embedded controller capable of issuing a wakeup. You could tell Linux to keep enough hardware awake to properly listen on the Bluetooth radio, but that would be disastrous for sleep life.