Xbox handheld coming this year; Xbox prebuilt PC in 2027
https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/xbox-hardware-report-project-keenan-next-gen-xbox-2027

I assume this means we’ll finally see Microsoft’s answer to SteamOS.

I’m particularly interested in the potential of a ‘relatively’ cheap prebuilt gaming PC (assuming Microsoft price aggressively like they do with consoles) that can offer a console-like user experience for the living room environment.

Update #1 https://www.theverge.com/news/633478/microsoft-xbox-steam-games-support-ui
Last edited by Citizen Cook; Mar 20 @ 11:59pm
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Showing 16-30 of 62 comments
Originally posted by BurakZG:
It's all guessing and speculating, but I tend to agree that it more likely be some kind of streaming device with limited support to lightweight legacy games runinng on device.
Looking at where Microsoft is heading to, they will more likely be keen to bind you to some kind "subscribtion based cloud streaming solution", than going into investing big money into new power efficient hardware design + new Windows based power efficient OS. Be serious. Look where they put their money into. If you also assume they understand the "AI buble will not last forever", they would have a nice way to utilise all the cloud based GPUs they ordered. Oh well, it seems like Nvidia is also much more keen to put their money in that segment, instead of developing consumer GPU for small number of rich boys.

I also think that Microsoft will forget about Windows as soon as they have other alternative. Gaming seems to be a good domain for a trial. It's much cheaper for them to offer you simple, linux-based device that will allow you to play games deployed on their cloud.

Time will show where it will go. I'm not planning to loook in this topic afer 2 years anyway :-)


I think it will run game natively. If the handheld is running Windows though, I assume this means to won’t be backwards compatible with Xbox’s console games. This may be a hard sell to their small existing audience. But since that audience is so small Microsoft might not care anymore and see this as a good time to make a clean break from the proprietary console OS.
This guy doesn’t believe the Xbox handheld will come with a controller friendly UI🫣

https://www.pcgamesn.com/steam-deck/xbox-handheld-2025-report
_I_ Mar 12 @ 7:03am 
it was funny on the xbox 1/x when you could uninstall xbox ms store, which was built into its ui
and it would instantly crash the xbox when you tried to return to its home page

on reboot, it would download the store again, but with no internet, it would just boot loop

sadly, that bug has been fixed and xbox store cannot be uninstalled
Its just gonna be an inferior rog ally, legion go, deck.
Locked down OS, online mutiplayer locked behind paywall,etc
_I_ Mar 12 @ 8:46am 
the thing with gamepass, is that even the lowest tier is multiplayer
and more games added to higher tiers
pc adds many pc games, console adds many console games
ultimate adds more games to both and cloud gaming for gamepass games

they could add a handheld tier for it
but it might not be needed, unless it only adds cloud play streaming to the console tier

as of now, xbox cloud gaming works on browsers with controllers and k/m


as for its price
im over 2 years of free gamepass ultimate using ms rewards
https://rewards.bing.com/

first month or renewing is often $1

all the daily rewards tasks can be done in a few minutes
30 bing searches on pc, and 20 on browser for the extra 250pts/day
play games on pc/console for 15min/ for their points and weekly streaks
you could install the mobile app, for more pts, but thats optional

will easily get you the 12,000 for a month of ultimate, or 7750 for gamepass pc
(pc converts to 20 day ultimate if you have ultimate for slightly less but need to renew more often)
wouldn't be amazed if valve brings back their own Console's but just improved. to compete with microsoft
smokerob79 Mar 26 @ 11:25pm 
Originally posted by JacquesPatat:
wouldn't be amazed if valve brings back their own Console's but just improved. to compete with microsoft

they tried and failed when they could not sell 1000 dollar dual core systems when you could build a better quad core system for 800.......valve failed......:devilskiss:
_I_ Mar 27 @ 12:18am 
you can build your own pc, and install linux and steam if you want

or buy a steam deck
but for future games, something will need to be upgrade or replaced, unless steam starts doing cloud gaming from their servers

deck is not a great pc for handheld, but can do many games on its own
for demanding titles you can remote play from your own capable host pc
Originally posted by smokerob79:
Originally posted by JacquesPatat:
wouldn't be amazed if valve brings back their own Console's but just improved. to compete with microsoft

they tried and failed when they could not sell 1000 dollar dual core systems when you could build a better quad core system for 800.......valve failed......:devilskiss:
that what i said "just improved" as i was comparing it to their previous attempt at consoles. If they are going to do what "leak" suggest then at the end Microsoft is pretty much leaving the console market for Sony and Nintendo, and most likely making a xbox into a microsoft version of Valve console
Originally posted by JacquesPatat:
Originally posted by smokerob79:

they tried and failed when they could not sell 1000 dollar dual core systems when you could build a better quad core system for 800.......valve failed......:devilskiss:
that what i said "just improved" as i was comparing it to their previous attempt at consoles. If they are going to do what "leak" suggest then at the end Microsoft is pretty much leaving the console market for Sony and Nintendo, and most likely making a xbox into a microsoft version of Valve console

The Steam Machine failed because of multiple reasons.

1. SteamOS sucked back then and manufacturers just shipped with Windows — SteamOS is now awesome.
2. The Steam controller sucked — Valve is rumoured to be working on a new and improved controller, plus basically every game now supports Xbox/PlayStation controllers.
3. The old Steam Machines were comprised of off-the-shelf PC components — Valve’s Steam Deck features a custom SoC. By working directly with AMD, Valve is able to make a smaller, cheaper box, should they choose to do so. And without needing to purchase a Windows license the savings are even greater.
_I_ Mar 27 @ 2:58am 
current steam os is now only for steam deck

steam controller was not half bad, but the touchpad/sticks are hard to get used to
its still supported, but xbox s/x and ds4/dualsense are very good alts


consoles are sold at a loss and profit is made up through subscription and game sales

there is no way a pc can do the same, since it can not be locked to one service model
Originally posted by Citizen Cook:
Originally posted by JacquesPatat:
that what i said "just improved" as i was comparing it to their previous attempt at consoles. If they are going to do what "leak" suggest then at the end Microsoft is pretty much leaving the console market for Sony and Nintendo, and most likely making a xbox into a microsoft version of Valve console

The Steam Machine failed because of multiple reasons.

1. SteamOS sucked back then and manufacturers just shipped with Windows — SteamOS is now awesome.
2. The Steam controller sucked — Valve is rumoured to be working on a new and improved controller, plus basically every game now supports Xbox/PlayStation controllers.
3. The old Steam Machines were comprised of off-the-shelf PC components — Valve’s Steam Deck features a custom SoC. By working directly with AMD, Valve is able to make a smaller, cheaper box, should they choose to do so. And without needing to purchase a Windows license the savings are even greater.
You pretty much wrote what i was thinking
Originally posted by JacquesPatat:
Originally posted by Citizen Cook:

The Steam Machine failed because of multiple reasons.

1. SteamOS sucked back then and manufacturers just shipped with Windows — SteamOS is now awesome.
2. The Steam controller sucked — Valve is rumoured to be working on a new and improved controller, plus basically every game now supports Xbox/PlayStation controllers.
3. The old Steam Machines were comprised of off-the-shelf PC components — Valve’s Steam Deck features a custom SoC. By working directly with AMD, Valve is able to make a smaller, cheaper box, should they choose to do so. And without needing to purchase a Windows license the savings are even greater.
You pretty much wrote what i was thinking

Valve has woken the sleeping giant. Microsoft perceives the Steam Deck/SteamOS as a threat to Windows and has ordered their employees to create their own handheld, Steam Machine, and SteamOS.
Valve’s work has been stellar, but they can’t compete with the might of a mega conglomerate defending their backyard. Remember, Microsoft created the Xbox just because the pay thought the PS2 was encroaching upon their territory.
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Date Posted: Mar 11 @ 6:48am
Posts: 62