Smach Z

The Smach Z is a horizontal handheld gaming PC from Smach, built on the AMD Ryzen Embedded V1605B. This x86 chip has four cores clocked between 2.0 and 3.6 GHz and is paired with Radeon Vega 8 graphics. The console was offered in configurations with 4 GB, 8 GB or 16 GB of DDR4 RAM, at a reference price of 699 USD, with free worldwide shipping and delivery promised for the end of 2019.

Because it runs native x86 software, the Smach Z can run PC games directly. Its emulation reach is estimated to be playable up to PS2, GameCube and Wii titles, which also covers the classic generations that came before them.

The 6-inch IPS touchscreen runs at 1920 x 1080 in a 16:9 aspect ratio, which works out to a pixel density of around 367 ppi and a very crisp image. There is no separate cover lens, only a screen protector. Brightness is adjusted through the menu.

Controls include a single thumbstick and a cross D-pad (provided via the Z-Pad add-on), both placed in the upper position. These are joined by four face buttons, L1, R1, L2 and R2 shoulder buttons, and two action buttons on the back. Z-Pad add-ons can add further buttons, rumble is built in, and dedicated volume buttons, a Power button and a Home button complete the layout. The body measures 255 x 95 x 20 mm and weighs 600 g.

Power comes from a 12800 mAh battery, which charges via USB-C or Micro USB. Connectivity covers WiFi, Bluetooth and USB, and DisplayPort video output lets you connect an external monitor. Audio plays through dual stereo speakers or a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a power LED shows the power status.

On the software side, the Smach Z runs Windows 10 or Linux, which gives open access to PC software and emulators. NVMe SSD storage of 64 GB, 128 GB or 256 GB can be expanded with a microSD card.

Ideal for: players who want a portable Windows or Linux PC with a Full HD touchscreen, customizable controls through Z-Pads and emulation reaching into the PS2, GameCube and Wii era.