The AYN Loki is one of the most affordable Windows-ready handheld gaming PCs to date. First announced last week, the AYN Loki is now available for pre-order for $260 and up.

While that price is only for a model with entry-level specs, you should be able to play less demanding games and retro titles. And if you need more horsepower, AYN is making a range of different Loki handhelds including models with higher-performance processors, additional memory and storage, and bigger batteries. But all models share some features including the display, ports, and built-in game controllers. Here’s a breakdown of all the different versions of the AYN Loki set to launch soon.

AYN Loki

Every member of the AYN Loki family features a 6 inch, 1920 x 1080 pixel IPS LCD display. Each has 3.5mm headset jacks, a USB-C port with support for video output, and support for WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 wireless connectivity.

They also all feature RGB lights under the analog sticks, along the sides, and on the back of the handheld, allowing you to customize the look of the mobile gaming PC. And they all feature user-upgradeable storage (assuming you can find an M.2 2230 SSD at a reasonable price).

AYN Loki

But AYN is dividing the family into four segments. The AYN Loki Mini and Mini Pro are the cheapest models, with either Intel Pentium, or Core i3 chips based on 12th-gen Alder Lake-U architecture or AMD’s new Mendocino processors which are budget chips that pair Zen 2 CPU cores with a RDNA 2 graphics (although these are low-cost chips, and we’re expecting as few as 2 GPU cores).

The key differences between the Mini and Mini Pro are that the Pro version has a slightly better Intel processor option and a bigger battery, which also means it’s a bit thicker and heavier.

The mid-range AYN Loki steps up to an AMD Ryzen 5 5600U processor featuring Radeon 660M graphics with 6 GPU cores. We’re expecting prices for models with this chip to range from $499 for a version with a 64GB SSD to $699 for a 512GB model.

And then there’s the top-of-the-line AYN Loki Pro, which has a Ryzen 7 6800U processor with Radeon 680M graphics featuring 12 GPU cores, 16GB of LPDDR5 memory, and 512GB of storage. With a $775 price tag, it’s the most expensive of the bunch, but offers compute power than a Steam Deck while costing about $125 more than that Linux-powered computer.

AYN Loki

That makes the entire lineup look pretty competitive with other handheld gaming PCs with x86 chips from GPD, ONEXPLAYER, and AYA… although AYA is also making a play for the budget handheld space with its upcoming AYA Neo Air Plus, which is expected to have an AMD Mendocino processor and a $249 starting price.

Here’s an overview of the specs for all four models:

Loki MiniLoki Mini ProLokiLoki Max
Display6 inches
1920 x 1080 pixels
IPS LCD
Processor

AMD Mendocino (Zen 2)

Intel Pentium 8505 (Alder Lake U w/5 cores, 6 threads)

or

Intel Core i3-1215U (Alder Lake U (6 cores, 8 threads)

or

AMD Mendocino (Zen 2)

AMD Ryzen 5 6600U
Zen 3+ architecture
6 cores / 12 threads
AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
Zen 3+ architecture
8 cores / 16 threads
Graphics

12th-gen Intel UHD @ 1.1 GHz w/48 eu (7305 / 8505)

12th-gen Intel UHD @ 1.1 GHz w/64eu (1215)

or

AMD RDNA 2

AMD Radeon 660M
6 GPU compute cores
AMD Radeon 680M
12 GPU compute cores
RAM

8GB

LPDDR4x-4266 (Intel)

LPDDR5-6400 (AMD)

8GB / 16GB
LPDDR5-6400 MHz
16GB
LPDDR5-6400 MHz
Storage128GB
M.2 2230 PCIe NVMe SSD
microSD card reader
128GB / 256GB / 512GB
M.2 2230 PCIe NVMe
microSD card reader
512GB
M.2 2230 PCIe NVMe
microSD card reader
WirelessWiFi 6E
Bluetooth 5.2
Battery26.5 Wh40.5 Wh (Pentium 8505)
46.2 Wh battery (Core i3-1215U)
46.2 Wh
PortsUSB 4.0 (Intel) or USB 3.2 (AMD)
3.5mm audio
microSD card reader
USB 4
3.5mm audio
microSD card reader
ControllersFull controller w/Xbox-style layout
Hall Sensor Analog Triggers
Gyroscope
Rumble support
Size & weight15mm thick

362 grams

20mm thick

?

?

?

?

?

Colorstransparent black (AMD), white (Intel)black, whiteblack, whiteblack, white
Price$260$279 (Intel)
$299 (AMD)
$489 (8GB / 128GB)
$579 (16GB / 256GB)
$649 (16GB / 512GB )
$775

AYN says all models are expected to ship in the fourth quarter of 2022, but they went up for pre-order beginning June 1, 2022. Customers who place pre-orders can pay full price up front for the Loki Mini, Loki Mini Pro, or Loki Max, but folks who want to reserve a Loki handheld with a Ryzen 5 6600U processor can put down a $25 deposit for the Loki and pay the balance closer to the ship date.

While AYN is a relative newcomer to the PC space, the company has already launched one fairly well-received product that shares some DNA with the upcoming Loki handheld.

The AYN Odin is a handheld game console with an ARM-based processor and Android-based software. It went up for pre-order last year through a crowdfunding campaign, and while the company hasn’t managed to ship all pre-orders yet, AYN has been pretty good about providing status updates and even maintains a shipping dashboard that backers can use to get a sense of when their units will ship.

AYN also says that folks who backed the AYN Odin campaign will be able to get discounts off the retail prices of the new AYN Loki devices once pre-orders open.

This article was first published May 31, 2022 and most recently updated July 1, 2022 to reflect that, among other things, the AYN Loki is now available for pre-order and that the Mini and Mini Pro models with Intel chips have updated specs and will be available with Pentium Gold 8505 or Core i3-1215U processor options rather than Celeron 7300 and Pentium Gold 8500 as originally described. AYN has also dropped the Celeron 7305 model that had been previously planned, instead offering entry-level models with AMD chips. 

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52 replies on “AYN Loki handheld gaming PC is available for pre-order for $260 and up with Intel or AMD processor options”

  1. Grabbed the AMD Mini. I hope it’s using pretty much the same shell as the Odin. It’s very pocketable. It’s going to replace my Win 2.

  2. Why’s the Mendocino models more expensive than their Intel counterparts? Is it better than the Pentium 8505?

    1. Wondering about this too. Maybe that 2 CU slide was the slide before the one with a much better model. 🙂

      1. I’m betting on the AMD Loki Mini. Hoping it’ll surprise all of us and that slide was taken out of context. We’ll see.

      2. Rolled the dice on the Mendocino Mini! Good thing it’s refundable since I can likely see user feedback before mine ships.

  3. I’ve waited long enough for a Win 2 clamshell successor. I just got the AMD Mini. Seems to have low profile sticks and same size as the Odin so it should be pocketable like the Win 2 its replacing.

  4. Can’t wait to see at least promotional videos of these things being held and running games! Maybe even shots of people putting them in pants/jacket pockets including the Max, haha.

    1. Yeah, I want to see people holding these.

      I got the Mendocino one with the coupon. I wonder when we can see videos of that. If it’s not better than my undervolted with 3rd party cooler Win 2, then I’m canceling. The Win 2 has a larger battery too.

    2. I’m wondering how pocketable the Mini Pro is. I’m currently using a Win 2 so it’s time for me to upgrade.

      Hopefully we see some hands on demos from Ayn soon.

  5. I gambled on the Mendocino Loki Mini (non-Pro).

    Hopefully that 2 CU leak really is for Chromebooks and AMD has a variety of better SKUs for PCs or that 2 CU isn’t that bad.

    1. Same!

      Let’s hope those leaks were wrong or there are noticeably better Mendocino variants.

  6. I ended up having to refresh a number of times until it finally opened up late, it appears that they updated the information pages and the product links late before it actually opened up for orders. That said, against what are clearly much better options I went with the Loki Mini Intel, no turboing .7 to 1.1 ghz, gimped as all heck Celeron but I already have the Steam Deck, so if I wanted something that can play higher end games reasonably I have that option, I wanted this as something smaller to throw around for lighter end emulation and less intensive indie games which this processor as hamstrung as it is will end up sipping that battery smaller battery. I can only hope for slightly better battery life than the steam deck on the games I play regularly, and if not hey it’s a toy to mess around with.

  7. M2 2230 SSDs are pretty cheap for 256 GB ($36 for an SK Hynix one) though the price massively jumps for higher capacity after that. And going from 128GB->256GB is well over doubling your storage considering the space Windows and all the basics take up (30GB?). So you’re really going from 89GB (128GB SSDs actually store 119GB) to 208GB, a 133% increase. So definitely worth it if you grab a base model.

    1. If we’re talking about the 6600U base Loki, then it also has soldered 8 GB RAM while the higher storage models have 16 GB. Something worth considering too.

  8. I reserved multiple models since there’s little real info. Going to keep one of them when I see some more details.

  9. I impulse bought the AMD Mini since someone gave me their $75 coupon they won. See you in 2023!

  10. I got both the Loki and Loki Max. Going to cancel one of them when I see more info.

  11. I’m waiting to see at least some promotional videos of the Intel/AMD Mini Pros running some games before committing. It could be a while. Especially for the AMD one.

  12. I got the Intel Mini Pro!

    If it’s not as pocketable as the Odin plus a bit thicker, I’m canceling though. The 20 mm at the center is fine. Not sure of the other dimensions.

    1. I just went ahead with the AMD Mini since I won $50 coupon. If the Mendocino does suck, I’ll just cancel.

  13. I got the AMD Mini Pro! Used a $50 coupon from the Discord! 2023 here I come, haha.

    I hope Mendocino is better than what people thought.

    1. I hope so too! Pocketable and cheap. It’s got to be better than my Win 1 anyway that’ll be retiring next year.

  14. Going to preorder the Intel Mini Pro today!

    Too bad the current Mendocino leaks say it’s crap. At least for a gaming device. I’m hoping AMD will release better variants when they announce them.

    1. That’s wrong actually. 2 Navi CUs is equivalent to 3-4 Vega CUs or 32-48 Xe/UHD Graphics EUs. So while it is way slower than AMD’s best, it isn’t absolute trash by any means.

      1. Hopefully it’s better than my Win 2 it’ll be replacing. Couldn’t pass on the AMD Mini with the $75 discount I got.

    1. Yup. 9 PM Eastern. I’m in for the Max unless it’s not as compact as the renders make it seem.

  15. Anyone know the dimensions yet? Those recessed sticks would make it easier to put into the smaller pockets in bags already carrying other things and even jacket pockets without messing with a case/another bag in your bag.

    1. The Loki seems to be the most compact among the Aya and Ayn handhelds. Hoping to see some real hardware and dimensions before preordering though.

  16. How much of a difference is there between the 6600U and 6800U at the same TDP of 15W or lower?

  17. I’ll reserve the 6600U Loki when they or someone actually shows it running things. Maybe even stuff it into a jacket pocket.

    1. Maybe they’ll send one to Linus Tech Tips. Linus had small hands and pockets. 😀

  18. AYN have delivered a device so this isn’t as risky as some other crowdfunding campaigns but they still haven’t delivered all of the Odin SKUs so I’d be wary of exactly which model I’d order if you want one in a reasonable time frame. You could wind up like the people who ordered an Odin Lite who are still waiting 6 months later.

    1. Hopefully the Odin Lite equivalent is the Mendocino Loki Mini since it seems hardly anyone wants it, haha.

      1. I’m hearing the Mendocino one is estimated for initial shipping in March 2023. I wonder if AMD will release a higher end but still fairly inexpensive Mendocino SKU by then.

  19. Is Linux support real or is it like GPD where it has a bunch of problems?

    1. Wondering about this too. I want to see some real info with confirmation of what was tested to reliably work. Or at least confirm they have a Linux dev team.

    2. It’d be cool if this does have good Linux support. The GPD devices are definitely problematic with Linux.

      Even better if they’re partnering with Valve for official SteamOS integration with working TDP, FPS and even display refresh rate control.

  20. Can you get the 6600U Loki with 16 GB RAM and 128 GB SSD? I’d rather cheap out on the SSD and get a larger one later when 1 – 2 TB drives are more readily available.

  21. How bad is the Medocino? How about the Celeron one? Better than my current 8100Y Win 2?

    I want at least a perf upgrade if I’m going to drop my keyboard wish that GPD doesn’t want to fulfill.

    1. I really want to see real world Mendocino tests. Too bad chips are only available in Q4 and who knows when any PC will be available for testing. Too many people talking out of they behind. If they’re right, I bet it was just luck and not based on actual knowledge.

      Could still be a good value and not just for models to say you have the cheapest handheld in marketing material.

  22. I’m hearing the cheaper models (not sure which) you pay up front while the higher end ones are reservation. I wonder why the difference.

    Are they refundable? Any refund time limit?

  23. How big is the 6600U Loki? Seems like it might be a nice balance across performance, price and maybe size (for those not a fan of the larger handhelds).

  24. Unless there are more Mendocino SKUs or that 2 CU does magic, then I’ll replace my Win 2 with the Intel Mini Pro. Nice that a company is making realistically pocketable x86 handhelds.

    The AIR was almost pocketable if it weren’t for those sticks.

    1. Yeah, looks like it’s time for me to finally replace my Win 2. I really like the keyboard though.

      How bad is this Mendocino that everyone’s so disappointed in? I wonder if there’s a market for a Mendocino Win 2 refresh or is that more of a lateral move where Win 2 holdouts won’t go for?

  25. Are they all the same size except for thickness? I hear the Mini is the same size as the Odin and the Mini Pro is a bit thicker which seems jacket pocketable for me. Although if the 6600U is just thicker, then it may still fit in some of my jacket pockets.

    Really wish they show photos/videos of real units in peoples hands plus physical dimensions.

    1. They all seem to have 6″ screens so maybe. That’d be cool. I like the Mini Pro but for a little more thickness, I may opt for the 6600U mode. If it’s larger in all dimensions, then the Mini Pro it is.

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