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Comment by squarefoot | Hacker News Reader

Way overpriced compared to other alternatives like the Odroid Go Advance which costs less than 1/3, runs Linux, can emulate plenty of other gaming platforms, and by having a gpio connector exposed to the outside and thoroughly documented hardware seems a really interesting hacking platform. Also, it employs both a RockChip RK3326 and a ESP32 module.

https://www.hardkernel.com/shop/odroid-go-advance-black-edit...

https://wiki.odroid.com/odroid_go_advance/start

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They're not remotely the same product though. The person buying this /does not want/ those features, so those are actually downsides. They actively don't want emulation machines, because those machines never ship with any games they haven't played before (or could play other ways).

Also I held one in my hand early on in the pandemic (they did a small show where I was) and the thing /feels/ worth the asking price. It's really solid, and the SHARP "memory LCD" tech they're using is one of the clearest monochrome screens I've seen. OLED is more capable, but this is easier on the eyes and battery.

However, with price increase+shipping+tax, I can't afford one. I hope they become popular enough to either drop in price or do a mk2.

I would like GPIO though that'd be nice.

That's not what I want tho. I want a neat unique device with certain restrictions to curb my creativity. I'm the target audience.

Different products appeal to different people. For me, the Playdate is far more interesting. You get the device and 24 games and get to support the development of something novel. All that for less than $200? To me, that seems like a very reasonable price.

Plus, the Playdate has great industrial design. The Odroid is downright ugly in comparison.

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