Zeenix is ​​the Brazilian alternative to Steam Deck created by Tec Toy. Specifications, their models and more

The power of PCs, the convenience of portable consoles and the option of being able to connect it to any screen. The console titan Tec Toy returns to hardware after 15 years with a new gaming platform looks Valve, Nintendo and Asus in the eye by presenting Zeenix, a machine designed to play essentials like GTA V, hits like Fortnite and even Riot Games titles like League of Legends or Valorant. A double bet that seeks to reach everyone with a unique strategy: the Elite and Lite versions of Zeenix offer very different features.

If Tec Toy sounds familiar to you, it’s normal: it was basically the distributor and manufacturer of SEGA in Brazil, extending the success of its classic consoles for decades and defeating Nintendo in a Brazilian market in which Mario and his friends entered too late and with little ground. to conquer Of course, not everything has been joy: over the years it diversified its activities, but we also saw disasters like Zeebo. Which brings us to the basics: what is Zeenix and what does it bring to the increasingly saturated laptop PC market?

Zeenix is ​​the same as the Switch Lite, but it’s a PC

Three years ago, Tec Toy began what they themselves considered a new era within the company and aimed at reconquering its presence in a large part of the Hispanic American territory. In this regard, Zeenix already has an advantage: The process to get a Steam Deck in these countries involves making several detours because Valve does not distribute its hardware in all countries, and the same applies to other PCs with console forms; So in the end everything ends up leading to alternatives from China.

In this context, the Brazilian company sees in this move many patterns in common with its more than successful alliance with SEGA plus the added advantage that the machine is licensed by them. Which does not mean that, not having fierce competition on the shelves, they can afford to launch any hardware: PC users are the most demanding when it comes to gaming. And they are right to be so, mind you.

In fact, Tec Toy wants to compete simultaneously with Steam Deck and Switch with its two machines, but also make it clear that what it is offering on a PC: Being able to play on the go is its greatest attraction, but its versatility as a machine allows us to also use it as an entertainment center, a work tool through Office and Adobe programs or communicate via WhatsApp and Telegram. Another thing is that at a glance it is practically the same as a black Switch Lite. At least, from the front.

All in all, it goes without saying that the real hook of the entire initiative is enabling us to play PC titles wherever we want. The two versions of Zeenix, the Elite and the Lile, include a 6-inch, 60 Hz FullHD (1080p) screen, and the tests shared by Tec Toy itself when it comes to moving very specific games make us optimistic about the reception of the game:

Looking at the list of games, it’s clear that there’s one thing in common: each and every one of them is available through the Epic Games Store. And it’s no secret that Epic has plans to put its own store on all mobile devices, including iOS and Android. However, Zeenix doesn’t use either: the other advantage of the system is that it uses Windows 11 and a simplified interface of its own. What hasn’t been indicated is whether, like other laptop-like PCs, it will support Game Pass and cloud gaming.

Special mention to what will accompany the launch of Zeenix: Tec Toy has announced a console controller that is not very different from the Xbox one, although with symmetrical sticks, and a mouse and keyboard. In addition, and as expected, the Brazilian company will also launch its own games on Zeenix, so they will be a total extension of the initiative. Which brings us to the next point.

Zeenix Elite and Zeenix Lite Official Specifications

One of the most unique characteristics of this Tec Toy initiative is that two versions of Zeenix will be launched and, as we mentioned, their specifications place them in different leagues: on the outside they are practically identical, but their processor and RAM mark a huge gap compared to to what you can expect between a Zeenix Elite and a Zeenix Lite. In fact, as you will see, even its USB ports and WiFi are different.

	ZEENIX ELITE	ZEENIX LITE
Design
YOU	Windows 11 Simplified Zeenix interface	Windows 11 Simplified Zeenix interface
Processor	AMD Zen3+ Ryzen 7 6800U with 8 cores and 16 CPU threads (2.7 GHz and 3.3 teraflops)	AMD Athlon 3050e with 2 cores and 4 threads CPU
Graphics	AMD RDNA 2 Radeon 680m with 12 compute units	AMD Radeon
RAM	16 GB LPDDR5 at 6400 MHz	8GB DDR4 in Dual Channel
Controls	4 Main Buttons + 4 Top + 2 Rear (Analog Triggers) with Hall effect) Crosshead + 2 non-symmetrical Sticks Gyroscope	4 Main Buttons + 4 Top Buttons + 2 Rear Buttons (Analog triggers with Hall effect) Crosshead + 2 non-symmetrical Sticks Gyroscope
Screen	6-inch Full HD IPS, 60 Hz	6-inch Full HD IPS, 60 Hz
Video output	4K, 60HZ	FullHD, 60HZ
Connection	USB Type C 4.0 port Headphone input WiFi 6 Bluetooth 5.2	USB Type C 3.2 port Headphone input Wi-Fi 5 Bluetooth 4.2
Storage	512GB of internal storage on an NVMe SSD Expandable by microSD card	256 GB of internal storage on an NVMe SSD Expandable by microSD card
battery	46.2Wh	46.2Wh

So far Tec Toy has not given the size and weight of any model, but as has been seen it is lighter and more compact than the Steam Deck, which is a plus. All in all, its creators will launch the Zeenix Lite model with the little ones in the house in mind (the Stick system has been designed so that there is no drift effect), but also as an alternative for those who want a PC and enjoy more gaming experiences. light.

In fact, it is striking that, although we know that an AMD Radeon graphics card will be used with the Zeenix Lite, it has not been specified which one, although more or less ranges can be established based on the performance of the given games. However, instead of offering a model with similar characteristics with different finishes, storage and qualities, as is the case with consoles or Steam Deck, we are talking about two PCs that do not play in the same leagues.

What’s the point of this? Tec Toy’s idea is to cover the entire market by offering a Zeenix that handles any game with ease and that we can use as a “Gaming PC” by connecting it to a monitor (capable of offering 4K gaming) while the Zeenix Lite seeks to compete a little more with Switch, as well as being a solution for those who are more interested in less demanding performance and quality, for indies and also in recovering classics and retro titles. In any case, you have to be careful when choosing a console.

The key questions that Tec Toy leaves us with Zeenix Elite and Zeenix Lite

On paper, the Zeenix are a calculated risk. In practice, there are still many elements to be finalized. Both machines were announced in June and could be tested on the occasion of the first Gamescom Latam held in Brazil (where Tec Toy had a special display for the occasion) but there are five issues that will define their true success.

The distribution. At least in America

Zeenix reservations are not open and what is available, at least for now, is the ability to sign up through the official website for a newsletter in which news will be sent. In any case, the website is designed in Brazilian, English and Spanish.

As we mentioned at the beginning, one of the reasons for Zeenix’s existence is to offer an alternative to a Steam Deck that, at least in Brazil, cannot be purchased directly. And it is not the only country in South America that has the same problem.

Will we see it in Europe and the United States? The positive part is that, unlike its first consoles, Tec Toy is the manufacturer, so if it does not launch as a distributor it can delegate to someone else well established in these regions.

The price will be what defines its scope

Even if Zeenix were the only option for having a laptop-shaped PC in all of Brazil, the initiative would not take off if, upon checking the label, the interested party ended up looking elsewhere. And although we do not have an official price, what we do have are other machines with similar characteristics.

• Comparisons are hateful, but if we look at the processor, when measuring the Zeenix Elite we can see that in the Ayaneo store we have the Ayaneo Geek AMD 6800U whose price at the time of writing these lines is set at $949 .
• Changing brands, in the Zeenix Lite we find that the Anbernic Win600 uses an AMD Athlon and can be purchased from $299. Offering features that more or less fit with this one.

It is clear that Tec Toy will have to better adjust its prices and adapt them to its own market, but if it wants to compete with the Steam Deck, it also has to do so on price.

Compatibility with Steam, GOG, Epic Games… And how Game Pass would round out the initiative

As we mentioned a little above, the common denominator of all the games is that they are part of the Epic Games Store. In fact, it is the only PC platform on which you can play Fortnite, Valorant or League of Legends… besides Windows.

One thing that all PCs have in common, whether or not they’re laptop-like, is that they allow us to enjoy the games we already own or those we’ve played for 1,000 hours. So the key thing is to be able to connect our Steam or GOG accounts, as other machines like the ROG Ally already do. And that’s where Zeenix’s Windows 11-based approach comes in. In any case, we know that a proprietary interface will be used.

However, the last determining factor is being able to access both the Game Pass catalog and the Xbox cloud game catalog. We know that both are available in Brazil, as well as other countries such as Argentina, although in the case of Chile and Colombia you cannot play with Xbox Cloud Gaming at the moment. It’s time to see how things move in that regard.

Knowing how to calculate the release date is more important than ever

Zeenix Elite may be aiming to compete with Steam Deck, but Zeenix Lite does aim to reach a user profile much more aligned with Nintendo Switch given its features and aspirations. And the fact that it’s only a matter of time before Nintendo announces its successor will reorganize the general landscape of the video game industry. Not to mention the rumors surrounding PlayStation and Xbox handhelds.

Leaving too late will be a fatal mistake, but leaving in a hurry, at any price and without offering a well-assembled machine will be even worse. In any case, we can expect several dates.

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