Building an Ultrawide Handheld Gaming PC That Doesn’t Exist is Harder Than You Think

There’s a new rebel in portable gaming and you won’t find it on a store shelf. PureDIY has made a handheld gaming PC with a 32:9 ultrawide display, a format usually reserved for desktop monitors. Powered by AMD’s Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor, this thing defies every rule of handheld design.

PureDIY’s creation starts with a 32:9 aspect ratio screen that’s like a 49 inch desktop monitor, a visual experience you won’t find in any portable device. For creative work like music production in FL Studio Mobile, the extra horizontal space means toolbars and timelines can breathe, enabling you to turn this into a tiny workstation. However, the display’s unusual ratio is a problem—many games don’t support 32:9 natively so you’ll get black bars or distorted images if you play titles not designed for such extremes.

The handheld PC is powered by the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor, the same one found in high end handhelds like the ROG Ally X and MSI Claw A8, bringing desktop performance to a portable form factor. It handles demanding games and multitasking with ease as shown in PureDIY’s demos which switch between gaming and creative software seamlessly. RAM and storage specs are unknown but it’s expected to have at least 16GB of DDR5 and a fast SSD, same as the MSI Claw A8 which has up to 24GB of DDR5.

The detachable controllers set this DIY build apart, sliding onto either side of the display for a seamless handheld experience. A built in kickstand allows for tabletop play and turns the device into a little gaming station. It’s unknown if the controllers work wirelessly when removed but their integration suggests a good balance of flexibility and unity. The layout looks like a normal gamepad with analog sticks, buttons and triggers in familiar positions. But the device’s width is wider than a car’s rearview mirror and longer than the creator’s forearm so comfort is a concern.

Details are scarce because PureDIY didn’t release a parts list or build guide. The chassis likely uses a mix of 3D printed parts and off the shelf hardware, which is common in DIY projects. The kickstand and controller mounts require some engineering, possibly with custom brackets or rails to get a tight fit. Cooling is a mystery – handhelds with powerful CPUs like the Z2 Extreme need good thermal management, probably with small fans or heat pipes.

This sacrifices portability as the device is not pocketable like a Steam Deck or ROG Ally, it’s more like a small tablet than a standard handheld. It needs a bag to carry and the width might make it hard to play on the go. The original post doesn’t mention battery life which is another important factor. Given the Z2 Extreme’s high power consumption and big screen it will likely need a big battery which will limit playtime compared to more compact portable devices. These trade offs show the project is experimental, PureDIY prioritized vision over practicality.
[Sources 1 | 2]