Handheld gaming PCs have exploded in popularity over the past few years, but they’ve all followed remarkably similar design principles. Whether you’re looking at a Steam Deck, ROG Ally, or any of the countless competitors flooding the market, they share compact aspect ratios that prioritize portability and broad game compatibility over everything else. Meanwhile, desktop gaming has embraced ultrawide monitors for their cinematic immersion and panoramic field of view.
PureDIY, a creator on BiliBili, apparently wondered what would happen if these two trends collided. Their DIY handheld PC features a 32:9 aspect ratio display, the same super ultrawide format found on massive 49-inch desktop monitors, packed into a Windows-powered portable device with detachable controllers. Running on an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor, the same chip powering high-end handhelds like the ROG Ally X, this unnamed device represents a bold experiment in portable gaming form factors.
Designer: PureDIY (via Notebookcheck)
The design includes slide-in controllers that attach to either side of the ultrawide display, creating a gaming experience that’s part handheld, part tablet. A built-in kickstand allows for tabletop play, though it’s unclear whether the controllers work wirelessly when detached. Videos show the device handling everything from Asphalt 9 Legends to music production in FL Studio Mobile, demonstrating its versatility as both gaming machine and creative workstation for users who need that extra horizontal screen real estate.
For games that properly support ultrawide resolutions, the experience must be genuinely impressive. Racing games, flight simulators, and certain shooters benefit enormously from the panoramic view, creating immersion levels that traditional handhelds simply cannot match. The extra screen space also enables genuine multitasking, allowing users to run multiple applications side by side or use creative software with more room for toolbars and timelines than typical portable devices provide.
However, the trade-offs are significant and immediately obvious from the videos. The device is described as being larger than a car’s rearview mirror and wider than the creator’s forearm when controllers are attached, making it substantially less portable than conventional handhelds. The ergonomics are questionable for extended gaming sessions, especially for users with smaller hands who might struggle to reach all controls comfortably during intensive gameplay.
Perhaps more critically, most games and applications aren’t optimized for 32:9 aspect ratios, meaning users will frequently encounter black bars, stretched visuals, or interface elements that don’t scale properly. This compatibility issue limits the practical game library and could make the ultrawide format more frustrating than beneficial for many titles that weren’t designed with such extreme aspect ratios in mind.
PureDIY’s ultrawide handheld is a fascinating proof of concept that challenges our assumptions about portable gaming design. While it’s unlikely to inspire mainstream adoption due to its practical limitations, projects like this serve an important purpose in pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Sometimes the most valuable innovations come from creators willing to ignore conventional wisdom and build something completely different, even if it’s not perfect.
The post This DIY Ultrawide Handheld Gaming PC Redefines Portable Gaming first appeared on Yanko Design.