I've been mulling over the Lenovo C700 since teasers emerged, and it's now got an August release date. Normally, I'd be pretty hyped about a portable with a 7.82-inch 120Hz screen and TMR thumbsticks, but it's all bogged down by the fact it's a cloud streaming device.
Yes, rather than being a full-fat gaming handheld that can run games natively without internet, the Lenovo C700 is the exact opposite. Highlighted by Notebookcheck, a fresh reveal provides a better look at the portable alongside some standout features, like that 7.82-inch 120Hz display and TMR thumbsticks that use magnetic tech to provide higher precision over Hall effect.
I've certainly dabbled with cloud streaming in the past, and I do think there's a place for the tech as a luxury alternative. Yes, I'm classing the device genre as premium, as while it might feel like a device for a lower MSRP than most consoles and handheld gaming PCs, there are plenty of hidden caveats and charges that factor in.
That's before we even get to my games ownership fears, as I recently spelled out why devices like the PS Portal are a worrying sign of an all-digital future to come. Sure, the PlayStation Portal and other streaming gadgets like the Logitech G Cloud and Acer's upcoming device will let you stream and play in a perceivable higher frame rate than what you'd get using native specs, but it's granted on the condition that you pay for a stable, high-speed internet connection and for a ticket-to-ride one (or all) of the numerous subscription services out there.
The C700 specifically is designed with the aim of getting you onto Tencent's START service. As a reminder, this seems to be China-exclusive for now, and it's currently unknown whether it'll support other platforms like GeForce Now or Xbox Game Pass. That should be the case if it runs Android, but I've still got core fears that Lenovo is testing the waters for a fallback now that hiked gaming hardware costs are proving inconvenient.
Whether or not the C700 is a device that'll contribute to a future where games are provided on a permissions slip basis comes down to specs. There's still a chance this portable will boast beefy enough specs to run as a best retro handheld contender, in which case you can run a bunch of classics without the Internet or monthly subs. If it really is solely designed just to connect to the cloud, though, I'm hoping it doesn't spark a trend among brands that nudges us closer to a future where you pay for access, not for something you can retain.
Take a peek at the best retro consoles for new systems that'll run the classics.
