Smach Z handheld gaming PC to integrate AMD's Ryzen V1000 embedded CPU

[Redaktion]

After 4 years of development, the Smach Z handheld PC could finally see the light of day in H2 2018. Smach partnered with AMD to include a custom embedded RX-421B CPU that integrates an 8CU R7 GPU, and the device will also include at least 4 GB of DDR4-2400 RAM and 64 GB of storage.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Smach-Z-handheld-gaming-PC-to-integrate-AMD-s-Ryzen-V1000-embedded-CPU.285008.0.html

[Bluto]

Until today, still cannot demonstrate a real working prototype. At the recent Embedded World 2018, all they can show is a mock-up with 3D printed casing and two PCBs. In conclusion, Smach Z is stillborn. Also the Smach Z scampaign started out as an outright scam to get funding for a fantasy hardware idea by a novices. Shady practices, numerous delays and missed shipping deadlines haunts this project. Ex-developer Rhomb's claim about these novices incompetence is turning up to be correct.

[Bluto]

By keeping things secretive, Smach Z's trying to hide their incompetence. Here is part of backers only update which shows they cannot get the correct PCB maker for their boards. Those PCBs shown at Embedded World 2018 were never going to function at all, may as well call them mock ups. Quote from backers only update...

"PCB manufacturing: We have received the new version of the main PCB so we'll be able to start working with it next week. However, we had a problem with the Core PCB: The manufacturer was not able to finish the work due to lack of technology to create such small lines. So we just sent it to another manufacturer. This is a bump for the project, since it's going to delay the time to see the final unit working at least until the end of April. There is nothing else we can do to accelerate it. All PCB manufacturers take 15 days or more to produce the Core PCB."

The most appaling part is "So we just sent it to another manufacturer" with emphasis on "just". Basically sounds like trial and error, so backers will be in for a very long ride with more delays to be anticipated.

[Bluto]

Now past middle of July and still nothing. They already missed their May shipping date. Last June, their E3 2018 demo in a hotel room was a big joke. Just more mock ups. One powered by gaming laptop. Clearly everyone will notice that its using the laptop's HDMI output to the LCD screen on the mock up. Other cables definitely USB for Steam controllers and LCD power. They shamelessly call this a prototype. The other was a development system board which they also presented as prototype. It was supposed to have the same specifications but Factor News dig further and found out it had Vega11 iGPU, not Vega8 iGPU as in the final specifications. This falsifies their benchmarks claims which actually came from the same development system board. Just beware of Smach Z's fraudulent and deceptive marketing.