The Orange Pi Neo, a Linux-first gaming handheld developed by Orange Pi and Manjaro Linux, has been postponed due to surging prices for DDR5 RAM and SSDs driven by AI demand. The project, in development since early 2024, has cleared necessary certifications but awaits a better market for components. No launch date has been announced.
The handheld gaming PC market has expanded significantly since Valve's Steam Deck launched in 2022, establishing itself as the leading Linux-powered device with strong build quality and game support. Alternatives like the Lenovo Legion Go S, which offers SteamOS, and the AYANEO 3 have drawn Linux enthusiasts seeking options.
The Orange Pi Neo emerged as a promising entrant in this space, created through a collaboration between Orange Pi and Manjaro Linux. Development updates on the Manjaro forums began in early 2024, detailing hardware revisions, software enhancements, certification progress, and testing involvement from Valve.
The most recent update, however, indicates the project is currently paused. The Manjaro team stated that high prices for DDR5 RAM and SSDs have put the initiative on hold, with plans to launch at a more opportune time, though no specific date was provided.
This pricing surge stems from AI data centers consuming memory supplies, prioritizing higher margins over consumer markets. For instance, a DDR5 chip priced at $6.84 in late September 2025 rose to $27.20 by December 1, 2025—a nearly fourfold increase in two months.
Despite the delay, progress continues on other fronts. The device has obtained CE certification for Europe and FCC certification for the United States, enabling legal sales in those regions upon release. The team is also refining Manjaro Gaming Edition, an immutable operating system based on Manjaro Linux with the Plasma desktop environment. It defaults to SteamUI but allows switching to Desktop mode.
The Orange Pi Neo features an AMD Ryzen 7 7840U processor, a 7-inch 1920x1200 display with 120Hz refresh rate, dual touchpads akin to the Steam Deck's, and Hall effect joysticks with RGB lighting.
This issue extends beyond the Orange Pi Neo, as AI-driven demand has broadly elevated DDR5 prices, impacting consumer hardware.
