Switch is handheld, home console or hybrid!?

[shoichi]

CrowRSchneider said:

shoichi said:

There actually is a difference between docked and undocked mode for the Switch. It is to conserve battery power (because Nintendo wanted the Switch to reach a certain minimum), along with requiring less to run on a lower resolution screen (720p screen vs 1080p+ tvs)

https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2016/12/nintendo-switch-nvidia-tegra-x1-specs-speed/

-In undocked mode (handheld/tabletop) the Switch runs at 384 MHz, GFLOPS (FP32) 196, GFLOPS (FP16) 392.

-In docked mode (television mode) the Switch runs at 768 MHz, GFLOPS (FP32) 393, GFLOPS (FP16) 786.

The Switch likely could have ran at docked speeds even in undocked. But the battery life probably wouldn't last more than an hour at best for a majority of games.

So that proves my point? It's a tablet programed to not run at its best until you connect it?

It depends on the person on what they consider a “home console”.

If all the dock did was output it’s display to a television with no improvement in performance. Like what a Composite/VGA/HDMI cable does. Then to me it’s just a handheld with tv output. The dock (software) however allows improved performance, along with access to USB accessories, which allows things like wired controllers, Ethernet, etc. to the Switch. Which for me makes it be considered a “home console” as well.

as I said earlier. I consider it for me personally a handheld because that’s how I use the device. But I can see how some people rather use it connected to a tv with improved performance and consider it a home console more than a portable. If anything maybe the Switch should start the term and lead the charge of “portable home console”. Lol

Last edited by shoichi - on 17 November 2017