I've mentioned this before, but I would find it difficult to resist a gameboy-style x86 handheld with all the x-input/modern gamepad controls and a 16:9/16:10 aspect ratio.

I wouldn't mind if the device was just a little bit taller/thicker to accommodate better thermals/battery, and even sacrifice some horsepower in order to reach longer playtime and better thermals.

These exist in the arm platform, something like this:

Though it's more feasible with arm due to its smaller instruction set and overall power requirements.

I've toyed with the idea of using a raspberry pi form factor x86 SBC like a Rock Pi X and a shell like PiBoy DMG kit, but never went through with it because of all the issues I'd have to overcome or come to a compromise with; pricing, aspect ratio, potential customizations due to small differences between rpi and rock Pi, availability of parts, etc.

I just think I'd love that form factor as long as it can get me 3-4 hrs battery life on older/indie games.

Even though the rock Pi X is an Intel z8350, I've run vanilla wow on such a chipset and had a very playable experience. So my vision would be sitting down on a Gameboy-like device playing vanilla wow using the consoleport addon 🤤. Or playing some older COD games, java Minecraft, stuff like that.

It would be a smartphone, 5 or 6 inches. Maybe a bit thicker than normal smartphones. It would feature a keyboard, similar to an N900 but you would additionally be able to slide out analog sticks and buttons to the sides.

A vr capable fannypack that can dock to a tv for non-vr mode

a thin DS style clamshell with an 8 inch screen, dual track pads and extra face buttons instead of back buttons