Nvidia has made it clear that it will not manufacture its own handheld console. The company prefers to focus on reinventing the PC and selling expensive chips to Windows laptop manufacturers. It's not disdain for the market, it's pure financial calculation. Letting others take the risk and then selling them the components is their usual strategy: sell the shovels, don't look for gold.
The business is in the chip, not the casing 💰
Nvidia watches as Nintendo, Valve, and Chinese brands like Ayaneo dominate the handheld segment. Instead of competing directly, it bets on being the internal supplier. Its Tegra processors already power the original Switch, and the new Ada architecture chips could reach future Windows handhelds. The risk of design, manufacturing, and distribution is taken on by someone else. Nvidia only charges for each unit sold.
Nvidia prefers to collect royalties rather than sweat over hardware 🍺
While Valve deals with the hassle of designing the Steam Deck and handling logistics, Nvidia sits on its silicon throne waiting for the order. It's like the friend who always brings the beers but never sets up the barbecue. In the end, if the handheld fails, the manufacturer is left holding the bag. If it succeeds, Nvidia already has its cut. Anyone can reinvent the PC that way.