The latest update for the OrangePi Neo handheld with Manjaro Linux is not a positive one, with the whole thing now unfortunately “on ice”. In other words, the planned release has been paused.
Why? You can thank the AI surge once again. Because of course you can – it’s affecting every consumer device thanks to shortages and high prices with data centres buying up lots of production.
Manjaro Linux Project Lead Philip Müller updated the rather long post on the official forum with a status update for 2026, which simply says:
Due to high prices of DDR5 RAM and SSDs the project is currently on ice. Certifications for CE and FCC are now complete. Also a lot of improvements around the Manjaro Gaming Edition had happened. We are now waiting for a good time to launch the product …
Considering it was going to be releasing with either the AMD 7840u or the 8840u, if they do still manage to get it out – would it even be worth it at this point? They’ve already been through a few delays before as it was due out in Q1 2025, then it was pushed to Q3 2025, then they were hoping for H1 2026 and now it’s on ice.
Unless the AI hype bubble bursts, we’ll see delays and cancellations from other vendors too. Just look at how difficult it is for Valve with the Steam Deck OLED repeatedly out of stock.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
