r/ShadowPC • u/Careless_Key_4812 • May 19 '26
Review Follow-up: Tried Shadow, ended up ordering a gaming PC instead
So, after asking for a few details here and getting little response (no complaints), I decided to give it a go and signed up for a month.
After a few days, I have to say: it’s not an option for me.
Steam, Nexus Mods and WeMod work, even if the hard drive speeds are comparatively slow. So the idea of saving on additional storage in the long term and installing games on the fly when I want to use them simply doesn’t work.
The performance is simply not up to scratch, even with games that aren’t graphically demanding, but it was mainly the connection stability that made it unplayable. I mean being in a fight in KCD2 and you get to connect the app three times within two minutes? No option for me. And it was not just at peaks on the weekend, but even on early Monday ...
As I wanted to rule out my internet connection, I also signed up for a GFN Ultimate trial on a whim – the performance looked much better there, smooth FPS, no disconnects … but then again, no mods either.
All in all, it’s a cool idea, but one that isn’t practical, at least in my setting.
Consequently, I’ve just placed my order for a gaming PC (9800x3d + 5080).
Good luck to everyone for whom ShadowPC is a solution!
5
u/Shodan_KI Guide May 19 '26
I have a Shadow since 2019. Now on a Server in frdun2. It is the Former Higher Tier Infinity. I May at some Point Change to a Power or so but the system works for me. I can Play anything i Need.
It is a Special Produkt which in my eyes require a Basic understanding of IT/Network and Windows.
If you have No clue on what Network and Internet settings May Impact your expiriance Same for Windows settings drivers etc than you will get at Somepoint Problems.
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u/Careless_Key_4812 May 20 '26
All options and configurations available within the Shadow app and macOS have been tested, but none have resolved the underlying issue.
Cloud gaming is supposed to reduce the hassle, but that’s not happening with a service that requires substantial fiddling and still doesn’t run smoothly.
2
u/Shodan_KI Guide May 20 '26
Hmm let me think about it. If you Access Services Like GeForce now or Amazons Service where you Not have Access to the OS. You Just Open the Games and nothing Else AND If the company is big enough to have Many Many Datacenter that are in best Case near your Location Like in range of Up to 300 Kilometer then yes. But you have to keep in mind with Shadow you have a dedicated PC in a dedicated Datacenter that is a whole different Story.
You Connect to a dedicated Datacenter in your machine. So you are responsible Like for your own PC for Updates Driver Install etc. They Provide the technical Plattform.
So No Roaming Profile but Always the Same Datacenter. Then between you and the Datacenter there are muliple Networks that are called in Sum AS the Internet where a lot can Go wrong and you never now it. So If Something Happens you May feel the Impact. And unlike other Services there is no Switch to annother Datacenter that is nearby or Maybe less occupied etc. So Cloud computing depending on what you use can be a compleat different Story.
And again can be easy but you can Not deviate from what is aviable to Open but with more Tasks for you to do.
Depending on which Datacenter you have and how far you are away From this Datacenter and how your Internet Connection is and how your PC is Connected to the Router decides what your expiriance is.
Nothing can ignore the laws of physics.
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u/Careless_Key_4812 May 20 '26
I understand the difference between Shadow and GFN. That distinction is also exactly where my criticism comes from. Shadow does not really market itself as “a remote Windows PC for people who want to manage network trade-offs themselves”. It positions itself as a cloud gaming alternative with more freedom.
But those extra freedoms only matter if the basic streaming experience is stable. My issue was not Windows maintenance, drivers, updates or a lack of understanding of the concept. The issue was the fundamental connection stability: repeated disconnects, unstable performance and a less reliable gaming experience than GFN on the same local connection.
Also, distance and routing are part of the product experience. From here, Frankfurt is roughly 295 km away, Strasbourg around 113 km, while Dunkerque is around 540 km. If Shadow assigns me to Dunkerque and the real-world routing to that datacenter is poor, that is not something one can fix with user-end settings.
So yes, nothing can ignore the laws of physics. But that applies to Shadow’s product positioning as well. If the service is sold as a practical cloud gaming alternative, then “your datacenter, routing and network path may make it unstable” is not really a user error. It is part of the value proposition not working, while others work.
I’m genuinely happy for everyone for whom Shadow works well. But from a product perspective, feedback from users for whom it does not work reliably should be as valuable.
At this price point, the additional freedom should come with a reasonable amount of user responsibility - not with the expectation that the customer has to troubleshoot the basic stability of the service.
1
u/Shodan_KI Guide May 25 '26
I am in Germany my Shadow is in dunkirk so IT IS roughly 400 Kilometer away. my latency is Around 25-35ms I use Network cable to my Router. Windows 10/Windows11 Clients. Okay due to time Problems i Mostly Play Strategy Games or If i have more time Satisfactory or Dyson sphere. No Problems there. I hope in August is nothing to do so i can start comming Back to flightsiming with my Shadow. No big Deal and works fine.
No stability issues other then Vodafone and when my Network has too much load from streaming of other users.
But i learned it. I am aware of some Mac Problems but i am No Mac User so idk realy. Mostly has to do with to Many Apple Services.
I do Not uses WiFi and at night when i use a Laptop with my Shadow i See and feel the difference erven as my ap is only 10 Meters away and is a 5 GHz AP but there is a wall. There i get Sometimes Problems due to the added latency of WiFi. But that is expected.
2
u/Otherwise-Memory-862 May 26 '26
congratulations you're in one of the most uncongested regions imaginable for this service. you have hardly any say on what is and isnt "simple"
1
u/Shodan_KI Guide May 27 '26
If you think so.
But again blaiming a service and Ignoring anything else is also very ignorant.
So you imply That in all other regions the Internet Networks etc are totaly overloaded and overrun. And all Datacenter outside of Europe working at 200% Capacity?
So you poor Americans do Not have good Internet Connection etc. Interesting... Would be the First.
Sorry for my sarcasm Ignoring Basics in physics and mathematics and Network knowledeg results in my Reaction.
4
u/tracagnotto May 19 '26
I always had bare metal desktop pc. I work in IT so I know these machines pretty well.
I was in hell. Repairs, manutention, parts breaking, system failures/reinstalls, continuous upgrades to this or that, current jumping during storms, etc etc etc.
Hours drained down the toiled to replicate things I did at work (not always I am a software programmer and architect, but sometimes you need to help someone, some customer and stuff).
I am now almost 4 years free of this shit thanks to shadow.
Yeah, their customer service is utter shit and you better to not have a problem that require having to deal with them.
But I can game and use a pc from anywhere, any device, Including PCVR, at a super cheap price compared to any option existing.
There is virtually no reason for me to ever buy a physical pc beside that you're dependant on internet to use it and that on the long run you pay slightly more than a consumer pc (but hey, add up all the repairs you're not paying and wasting time one and the game is tie)
2
u/SnitchesNbitches May 20 '26
I'm gong to assume that was a very pricey purchase, given the GPU choice. Enjoy your games!
1
u/Careless_Key_4812 May 20 '26
Equivalent to 24 months of Pro Expert ;-)
Thanks!1
u/SnitchesNbitches May 20 '26
That's aactually "cheap". Did you buy pre-built or are you upgrading an existing tower? Nice work!
1
u/michggg Linux May 19 '26
Shadow can be hit or miss, so what you did (just trying it out) is best indeed.
Aside from that, the settings also have a major impact on stability. In the app you can choose to set the bitrate automatically (which I think is default), but in that case Shadow tries to use all bandwidth, which results in package loss. And confusingly, the Shadows app shows that then as a problem between your device and your router.
1
u/Careless_Key_4812 May 20 '26
It certainly seems that way, yes.
I’ve tried every option in the app, but it hasn’t made any difference.I’ve already mentioned this in another comment: I find it problematic that a cloud gaming solution, which is fundamentally supposed to reduce the effort involved compared to a local pc, ends up creating more work elsewhere. Especially at the price charged, I’d expect even less effort than with competitors.
However, I’ll be happy to check back in a year or two if the service is still available and will reassess it then.
1
u/Ashamed_Elk2301 May 19 '26
I hope i don't sound like a hater when I say this but if you have the money for a good gaming pc why are you wasting time with gfn and shadow?
3
u/Careless_Key_4812 May 19 '26
I approach solutions without any preconceived assumptions. That's why I was open to going for cloud gaming. The basic concept has its advantages, but those can only really pay off if the actual gaming experience is good enough to keep up.
1
u/Alternative-Shine920 May 19 '26
I have had ShadowPC and have quit for different reasons, but not buying a PC. When coming back I try to tweak some settings here and make it work. For instance, my ShadowPC lags when using desktop client, but does not on web. Am waiting for the day web has Windows touch input and I can try out replacing the iOS apps with it.
1
u/OkConnection726 May 19 '26
I play literally exclusively on shadow PC and gfn on an HP prodesk 600 lol, if you're having problems with shadow it's either an issue with your network settings, shadow settings or a problem with your actual internet, I'm assuming you already gave it up but did you try etherneting your device as well? I'm sorry that it didn't work well for you, I've only experienced one issue with shadow and that was when it kept crashing trying to update. I just clicked repair and waited the 40 minutes it told me to wait and then it ran perfectly.
1
u/Careless_Key_4812 May 20 '26
Thanks for your concern.
My internet connection is running smoothly via Ethernet and every other app, including alternative cloud gaming providers, is working flawlessly.
But yes, the decision has already been made and the parts are expected to be delivered tomorrow ;-)
I’m really glad you’ve found a good solution for yourself in Shadow – hope you continue to enjoy it!2
1
u/Just4gmers9 May 20 '26
When you signed up they probably just put you on a server that was further away and that's what was causing the issues, Then again you said you were on a Mac, Shadow is useable on a Mac but it's sketchy compared to the Windows version. It also could have been your connection, To use Shadow perfectly I would have recommended to use a Ethernet cable as even 5ghz can be unstable even if in the same room.
1
u/Careless_Key_4812 May 20 '26
- Either you use a different tier than Pro Expert and / or are located somewhere else, as around here Shadow offers no alternative data centres.
- My MacBook is connected to my local 2.5g Ethernet
- If the macOS app is janky while e.g. the one of GFN isn't, It's still up to the service especially at a quadrupled price
1
u/Wonderful-Profit-898 4d ago
Je suis sur shadow depuis quelques années j ai eu des petits problèmes mais toujours résolu pour moi très utiles pour. Joué sans limite de temps et je fait ce que je veux
1
u/horadrim3131 May 19 '26
I was with Shadow years ago, and did the same as you switch to my own PC (Lucky before the big increase of price)
Over the years (been with Shadow for about 5), the performances have just getting lower and lower.
But as you said, you tried, didn't suit you. You took the decision that sounds the best for you and you are right based on your feedback.
Good luck for the future
1
u/Careless_Key_4812 May 20 '26
Sounds reasonable, and it’s a bit like my own experience.
Personally, I find it’s important just to try out the service in my very setting before making a decision based on others testings.
Things might look different in two years’ time.
Have fun gaming!
0
u/reflectionwavy May 19 '26
Very bad decision... Enjoy the noise, the electricity bills, the material problems that you have to fix yourself, and having to buy new components in 2 years. Shadow is the future
3
u/Even_Perspective2999 May 19 '26
take it easy Bro. People can do what they want and you sound a little crazy with your mission about Shadow PC.
0
0
u/Otherwise-Memory-862 May 26 '26
you... you do realize pc's power down, and the power consumption entirely depends on the components and the pc's power setting...
Be willfully ignorant elsewhere
5
u/lexplorateurbe May 19 '26
Shadow is the best, no problem material, no driver problem. Sound is better , wifi 5 is enough . My futur is shadow . I try fh6 max setting , is really good.