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The Steam Deck revolutionized mobile PC gaming, but competitors are emerging. The Asus ROG Ally X surpasses the Steam Deck with superior performance, faster memory, and extended battery life. With the Lenovo Legion Go S and Acer Nitro Blaze 11 unveiled at CES 2025, the handheld PC gaming market is expanding rapidly. Whether you prefer the Steam Deck or a top alternative, we've compiled a list of excellent choices capable of handling demanding PC games.
TL;DR – Best Handheld Gaming PCs
Our Top Pick: ### Asus ROG Ally X
### Valve Steam Deck
### Lenovo Legion Go
### Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme
### GPD Win 4
### Ayaneo Ayaneo Air
### Asus ROG Ally Z1
Handheld gaming PCs offer superior portability compared to gaming laptops, delivering powerful performance in a compact form factor. They can handle AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Ghost of Tsushima. Docking options provide larger screen experiences.
Our experts have reviewed several top contenders. From the high-performance Lenovo Legion Go to the more budget-friendly Asus ROG Ally Z1 (ideal for indie games), there's an option for every gamer.
Contributions by Danielle Abraham, Ural Garrett, Georgie Peru
Detailed Reviews:
1. Asus ROG Ally X: The Best Handheld Gaming PC
The Asus ROG Ally X boasts superior memory (24GB LPDDR5 @ 7,400MHz), a significantly larger battery (80Wh), and improved cooling, resulting in a substantial performance boost and extended playtime. The updated design addresses previous shortcomings.
2. Valve Steam Deck: The Best Steam Deck
Running SteamOS, the Steam Deck offers excellent compatibility with Steam games via Proton. A Windows installation is possible via USB-C boot. An OLED version with improved visuals and battery life is also available.
3. Lenovo Legion Go: The Best High-Performance Handheld Gaming PC
The Lenovo Legion Go features a large 8.8-inch 1600p display and powerful AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme specs. Its size may be a consideration for users with smaller hands.
4. Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme: The Best Windows Handheld Gaming PC
Running Windows 11, the Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme offers broad game compatibility and strong performance, though battery life can be affected by high settings.
5. GPD Win 4: The Best Handheld Gaming PC with a Keyboard
The GPD Win 4 is more of a mini-laptop, featuring a built-in keyboard, making it suitable for both gaming and productivity.
6. Ayaneo Air: The Most Portable Handheld Gaming PC
The Ayaneo Air prioritizes portability with its compact size and 5.5-inch OLED display, offering a balance of power and convenience.
7. Asus ROG Ally Z1: The Best Handheld Gaming PC for Indie Games
A more affordable option than the Z1 Extreme, the Asus ROG Ally Z1 excels in indie games, though AAA titles may require lower settings.
Upcoming Handheld Gaming PCs and FAQ: Information on upcoming devices like the Lenovo Legion Go S, Acer Nitro Blaze 11, and the Nintendo Switch 2, along with a comparison of handheld PCs vs. gaming laptops, is included in the original article and remains relevant.
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