The Nintendo Change modified what transportable gaming might be, however the Steam Deck, the very best handheld gaming PC, introduced it to a brand new degree, resulting in an inflow of portables with extra persevering with to be developed. Jump to a detailed look at the best handheld gaming PCs, or verify the listing under:
TL;DR – These are the Best Handheld Gaming PCs
The power to play the finest PC video games from wherever is big. You’ll get pleasure from a compact construct, good display, and easy-to-use controls at your fingertips. However when in search of your very best handheld gaming PC, what’s on the within decides whether or not the system sinks or swims. Processors highly effective sufficient to run the most recent action-packed video games make a world of distinction. Ample speedy storage ensures fast saves on the go, whereas RAM and correct thermals maintain the whole lot as much as snuff. You may’t overlook the software program or battery life, both. It is quite a bit, so we’re right here to assist your search, bringing you seven prime choices.
Best Handheld Gaming PCs
1. Valve Steam Deck
The most effective handheld gaming PC
Execs:
- Mighty highly effective
- Good for working Steam video games
Cons:
Popularizing the hand held gaming PC revolution, the Valve Steam Deck doesn’t truly include Home windows put in. As a substitute, it makes use of Valve’s customized SteamOS, however that doesn’t imply it doesn’t have video games that work on it. Due to the API Proton, the Steam Deck helps dozens of video games optimized for the transportable from Cyberpunk 2077 to Forza Horizon 5.
There are methods to get Home windows working on the seven-inch show transportable by booting straight from the USB-C port. Past that is likely one of the finest enter controls out there for any transportable gaming handheld. See our full comparability between the Steam Deck and Rog Ally right here.
There’s additionally the OLED model of the Steam Deck to think about, for customers preferring a bigger, brighter, and extra vibrant display. Whereas nonetheless displaying at 1200×800, the Steam Deck OLED affords a noticeable distinction, offering extra readability for a greater visible expertise. You additionally see improved battery life, a better refresh charge, and extra storage than the 256GB provided within the tradtional LCD mannequin.
You should definitely take a look at the finest Steam Deck equipment and Steam Deck docks to pair with the highly effective transportable.
2. Asus ROG Ally Z1 Excessive
The most effective Home windows handheld gaming PC
Execs:
- Seven inch Full HD display with 120Hz refresh charge
- Speedy efficiency
Cons:
- Struggles with battery life
The Asus ROG Ally Z1 Excessive has 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage. With regards to visible specs, the transportable Home windows 11 gaming handheld has a 7-inch FHD LCD touchscreen with a 120Hz refresh charge. On the base $699 value, you get a 6-core AMD Zen 4 matched alongside an AMD RDNA 3 with 6 compute models. For $100 extra, customers can get the Z1 Excessive version that includes an 8-core AMD Zen 4 and AMD RDNA 3 with 12 compute models. For added safety, the hand held additionally includes a fingerprint scanner on the facility button.
3. GPD Win 4
The most effective handheld gaming PC with a keyboard
Execs:
- Useful keyboard built-in
- Compact design
Cons:
Extra like a mini laptop computer than gaming handheld, the GPD Win 4 appears virtually like Sony’s PSVita till you look beneath the floor. The transportable has a AMD Ryzen 7 CPU and AMD Radeon 680m GPU. All of that’s hiding behind a 6-inch 1080p display. One of many spotlight options of the GPD Win 4 is a sliding Home windows keyboard, which makes utilizing the desktop working system a breeze on the go.
There are three variations out there together with a base configuration with 16GB RAM and 1TB of SSD storage going up as excessive as $1,599 for 32GB and 2TB of SSD storage.
4. Ayaneo Air
Essentially the most transportable handheld gaming PC
Execs:
- Highly effective efficiency
- Storage enlargement through Micro SD slot
Cons:
One of many smallest handheld gaming PCs out there, the AYANEO Air has a 5.5-inch OLED FHD display. Efficiency-wise, you must be capable to get fairly a little bit of horsepower of the 6-core AMD Ryzen 5 CPU and AMD Radeon GPU. Slightly underneath two inches skinny, the AYANEO Air additionally weighs 2.6lbs. With 512GB SSD storage, there’s additionally room to broaden through Micro SD slot. Although it might lack the sheer energy of many transportable Home windows handhelds on the listing, the formfactor alone could also be definitely worth the value of admission.
5. GPD Win Max 2
The most effective convertible handheld gaming PC
Execs:
- Spectacular parts for a compact system
- Contains built-in keyboard and recreation controls
Cons:
- Bulkier than different PC handhelds
Taking a unique strategy to the GPD Win 4, the GPD Win Max 2 has a big 10-inch display and full keyboard that feels extra like a considerably smaller netbook. On prime of the keyboard are conventional gaming controls together with twin analog sticks, D-pad and face buttons. With regards to specs, the Win Max 2 comes full of an AMD Ryzen 7 CPU, AMD Radeon 780M, 32GB RAM and 2TB of SSD storage. Good for creators and graphic designers, the touchscreen additionally helps lively pens too.
6. Ayaneo Geek
The most effective handheld gaming PC for media
Execs:
- Wholesome quantity of SSD storage
- Haptic suggestions and gyroscope controls
Cons:
If you would like the modern type issue of the AYANEO Air however with barely extra energy and performance, you must think about the Geek. It has a 8-core AMD Zen 3 CPU, an AMD RDNA 2 GPU, and 16GB RAM. There are additionally two SSD storage variations out there: 512GB and 1TB, and all configurations characteristic a 7-inch show with a 1280X800 decision, haptic suggestions and gyroscope controls.
7. Asus ROG Ally Z1
The most effective handheld gaming PC for indie video games
Execs:
- Funds-friendly
- Simple-to-use interface
Cons:
- Graphics on the highest setting wrestle in AAA video games
In case you just like the appears of the Asus ROG Ally Z1 Excessive however need one thing cheaper and virtually as highly effective, seize the Asus ROG Ally Z1. Operating the present is Home windows 11 and a 30W AMD APU featuria Zen 4 processor paired with GPU that options 4 RDNA 3 CUs. Admittedly, these graphics will wrestle to maintain up with AAA video games at their highest settings on this 120Hz FHD handheld providing a seven-inch show. Turning down the settings does assist make video games extra playable, however the system really shines in indie video games.
Handheld Gaming PC FAQ
Ought to I purchase a handheld gaming PC or a gaming laptop computer?
Relying on the way you wish to recreation and what video games you wish to play will decide whether or not you must seize the finest gaming laptop computer or a handheld PC. Handhelds rating greater factors in longevity, battery life, optimization, portability, and thermals. However handhelds are solely designed to play video games as much as a sure specification. Gaming laptops cram within the newest GPU, CPU, and RAM, possible sacrificing battery life, thermals, and value. Nevertheless, some are absolute beasts able to tackle even essentially the most graphically intensive video games. Laptops supply extra performance relating to modifying and different work.
Take a look at our information on the Steam Deck vs. gaming laptops for extra data.
Are there any upcoming gaming handhelds?
Extra gaming handhelds are anticipated to be introduced or launched quickly. The Nintendo Change 2 could launch in direction of the tip of 2024–7 years after the unique Nintendo Change was launched. In line with Valve, you shouldn’t anticipate a new Steam Deck for “a few years.” The MSI Claw has lately been launched, whereas Lenovo is already planning on making a successor to the Legion Go launched late final yr. An Xbox handheld is even rumored to be on the horizon.
What’s the very best Steam Deck various?
The Steam Deck takes the highest spot on this information, however the Asus ROG Ally is the finest Steam Deck various. This gaming handheld affords an easy-to-use interface, speedy efficiency, and beautiful design. It nonetheless struggles with battery life, much like the Steam Deck. Nevertheless, you’ll have a tougher time utilizing Home windows 11 with the ROG Ally than Linux on Steam Deck.