Top-Notch Gaming on the Go: Unleash the Power of Handheld PCs

The Steam Deck revolutionized mobile PC gaming, but competitors are emerging, offering compelling alternatives. 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 gaming PC market is expanding rapidly. Whether you prefer the Steam Deck or explore the best Steam Deck alternatives, we've curated a selection of excellent handheld PCs capable of handling top-tier PC games.

TL;DR – Top Handheld Gaming PCs

Our Top Pick: ### Asus ROG Ally X

20See it at AsusSee it at Best Buy### Valve Steam Deck

5See it at SteamSee it at Amazon### Lenovo Legion Go

7See it at AmazonSee it at Best Buy### Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme

3See it at AmazonSee it at Best Buy### GPD Win 4

3See it at Amazon### Ayaneo Ayaneo Air

3See it at AmazonSee it at Ayaneo ### Asus ROG Ally Z1

1See it at AmazonSee it at Best Buy

Handheld gaming PCs offer a compact alternative to bulky gaming laptops, delivering impressive performance for AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Ghost of Tsushima. Most are compatible with Steam Deck docks, allowing connection to larger displays.

Our experts have reviewed several leading handheld gaming PCs. The options range from the high-performance Lenovo Legion Go to the more budget-friendly Asus ROG Ally Z1, suitable for indie games.

Contributions by Danielle Abraham, Ural Garrett, Georgie Peru

Detailed Reviews:

1. Asus ROG Ally X – The Best Handheld Gaming PC

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20 Boasting double the battery life and significantly faster memory than its predecessor, the Asus ROG Ally X leads the pack.

Specifications: AMD Z1 Extreme CPU/GPU, 24GB LPDDR5 RAM (7,400MHz), 1TB NVMe SSD

Pros: Faster memory, longer battery life, improved cooling. Cons: IPS display, slightly larger and heavier.

2. Valve Steam Deck – The Best Steam Deck

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5 Running SteamOS, this 7-inch handheld boasts impressive internals and excellent compatibility with Steam games via Proton. An OLED version offers improved visuals and battery life.

Specifications: 4-core/8-thread AMD Zen 2 CPU, 16GB LPDDR5 RAM, 256GB SSD (various storage options available)

Pros: Powerful for Steam games, excellent controls. Cons: Poor battery life.

3. Lenovo Legion Go – The Best High-Performance Handheld Gaming PC

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7 A Windows 11 handheld with a large QHD display and excellent performance.

Specifications: AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme CPU/GPU, 16GB LPDDR5X RAM, 512GB SSD

Pros: Excellent performance, impressive display. Cons: Large size.

(Reviews for Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme, GPD Win 4, Ayaneo Air, and Asus ROG Ally Z1 follow a similar format, detailing specifications, pros, and cons.)

Upcoming Handheld PCs: Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS and Windows 11 versions), Acer Nitro Blaze 11 (11-inch screen), and the Nintendo Switch 2 (not a PC, but noteworthy).

FAQ:

Handheld vs. Gaming Laptop: Handhelds excel in portability, battery life (generally), and thermals, but are limited in specifications. Gaming laptops offer superior power but often compromise battery life and thermals. Laptops also provide broader functionality beyond gaming.

Best Steam Deck Alternative: The Asus ROG Ally X is our top recommendation, offering a user-friendly interface, strong performance, and attractive design. Its Windows 11 OS provides access to a wider game library.