It is such a good time for handheld gaming. Now that the Switch showed how good that larger handheld can be and Valve’s Steam Deck took hold, so many other companies are making and selling handheld gaming PCs, which means you can choose from so many fun things when putting together your 2024 wishlist or shopping guide. Here are our gift guide suggestions for the year.
Table of contents
Best Actual Steam Deck: 512GB OLED Valve Steam Deck
If your heart is set on an actual Steam Deck, and you don’t want to worry about other operating systems or setting things up, then the 512GB OLED model is the one you should consider. It will immediately start working with your library. You get the assurance of that “Deck Verified” note on product pages and category in your library.
At this point, the $549 OLED model sold via Valve is your best bet. The 512GB SSD is a good size, and you can expand that with another card in the microSD slot. However, if you want to save money, you can go with the $349 64GB LCD model. GameStop also sells refurbished models.
Strongest Handheld Gaming PC: Lenovo Legion Go
The Lenovo Legion Go has you covered on a number of fronts. It has a much larger screen than competitors, at 8.8 inches, which is a QHD model. There are detachable side controllers and a kickstand on the unit, like the Switch, which helps with the weight. It’s also a Windows 11 device with Ryzen Z1 Extreme, which helps with gaming compatibility. And because it is a Windows handheld PC, you have more options to easily get other storefronts like Epic and GOG or games that aren’t possible on other handheld PCs like Final Fantasy XIV.
As for how to get the Lenovo Legion Go, you have some options! Both Amazon and Best Buy would work. The 512GB SSD version tends to be $699.99, and the 1TB SSD one is around $749. However, at time of writing the 1TB version is $599.99 at Best Buy.
Most Affordable Handheld PC That Isn’t a Steam Deck: ASUS ROG Ally Z1
Okay, so typically and also even in the case of a Steam Deck, you should probably expect to pay over $500 for a handheld gaming PC. It’s just the nature of things at the moment. However, there is a solid option if you want a system, but want to come in as close to $500 as possible. That would be the ASUS ROG Ally Z1. The model I’m recommending is a 512GB SSD one with the AMD Ryzen Z1, as mentioned in the name. It’s a Windows system, just like the Legion Go. The screen is smaller at 7 inches, but you still get 1080p resolution. So you still have a capable handheld with more freedom than a Steam Deck.
Once again, Amazon and Best Buy will likely be your best bets for for this one. It should be about $499.99 at each, when it isn’t on sale.
Most Unconventional Handheld PC: AYANEO Slide or AYANEO Flip
AYANEO is doing some fun things! Which can also make their handheld gaming PC models hard to find. But if you can, it can be pretty cool! I’m basically going to recommend two of them here, if you want something unusual. One is the AYANEO Slide. It has a Sony PSP Go or Ericsson Xperia feel to it, as you can slide the screen up to reveal a full keyboard. It’s a AMD Ryzen 7 7840U device as well, with a 512GB SSD and 6 inch, 1080p screen. It’s easiest to find one direct through AYANEO for $699, as places like Best Buy only carry things like the KUN or NEXT LITE for now.
The other AYANEO Flip DS and KB models are so unusual, you might have a lot of trouble finding them! They’re basically based on the Nintendo DS and 3DS designs. The Flip DS has dual screens, one on the top and bottom. The Flip KB has a screen on top and full keyboard on the bottom. Each has AMD Ryzen 7 7840U or 8840U, a 7 inch top screen, and at least a 512GB SSD. They are so elusive at the moment so that I couldn’t see it on AYANEO’s store. The best I could do when finding possible places for these recommendations came up when I was checking Amazon, which shows a listing for the 8840U, 2TB AYANEO Flip KB model for $1208.
Best Handheld That Isn’t a PC or Steam Deck: Nintendo Switch OLED
Okay, hear me out. What if you also just… get a Nintendo Switch? Yes, partially this is a joke. But if you have certain types of games you want to play in mind, then maybe that could be a way to go? A Switch is a lot lighter to hold than a Steam Deck or handheld PC. If you prefer certain genres of games, the library is substantial. Plus with the Switch Lite model being $199.99 at places like Amazon or Walmart, it could be an affordable placeholder while you determine if you really do want a $500-1,000 handheld gaming PC.
Published: Oct 28, 2024 03:15 pm