As someone who has recently dived headfirst into the world of gaming handhelds, I must say that it has been nothing short of a game-changer (pun intended) for me! Ever since I got my hands on my first one – the Steam Deck – I’ve found myself playing games more comfortably than ever before, whether lounging in bed or joining my husband in the living room while he watches TV.
As a researcher delving into the realm of portable gaming, I’ve had the privilege of testing each major handheld gaming device currently available on the market. The excitement is palpable as Black Friday deals are now live, and among them, you can find significant discounts for these very devices. If you’re considering joining the ranks of portable gamers, this could be the perfect opportunity to grab one of these powerful, pocket-sized gaming machines. Whether it’s the Steam Deck, ROG Ally, Legion Go, Nintendo Switch, or another device that catches your eye, I wholeheartedly recommend seizing the deal while you can.
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Pro 1 – There have been a lot of price drops recently
Most gaming handhelds available today are nearing the end of their product life cycle, which is around a year old for each generation. Consequently, you can often find these devices at reduced prices instead of their original retail price, especially during sales promotions. From our observations, Best Buy tends to offer the best deals on gaming handhelds.
Over the shopping events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Prime Days, gaming handhelds have often experienced significant price reductions of $100 or more. This makes them much more budget-friendly, and it’s likely that this trend will repeat. It’s an excellent opportunity to purchase your initial handheld device or upgrade to a superior one.
TRADE-IN DEAL: Here’s some good news! From now until December 31, 2024, Best Buy has a trade-in offer for your ROG Ally. You can save up to $230 when you trade it in for an ROG Ally X. This includes a $50 coupon towards your ROG Ally X purchase and a gift card worth up to $180 based on the model and condition of your traded-in handheld. This is another great opportunity for you to get a budget-friendly new gaming handheld this year.
Pro 2 – You can play your PC games on the go (or in bed)
Ever since my childhood in the 90s, I’ve been immersed in PC gaming, amassing a substantial collection of games across different platforms. What makes portable game devices appealing is their ability to let me play most of these games on-the-go without needing to carry around a rather heavy gaming laptop. It’s incredibly convenient!
Without fail, whenever I embark on a vacation or business journey, my ROG Ally is always among the essential items I bring along. It serves as an excellent source of entertainment during car rides, lengthy flights, or idle moments in my hotel room. On my recent trip, I found myself engrossed in Ghost of Tsushima on the initial flight and Celeste on the subsequent one. Not only does it provide me with hours of gaming pleasure, but I also enjoy using it every evening before retiring to bed.
FROM A RESEARCHER’S PERSPECTIVE: If my primary interest lies in gaming from my Steam library, I would lean towards the Steam Deck, given its user-friendly SteamOS interface. However, for those seeking a handheld device that functions more like a traditional laptop, offering access to platforms such as Battle.net, Epic Games, and others out of the box, the ROG Ally or Legion Go might be a better fit.
Pro 3 – There are plenty of options, each with a different focus
It appears that almost every few weeks, a fresh gaming handheld is hinted at, announced, or launched. The advantage of the top-tier gaming handhelds currently available lies in their unique benefits, making them suitable for diverse scenarios. One user might favor the Steam Deck over others, while another may opt for the ROG Ally X due to its distinct features. Here’s a rundown of the best options currently out there and what sets each one apart from the rest.
Steam Deck is affordable and easy to use
ROG Ally is a small Windows 11 gaming laptop with the best performance and specs
Legion Go is a Windows 11 handheld with a massive screen and detachable controllers
AYANEO Flip DS has two screens for multitasking between programs
MSI Claw was the first main AI PC gaming handheld
Nintendo Switch is ideal for co-op multiplayers
Pro 4 – Handhelds can function as a full computer (and cost less)
Many individuals have opted to replace their traditional computers or laptops with handheld gaming devices running Windows 11, such as the Legion Go or ROG Ally. Although they come at a premium price, they are more affordable compared to high-end gaming laptops and desktops. With the appropriate accessories, you can utilize these devices in much the same way as a standard gaming laptop.
Pro 5 – They offer fantastic performance for a portable device
The Steam Deck, right out of the box, is capable of playing a wide array of games from your Steam Library (as well as many unverified ones), thanks to its verification process. On the other hand, portable devices like the ROG Ally, Legion Go, and MSI Claw running on Windows 11 function as miniature computers, enabling them to run games across various platforms such as Epic Games, Battle.net, and others.
A gaming handheld device may not deliver the same graphical performance as a top-tier desktop for gaming, but it can usually run the latest games at decent frames per second (FPS) and offer good motion clarity. Adjusting some system or game settings might be necessary to achieve the best possible gaming experience.
TIPS FROM THE PROS: To maximize the performance of your ASUS handheld device, be sure to enable AFMF (Adaptive Frequency Monitoring Framework) and boost the VRAM (Video Random Access Memory). This simple adjustment can significantly enhance your user experience.
Con 1 – We’re mid-gen with newer devices around the corner
The flip side of my initial pro for getting a gaming handheld this Black Friday is also my first con. We know that Lenovo, ASUS, MSI, Zotac, Acer, and Nintendo are all planning on releasing new gaming handhelds relatively soon (such as Legion Go S, ROG Ally 2, MSI AI Claw 2, Zotac Zone, Acer Nitro Blaze 7, and Nintendo Switch 2).
It’s possible that there could be offerings from other companies as well, including a newly verified Xbox portable device (though it won’t be available for a few more years). If you’re aiming for the most up-to-date and top-notch devices, you might consider waiting for their release before making a purchase.
Until these new gaming handhelds are officially announced with their specifications, pricing, and release dates, it may be wiser to purchase a highly-rated model currently available on the market. You can always consider upgrading later if a superior option becomes available.
Con 2 – Battery life still isn’t great
As an analyst, I find that, much like gaming laptops, most handheld gaming devices tend to have relatively short battery lives across different brands. However, the Steam Deck stands out as one of the exceptions with a battery life ranging from two to eight hours, depending on the specific game being played and the settings selected.
In comparison to earlier models like the ROG Ally, Legion Go, MSI Claw, and most AYANEO devices, which typically run out of power within an hour to three hours, the ROG Ally X boasts twice the battery capacity of the original Ally. However, even with this enhancement, it’s expected to last approximately two hours when operating at maximum TDP and playing demanding games.
BATTERY TIP: I get around this issue by either using one of the best handheld power banks, playing while the handheld is plugged in, or else connecting my handhelds to a docking station, but if that doesn’t sound appealing, then you might not want a gaming handheld.
I wouldn’t want to be without my beloved gaming handhelds
Without a doubt, having both the Steam Deck and ROG Ally has made it possible for me to enjoy playing PC games in a more convenient manner, no matter where I go.
Most nights, I snuggle up with my portable device and either explore new games or revisit my favorites, all from the comfort of my bed. If I wish to spend time with my husband in the living room, I can join him on the couch as he watches TV or plays on his Xbox Series X. In fact, I’ve been known to carry my devices around the kitchen while I cook or work on various tasks.
One of the best things about having a gaming handheld is that I can entertain myself while playing everything from indie classics to the latest big titles while traveling. I’ve entertained myself by playing games like Ghost of Tsushima, Cyberpunk 2077, and even Baldur’s Gate 3 while on airplanes and road trips. It really is very convenient.
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2024-11-14 17:09