Gaming on the go: Find the perfect handheld for your needs

The portable console market is going from strength to strength, with more and more offerings. More choice is an advantage, but it also makes it more difficult to choose the perfect device. Pure performance is a priority for many, but is it right? When it comes to portable gaming, something more matters.

Steam Deck (OLED and LCD)

It is mainly thanks to a proposal from Valve that the handheld console market has begun to gain momentum. The Steam Deck is the only handheld in the list to use SteamOS, which is based on Linux. As of recently, we have the opportunity to buy this hardware in two versions – with an LCD screen and OLED. The biggest difference between these versions as the name suggests the screen, but not only. In the newer version (OLED) we get a larger battery and a more energy-efficient processor, so our session should become longer relative to the original version. Not only has the matrix changed in the screens, but also the refresh rate from 60Hz to 90Hz and the size from 7″ to 7.4″. Both versions of the Deck are equipped with two trackpads, on the right and left side of the screen. The hardware comes with a carrying case, a charger with a 45W cable and a Steam profile kit. For those who choose to buy the OLED 1TB version, they can expect an exclusive video at console launch and a virtual keyboard theme.

Asus ROG Ally (Z1 Extreme)

In theory, the proposal from Asus is more powerful than the Steam Deck. It has a screen with a higher resolution and refresh rate and a better processor – AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme. The ROG runs on a system from Microsoft with the Armoury Crate overlay. As for the screen, here we get an IPS matrix with 120Hz refresh rate with a size of 7″. In vain to look for trackpads here like in Valve’s proposal, instead we get RGB backlighting, which we can control from the aforementioned app. It’s also worth noting that this handheld is much smaller, making it easier to hold in your hands. In terms of extras, Asus comes off worst. All we get is a charger with cable and a paper console stand with the ROG logo.

Lenovo Legion Go

The youngest offering in the list, the Lenovo Legion Go. For that, it boasts the largest screen, as it has as much as 8.8″ and with 144Hz refresh rate on an IPS matrix. In comparison, the ROG Ally and Steam Deck LCD have only 7″, and the OLED version has 7.4″. The processor used by Lenovo is identical to that in the aforementioned console from Asus. Interestingly, the handheld has detachable controllers and a swiveling stand, just like on the Nintendo Switch. It comes with only one touch pad and, perhaps surprisingly, one of the controllers can be turned into a vertical mouse. With the purchase of the Lenovo console we receive, not only a charger with cable, but also a carrying case.

Comparison of battery endurance and performance

It is the battery that is the biggest drawback of the proposal from Asus. Actually, we get a choice of different performance modes, but either way the battery life leaves much to be desired. Especially when comparing it with the competition. The same problem, although on a smaller scale, is also the case with the Lenovo Legion Go. This one lasts longer than the ROG Ally and similarly to the Steam Deck LCD, but in a fight with the newer offering from Valve it doesn’t stand a chance, as this one has as much as 20% larger battery than the LCD version (not 40Wh as in the older version, but 50Wh). On such a Deck in the OLED version we will play up to 6-7h on simpler 2d games. Playing newer, more demanding games the working time drops to 2h, and choosing those older titles we can expect to run for 3-4h.

In terms of performance, the best performing handheld is the one from Lenovo Legion Go minimally ahead of the item from Asus. The worst performer in the list is the Steam Deck, but it makes up for it with the longest battery life.

Where can I buy games?

Although Steam Deck, as the name suggests, integrates best with Valve’s platform, this does not mean that we are doomed to a monopoly. It is possible to install other stores, such as GOG or Epic Games Store. While this process is not trivial, it is definitely doable. By choosing a handheld from Valve, we gain an additional advantage – the ability to check the compatibility of games with our device. For both the Legion Go and ROG Ally, this issue looks similar, as both two support Windows. Thanks to it, we do not have to gymnastics to install games from another source because it is fabulously easy.

Linux determines Deck’s failure?

In my opinion, absolutely not. In fact, for many people Linux is a rather “exotic” system, but there is nothing to fear. Using only the Steam game library, we are unlikely to see the system desktop with the Tux logo. In addition, thanks to the use of Linux, we do not have to worry about updates, as is the case with Windows. From time to time, we get a system update that fixes all issues such as security bugs, software vulnerabilities and performance problems.

Handheld price review

The LCD version of the Steam Deck comes in different variants – 64, 256 and 512GB. They cost £1,699, £1,899 and the highest model for £2,099 respectively, making them the cheapest in our list. The newer versions are only available in 512GB and 1TB variants. Their price is significantly higher than that of their older brother, as the manufacturer wishes for them at PLN 2,599 and PLN 3,099. The ROG Ally with the Z1 Extreme processor costs in the neighborhood of PLN 3099. It comes in a variant with 512GB of memory. With the same disk capacity and with a slightly higher price, we can get the Lenovo Legion Go handheld – because this one is available from PLN 3199.

Which handheld to choose?

We should make our choice based on how we plan to use the portable console. If we work from home and want to play games on a smaller screen from time to time, then the best option will be the Lenovo Legion Go. It offers great performance, which is most important at home, since we don’t need a very large battery. The Asus ROG Ally will be the best option for people who commute by public transportation to school or work. This is mainly due to the handiness of the device and its smallest weight of the consoles in the list. An additional advantage is also good performance, as in the case of the proposal from Lenovo. If you need a handheld for longer trips then the best option will be the Steam Deck. It lasts a long time on battery and does not take up a lot of space. Its only downside is the outlier performance relative to the competition.

See also: Krux Clapz – Review of a wireless headset at a good price