When you think of gaming on the go, the first thing that probably comes to mind is mobile phone gaming. And who can blame you? After all, the clue is in the name – mobile phones are designed to be portable. And nowadays, it’s basically glued in our hands. So, when we're out and about, it's only natural to reach for our phones for a bit of entertainment. We've all been there, matching sweet treats on Candy Crush, taking down enemy bases in Mobile Legends or League of Legends: Wild Rift, and engaging in intense firefights with Call of Duty Mobile. However, sometimes the craving for a gaming experience beyond these familiar titles kicks in. But here's the thing – you can think big, and I mean, really big. The gaming world has expanded to include powerful handheld gaming PCs and consoles that are making waves in the market. Let's dive into the realm of portable gaming and explore some of the exciting options available, shall we?
The concept of handheld personal computers isn't anything new; it has been around since the 90s. However, we're witnessing a renewed interest in this idea, thanks to the continuous innovation from electronics and gaming companies.
Imagine having the entire Steam library at your fingertips, playable wherever you go. This vision is now a reality with the Steam Deck. Valve's handheld gaming PC seamlessly integrates with the vast Steam ecosystem, fulfilling the dreams of gamers. Launched on February 25, 2022, the Steam Deck is available in three variations (64GB, 256GB, 512GB). All variants share the same core specifications, including an AMD Zen 2 CPU, 16GB RAM, a 7” display at 1280 x 800 resolution, and more. The difference lies in the storage – the 64GB variant features eMMC storage, while the 256GB and 512GB variants both come with NVMe SSDs.
Then, on November 16, 2023, Valve introduced a new model - the Steam Deck OLED. This iteration features an upgraded OLED screen, replacing the previous IPS display. The transition to OLED enhances the gaming experience with more vibrant colors, immersing players in their virtual worlds. But there's more! With the Steam Deck OLED, users can enjoy extended battery life, quicker downloads, and a lighter system in their hands compared to the previous model.
While it is technically not officially available in the Philippines, local retailers already have it on their shelves. Just like us! We’re currently offering all variations. You can browse here:
Following the success of the Steam Deck, Asus stepped into the arena with its iteration – the ROG Ally. Released on June 13, 2023, this sleek, white knight of a device offers most of what the Steam Deck does and then some. It runs the Windows 11 operating system and features an AMD Z1 Extreme (on higher models), an incredible IPS display with FHD resolution, and a 120Hz refresh rate – all packed into a lighter package. Plus, it comes with a few extra bells and whistles that you'd expect with the ROG branding.
Continuing in the handheld gaming PC race, Lenovo entered the fray on October 31, 2023, unveiling the Legion Go. At first glance, it may appear unassuming, but when compared to the previously mentioned handheld PCs, it stands out with its incredibly larger 8.8” display. What's more, it seamlessly fuses the ideas of a PC and console with its detachable controller and built-in kickstand, allowing users to use it handheld or on tabletop – a design reminiscent of the versatility found in the Nintendo Switch.
Here’s a table to compare them to one another:
| Steam Deck OLED | ROG Ally | Lenovo Legion Go | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | SteamOS 3 (Arch-based) | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home | |
| Processor | CPU | Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz (up to 448 GFlops FP32 6 nm process) | AMD Ryzen™ Z1 Extreme Processor ("Zen4" architecture with 4nm process, 8-core /16-threads, 24MB total cache, up to 5.10 Ghz boost) | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme (3.3-5.1Ghz 8MB L2/16MB L3) |
| AMD Ryzen™ Z1 Processor ("Zen4" architecture with 4nm process, 6-core /12-threads, 22MB total cache, up to 4.90 Ghz boost) | AMD Ryzen Z1 (3.2-4.9Ghz 6MB L2/16MB L3) | |||
| GPU | 8 RDNA 2 CUs, 1.6GHz (1.6 TFlops FP32) 6nm process | AMD Radeon™ Graphics (AMD RDNA™ 3, 12 CUs, up to 2.7 GHz, up to 8.6 Teraflops) | AMD Radeon Graphics | |
| TDP | 4-15W | 9-30W | up to 30W | |
| Display | Type | HDR OLED | IPS-level | IPS |
| Finish | Matte | Glossy | Glossy | |
| Size | 7.4" | 7″ | 8.8" | |
| Resolution | 1280 x 800 | FHD 1920 x 1080 | WQXGA (2560 x 1600) | |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | 144Hz | |
| Response Time | <0.1 ms | 7ms | 7ms | |
| Adaptive Sync | FreeSync Premium | |||
| Touchscreen | 10-point multi-touch | 10-point multi-touch | 10-point multi-touch | |
| Key Features | Gorilla Glass DXC | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | ||
| Touchscreen | Gorilla Glass Victu | |||
| Memory | 16 GB LPDDR5 on-board RAM (6400 MT/s quad 32-bit channels) | 16GB LPDDR5 on board (6400MT/s dual channel) | 16GB 7500Mhz LPDDR5X on board | |
| Storage | 512GB / 1TB | 512GB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| I/O Ports | Headphone / Mic jack | 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack | 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack | 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack |
| External connectivity for controllers & displays | Display port over Type C; up to 8K @60Hz or 4K @120Hz, USB3 gen 2 | 1x ROG XG Mobile Interface and USB Type-C combo port (with USB 3.2 Gen2, support DisplayPort™ 1.4) | 2x USB4 40Gbps (support data transfer, Power Delivery 3.0 and DisplayPort™ 1.4) | |
| microSD | UHS-I supports SD, SDXC and SDHC | 1x UHS-II microSD card reader (supports SD, SDXC and SDHC) | MicroSD card reader (supports up to 2TB) | |
| Control and Input | Gamepad controls | A B X Y buttons | A B X Y buttons | A B X Y buttons |
| D-pad | D-pad | D-pad | ||
| L & R analog triggers | L & R Hall Effect analog triggers | L & R analog triggers | ||
| L & R bumpers | L & R bumpers | L & R bumpers | ||
| View & Menu buttons | View & Menu buttons | View & Menu buttons | ||
| 4 x assignable grip buttons | 2 x assignable grip buttons | 6 x assignable grip buttons | ||
| Command Center button | Legion L/R | |||
| Armoury Crate button | ||||
| Thumbsticks | 2 x full-size analog sticks with capacitive touch | 2 x full-size analog sticks | L & R hall effect joysticks | |
| Haptics | HD haptics | HD haptics | HD haptics | |
| Gyro | 6-Axis IMU | 6-Axis IMU | 6-Axis IMU | |
| Trackpad | 2 x 32.5mm square trackpads with haptic feedback Pressure-sensitivity for configurable click strength | None | Buttonless Mylar Surface Touchpad (R controller) 28.5 x 28.5mm | |
| Additional | Mouse wheel (R) | |||
| Mouse sensor (R) | ||||
| 2x controllers release buttons | ||||
| Audio | Channels | Stereo with embedded DSP for an immersive listening experience | 2-speaker system with Smart Amplifier Technology | 2 x 2W Speakers |
| Certification | Hi-Res certification | |||
| Surround Sound | Dolby Atmos | |||
| AI noise-canceling technology | ||||
| Microphones | Dual microphone array | Built-in array microphone | Dual-array near-field microphone | |
| Network and Communication | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.3 | |
| Power | Input | PD3.0 Type C power supply, 45W 2.5m cable | TYPE-C, 65W AC Adapter, Output: 20V DC, 3.25A, 65W, Input: 100~240V AC 50/60Hz universal | 65W USB-C® (3-pin) AC adapter, supports PD 3.0, 100-240V, 50-60Hz |
| 65W USB-C slim (wall-mount) AC adapter, supports PD 3.0, 100-240V, 50-60Hz | ||||
| Battery | 40WHrs, 4S1P, 4-cell Li-ion | 49.2Whr | 4310mAh (Approximately 4.5 - 9 hours) | |
| Weight | Approx. 640 grams | 608 g | Base Module: 640g / 1.41lbs | |
| Base Module w/ Legion TrueStrike Controllers: 854g / 1.88lbs | ||||
| Dimensions | 298mm x 117mm x 49mm | 28.0 x 11.1 x 2.12 ~ 3.24 cm (11.02" x 4.37" x 0.83" ~ 1.28") | Base Module: 20.1mm x 210mm x 131mm / .79″ x 8.27″ x 5.16″ | |
| Base Module w/ Controllers: 40.7mm x 298.83mm x 131mm / 1.60″ x 11.76″ x 5.16″ | ||||
| Security | Built-in Fingerprint Sensor | |||
| Microsoft Pluton security processor | ||||
Choosing between the Steam Deck, ROG Ally, and Legion Go comes down to personal preference. If you're all about a large screen, removable controllers, and buttons galore, the Legion Go might be your pick. For a seamless, convenient experience with a punchy display and a longer battery life, the Steam Deck OLED is your go-to. And if you crave a handheld gaming PC that feels and looks premium, the ROG Ally is your well... ally.
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