Valve, for example, recently opened up reservations for its upcoming handheld gaming PC, the Steam Deck, and the response was (to say the least) pretty positive. In fact, it might’ve been a little too positive...
Reservations to buy the Steam Deck were snatched up almost immediately, and even those who managed to break through and secure a spot still aren’t guaranteed to get their hands on a console.
The Aya Neo is one of the most desirable of all the current handheld gaming PC offerings. It runs Windows and has a similar, but not identical CPU and GPU to the Steam Deck, making it capable of handling most AAA titles, though not always at 60fps. You can actually buy an Aya Neo right now with expected shipping in August.
The GPD Win 3 parallel’s a lot of what’s attractive about the Steam Deck. This Crowdfunded handheld comes with an Intel CPU with Xe graphics, which are actually pretty powerful. There are some titles that aren’t fully compatible with Xe graphics, but that could change with updated drivers.
It also has a pretty amazing form factor. The handhelds 5.5-inch screen slides up to reveal a keyboard, though various reviewers seem to hate it.
The OneGX1 is a Windows-based device that toes the line between gaming laptop and handheld and comes with two detachable controllers that can be slotted onto either side. The D-Pad looks quite bad, but the rest of the layout looks pretty standard. The OneGX1 is pricey, so it seems like it’s only really an option for people who absolutely must have a mini laptop.
- CPU: Intel 10th Core i5 10210Y CPU
- GPU: Intel UHD 617 (24 EU)
- Memory: 16GB DDR3 RAM
- Battery life: about 3 hours while gaming
- Display: 1080p
The OnexPlayer is a powerful handheld gaming PC with a 2,560 x 1,600p resolution display (which is probably overkill). Like the rest of the field, it’s the product of a crowdfunding campaign and a comes in two tiers. It’s also quite a bit larger than other handhelds, weighing 1.8 lbs, though with that extra weight, you get a lot of power. Unfortunately, these aren’t easy to get your hands on right now, as the Indiegogo campaign recently ended, though given the popularity, they may be available again at some point.
Okay, this isn’t a handheld gaming PC, but the Ayn Odin is an Android-based handheld that might be an emulation slam dunk for anyone not looking to spend $1,000 or more on a high-end portable gaming PC. It’s difficult to give the Ayn Odin a complete rundown since it’s still very much a work in progress, but might be something worth having on your radar.