Before investing in a handheld gaming device, take into account the following factors.
Decide if you want a handheld device that can connect to a larger TV screen for optimal gaming experience, regardless of whether it has a dock or not.
As the interest in gaming handhelds continues to rise, it’s important to weigh your options before making a purchase. This guide will explore factors to consider when buying a portable gaming console and offer tips for selecting the ideal one for you.
Determine Your Financial Plan
The decision on whether to purchase a handheld console often hinges upon one key factor: which one is best suited for your needs. If you’re considering buying a console, the price point of $500 for both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X may influence your choice since they offer identical storage capacities of 1TB. Alternatively, Nintendo Switch – recognized as top-of-the-line gaming device – has an attractive price tag at only $350; however its internal memory capacity scales down significantly to just 64GB in comparison.
Starting at $400 for the 256GB model, the Steam Deck is an ideal choice if you have a preference for PC games or titles that are accessible on Steam. However, obtaining the 1TB option would cost as much as $650 which is actually $150 more than what PS5 and Xbox Series X offer.
Priced at $500, the ROG Ally’s base-model comes with a powerful processor that surpasses those of PS5 and Xbox Series X.
The Z1 Extreme chip version is priced higher at $700 but offers even more power to play modern AAA games. Even though both models have only 512GB SSD storage capacity, they come equipped with a microSD slot, enabling users to expand their device storage.
Despite their seemingly high price, these options are actually more economical than building a gaming PC yourself. Our comprehensive purchasing guide for PCs indicates that constructing a mid-range gaming computer may cost you roughly $1,000 or potentially more for higher-end specifications starting at around $1,500.
Nonetheless choosing an assembled desktop system will result in better longevity as upgrades can be made to improve its performance over time.
Select the games that you wish to participate in
When deciding on a handheld gaming device, it’s important to take into account your preferred games.
If you enjoy PlayStation exclusives, then your options are limited to the PlayStation Portal unless streaming through Windows-based devices such as Asus ROG Ally using Playstation Plus appeals to you.
Conversely, those loyal to Nintendo are inclined to remain with the Switch since the brand has expressed disapproval towards emulators and taken legal action against emulator creators. Opting for Steam Deck as your preferred handheld gaming device is a pragmatic decision if you possess an extensive game collection on Steam.
In case you intend to play non-Steam games without installing Windows on your Steam Deck, consider opting for alternative handheld devices such as the ROG Ally or MSI Claw. These portable computers run on Windows and offer greater flexibility in terms of app installation compared to the Steam Deck.
Despite being able to install games on handheld consoles, not all of them are optimized for this type of gaming. This is particularly the case with real-time strategy games which were designed to be played using a larger screen and mouse/keyboard interface.
If you prefer these types of games, it’s best to stick with your PC or invest in a console dock such as ROG Ally docks or Valve Docking Station made specifically for Steam Deck.
Decide if You Prefer to Utilize a Dock
Although handheld gaming consoles provide convenience and flexibility for playing games on the go, enjoying them on a bigger screen is generally more favorable. If you do not have an additional console connected to your television or prefer not to invest in multiple devices, opting for a hand-held gadget that comes with a dock would be beneficial.
The Nintendo Switch is the ultimate demonstration of a handheld device that seamlessly transitions to docked gaming. Despite being six years old, it remains an exceptional tool suitable for both portable and console gaming experiences due to its accompanying docking station. Additionally, there’s no need to purchase individual controllers since two players can utilize the built-in detachable controllers simultaneously with ease.
This allows you to have an enhanced gaming experience when playing on the larger display. Just take note that there is a possibility of requiring additional expenses for controllers or Bluetooth mouse and keyboard in order to play on your TV through your handheld device, so plan accordingly if these items are missing from your setup
Determine the Duration of Your Gaming Sessions
A major benefit of having a gaming handheld is the ability to play games on-the-go.
To illustrate, the review of our Steam Deck revealed that it has a playtime of only one and a half hours when running high-end games. As such, you would need to connect it to an electrical outlet for uninterrupted gaming (or carry along an oversized power bank).
Undoubtedly, the portability of a handheld device remains an eminent edge over its gaming counterparts – desktop or laptop since you can effortlessly extract your compact console from your bag and start playing.
If your gaming sessions drain the battery quickly, then you’ll lose out on the portability advantage of a handheld device since it will require charging frequently. Nevertheless, if you indulge in less than an hour’s playtime per day or enjoy vintage games that demand minimal power consumption, utilizing a portable console would be reasonable for you.
Verify the specifications
Make sure to double-check the specifications before purchasing a handheld gaming console, as each option varies in quality and performance.
If your internet connection at home and the places where you plan on using it is weak, then PlayStation Portal would not be a suitable handheld for you since its functionality involves streaming exclusively from your PlayStation 5.
To use the Logitech G Cloud for gaming, you must have a game streaming subscription and access to high-speed internet since it primarily functions as a streaming device.
Before making a choice though, check the device’s storage capacity and whether its memory is expandable or upgradeable.
The ROG Ally and similar handheld devices also offer a choice of processors. Hence, it is advisable to evaluate the games you play before deciding whether opting for an expensive high-performing device is justified or if choosing a more economical basic version suffices.
Opting for a gaming handheld is the practical choice if you’re looking for an easily portable device to play games on without shelling out exorbitant amounts of money on a high-end rig. However, it’s important to take into account the factors we’ve outlined above when making your purchase so that you choose wisely and don’t regret buying later on.
