I remember 10 years ago, PC handhelds were the dream for a gamer to have. The earliest device that I remember seeing was the Raspberry Pi computer Handheld build that only if you know how to solder. And the likes of GPD emulation DS like handhelds such as the XP and XD series. Nowadays thanks to GPD and Valve SteamDeck everyone is on the bandwagon in the world of PC handheld gaming. Here's a list of those who made it today and those who paved the way for handhelds to exist in the first place.
Open-Pandor DragonBox and Pyra Handheld
From the good old days of watching YouTube, I stumbled upon a small computer called Pandora. It was a Linux Handheld on Debian that you can play retro games and use as a Laptop. The product was released in 2010 and seized production in 2013 for a new version called Dragonbox Pyra Handheld. I was truly aware of the project Dragonbox Pyra. Looking at it on its website was like a dream that I wish I had. Sadly GPD beat them by a Huge margin in 2016. The GPD win was released in 2017 while Pyra was still in its production Phase. And in 2020 there wasn't much said about it because of Covid that restricted the production process. I do see people having their hands on YouTube. The creator had said that despite the drawback they have updated their hardware specs and production lines has been resume.
His offical Response
Pyra Handheld was something awesome but failed to be there first.
The Official Pyra/Pandora site
SteamDeck
The SteamDeck is a handheld gaming device created by Valve. It was released in 2022 and has since become a popular option for gamers who want to play their favorite PC games on the go. The device features a 7-inch touchscreen display and runs on a custom version of SteamOS. It also has a 16-button control layout, making it easy to remap buttons or keybinds for different games. One of the standout features of the SteamDeck is its FPS cap lock on 40 frames per second. This helps to conserve power and extend the device's battery life. Additionally, the SteamDeck has a 15-watt feature that can save a little bit of power, allowing for up to 2-3 hours of additional battery life.
It has made Linux gaming easier for everyone thanks to Valve and the Proton community. It has community support, developer support, gaming support, and driver support, all in a tight container where it doesn't leak. This means that whenever there's a hotfix needed, they will do it quickly and patch things up. Overall, the SteamDeck is a great option for gamers who want a portable device that can play PC games. It offers a unique set of features and has a growing library of games available through Steam.
Valve has
Community Support
Developers Support
Gaming Support
Drivers support
all in one tight spot
One thing to note on, you will only get the 40fps feature in Game mode and not in desktop mode.
The Original SteamDeck was delivered to customers in 3 phases. 1-3rd quarters of 2022. I got mine during the 3rd quarter (September 2022) and then the following year in 2023 it was widely available to buy instead of waiting on ticket time.
The refresh was just released on NOVEMBER 18 2023.
You can also Buy a SteamDeck OLED at your local GameStop Right Now!
According to Valve on a EuroGamer Interview on Nov 09 2023. Valve has said
as the technology to launch a handheld with an adequately beefy jump in power just doesn't yet exist.
Don't expect Steam Deck 2.0 anytime soon, Valve has said,
click here for more info from Eurogamer
My Guess is wait until 2026?
AMD Radeon 780M RDNA3 Handhelds
Currently, Most Windows PC handhelds are running Ryzen 7 7840U/ 780M graphics these days.
Chinese Handhelds.
GPD win 4/ GPD mini
GPD win 4
GPD win mini
GPD was way ahead of its time, and I really think it's a still cool-looking machine to show off
However I don’t recommend it due to the price.
The Chinese customer service can be very doggy at times and hardware support
can be somewhere lol hahaha If you are interested there is a video down below from the Phax
GPD does also offer a exterinal GPU called GPD G1
This is where to get GPD win4
This is where to get GPD win max2
This is where to get GPD gp1 gpu
Aya Neo and OneXPlayer
Again nothing really interesting other than the aesthetics of the hardware around the rim lmao
Click here to get Ayaneo products
Click here to buy OneXPlayer2Pro
OneXPlayer has the version that I saw popping up on Facebook ads
and it's the same GPU from the GPD P1 ( RX 7600m XT ) that includes both Oculink/USB4
Click here to buy OneXPlayer2Pro
Both the ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion
Run Z1 extreme equivalent to 7840u/780m with higher clock speeds and more cache.
ROG ALLY
You can buy a ROG ALLY at Best Buy right now in the store or order it online
ASUS ROG ALLY on Best Buy Website
There might be a NEW ROG ALLY 2 this year "click here!" for more info from Windows Central
ROG ALLY ONLY available Exterinal GPU is not worth the money Lmao lol
Lenovo Legion Go
From what i am aware of you could order it online and pick it up from your local best buy?
Meaning They don't have units on hand on a Best Buy Store unlike the ASUS ROG ALLY
Lenovo Legion Go on Best Buy Website
FFXIV Performance on 780m
The only game I wanted to see from these 780M/Z1 Extreme machines
is how well it will perform is Final Fantasy 14
from what I can tell
it's just purely mid-performance without the 40fps cap.
Meaning when you're in the city the fps will juggle up and down.
But in dungeons, it will be 60fps. I am not sure about alliance raids I assume it's the same as well.
ROG ally FFXIV Video where i made a decision to just wait and see maybe im ok lol?
Another ROG ally FFXIV where going outside performance is really good
The only known video on how well FFXIV is on Lenovo legion Go on tiktok
Mobile GPU BenchMark for FFXIV
i'm not gonna lie its amazing lol I wish I have more money lmao
Razor MMO mouse/MMOKeypad doesnt work well on FFXIV/SteamDeck
It be awesome to use that on windows handheld... But i am still broke :( lmao.
I am fine with my steamdeck lmao lol
Intel Based Handhelds in 2024?
Don't forget , the next Big Handheld portable is coming from MSI called the Claw.
It is an Intel-based Handheld that is something like everything except it's not AMD.
Prices have been suggested to be more expensive than AMD at 799.99 for i7 and i5 GPU at 699.99.
"CLICK HERE" Windows central article on MSI CLAW
"CLICK HERE" Verge article on MSI CLAW have VRR 48-120hz
Why I am not convince on the windows Handheld just yet?
My only problem with these products is that it's not interesting enough not that they run on Windows
But.... they don't have the spark of that special sauce that SteamDeck is having.
It doesn't innovate Hardware or Software.
And it is going to be obsolete really fast due to so many things going on with the Windows side that seems quite iffy
For example, These companies are going to have to deal with
Microsoft windows 11/12
Their own Third-party Steam-Like Software
"You may never know if it's going to be a virus lol"
AMD drivers on their hardware
Hardware support if they can offer service on battery defects etc.
So many things can go wrong, I do see why people choose these Handhelds with Windows.
They can play any game just like they would on their desktop Windows computer.
However, it won't have the features the SteamDeck has such as a 40fps capped lock.
This means any game could be locked on 30 FPS/60 FPS, or it can go anywhere between 45fps through 50.
VRR can be the solution but I don't know how intel is going to tackle it on the MSI Claw?
Do I really need a External GPU?
Ahh, not really no? It is just an added feature that you can expand if you have the extra cash on you. I mean Just the APU is sufficient for your needs in a small form factor. 780M performance is better than 680m.I wish I had extra money to get all that stuff for a small form factor. So yeah unless you have 1,000 on hand lol. You are pretty much golden.
Do I need a docking station to plug in my TV or monitor?
I think it will depend? On what you're doing?
I would recommend just getting the Jsaux docking station rather than Steam's own docking station. The Jsaux is cheaper at $29.99 and you get an SSD slot if pay 80 dollars more. For 69.99 you are just getting a plain docking station that doesn't make sense just wait when it's on a Steam sale.
To wrap up this whole thing
Which one do I need? It depends?
Do you have games that aren't compatible with Linux
Are u not Comfortable at all using Linux
just get ASUS ROG Ally , Lenovo Legion, or wait for the soon to be release MSI CLAW?.
If you like to get the simple no-questions ask just get the Steamdeck
and play the games that are compatible on Steam?