The landscape of portable gaming is shifting as handheld gaming PCs become more powerful and accessible. While Valve's Steam Deck pioneered the modern era, new competitors are raising the bar for performance and user experience. The market now features devices that can run demanding AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 with impressive frame rates, bridging the gap between desktop power and mobile convenience.
Key developments include the strategic partnership between Microsoft and Asus, resulting in the ROG Xbox Ally X. This device introduces a dedicated Xbox Full Screen Experience, streamlining how users access games across different storefronts. Additionally, Lenovo has refined its Legion Go S model, swapping out its original operating system for SteamOS and upgrading to the Z1 Extreme processor. These advancements suggest that the era of bulky gaming laptops may be waning in favor of more compact, versatile hardware.
The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X represents a significant collaboration between Microsoft and Asus. Designed to serve as a pilot run for a more controller-friendly version of Windows 11, this device debuts the Xbox Full Screen Experience. This new interface boots directly into a full-screen Xbox app, allowing users to download and launch games from Steam, GOG, and the Epic Games Store without needing to navigate a traditional desktop environment.
Performance is a major highlight of this device. In testing, the ROG Xbox Ally X achieved up to 44fps in Cyberpunk 2077 at high settings with Quality upscaling. Even when unplugged and running at a 17W power setting, it maintained 30-35fps in most scenarios. However, the device comes with a premium price tag of $999, which places it at the higher end of the market.
Initially launched in February 2025 with a Z2 Go processor and Windows 11, the Lenovo Legion Go S faced performance challenges. Lenovo has since rectified this by releasing a new configuration featuring the Z1 Extreme processor and native SteamOS. This change has transformed the device into a formidable competitor, beating the Asus ROG Ally X in synthetic benchmarks by as much as 9%.
Despite costing $829, the Legion Go S offers significant value over the original Steam Deck, providing double the performance in some instances. It achieved a solid 60fps in Baldur's Gate 3, a feat the Steam Deck struggles to match. The device also boasts a high-resolution LCD display and an ergonomic design with rounded edges and a textured finish, making it comfortable to hold despite its larger size.
Despite the arrival of newer, more powerful hardware, the original Steam Deck remains a relevant and popular choice. Released three years ago, it continues to be praised for its ease of use and accessibility. The primary advantage of the Steam Deck is its price point, which is roughly half that of the new Lenovo Legion Go S.
While it lacks the raw power and screen resolution of the newer competitors, the Steam Deck established the blueprint for modern handheld PC gaming. For many users, the lower cost and proven ecosystem are sufficient, though the performance gap is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore as games become more demanding.
The handheld gaming PC sector is maturing rapidly, offering consumers a variety of high-performance options. The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X leads in raw speed and software integration, while the Lenovo Legion Go S offers a balanced package of ergonomics and SteamOS versatility. Both devices command a premium price, reflecting the advanced technology packed into their compact frames.
As manufacturers continue to refine hardware and operating systems, the line between portable and stationary gaming continues to blur. Whether prioritizing the Xbox Full Screen Experience or the SteamOS library, gamers now have powerful alternatives to gaming laptops that fit in a backpack.
