Since the presence of Steam Deck and ROG Ally by 2023, gamers' interest in handheld gaming is increasing. Although in terms of performance, they cannot compete with gaming laptops, their main advantage lies in portability. This makes gaming handhelds more desirable, especially for gamers who want to play anywhere and anytime.

The problem is, there are so many gaming handheld options on the market, that it can be confusing to choose. But don't worry! In this article, we've summarized the best gaming handhelds you can buy right now-complete with their pros, cons, and specifications!

1. ROG Ally X

Kelebihan ASUS ROG Ally X 1
SpecificationsDetails
Year of Release2024
Screen7-inch, 1920 x 1200 pixels, IPS, 60Hz
ProcessorAMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme
Storage1TB M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 SSD
Operating SystemWindows 11
Battery80Wh
Port2x USB Type-C (one of which supports Thunderbolt™)
PriceN/A

Pros

  • Bigger, Tighter: Powered by 24GB LPDDR5X-7500 memory and 1TB M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 SSD storage, the ROG Ally X offers significantly better gaming performance than its predecessor.
  • Ergonomic and Practical Design: The buttons and joystick are better designed to be more ergonomic, with a more comfortable hand grip. It also features two USB Type-C ports, one of which supports Thunderbolt™.
  • Better Cooling System: It utilizes two dedicated fans that are 23% smaller yet capable of 24% better airflow, keeping the operational temperature up to 6⁰C lower.

Disadvantages

  • Weight: Although relatively light, the weight of 678 grams can be a little heavy for a PC gaming handheld for some users.
  • Availability: As of now, the availability of the ROG Ally X is not yet available in Indonesia but is reportedly coming to Indonesia.

2. Lenovo Legion Go S

SpecificationsDetails
Operating SystemWindows 11
CPUAMD Ryzen Z2 Go (4.3GHz, 4 Core, 8 Threads)
GPUAMD Radeon Graphics (AMD RDNA 3.5, 12 CUs)
MemoryUp to 32GB 6400Mhz LPDDR5X
StorageUp to 1TB M.2 2242 SSD
NetworkWi-Fi 6E; Bluetooth 5.3
Battery55.5Whr

Pros:

  • Compact and Lightweight Design: The Lenovo Legion Go S has a more compact and lightweight design, making it more portable and convenient for extended use.
  • Quality Screen: The 8-inch IPS touchscreen with WUXGA resolution (1920×1200 pixels) and 120 Hz Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support, provides a sharp and responsive display.
  • Good Performance: Powered by an AMD Ryzen Z1 processor, the Legion Go S is capable of running casual games and some AAA games at mid-range settings.
  • Full Connectivity: Equipped with two USB 4 ports, a microSD card reader, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3 for fast and stable connectivity.

Disadvantages:

  • Smaller Battery Capacity: Smaller 40Wh battery capacity compared to the Legion Go variant, resulting in shorter usage duration.
  • Limited Performance for Heavy Games: While it is capable of running AAA games, its performance is more suitable for casual games and medium settings.
  • Less Premium Material: Some premium elements are sacrificed to achieve a more affordable price, so the build quality may feel less robust compared to the Legion Go variant.

Also Read: 7 Best and Most Powerful ROG Laptops

3. Steam Deck

Steam Deck - handheld console game terbaik
SpecificationsDetails
Operating SystemSteamOS 3 (Arch-based) with KDE Plasma desktop
CPUAMD Zen 2, 4 cores/8 threads, 2.4-3.5 GHz (up to 448 GFlops FP32)
GPU8 CUs RDNA 2, 1.6 GHz (1.6 TFlops FP32)
Memory16 GB of on-board LPDDR5 RAM (6400 MT/s, four 32-bit channels)
StorageOptions: 512GB or 1TB NVMe SSD, including high-speed microSD card slot
NetworkBluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 6E Tri-band (2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz) 2×2 MIMO, IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax
Battery50Wh battery, 3-12 hours of usage depending on game usage

Pros:

  • More Affordable Price: Sold at a price range of 6 million, cheaper than the ROG Ally.
  • Ability Emulator: Can use emulators to play games outside of Steam, so playing games can be more flexible.
  • Extensive Game Library: Supports many popular games including AAA games on Steam despite using Linux-based SteamOS.
  • Responsive Control: Comfortable and responsive controls and joysticks for a good gaming experience.
  • Enough Specifications: Powered by an AMD Zen 2 custom APU with 16 GB of RAM, it is sufficient enough to run SteamOS compatible games.

Disadvantages:

  • Game Compatibility Limitations: Not all games on Steam are playable as the SteamOS operating system is Linux-based.
  • Weight: The weight of about 680 grams can make users feel sore if used for a long time.
  • Screen Quality: The 7-inch LCD screen used is not as vibrant as the OLED screen, like on the Nintendo Switch.
  • Battery Duration Variation: Battery life varies depending on the type of game being played, which can be inefficient for long-term gaming.

4. Nintendo Switch OLED

Nintendo Switch OLED
SpecificationsDetails
Operating SystemDedicated Operating System for Nintendo Switch
CPU/GPUCustom Tegra processor from NVIDIA
Memory
Storage64 GB of internal storage, expandable using microSDHC or microSDXC cards up to 2TB
NetworkWi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac compliant), Bluetooth 4.1
BatteryLithium-ion battery, 4310mAh, battery duration 4.5 - 9 hours depending on the game

Pros:

  • Affordable Price: It can be purchased for around 3 to 4 million, which is quite friendly for the best handheld console from Nintendo.
  • OLED Display: Screens with OLED panels offer richer and sharper colors, improving visual quality.
  • Comfortable Size: Although larger than the Lite version, the size and dimensions are still comfortable to hold.
  • Full Game Library: Has a very complete collection of games, supporting Nintendo games as well as games from developer Other.
  • Flexible Battery Duration: Battery lasts between 4.5 hours to 9 hours depending on the game being played, providing flexibility in usage.

Disadvantages:

  • Size May Be Too Big for Kids: Larger dimensions may not be suitable for small children.
  • Limited Storage Capacity: The 4GB RAM and 64GB flash memory may feel 'claustrophobic' for storing heavy games.
  • Battery Duration Uncertainty: Although there is a battery duration estimate, there is no exact figure on how long the battery can last for gaming.

Also Read: ASUS Vivobook S 15 OLED BAPE Edition, a cool streetwear laptop!

5. MSI Claw 8 Ai+ R2VM

MSI Claw
SpecificationsDetails
Operating SystemWindows 11 Home
CPUIntel® Core™ Ultra 7 258V with Intel® AI Boost (NPU)
GPUIntel® Arc™ Graphics
MemoryMaximum 32GB LPDDR5-6400
Storage1TB PCie Gen4x4 M.2 2230
NetworkIntel® Killer™ BE Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 5.4
Battery6-Cell, 53 Whr

Pros:

  • High Performance: Powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor and Intel Arc 140V GPU, providing excellent performance for gaming and productivity.
  • Quality Screen: The 8-inch display with 1920 x 1200 pixel resolution and 120 Hz refresh rate, provides a sharp and responsive display.
  • Ergonomic Design: More comfortable and intuitive design, suitable for various hand sizes.
  • Long-Lasting Battery: 80 Whr battery that can support up to 28 hours of video playback and up to 4 hours of gaming.
  • Efficient Cooling System: Cooler Boost Hyper Flow technology keeps components cool during intensive use.
  • Large Storage Capacity: Comes with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage, as well as an additional slot for microSD cards.

Disadvantages:

  • High Price: At around $900 or 14 million Rupiah, this device is quite expensive.
  • Limited Portability: Despite being a handheld console, its large size and 795g weight make it less portable compared to some competitors.
  • MSI Software: Some users report that the MSI software occasionally encounters problems.

6. Lenovo Legion Go

Lenovo Legion Go
SpecificationsDetails
Operating SystemWindows 11 Home
CPUUp to AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme with AMD RDNA Graphics
GPUIntegrated in AMD RDNA Graphics
Memory16 GB LPDDR5X 7500 MHz
Storage256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 options
NetworkWi-Fi 6E (802.11 ax) 2×2, Bluetooth 5.2
Battery2-cell 49.2 WHr battery with Super Rapid Charge, 900 mAh battery controller

Pros:

  • Powerful Processor: Using the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chipset, the same as the ROG Ally, promises performance on par with its strongest competitors.
  • Larger and Higher Quality Screen: The 8.8-inch display with QHD+ (2560 x 1600) resolution, achieving 97% DCI-P3 color gamut and brightness up to 500 nits, as well as 144Hz refresh rate, provides an ultra-sharp visual experience.
  • Design and Weight: Large yet comfortable dimensions that weigh around 600 grams when the controller is attached.
  • Innovative Control: The right controller comes with two additional buttons and a touchpad under the right analog stick, which functions similar to a mouse for high precision when playing FPS games.

Disadvantages:

  • Relatively High Price: Priced at around 11 to 13 million, it may be a consideration for those of you looking for a more affordable option.
  • Size May Be Large uFor Multiple Users: While convenient, the large dimensions may not suit all users, especially those with small hands or looking for a more portable device.

Steam Curator Page

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