Handheld PC
Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Handheld PC.- Hardware ReviewsReviews for two distinct hardware devices are highlighted: MSI's Windows handheld PC, which is noted to surpass the Legion Go in a significant aspect, and Lenovo's ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 11, described as the most compelling convertible model from the company to date.
- The Steam Machine Has Already Lost Is Biggest Advantage Before LaunchThe upcoming Steam Machine is set to launch without the significant advantage of its exclusive SteamOS, unlike the original Steam Deck. While the Steam Deck's success was largely due to its seamless, controller-friendly operating system in an uncontested market, the Steam Machine will face competition from more powerful handhelds and the ability for users to install SteamOS on any PC. This diminishes the Steam Machine's unique selling proposition, making its premium price point questionable despite Valve's broader goal of expanding Steam's reach.
I don't care if MSI's latest handheld costs $1,800, don't pay over a grand for any handheld this Prime…The author advises consumers against overspending on expensive handheld PCs, particularly during Prime Day sales, citing the high price of the new MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ at $1,800. While acknowledging the cost of devices like the Steam Deck OLED, the article suggests looking for more affordable alternatives and considering refurbished or older models to avoid price inflation in the gaming handheld market.- ASUS' ROG Xbox Ally X20 bundle includes a limited-edition OLED Ally X handheld PC and AR gaming glassesASUS has announced the ROG Xbox Ally X20 bundle, featuring a limited-edition OLED version of the handheld PC and AR gaming glasses. The new model retains much of the original hardware but upgrades to a new OLED panel.
Steam Deck OLED Price Increase Announced Due to “Rising Memory and Storage Costs”Valve has announced a significant price increase for the Steam Deck OLED, citing rising memory and storage costs. The 512 GB model now costs $789, up from $549, and the 1 TB model is now $949, up from $649. This price hike follows reports of worldwide RAM shortages that have also affected the upcoming Steam Machine.- Massive new Xbox Ally X update brings major changes to the Steam Deck's handheld rivalA significant update for the ASUS ROG Ally handheld PC, referred to as 'Ally X', introduces major changes including Auto Super Resolution, expanded game library support, and improved docking functionality. This update aims to enhance the user experience and competitiveness of the device against rivals like the Steam Deck.
ROG Xbox Ally Drops a Handful of Updates That Brings Improved Docking, Auto Super Resolution, and anMicrosoft and ASUS have released new updates for the ASUS ROG Ally and ROG Ally X handheld PCs, focusing on player feedback. These updates improve the TV docking experience with automatic smart TV enhancements and controller pairing, introduce an Auto Super Resolution feature for sharper visuals on larger screens, and refresh the Xbox PC App to consolidate games from various storefronts into a single library.
Valve is "hard at work" on Steam Deck 2, but the company's idea of "next-gen" performance isn't possible yetValve is actively working on a successor to the Steam Deck, but a true next-generation performance leap is not yet possible due to current System on a Chip limitations. Programmer Pierre-Loup Griffais indicated that the company is learning from its hardware projects and expects the Steam Deck 2 to be an iterative improvement, though they aim for a more distinct offering than just increased performance.- Evening MobilizationValve is reportedly still working on a successor to the Steam Deck, four years after Gabe Newell first hinted at a new handheld. While details are scarce, the company's continued development suggests a potential Steam Deck 2 is in the works.
Intel namedrops Arc G3 while hinting at a longer Panther Lake handheld PC shelf lifeIntel has officially confirmed the existence of its Arc G3 chipsets, intended for handheld PCs. While specific details remain scarce, Intel's Robert Hallock indicated that these chipsets are designed for portable use and will have longer marketing life cycles than typical desktop components. The company expressed interest in seeing increased competition in the handheld market, with Arc G3 expected to rival AMD's offerings.
You can save £100 on this Ryzen Z2 Extreme-powered MSI Claw A8 handheld from CyberpowerCyberpower is offering a £100 discount on the MSI Claw A8 handheld PC, reducing its price to £749. This model features AMD's Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip, 24GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and an 8-inch 1920x1200 IPS touchscreen. While capable of running demanding games at lower settings, it offers a more affordable entry point for high-end handheld gaming.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is Now Steam Deck Verified Thanks to Latest UpdateKojima Productions has released an update for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach on PC, achieving Steam Deck Verified status. This update includes performance optimizations, fixes for sniper rifle scope frame rate drops, and general stability improvements. The game was previously released on PlayStation 5 and later on PC, where it saw a strong debut.
The Most Expensive PC Gaming Handheld Just Got A $650 Price IncreaseLenovo has reportedly canceled some preorders for the Lenovo Legion Go handheld PC due to demand substantially exceeding projections. While preorders through retail partners like Best Buy are unaffected, direct orders from Lenovo's website may have been impacted by unforeseen delivery issues.
DRAM maker SK hynix has validated its next-gen LPDDR6 which would be great news for handheld PCs, except that the…DRAM maker SK hynix has successfully validated its next-generation LPDDR6 memory, which offers improved performance and 20% lower power consumption compared to LPDDR5X. While ideal for handheld gaming PCs and mobile devices, SK hynix appears to be prioritizing the AI market for its new memory, potentially limiting availability for other sectors.