Four handheld gaming PCs are sitting there – just waiting for a decision – which will I take along for my vacation? There is the Lenovo Legion Go, an ROG Ally, the MSI Claw A1M, and my Steam Deck with an OLED screen mod. For me, the choice is more than just about specs; it is about finding the one travel companion for my journey.
Phase 1: What really matters?
My first impulse is to compare raw power. The Legion Go has the biggest battery, a little while back I change out it’s 50Wh battery for a 81Wh one. The ROG Ally and the MSI Claw are lighter alteratives. And my Steam Deck has an amazing OLED display. But I know my trip means a flight and places where an internet connection is not a given. This makes a crucial difference. I am not playing online multiplayer games. This means my biggest concern is no longer anti-cheat software on Linux-based systems.
What I need is a device that is efficient, has great battery life, and provides a smooth, console-like experience. This immediately makes me think of a Linux-based OS. Windows is a great, versatile system, but it is not built for pure gaming. Its background processes can be a drain on my battery, and its sleep mode is often less than reliable. An optimized OS feels like the key to success here.
Phase 2: Thinning the herd
My list of four handhelds quickly shrinks to two. The ROG Ally and the Steam Deck. Both have a compact form factor with great travel cases, making them easy to pack. The Steam Deck is the pioneer in the handheld space, and its OS is incredibly polished. But the ROG Ally has more raw power. My journey is now a head-to-head battle between these two.
Initially, I think the Steam Deck has the battery advantage. The stock ROG Ally has a 40Wh battery, while my Steam Deck is a 55Wh model. The choice seems simple. But this is where the story gets a twist.
Phase 3: Mods change everything
My devices are not standard. They are both heavily modded, and that changes the entire conversation. My ROG Ally is not a stock model; it has a massive 65Wh battery. This completely dwarfs the battery of my Steam Deck.
And my Steam Deck is an original LCD model, but with a DeckSight OLED screen mod that has a 1080p resolution.
This new information is a game-changer. While the OLED screen on my Steam Deck is visually stunning, the 1080p resolution is a huge burden on its less powerful APU. The device has to work so much harder to push those pixels, which completely negates the battery benefits of the OLED screen.
The ROG Ally, on the other hand, has a far more powerful Z1 Extreme chip that handles 1080p gaming much more efficiently. When paired with the huge 65Wh battery, it is an absolute beast. This custom rig offers the perfect combination of power and endurance.
Verdict: SteamOS is the ROG’s ally
My journey starts with a question about which device is best, but it ends with a powerful realization: the perfect handheld is not about a single device. It is about a process.
My situation is unique, and my final choice reflects that. My advice is not to just buy the most powerful or most popular handheld. Instead, think about your own needs.
- Define your priorities: What is most important to you? Is it battery life for a long flight? The comfort of a light device? Or is it raw power for the latest games?
- The performance tells not the whole story: Even the most powerful handheld can disappoint you if it is too heavy or if the battery life is not sufficient for your use. Sometimes the most efficient option is the best.
- The OS is a game-changer: Choosing between a Windows-based system and a streamlined OS like SteamOS can make a massive difference in your experience. For me, the seamless controller support in desktop mode makes SteamOS the clear winner, despite the extra effort needed to install it on a non-native device.
The search for the perfect handheld is a personal journey, and the best device is the one you customize and optimize for your own adventures. My choice is the ROG Ally with its 65Wh battery and SteamOS, but my process is a guide for every gamer out there.fers the best performance and unmatched battery life, giving me the freedom to game for hours on end, no matter where I am in the world.