Steam Deck, ROG Ally, and more: all the news about the handheld PC gaming revolution

Valve’s Steam Deck and its carrying case. | Image: Valve In July 2021, Valve unveiled the Steam Deck, a handheld device similar to the Switch, loaded with features such as a wide range of control options, a 7-inch touchscreen, the capability to connect to external displays, and a quick suspend/resume feature. The device started shipping in February 2022, with prices starting at $399. With unparalleled support from Valve and the gaming community, it evolved from a "glorious mess" in our initial review to becoming one of The Verge’s favorite gadgets of 2022, surpassing offerings from other companies. Over two years since the launch of the Steam Deck, the landscape has drastically changed with the arrival of new competitors like Windows-powered handhelds such as the Asus ROG Ally, the Lenovo Legion Go, and Ayaneo’s various decks. Valve's latest revision of the Steam Deck introduces an OLED screen and numerous other improvements that, according to Sean Hollister, make it "everything the original should have been." We have closely monitored the Steam Deck and its competitors, and you can find all our coverage here. The Steam Deck Folio is the Kickstarter case that I never knew I needed. Three years later, the Steam Deck continues to dominate handheld PC gaming. The Lenovo Legion Go S review: feels good, plays bad. Polygon beat me to the Ayaneo 3. I connected an Nvidia RTX 5090 to a gaming handheld. From Steam Deck to Steam Brick: What handheld PC manufacturers should do to compete with the Nintendo Switch 2. The $900 Ayaneo 3 is the most exciting PC handheld the company has produced yet. Perhaps large gaming handhelds are the future. Look, that's me discussing the Intel/Quanta prototype modular handheld concept that surprised me at CES. I also got hands-on with the new Legion Go 2. Microsoft is merging the best of Xbox and Windows for handhelds. I finally got to experience the MSI Claw 8 AI Plus. A glimpse inside the Lenovo Legion Go S. Valve will officially support the installation of SteamOS on other handhelds as early as April. A close-up look at the SteamOS-powered Lenovo Legion Go S. The Lenovo Legion Go S is official: $499 buys the first authorized third-party SteamOS handheld. Lenovo is also working on a Legion Go 2. Asus has just unveiled the world's first Thunderbolt 5 eGPU. No, Valve is not collaborating with GPD to bring SteamOS to its handheld. Intel showcased a large stereo 3D handheld gaming PC at CES 2025. Acer introduced a massive 11-inch gaming handheld. AMD's Z2 handheld gaming chips are official but won't be featured in a Steam Deck near you. Can the Ayaneo 3, touted as the "world's first modular handheld," resolve the joystick debate? The Steam Deck has finally been overtaken by a fork of Valve's own experience. Valve will be a "special guest" at Lenovo's recently announced gaming handheld event. Leak: Lenovo's larger Legion handheld will feature OLED and retain the detachable mouse. The initial batch of refurbished Steam Deck OLEDs has already sold out. Valve is now offering refurbished Steam Deck OLEDs starting at $439. MSI claims its new Claw can outperform the ROG Ally X while consuming fewer watts. Valve's long-awaited strategy for Steam Machines is finally taking shape. This Liliputing gaming dream has received a price cut and now features a Ryzen HX 370 variant. What surprises does Valve have in store with AMD, ChromeOS, and HDMI-CEC? MSI's Claw handhelds are getting an Intel Lunar Lake makeover with a starting price of $799. Lenovo Legion Go S leak reveals renders of the cheaper handheld gaming PC. Did MSI accidentally reveal when its new Claw handhelds will be released? This compact gaming laptop features two keyboards stacked on top of each other. Lenovo has inadvertently confirmed the existence of the Legion Go S yet again, this time with a budget AMD chip. The discontinued Steam Deck LCD is now on sale. Leak: Valve is developing a Steam Controller 2 and a 'Roy' for its Deckard. Valve has finally released a white Steam Deck that is available for purchase. The Ayaneo 3 will offer an OLED screen option and upgraded triggers. The Steam Deck will be released in Australia on November 19th. Apex Legends is discontinuing support for the Steam Deck and Linux. Exploring the GPD Win Max 2, a diminutive computing dream. Valve will not release a new Steam Deck annually. Valve has rejected Junk Store and will not permit Steam Deck plugins after all. Will Valve truly sell a Steam Deck plugin to facilitate Epic Games on the handheld? Valve will finally make the Steam Deck available in Australia. 8BitDo's Ultimate Bluetooth gamepad is currently a $41.99 Amazon lightning deal. It is now easier to gift a Steam Deck. GTA V, one of the most popular games on the Steam Deck, is now listed as 'unsupported.' Mechanism continues to surprise with its thoughtful modular accessory ecosystem. Discover the best SSD upgrades for your Steam Deck based on real-world testing. AMD has unveiled the Z2 Extreme chip for next year's Steam Deck competitors. Acer has introduced its first handheld gaming PC, the Nitro Blaze. Windows 11's new gamepad keyboard enables typing with an Xbox controller. MSI's Claw successor handheld with Lunar Lake won't be available until next year. I am skeptical about the Playtron cryptobro handheld gaming PC. Ayaneo handhelds are now sold at Best Buy, no longer exclusive to boutiques. A year later, Lenovo's Legion Go is getting its own official dock and controller wedge. The OLED-equipped Zotac Zone handheld is available for pre-order, but not in the US. Valve has confirmed its support for the ROG Ally with its Steam Deck operating system. Lenovo may have inadvertently leaked a smaller Legion Go gaming handheld months ago. Ayaneo's Game Boy and Game Boy Micro tributes are anything but cheap. Asus ROG Ally X review: the best Windows gaming handheld by far. The Asus ROG Ally X is now priced at $799. The Ayaneo Flip DS's secondary screen is becoming more functional. Finally, an affordable eGPU for users who already have graphics cards and power supplies. Steam is introducing an official controller, although not manufactured by Valve. The MSI Claw, after several updates, is still underwhelming. This handheld gaming PC is designed for customization. The OnePlayer X1 Mini is now available for pre-order, with prices starting at $799 for early birds and $1,099 at retail. The Zotac Zone is a large device exceeding the size of Lenovo's Legion Go. Intel's one-minute Battlemage GPU demonstration bodes well for Lunar Lake handhelds. The Zotac Zone is now official, featuring twin trackpads, jog wheels, adjustable triggers, and an OLED display. The MSI Claw 8 AI Plus boasts an 80Wh battery comparable to Asus models and is powered by Intel Lunar Lake. The Asus ROG Ally X has been unveiled, and I had a sneak peek inside. Yes, I can confirm this is the ROG Ally X. What might the Lenovo Legion Go Lite look like? Steam Deck + MagSafe + GoPro fingers = a brilliant combination. MSI claims the Claw now offers up to 30 percent better performance. The OneXPlayer X1 Mini is the most feature-rich handheld gaming PC to date. The MSI Claw is disappointing in its performance. Ayaneo's creative take on the Game Boy and Game Boy Micro is impressive. It's an exciting time for retro handheld gamers. I had the opportunity to test a prototype Asus ROG Ally X, and the experience was positive. Watch the official promotional video for Anbernic's Game Boy Advance SP. The upcoming significant update for the Steam Deck may enhance TV play when docked. Asus' forthcoming ROG Ally handheld will be known as the ROG Ally X. Asus has confirmed the imminent release of the next ROG Ally model. Ayaneo is planning an elaborate AG01 "Graphics Starship" eGPU dock. Would you be able to resist Anbernic's Game Boy Advance SP, capable of playing PS1 and N64 games? Did Asus discreetly reveal its upcoming ROG Ally handheld? Valve has enhanced aiming precision with the Steam Deck. Asus has not clarified if the ROG Ally's SD card reader will be fully rectified. Ayaneo's sophisticated Pocket S Android gaming handheld is now available for pre-order. The Asus ROG Ally will receive AMD's Fluid Motion Frames support soon. The Asus ROG Ally is reportedly still experiencing SD card issues. The first confirmed Playtron gaming handheld targets crypto enthusiasts. Sacrifice the stylish appearance of your ROG Ally for doubled battery life. Lenovo is developing a Legion Go 2 and another Intel Arc handheld. My expectations for the MSI Claw are quite low. Valve Orb. Playtron discusses how immutable file systems could assist with Linux anti-cheat measures. Playtron aims to revolutionize the gaming world with Steam Deck-inspired devices. The MSI Claw has arrived to compete with the Steam Deck. Lenovo Legion Go review: a versatile handheld device. Roblox asserts it did not block Linux or the Steam Deck, despite reports. GPD's latest PC gaming clamshell comes with a VRR screen. Microsoft acknowledges Windows' shortcomings in handheld gaming PCs and vows to improve. Microsoft should consider creating an Xbox Steam Deck. The Lenovo Legion Go now offers custom fan curves and integrated driver updates. The Asus ROG Ally will receive AMD's Fluid Motion Frames support, with potential for the Lenovo Legion Go as well. Ayaneo's affordable Steam Deck competitor is now available for just $299. MSI confirms the Claw will feature a 48-120Hz VRR screen. The Lenovo Legion Go receives its first price reduction, now priced at $649. A second-generation Asus ROG Ally is anticipated later this year. Ayaneo's Next Lite is a budget-friendly Steam Deck competitor featuring unofficial SteamOS. Why isn't Valve collaborating with Ayaneo to officially support SteamOS on its devices? We had a hands-on experience with MSI's Intel-powered Steam Deck competitor. MSI Claw hands-on: a contender to the Steam Deck with Intel internals. Exploring handheld PC gaming chips, including an in-depth look at the Steam Deck's APU. AMD's 8840U may not revolutionize handheld PC gaming, but what about Intel's Core Ultra? Is Fortnite playable on the Steam Deck? Sweeney insists Valve needs "tens of millions of users" for justification. "Hear me out as a Steam Deck owner." An update for the ROG Ally introduces gyroscope controls and more. A peek inside both the Legion Go and Steam Deck OLED. A substantial update for the Steam Deck introduces a new feature for the Dock. The top games for the Steam Deck are now the top movies to start up your Steam Deck. The Steam Deck OLED store is recovering. Steam Deck OLED sales begin at 10AM PT / 1PM ET. The ability to dual-boot Windows remains a priority for the Steam Deck. A $400 variant of the Steam Deck is still available. Valve introduces the transparent Steam Deck with an OLED display. Back to the future of handheld gaming. Transform your Asus ROG Ally into a transparent device with Jsaux's RGB backplate. Dbrand has improved its Steam Deck case, now offering a version for the ROG Ally. Only Nintendo DS enthusiasts will appreciate this dual-screen handheld PC. AMD is criticized for delays in delivering handheld gaming chips. Signs indicate an impending refresh of the Steam Deck. The Ayaneo Slidekick is almost ready for release. Valve clarifies that a faster Steam Deck is not on the horizon in the next few years. The cheaper $600 Asus ROG Ally is now available, but may not be the best choice. Modular gaming handheld. Valve celebrates Steam's 20th anniversary with a Steam Deck sale. Western Digital now offers SSD upgrade drives for the Steam Deck and ROG Ally. Valve teases a new mystery gadget. Where is Microsoft's handheld Xbox? A large SSD suitable for the Steam Deck is now available at a competitive price. These custom resin buttons for the Steam Deck look fantastic and are now available for purchase. Starfield vs. Steam Deck and ROG Ally. The Ayaneo Kun significantly boosts the Steam Deck's battery life at almost double the price. GuliKit's dock for the Steam Deck and ROG Ally resembles a Super Nintendo. Adjust the color temperature of your Steam Deck display with Jsaux's anti-glare screen priced at $90. The first look at a Steam Deck competitor with a sizable internal battery has been revealed. The ROG Ally now includes turbo buttons. Baldur's Gate 3 is Steam Deck Verified. Jsaux's Steam Deck dock is now compatible with the ROG Ally. Linux gamers surpass Mac gamers on Steam. Lenovo is developing a competitor to the Steam Deck and ROG Ally. Digital Foundry reviews Ratchet & Clank's PC port. PS5-exclusive Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart will officially run on the Steam Deck. Jsaux's RGB transparent cover and docks for the Steam Deck are now available for purchase. The Last of Us is now functional on the Steam Deck, albeit with graphics inferior to the PS3. My 16-year-old PS3 outperforms the Steam Deck when playing The Last of Us. The Steam Deck now supports over 10,000 games. An update for the Asus ROG Ally aims to enhance SD card security. Jsaux's ultimate RGB dock is versatile and compatible with Steam Deck, ROG Ally, and more. I updated my ROG Ally performance review due to persistent discrepancies. Asus asserts the ROG Ally's performance gap has been rectified, but users may still notice it. Curious about the myriad brand names on Amazon? Discover how Jsaux leveraged the Steam Deck to navigate Amazon's marketplace. iFixit disassembles the ROG Ally. Steam's interface has undergone a significant visual improvement. An updated review of the Asus ROG Ally indicates slight enhancements. GPD's G1 dock is a tiny yet impressive device that could popularize eGPUs in the handheld sector. A completely transparent Steam Deck may soon be available with new front plates. Asus claims to have completely resolved the ROG Ally's battery issues. The possibility of installing SteamOS on the ROG Ally is on the horizon. Doubts arise regarding the purported Steam Deck 1200p screen upgrade. Valve faces legal action from Immersion over rumble features in the Steam Deck and Index. An Xbox executive hints at incorporating features like Quick Resume for Windows gamers. Pre-order the Asus ROG Ally now. Asus confirms the ROG Ally's starting price of $600, slated for release in Q3. Redfall is playable on the Steam Deck with the correct settings. Another leak reveals the Asus ROG Ally's price of $699.99 with an AMD Z1 Extreme variant. Ayaneo 2S will be among the first Steam Deck competitors featuring Ryzen 7000 processors. The Asus ROG Ally will provide an Extreme upgrade option. Hands-on experience with the Asus ROG Ally: a miniature Windows device. AMD introduces the Ryzen Z1 and Z1 Extreme chips for handheld gaming PCs. AMD is quietly empowering a new wave of Steam Deck competitors. Doubts persist regarding Asus' reliability. Valve is working on optimizing storage space on the Steam Deck. Microsoft experiments with a Windows gaming handheld mode designed for devices similar to the Steam Deck. Play Half-Life: Alyx without a VR headset. We're halfway through 2023, and I still mix up the Stream Deck and Steam Deck. Master Chief Collection is compatible with the Steam Deck. The Asus ROG Ally handheld gaming PC is real and not an April Fools' joke. The Asus ROG Ally is a real product aimed directly at the Steam Deck. Consider delaying your purchase of The Last of Us on PC. Dolphin, the exceptional GameCube and Wii emulator, is coming to Steam. The Steam Deck and Steam's Big Picture Mode now support custom startup videos. The Steam Deck is now available for purchase for the first time. Unveiling the transparent Steam Deck with an OLED display. Transferring games between PCs (including Steam Decks) is about to become simpler. Discover nine excellent games from 2022 for your Steam Deck. Playing Metroid Prime on a Steam Deck is a satisfying experience. The Steam Deck update is now safe to download. Explore the internal components of your Steam Deck with JSAUX's transparent backplate. The Steam Deck receives the SteamOS 3.4 update, introducing various improvements. Even if you didn't win a Steam Deck, you may still have a chance to win one. Valve addresses pressing questions about the Steam Deck, hinting at a potential Steam Controller 2. Many EA games encounter issues on the Steam Deck, but solutions are in progress. Valve will give away a free Steam Deck every minute during The Game Awards. The Steam Deck will be available in Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan on December 17th. Enhance your gaming experience with a custom 3D-printed holder for your Steam Deck. Valve will soon provide detailed information about the components in your Steam Deck. Valve now operates repair centers to service your Steam Deck. The new Steam Deck ebook outlines Valve's long-term vision. Anticipate the arrival of your Steam Deck by the end of September instead of Q4. Make PlayStation's major games portable with the Steam Deck. Follow the simple steps to improve your Steam Deck's display settings. Leaked images reveal Lenovo's Steam Deck competitor, which may feature AR glasses connectivity. Jsaux now offers an anti-glare screen for the Steam Deck priced at $90. Get a glimpse of the first Steam Deck competitor with an extensive internal battery. The ROG Ally now features turbo buttons. Baldur's Gate 3 is now Steam Deck Verified. Your Jsaux Steam Deck dock is also compatible with the ROG Ally. Linux gamers now surpass Mac gamers on Steam. Lenovo is developing a competitor to the Steam Deck and ROG Ally. Digital Foundry reviews Ratchet & Clank's PC port. PS5-exclusive Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart will officially run on the Steam Deck. Jsaux's Steam Deck RGB transparent cover and docks are now on sale. The Last of Us is now functional on the Steam Deck, albeit with graphics inferior to the PS3. My 16-year-old PS3 outperforms the Steam Deck when playing The Last of Us. The Steam Deck now supports over 10,000 games. An update for the Asus ROG Ally aims to enhance SD card security. Jsaux's ultimate RGB dock is versatile and compatible with Steam Deck, ROG Ally, and more. I updated my ROG Ally performance review due to persistent discrepancies. Asus asserts the ROG Ally's performance gap has been rectified, but users may still notice it. Curious about the myriad brand names on Amazon? Discover how Jsaux leveraged the Steam Deck to navigate Amazon's marketplace. iFixit disassembles the ROG Ally. Steam's interface has undergone a significant visual improvement. An updated review of the Asus ROG Ally indicates slight enhancements. GPD's G1 dock is a tiny yet impressive device that could popularize eGPUs in the handheld sector. A completely transparent Steam Deck may soon be available with new front plates. Asus claims to have completely resolved the ROG Ally's You can now preorder the Steam Deck to access the Epic Games Store and more. The Steam Deck is available for preorder in Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, and Valve promises delivery by the end of the year. Learn how to address the Steam Deck’s noisy fan and discover how this device is revolutionizing the way games are purchased. Valve has enhanced the Steam Deck with a software update that significantly reduces fan noise. Discover iFixit’s live Steam Deck repair guides and parts, including the complete motherboard. Explore how Steam Deck competitors like OneXPlayer, Aya, and GPD are preparing to challenge with AMD’s 6800U. Windows audio drivers are now compatible with the Steam Deck, and a recent update has introduced a highly requested feature. Valve advises against a particular method to fix the Steam Deck’s noisy fan and has introduced a lock screen option. The Steam Deck dock has been upgraded ahead of its release, though the pricing remains undisclosed. Despite initial concerns, the Steam Deck is proving to be a success, with Valve ramping up shipments. Recent enhancements to the Steam Deck include a dual-touchpad keyboard and essential fixes. Xbox Cloud Gaming now supports the Steam Deck via Microsoft Edge, and the device is now capable of running Windows. New Steam Deck orders are expected to ship from October onwards. iFixit will offer replacement parts for the Steam Deck starting this summer. Valve’s FSR technology demonstrates the potential of a Nintendo Switch Pro. Valve has rectified the ‘stick drift’ issue and addressed compatibility concerns with certain games. Valve has collaborated with AMD to ensure the Steam Deck is Windows 11-ready. Gabe Newell personally delivered Steam Decks to customers, generating mixed reactions. The Steam Deck review indicates that it still needs improvements. Valve clarifies the Steam Deck preorder email process and announces the delayed availability of the official dock. A new tool from Steam helps identify games compatible with the Deck. The device can now run popular titles from other consoles. iFixit conducted a teardown of the Steam Deck and will sell official replacement parts. Unfortunately, Epic Games will not update Fortnite for the Steam Deck. Valve will commence Steam Deck sales on February 25th. Cloud saves have been introduced as a key feature of the Steam Deck. The device is set to ship by the end of February. Delays have pushed the Steam Deck launch by two months. Valve is optimistic about the game support for the Steam Deck. BattlEye anti-cheat integration is in progress. Valve elaborates on the Steam Deck's purpose and design philosophy. Significant progress has been made in overcoming hurdles related to EAC and BattlEye. Collaboration with AMD aims to optimize the Steam Deck for Windows 11. A built-in FPS limiter enhances battery life. Big Picture mode will be replaced by a new UI tailored for the Steam Deck. New reservations for the Steam Deck provide estimated order availability for Q2 and Q3 2022. Discover why the Steam Deck is positioned for success. Unprecedented demand for the Steam Deck has even caused disruptions to the Steam store. Compare the Steam Deck to other gaming consoles, including the Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X, and PlayStation 5. Elgato’s announcement of a new Stream Deck coincided with Valve’s Steam Deck reveal. The resurgence of video game handhelds is evident with the development of the Steam Deck.