I've covered Winhanced quite a few times at this point, most recently when it added achievement support to the launcher UI for Steam, Xbox, and even PlayStation games. If you haven't heard of it, Winhanced is a complete replacement for Xbox Mode on Windows handhelds, acting as a unified launcher for your library across various digital stores, all in one easy-to-navigate interface.

Now, its feature set is expanding once again, bringing with it my most requested addition: a built-in store browser. Honestly, it's something I wasn't even sure was possible, but it's now available in testing for users supporting the project.

The store is still very much a work in progress, so don't expect a perfect experience. At the time of writing it only supports certain currencies, although regional currency support is on the way, but even in its current state it's already incredibly useful. You can browse games, compare prices across multiple storefronts, see if a title is included with Game Pass, and purchase it from whichever store offers the best deal.

So yes, if a game is cheaper on Xbox than Steam, you can simply buy it there instead. It is also worth mentioning that when you purchase games, it opens a web browser where you can complete your purchase; Winhanced does not have access to your payment details.

The launcher also personalizes recommendations, generating suggestions based on what you've been playing, and in my case, after spending plenty of time in Forza Horizon 6, it immediately recommended another racing game. If you'd rather browse for yourself, though, you can search for any game you like or explore categories to discover something new.

Winhanced is also bringing several features out of early access, including back paddle support, SteamGridDB artwork browsing, and RGB controls, meaning they're now considered ready for general use rather than experimental additions.

I've been a big fan of Winhanced for quite some time now. It makes my Xbox Ally X feel much more like a proper console than the Xbox app ever has in Xbox Mode, so if you're interested, I'd definitely recommend checking out the project's Discord and supporting it on Patreon if you can.

With that said, do let me know in the comments if this new store feature is finally enough to get you interested in giving Winhanced a try, or what other features you'd still like to see added. As always, be sure to take part in our poll below!

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In my MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ review, I pulled no punches, calling it a generational leap in handheld gaming, with Intel's new Arc G3 Extreme chip blowing AMD out of the water.

But the big story, unfortunately, was not so much how good the (terribly named) Claw 8 EX AI+ was, or how Intel is doing some impressive things these days, but rather the $1,799 price, which is probably about $500 more than planned thanks to the ongoing high demand for RAM and storage.

However, if there is one thing I know about PC gaming after 20 years on this site, it's basically that gaming is "recession-proof," meaning no matter how bad economic conditions may get, gamers don't stop spending. Anyone doing research on this will reach the same conclusion: Gamers will spend, and high price tags are no obstacle.

To wit, in checking in Best Buy, Newegg, Micro Center, and B&H inventory levels this past weekend, I noticed the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ was sold out for shipping and local pickup.

Likewise, checking in on /r/MSIClaw reveals plenty of people sharing photos of their MSI handhelds with early impressions, mini-reviews, and those coveted gaming benchmarks (the tl;dr is near universal praise).

Now, for this story, it is totally fair to point out that each of these stores likely had very limited launch inventory. For all we know, your local Best Buy had one or two units available, so "selling out" here is doing a lot of heavy lifting when you consider availability.

Indeed, MSI (and we suspect Intel) are not the best at stocking MSI Claws. We reviewed last year's model, the Claw 8 AI+, and gave it high praise, but noted how it was impossible to actually buy one. We even launched an MSI Claw inventory tracker, but finally gave up after weeks of no restocks.

This isn't just an MSI issue, either. In December, I noted that Lenovo, literally the world's top PC shipper by a mile, could not keep its Legion Go 2 in stock, either, causing prices to skyrocket even before the RAMpocalypse took full effect on gaming handhelds.

Who knows if we'll even see the SteamOS version, announced at CES earlier this year.

While we think demand is strong for handheld gaming PCs, there are also some hardware shortages at play here.

When will MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ be back in stock?

So, the million-dollar question is whether a new shipment of Claws is en route to your local store?

Probably not.

One Reddit user noted, "I spoke with someone from Best Buy earlier. They said they tried to order more from MSI, but MSI hasn’t told them when they will restock them." That sounds about right for MSI, meaning this could be a weeks-to-months-long wait, and your best bet is to sign up for inventory notifications from whichever store you prefer.

What is likely to happen is that your local Best Buy will get maybe one unit at a time, and whoever gets it first is the winner.

👉I gamed on the new Intel Arc G3 handhelds from Acer and MSI — here's what to expect

As to why this keeps happening, it's like a combo of those high prices, MSI being shy on overproducing what is likely a low-volume product, and Intel likely doing low-yield production on that Arc G3 Extreme chip (currently only MSI, Acer, and some smaller boutique manufacturers like ONEXPLAYER are on board, with some of those devices, like Acer's Predator Atlas 8, coming later this year).

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Prime Day has arrived with possibly the quietest fanfare I've ever known since writing for Windows Central, and that's due in no small part to the current state of the tech market. Prices are being hiked left, right, and center, and gaming handhelds have been hit particularly badly by the RAM price hikes. With this in mind, I'm surprised that ASUS is still steaming ahead with this cracking deal on the Xbox ROG Ally, which is down to £379.99 on Amazon. When you compare that to the price of the Steam Deck nowadays, it's a steal for something comparable in performance and with a lot more flexibility.

For playing lower-powered indie games or clearing out your backlog, the two handhelds stand on pretty even footing. The Xbox Ally, however, lets you switch between Steam and Xbox PC natively without requiring hours of tinkering or workarounds. Crucially, it's CHEAPER by a mile.

Why buy the Xbox Ally?

We’re living through unprecedented times for gaming costs, where component shortages and rising demand for AI hardware have driven gaming tech prices to unreachable levels for the average budget gamer. Many of ASUS's competitors have handhelds priced at the same level as a high-end gaming PC (just look at the Lenovo Legion Go 2 prices). Yet with all the price hikes, the standard ASUS ROG Ally has become the single most sensible choice for anyone who just want to play some less demanding games.

To be completely open, I own the ROG Ally X, which is the "beefed-up" premium model, and as someone who mostly plays indie titles and keeps a massive backlog of AA games, I regret spending the extra cash. The standard Ally would have handled everything I threw at it perfectly. Don't make my mistake; save your money for the actual games.

RELATED: Xbox Ally vs Steam Deck which is better?

Sure, this has an entry-level price tag, but for sub-£380, you are getting an AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor,and a really nice 7-inch 1080p screen with 120Hz VRR. Not only that, but while on equal terms with the Steam Deck, the Xbox Ally isn't locked down to the Steam OS, and you can jump between your game libraries. You get a dedicated Xbox button that launches a full-screen, controller-friendly gaming environment, and you can download games natively from Xbox Game Pass, the Epic Games Store, GOG, and EA Play without jumping through hoops.

That being said, there is nothing stopping you from doing a clean install of Steam OS and turning this into a much more ergonomic (and cheaper) Steam Deck. It’s arguably the most comfortable handheld I've ever used.

The Xbox Ally is an outlier right now in the gaming handheld market, and I don't expect the price to stay this low for much longer. With price increases being announced from Lenovo, Valve, and other manufacturers, it does feel like the writing is on the wall with Xbox devices, too. If you want to play your backlog on the settee or on the go without taking out a small loan, the Xbox Ally at £379.99 is the deal to beat this Prime Day.

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If you told me a year ago that an Intel‑powered gaming handheld would be sitting on my desk in 2026, absolutely clowning AMD’s best silicon, I’d have told you to lay off the spice. Yet here we are. Computex 2026 teased it, Cale Hunt went hands‑on, and now the retail MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is in front of me.

Let’s be honest: MSI’s first handheld felt like a prototype that slipped out the side door. Instead of giving up, MSI regrouped, teamed up with Intel, and came back with a device that blows past every expectation.

But before we go any deeper, we need to talk about the price. Global supply chain chaos has sent high‑density RAM and NAND costs into orbit, and premium hardware is paying the bill. In a sane market, this machine would likely land around $1,299. Instead, it’s $1,799 at Best Buy—firmly in ultra‑premium territory.

Is it worth the jump? Let’s break it down.

MSI and Intel had no input, nor did they see the contents of this review prior to publication.

Specs and Configuration Options

Under the hood, MSI has radically re-architected its core layout, abandoning general-purpose laptop chips to pivot entirely to handheld-optimized architecture.

Design, Ergonomics, and Upgradeability

The physical layout of the Claw 8 EX AI+ is a massive love letter to Xbox fans. MSI completely reshaped the side chassis into a beautifully sloped, flared grip design that heavily mimics the curvature of an official Xbox controller. It contours perfectly to the natural resting shape of your hands, making extended, multi-hour gaming sessions an absolute breeze.

Even better, the actual weight distribution is the sweet spot. Coming in at 785 grams, the Claw 8 EX AI+ feels surprisingly nimble in the hands. When compared directly to the behemoth scale of something like the Lenovo Legion Go 2 at 854g/1.88lbs (it has a kickstand for a reason, folks)—which goes out of its way to adopt a massive, thick, and substantially heavy tablet aesthetic to accommodate its 8.8-inch display.

The MSI variant is vastly easier to slip into a travel bag without feeling like you packed a concrete brick. (Trust me, I've ditched Legion Go 2 for travel multiple times, but it's awesome on the couch).

On the upgrade front, MSI has finally listened to reviewers. The storage slot has graduated to a full-sized M.2 2280 slot, meaning you aren’t locked into paying premium prices for tiny, obscure storage drives. Pop out six standard Phillips head screws on the back shell cover, and you can swap out the internal SSD in less than five minutes.

RAM, however, is integrated, but 32GB should be enough.

Display

The Claw 8 EX AI+’s 8‑inch screen is one of the system’s strongest components. MSI uses a roomy 16:10 panel at a crisp FHD+ (1920x1200), giving you about 38% more usable space than comparable 7‑inch handhelds—huge for readability and UI-heavy games.

The IPS-level touchscreen hits 500 nits and covers 100% of sRGB for vivid, accurate color. Its standout feature, though, is native VRR from 48Hz to 120Hz, letting the display track fluctuating frame rates in real time to eliminate tearing and micro‑stutters for consistently smooth gameplay.

At this price tier, the lack of an OLED panel is the one obvious drawback. If you bounce between this and a Steam Deck OLED, you’ll notice the missing infinite contrast and true blacks in a dark room. But once you’re actually in a game and pushing high, stable refresh rates, the brightness and responsiveness take over. The gray floors fade from your mind, and the experience becomes all about the smooth, fast motion on screen.

Buttons, Joysticks, and Elite Audio

Controls are a premium highlight here. MSI went all-in on specialized Hall-Effect analog sticks and triggers. Because they utilize magnetic positioning instead of physical carbon contacts, the threat of stick drift is permanently eradicated. The action on the triggers feels smooth and progressively weighted, while the face buttons feature beautifully rounded edge boundaries to keep your thumbs from feeling sore after hammering out combos.

The standard directional pad also received a massive overhaul, implementing a tactile metal dome component underneath the casing. It delivers an incredibly clicky, distinct feedback loop that completely wipes away the mushy, missed-input sensations from past generations.

There's no capacitive touchpad for mouse cursor control in Windows or precision aiming. Do I care? No, I turned it off on Legion Go 2, but I get how some people want it, so I'm mentioning it here.

Perhaps the biggest surprise, though, is the acoustic and haptic transformation. Historically, speakers and vibrating feedback have been clear weak points across MSI’s portable portfolio. Not anymore. The dual 2W speaker array outputs genuine, punchy high-res audio that maintains depth even at high volume levels.

Paired with an upgraded Voice Coil Motor (VCM) driving refined HD haptics, the physical immersion matches anything currently on the market.

With Bluetooth Core 6.0 and LE Audio onboard, pairing wireless earbuds like the Galaxy Buds4 delivers low‑latency, battery‑friendly audio with no noticeable delay. The Claw 8 EX AI+ also supports Windows 11 Super Wideband Stereo, so your sound won’t collapse into muddy mono when you’re using a mic for in‑game chat. And with Shared Audio broadcasting, you can stream to multiple compatible earbuds at once with zero hassle.

Performance: Intel Arc G3 Extreme Crowned King

As a nerdy refresher, the Intel Arc G3 Extreme is Intel's very first purpose-built SoC engineered from the ground up specifically for handheld gaming form factors. Rather than simply shoving a generic, power-hungry laptop processor into a portable shell, Intel completely re-architected this silicon to optimize the power-to-performance ratio at typical handheld wattages. It cleverly shifts the hardware balance directly toward graphics throughput by scaling up to 12 Xe-cores on its Xe3-based B390 GPU while dropping the heavy CPU core count down to just two performance cores. This intentional asymmetry leaves massive thermal and electrical headroom for its 96 integrated XMX AI Engines to work their upscaling magic.

Better yet, the chip introduces Intelligent Bias Control (IBC) v3.5. This proprietary firmware engine perfectly optimizes power sharing between the CPU and GPU, and it even utilizes a clever trick called "P-core parking" to turn off the power-hungry performance cores entirely at 14W and under, ensuring your battery juice goes where it matters most: pumping out maximum frame rates.

For the past few years, AMD has comfortably monopolized premium mobile gaming graphics, but Intel’s new XeSS architecture drops an absolute tactical nuke on that narrative.

3DMark Time Spy & Synthesis Testing

Look at our lab-tested benchmarks below:

• MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ (Intel Arc G3 Extreme): 6,726
• ASUS Xbox Ally X (Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme): 4,029
• MSI Claw 8 AI+ (Intel Core Ultra 7 258V): 3,882
• Lenovo Legion Go 2 (Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme): 3,795

A score of 6,726 on a handheld profile is a jaw-dropping result, representing an aggregate jump that flies completely past AMD's flagship Z2 Extreme silicon.

3DMark Fire Strike & Torture Run Results

To push this chip further, I threw the classic Fire Strike benchmark at the Arc B390 GPU. The results speak for themselves:

• Fire Strike Overall Score: 13,340
• Graphics Score: 16,735
• Physics Score: 24,513

The monitoring loop stayed remarkably consistent, and 3DMark’s integrated engine estimates real-world game performance for titles like Battlefield V at a smooth 120+ FPS at 1080p Ultra settings.

Geekbench 6 Compute & General Performance

The AI Engine acts as the device's intelligent, set-and-forget autopilot, leveraging real-time behavioral analysis to dynamically adjust power settings and hardware configurations (defaulting to a flexible 25W ceiling during gaming) to maximize performance on the fly.

In stark contrast, Endurance mode is a highly restricted efficiency preset designed strictly to squeeze out every drop of battery life. While the AI Engine dynamically scales performance upwards to match the game's demands, shifting to Endurance mode clamps the platform down to a rigid 15W target and automatically triggers Intel’s Endurance Gaming profile, enforcing a stable 30 FPS cap on battery to extend your playtime up to 11 hours on lighter titles.

Here's what that looks like in Geekbench:

• MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ (Intel G3 Extreme - AI Engine): Multi-Core: 13,210 / Single-Core: 2,574
• MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ (Intel G3 Extreme - Endurance): Multi-Core: 10,129 / Single-Core: 1,983

Even under a highly restricted energy curve, the restricted multi-core target hits 10,129, keeping processing capability completely clear of bottleneck thresholds.

Turning to the SSD, storage performance is similarly blinding, with CrystalDiskMark validating peak sequential read limits hitting a clean 6,997 MB/s.

Intel XeSS Feature Test & In-Game Frame Rates

The true magic happens when you leverage Intel's hardware-level AI upscaling. Running the native 3DMark Intel XeSS Feature Test (using XeSS 1.3.1 Balanced at a 2.0x scaling factor) shows exactly what the architecture is capable of:

• XeSS Off: 26.82 FPS
• XeSS On: 51.80 FPS
• Performance Explosion: +93.2%

Real-world gaming translates perfectly to these synthetic gains. Launching the graphically punishing 007 First Light with the console dialed directly into its integrated AI Engine mode, I ran natively at full 1920x1200 resolution at High settings and consistently locked down a blisteringly fast 130+ FPS when plugged in.

Even more absurd was the experience playing LEGO Batman: Legacy of The Dark Knight. The game regularly hit 150 FPS with fluid frame pacing.

How is 150 FPS beneficial on a physical 120Hz panel profile? It comes down to Intel's XeSS 3 Multi-Frame Generation (XeSS-MFG) engine. The chip utilizes internal AI matrices to interpolate synthetic smoothing frames directly between every traditionally rendered frame. Because the platform features a hardware-level Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) window extending up to 120Hz, pushing frames above the panel refresh ceiling completely eliminates frame delivery micro-stuttering, ensuring ultra-responsive inputs and perfect pacing.

Of course, results for XeSS will vary based on the game (if it's supported), whether you're plugged in, and what modes (including custom) you have set. I did have some mixed results with DOOM: The Dark Ages, which was running above 60 FPS one night, but fell below 30 on the next level despite XeSS being enabled.

To understand how big a leap Intel’s Arc G3 Extreme really is, look at this custom Cyberpunk 2077 benchmark. On AMD handhelds like the ROG Ally X or Legion Go 2, turning on ray tracing usually drops you into a sub‑30 FPS slideshow even at a soft 720p. Here, the Claw 8 EX AI+ is running at its full 1920×1200 resolution on the Ray Tracing: Low preset with XeSS Super Resolution 2.0 set to Auto, and it still averages 46.6 FPS with a minimum of 38.1 FPS.

See a clip from Cyberpunk 2077 with the above settings on the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ below:

This is where the Arc B390 GPU and its 12 dedicated Ray Tracing Units show their advantage. Instead of choking on ray‑traced shadows and lighting, the G3 Extreme architecture handles the workload with an efficiency AMD’s current mobile silicon cannot match.

Holding a stable, genuinely playable 40+ FPS at 1200p with ray tracing enabled is unheard of for any other handheld today, and it proves Intel did not just build a faster chip. They built a smarter one.

When you stack the Claw up against Valve’s Steam Machine, the hardware contrast becomes even more fascinating. Looking at the benchmark breakdown above, both devices run neck-and-neck in single-core metrics (a 2,574 for the Claw versus a 2,579 for the Steam Machine's Custom APU), but the Intel Arc G3 Extreme leaves Valve in the absolute dust on multi-threaded workloads, flexing an eye-watering multi-core score of 13,210 over the Steam Machine’s 8,680. This doesn't even account for the GPU difference, which will also favor Intel.

Unfortunately, much like the Claw, the Steam Machine (starting at $1,049) is a premium engineering marvel suffering from historically terrible macroeconomic timing—both launched directly into a brutal global supply crunch that bloated retail pricing, making a direct cost comparison a bit of an exercise in wallet masochism. It's a cosmic shame that, through no fault of their own, bad timing and bloated component markets might prevent casual players from seeing just how hard this new Intel portable silicon kicks.

Manual Mode: For the Tinkers (But You Really Don't Need It)

For the hardware purists who insist on micromanaging their silicon, MSI Center M includes a robust Manual mode that unlocks granular sliders for the chip's PL1 and PL2 power levels.

For the uninitiated, PL1 (Power Limit 1) dictates the maximum sustained wattage the processor can draw during long-term gameplay, while PL2 (Power Limit 2) establishes the absolute ceiling for short-term burst power. In Manual mode, you can crank PL1 up to 35W and push PL2 to a blistering 45W to squeeze every single drop of performance out of a heavy title—just make sure PL2 stays at least 2W higher than PL1 so Intel’s power management algorithms don't choke. Alternatively, you can drop them into the single digits to slam the brakes on power consumption for lighter indie titles.

However, a quick note for the average reader: I rarely ever touched Manual mode. I use a gaming handheld to actually play games, not to spend 30 minutes acting like an IT admin configuring power registries before launching a level. Thankfully, you don't have to. The default AI Engine setting is brilliantly "set it and forget it," handling the heavy lifting and power shifting so smoothly on the fly that it renders manual tweaking strictly optional for anyone who values their free time.

But hey, cool on Intel and MSI for making it easy to go all out and tweak the chip!

Thermals and Fan Noise

High performance doesn't mean a melted chassis. Thanks to MSI's custom Cooler Boost HyperFlow architecture (love these names, btw)—which seals internal pathways to draw cold air directly over hotspots while isolating grip boundaries—this device stays remarkably chilly.

Our FLIR thermal array capture maps external chassis heat dissipation flawlessly under extended benchmarking loops:

• Front grip surface area: 96.3°F or 35.7°C (Perfect comfort territory)
• Rear grip chassis boundary: 92°F or 33.3°C (Literally cooler than your own body temperature)
• Display base intersection hotspot: 106.5°F or 41.4°C (Warm to the touch, but completely out of micro-stuttering finger range)
• Recessed exhaust vent interior: 130°F or 54.4°C (Where the actual dragon spirit lives, safely away from your hands)

The physical thermal reading confirms your hands remain entirely cool, completely isolated from internal hotspots. While the localized zone at the very base of the display glass reads at 106.5°F, it remains warm rather than hot, safely out of reach during normal use.

Even measuring directly inside the deep-set cooling channels yields 130°F, yet the felt air volume dissipates cleanly away from you. The internal acoustic profile is equally stellar: the dual fans emit a gentle, low-frequency airflow "whoosh" instead of a whiny, high-pitched jet engine shriek.

Software, Connectivity, and the Mini-PC Hybrid Trick

MSI Center M has matured beautifully, but can still be a bit awkward, and I hope to see some improvements (I may end up adding Winhanced at some point). The software utility integrates seamlessly across massive digital clients including Steam, Xbox, Epic, and Battle.net. It's simple and basic, but the whole Windows 11/launcher/various gaming libraries thing/switching is still a bit underbaked, but making improvements.

Triggering the native full-screen Xbox mode layout overlay brings up a clean, translucent quick-access console dashboard that only handles half the panel layout, avoiding disruptive gameplay pauses. They did a great job here.

From this single overlay window, a user can instantly adjust hardware properties:

• Swap operational profiles on the fly between AI Engine, Endurance, or full user-defined Manual tuning controls.
• Purge non-essential active memory via Free Up Memory sweeps.
• Fire up high-bitrate screen recording capture or toggle ambient Mystic Light RGB analog stick arrays.

The long‑standing Windows Modern Standby curse is finally gone. As far as I can tell, putting the Claw 8 EX AI+ to sleep with the fingerprint/power button triggers a proper hibernate state, or rather, the buttons/triggers/joystick don't wake it. But when I hit that button, it stays off and standby battery drain was minimal, which is a nice change.

The fingerprint reader can be a little picky about angle, but once you get the feel for it, it’s fast and consistent.

Intel's Wi-Fi 7 R2 on here is a beast. I have a Wi-Fi 7 router (TP-Link Tri-Band BE19000), and this thing just sucked down so much data when downloading big games like Cyberpunk 2077 that it even affected my TV streaming. Good stuff.

My only gripe is that, for some reason, my Xbox games are not showing up in MSI Center M, though I can, of course, access them via the Xbox app. I chalk this up to some early bugs, and hopefully some updates will iron those out.

The Ultimate Dual-Use Mini-PC Killer

Because this is an Intel architecture design instead of AMD, you get dual full-bandwidth Thunderbolt 4 ports. This unlocks a highly lucrative dual-use scenario. Dropping the Claw 8 EX AI+ onto a single-cable desk setup completely transforms the handheld experience into a premium desktop workstation environment.

When stacked up against custom high-end discrete desktop boxes like the Geekom A9 Max AI Mini PC (which utilizes mobile AMD Ryzen AI architecture), the Claw 8 EX AI+ matches or exceeds its functional productivity output while preserving complete, uncompromised on-the-go portability. It's a phenomenally versatile desktop replacement machine.

While the A9 Max AI outpaces the Arc G3 Extreme in CPU (see above), I'm confident the reverse will be true for GPU performance and the Intel B390 (we'll try to get some actual comparisons in an update to this).

Battery Life

The massive 80Whr ultra-capacity battery module integrated inside the shell handles power delivery exceptionally well.

Testing the console under heavy loads while running on the custom Endurance Mode setting—which dynamically caps rendering properties and shifts core priority to energy-efficient architecture—and maintaining screen brightness at a very vivid 45% setting (roughly 225 nits of total display output), the platform delivered a solid 3.5 hours of continuous triple-A gameplay. Switching over to casual indie titles or retro emulation easily pushes the operational lifespan past the 5-hour mark.

Final Verdict: Should You Buy It?

Look, if your bank account can handle the entry point and you are looking for absolute top-tier, uncompromised technical performance in a highly ergonomic package, yes, absolutely buy it. Intel and MSI have created a generational performance jump that sets a brand-new benchmark for portable PC gaming. The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is friggin' awesome.

If you're a normal working Joe, then of course not; that'd be financially irresponsible.

And that's my only real regret with the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+: a vast majority of gamers won't be able to experience it. This device is THE watershed milestone our portable community has spent years waiting for—a true, uncompromised hardware revelation where you can load a visually dense, modern triple-A blockbuster and play it at 100+ FPS in the palm of your hand without a single structural sacrifice.

MSI and Intel have finally delivered the holy grail payload we've been begging for from day one. It is an absolute masterpiece of engineering brilliance, hitting the market at a time when raw component pricing is absolutely screwing it up. If you have the enthusiast means to jump on it, don't hesitate. This is the future, right now.

In a surprise update, Xbox has begun displaying an "Xbox Handheld" logo on some game pages, including Gears of War: E-Day, Halo: Campaign Evolved, and more. To be fair, this isn't all that surprising. Xbox already indicates whether a game is handheld-optimised within the Xbox app, but it's still a neat graphic that makes it immediately clear where a game can be played.

Now, forgive me while I go off on a slightly speculative tangent, one that I also saw VideoCardz explore. Rumors have been swirling for a while about Xbox developing its own in-house handheld, and personally, that's the device I really want to see. While I appreciate features like Xbox Play Anywhere, not being able to access my entire Xbox library on my Xbox Ally X pains my soul every time I turn the thing on.

Honestly, I'll be pretty gutted if that device ends up stuck on the back burner and never sees the light of day, which is entirely possible given the current state of the industry. Memory prices remain stubbornly high, and hardware costs in general are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore, something even Xbox CEO, Asha Sharma bluntly admits herself.

Back on topic, though, Xbox being upfront about exactly where its games can be played is a nice touch. Realistically, the Xbox Handheld tag is probably just a reference to devices like the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X, one of which is even showcased beneath the badge itself.

Still, seeing that label gives me some confidence that a game has been optimized well for portable hardware and beyond. It also gives me hope for those out there still rocking a Steam Deck. While Valve's handheld isn't officially listed, the Z2 Go powering the Xbox Ally isn't in a completely different league, and if a game can run well on one handheld, that's usually a good sign for optimization in general.

Anyway, let me know what you think of the new Xbox Handheld badge in the comments below, and be sure to take part in our poll below:

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If you're into portable gaming, there's a chance you might not have heard of the Winhanced launcher yet. It's worth your attention, though, and I've covered it quite extensively in the past. It essentially acts as a full replacement for Steam's "Big Picture Mode" or the still-improving Xbox mode on Windows-based handhelds, like the fantastic Xbox Ally X.

The launcher is still in active development and hasn't quite reached version 1.0 yet. Despite that, the team has continued working hard behind the scenes, delivering a steady stream of impressive features in version 0.9.8.9. Before I get into the latest changes, let me praise what Winhanced actually brings to your Windows handheld.

At its core, Winhanced compiles your entire gaming library into a single interface. It supports Steam, Xbox, Epic Games Store, GOG, and even retro emulators, making it far easier to keep track of everything you own without constantly jumping between different applications.

As impressive as that is, one of the platform's standout features is something called Smart Profiles. These are community-created game configurations designed to help you get the best possible performance from your hardware. At the time of writing, support has already expanded to more than 50 games, including 007 First Light, ARC Raiders, Baldur's Gate 3, and more.

Another feature I particularly like is the ability to view your friend lists across multiple platforms in one place. Winhanced currently supports Steam, Xbox, and Discord, with additional services planned for the future, making it much easier to keep track of who's online regardless of where they play.

Now, I've mentioned features the launcher already does well, but the team hasn't stopped there. More recently, they've updated game cards, adding support for achievements across Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, and GOG, all presented through a controller-friendly interface that's easy to navigate.

While game streaming isn't really my thing, the developers have continued to expand support there as well, with the latest update adding 16:10 and 21:9 aspect ratio options for streaming. Outside of that, the team has also added button remapping, improvements to the launcher's visuals, smoother performance, cleaner animations, and a more consistent design language throughout the entire experience.

I could easily spend another few hundred words singing Winhanced's praises, but instead, I'd recommend joining the Winhanced Discord, asking questions, and giving it a try for yourself. If you like what the team is building, you can also support development through Winhanced's Patreon and help fund future updates.

With that said, what do you think of the latest additions? Are these updates enough to convince you to give Winhanced a shot, or are there still features you'd like to see added before making the switch?

Let me know in the comments below, and be sure to take part in our poll below:

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MSI revealed its new Claw 8 EX AI+ gaming handheld at Computex, and unfortunately, the price has been all that most gamers can focus on.

For good reason. A gamer can buy an Xbox Series X, a PlayStation 5, and a Nintendo Switch 2 for less money than the new MSI Claw 8 EX AI+.

MSI introduced its new handheld with a $1,500 price tag, but that quickly climbed to $1,799 when it was listed on the official MSI website. It's now the same $1,799 price at Best Buy after appearing first at $1,699, and only Newegg is still showing $1,699. I expect Newegg's pricing to catch up any time now.

Here's what I'm really struggling to wrap my head around. For the same $1,799, you can buy an Xbox Series X with 1TB storage and a controller ($649.99), a PlayStation 5 Slim with 1TB storage and a controller ($649.99), and a Nintendo Switch 2 ($449.99).

The trio of modern consoles comes out to $1,750, leaving you $50 to buy a few games for whatever console you set up first. That covers three different rooms in your house (or one mega setup in your gaming room), three different gaming ecosystems, and three exclusive libraries of games.

Giving the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ the kudos it deserves

I want to be as fair as possible towards the new MSI Claw 8 EX AI+. I got to test it out first-hand at Computex, so I have a bit of extra insight.

What I was most impressed with was the performance. Intel's new Arc G-series chips are making their debut in the new Claw 8 EX AI+, and from what I saw, they're going to change gaming handhelds in a major way.

Intel likens these chips to a GPU with an integrated CPU. A GPU with super resolution, ray tracing, multi-frame generation, and newfound efficiency. A GPU that was keeping Hogwarts Legacy and LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight at a smooth 120 FPS while I played.

The Claw 8 EX AI+ made the current offering of gaming handhelds seem outdated, which is exactly what you want from a new device.

From a hardware standpoint, I didn't really have any qualms, either. Its 8-inch touch display with 1920x1200 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate looked great with plenty of brightness, the device was comfortable to hold, and inputs were snappy and responsive. The only odd omission on a device at this price is a lack of an OLED display.

With up to 42% better performance at 1080p compared to the ROG Xbox Ally X with AMD Z2 Extreme, MSI's CLaw 8 EX AI+ is the real deal, at least on paper.

Why is MSI's new Claw 8 EX AI+ so expensive?

I highly doubt that MSI set a $1,799 price for its new gaming handheld just so it could make a few quick bucks off of those who still have a big PC gaming budget. The original MSI Claw 8 AI+ that launched in 2025 had an $899 price tag attached, nearly half that of the new EX AI+ version arriving officially on June 23.

The massive jump in price has a small part to do with upgraded hardware and new performance chips, but it has a massive part to do with RAM and storage costs. AI data centers are eating through the world's supply of these components, and practically all tech costs more than it did just a year ago.

The trio of consoles I mentioned earlier receives generous subsidies from their parent companies in order to keep prices down, but even they have become more expensive in the fallout of the RAM shortage.

MSI doesn't have a closed loop of games it can sell to make back the money it would theoretically spend on subsidies, so consumers are getting the full force of the price increases.

Who is buying the new MSI Claw 8 EX AI+?

A $1,799 gaming handheld is a hard sell anytime, never mind in our current economy. At this price point, it's competing with full gaming laptops with discrete GPUs and, as mentioned, a bundle of consoles.

Yes, the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is far more portable than anything else with the same level of performance, but I don't doubt that a lot of gamers will be happy to sit at a desk and play after saving hundreds of dollars.

👉 Gaming handhelds are the new netbooks — will they suffer the same tragic fate?

The average gamer is going to have a hard time coming to terms with such a high cost for one device when you can get an Xbox Series X for the living room, a PS5 for the gaming den, and a Switch 2 for portable gaming, all for the same price.

I agree that it's great to be a PC gamer, but whether or not the new flagship mobile device from MSI is worth more than three modern consoles is something you'll have to answer for yourself.

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No group has been more vocal about its AI-driven hardships than gamers. The modern silicon rush towards artificial intelligence and the colossal expansion of data centers have diminished the availability of consumer-grade PC components, particularly memory (RAM) and NAND storage (SSDs).

Hardly anyone can afford to build their own gaming desktop PCs, as the usual wallet-crushing cost of a graphics card (GPU) now bleeds into practically every other part you'd need. The answer, at least at first, was to pick up a ready-made alternative, like a portable PC gaming handheld.

Unfortunately, everything from the enduring Steam Deck to a high-end Lenovo Legion Go 2 has been afflicted by the industry's obsession with machine learning and other agentic AI fluff, though it's particularly egregious on the latter's side. Sadly, the Legion Go 2 is now listed at a baffling $2,349.99 at B&H, while Lenovo itself says the handheld is "no longer available" from its own US storefront.

Surprisingly, gamers were already paying $650 over MSRP for the Lenovo Legion Go 2 when it initially sold out, because it's just that good. And that's the real shame of it all: the Legion Go 2 is Lenovo's clever retort to portable consoles, almost like a Nintendo Switch that plays a practically endless library of PC games (and console games, if you dabble in legal emulation of your backups.)

But what's the point if hardly anyone can afford it? And let me be clear, I'm not trying to suggest that the Legion Go 2 was ever marketed as an "affordable" handheld; it's quite the opposite. However, I can't entertain the idea that it's worth more than $1,000 above its launch price, either. If even the wealthier gamers among us are being ripped off, what chance do the rest of us have?

Digging around competing retailers mercifully shows the faintest glimmer of hope: Best Buy lists the Legion Go 2 for $1,999.99, keeping that $650 premium alive and kicking. Nevertheless, I wouldn't expect to see Lenovo's $1,349.99 MSRP making a comeback any time soon, and I shudder at the thought of someone accidentally leaving their $2k handheld on public transport.

Handheld gaming on Windows has at least improved over recent months, with Xbox mode emulating the console-style UI of Valve's SteamOS. If the budget-friendly (white) ROG Xbox Ally manages to avoid this wave of price hikes, it'll likely remain the top recommendation among my team, but I'm not holding my breath. Want one? For now, the ROG Xbox Ally is holding steady at $599.99.

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ASUS, known to many Xbox fans as the company behind the ROG Ally line of handhelds, first entered the market with the ROG Ally and ROG Ally X before partnering with Xbox to create the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X. Both handhelds offer solid value for money, especially following Valve's recent Steam Deck price increases.

Despite that, one of the biggest criticisms of the lineup was the lack of an OLED display. Thankfully, ASUS has now revealed the ROG Ally X20 at Computex 2026, which finally addresses that complaint with a larger 7.4-inch OLED screen.

Unfortunately, ASUS has yet to confirm pricing, and the internals are largely what we've come to expect. The handheld uses the same Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme chipset found in the Xbox Ally X, meaning the biggest changes appear to be focused on the display and design rather than performance.

Now, you may be a bit confused by the device's name. The X20 branding is simply there to celebrate the ROG line's 20th anniversary, with the brand originally launching in July 2006. It was a very different era, dominated by flip phones and the launch of Nintendo's Wii.

For me, though, 2006 will always be remembered as the year Kingdom Hearts 2 released, so that's what defined the year more than anything else.

As for the ROG Ally X20 itself, I actually think it looks pretty cool. While it isn't drastically different from the Xbox Ally X, it does feature a translucent shell with gold accents that help it stand out from the crowd.

It also comes bundled with a pair of ROG XREAL R1 glasses, which are AR glasses that can be connected to the device to create a private virtual display. The glasses themselves can provide a screen size equivalent of up to 171 inches, with support for refresh rates of up to 240Hz.

I've always wanted a pair myself, but I've never quite been willing to spend the money on them. Seeing them included as part of the bundle is pretty neat, and it certainly helps make the package feel a bit more special.

With that said, let me know your thoughts on the ROG Ally X20. Do you like the look of it, or were you hoping for more than just an OLED screen and a new design? Let me know in the comments, and be sure to take part in our poll!

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Acer has unveiled a new gaming handheld at Computex 2026, dubbed the Acer Predator Atlas 8, and if the specs are anything to go by, it could give devices like the Xbox Ally X a run for their money.

The handheld is expected to launch in October 2026 in North America, Australia, and the EMEA region, though Acer has yet to reveal pricing. Given the current state of the handheld market, it's difficult to make even an educated guess as to what it might cost.

Still, while the price remains a mystery, the inclusion of two months of Xbox Game Pass Premium does help sweeten the deal, even if only a little.

With that said, let's take a look at the specs in the table below:

I'm all for seeing as many companies as possible throw their hats into the handheld gaming PC space. More devices mean more competition, and that's ultimately good for pushing the industry forward.

As someone who used to love Acer laptops back in the day, I'm glad to see the company entering the handheld market. But that's just how I feel about it. What are your thoughts on the Acer Predator Atlas 8? Is it a device you'd consider picking up, or are you planning to stick with what you already have?

Let me know by leaving us a comment, and don't forget to take part in our poll!

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MSI continues to throw its hat into the handheld gaming space, and I am here for it. Despite the volatile nature of the market right now, hold on while I have a moment of silence for the Steam Deck... or not, considering it still managed to sell out despite its increased price.

But we're not here to discuss that. Today, we're here to talk about the MSI Claw 8 EX AI Plus, revealed ahead of Computex 2026. It's certainly a mouthful of a name, but it features Intel's Arc G3 Extreme chip, which means it should pack quite a punch.

Speaking of packing a punch, instead of droning on and listing the specifications, or at least the specifications that we do know, I’ll put them in a lovely table here:

As you can tell from the table above, there's still quite a bit we don't know about this device. However, we do have a look at the Intel Arc G3 Extreme chip, which we covered here.

As for the price, we don't know anything yet, and given the current state of the handheld market, it's difficult to put an exact number on it. MSI's previous handheld, the MSI Claw 8 AI Plus, launched at $1,000, so if MSI gets a little lucky, perhaps this new model could land around a similar price point.

That's about all we know for now, though. Outside of its "Void Purple" color, which does look pretty neat, MSI hasn't shared much else. It was also nice to see the device showcased using the Xbox app, which I presume was running Xbox Mode.

I'm all for having more handhelds in the space. Price concerns aside, the more competition there is, the more choice we get as consumers, and hopefully that competition pushes companies to build even better hardware.

But enough about what I think. What do you make of the MSI Claw 8 EX AI Plus? Let me know in the comments, and as always, be sure to take part in our poll!

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For months now, we've been tracking the impact of the RAMpocalypse memory crisis on the handheld market. Ongoing stock shortages have made getting your hands on a Steam Deck OLED incredibly difficult, and I've long been touting the plucky Xbox Ally as a viable alternative.

For playing lower-powered indie games or clearing out your backlog, the two handhelds stand on pretty even footing. The Xbox Ally, however, lets you switch between Steam and Xbox PC natively without requiring hours of tinkering or workarounds. Crucially, it was actually available to buy.

Yesterday, Valve dropped the bombshell that the Steam Deck OLED price has been raised by up to 46% due to skyrocketing component costs. All of a sudden, the value comparison between these two devices is pretty stark. The gaming community is largely now realizing what we've been saying all along. With Valve's hardware now pricing itself out of reach for most budget-conscious gamers, the Xbox ROG Ally has officially become a no-brainer.

Before I dive into the whys and wherefores, here are the best prices right now in the US and UK for the Xbox Ally. Unfortunately for my American friends, it's not currently discounted on your side of the pond; however, its base price alone of $599.99 makes it considerably cheaper than the $789.99 Steam Deck 512GB OLED.

Xbox Ally vs Steam Deck OLED: How do they actually stack up?

Without even looking at the price tag, these two gaming handhelds are much closer rivals than you may think. Under the hood, at least, they target the same tier of performance.

The white Xbox Ally uses the AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, a chip that mirrors the custom APU architecture in both the LCD and OLED Steam Decks. When it comes to raw processing performance in mid-tier or lighter indie titles, these two handhelds run neck and neck.

However, the displays on both are significantly different. It would be remiss of me to ignore how beautiful the OLED panel is on the Steam Deck OLED. Aside from looks, however, the standard 7-inch screen of the Xbox device does boast a sharper 1080 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. It also includes Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), which is completely missing on the Steam Deck.

VRR can be a deal-breaker for many handhelds because it irons out screen tearing and smooths out stutters when your frame rate fluctuates. Added to this, the Xbox Ally is the most comfortable and ergonomically formed of the two units, with its textured grips that mimic the Xbox controller.

Here's a clearer side-by-side spec table for you to weigh up the two options yourself.

My comparison here simply weighs up the Xbox Ally vs the Steam Deck OLED. If money is no object, and you want to compare to the significantly more expensive Xbox Ally X, we have a full rundown of both: Steam Deck vs Xbox Ally, which is better?

Hate Windows? You can just turn it into a Steam Deck anyway

The main battle between these two devices has arguably always been the software. The Steam Deck runs the more streamlined and console-like SteamOS.

Windows 11 brings massive advantages out of the box, too, especially with the new Xbox Full Screen Experience (XBOX FSE). You get a dedicated Xbox button that launches a full-screen, controller-friendly gaming environment, and you can download games natively from Xbox Game Pass, the Epic Games Store, GOG, and EA Play without jumping through hoops.

However, there’s no denying that Windows can occasionally feel clunky on a 7-inch screen (and you don't have the handy touchpads of the Steam Deck here).

If the Windows interface is the only thing holding you back from buying an Xbox Ally over a Steam Deck, you aren't actually trapped. Valve has officially expanded its SteamOS installer to support third-party AMD handhelds, meaning you can install the real, official SteamOS directly onto the Xbox Ally.

Alternatively, many people install Bazzite. This is designed to mimic SteamOS but comes with built-in optimizations tailored for ASUS hardware (like easy RGB light control), making it much simpler to dual-boot if you still want to keep Windows around for Xbox Game Pass.

Valve have handed Xbox free marketing with this price hike

Before the Steam Deck's price hike, comparing it to other handhelds on the market was much more nuanced, with various factors to consider. Right now in this economy, though, price is king, and while I don't doubt the same increases will come to Xbox handhelds at some point, for now, they are racing ahead in the value department.

We've constantly agreed on the fact that the Steam Deck is a true, hassle-free, out-of-the-box handheld console experience, but now it's commanding a staggering premium. Do you really want to pay extra for that convenience?

Whether you use the Xbox Ally, Windows, and all for seamless access to Steam and Xbox Game Pass, or flash it with SteamOS to create a Steam Deck clone is up to you. Either way, you will be getting a vastly superior value proposition for your money. Now let's just hope Xbox can keep their prices down for a little bit longer!

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Earlier this year, the ongoing RAM shortage caused by the tech industry's ravenous, never-ending demand for memory to fuel the AI craze began to seriously cut into the supply needed for handheld gaming systems like the Steam Deck, resulting in the stock of Valve's beloved device rapidly drying up.

The firm promised its customers that it was "working very hard on" getting the Steam Deck available again about a month ago, in late April, explaining that it was seeking to partner with as many different RAM manufacturers as possible to help contend with shortages. Now, that restock has finally come...but it's come at a cost. A monetary one — and one that's unfortunately been passed down to buyers like you and I.

Indeed, Valve announced a major price increase for the Steam Deck alongside the news that it's once again available to purchase on Wednesday morning. The Steam Deck OLED 512GB is now $789 (up from $549), while the Steam Deck OLED 1TB is now $949 (up from $649).

"Steam Deck OLED is back in stock, with a price increase for both models due to rising memory and storage costs," the company wrote in its blog post. "Steam Deck itself hasn't changed; these new prices reflect the current state of component costs and other global logistical challenges across the industry as a whole. We’ll keep you updated if anything changes."

Those are price hikes of $240 and $300, respectively — about 44% and 46% in percentages. That's a pretty brutal increase for a device that's typically seen as the best budget-friendly handheld gaming PC, and reflects just how difficult it is for manufacturers like Valve to sell hardware at a profit during the memory crisis.

Sadly, now that Valve no longer creates the original LCD Steam Deck and exclusively makes the OLED models, there's no longer a way to get a new Steam Deck from Valve directly without paying a pretty penny. You can certainly try your luck on resale sites like eBay, but prices there have shot up, too.

Ultimately, this price jump significantly reduces the Steam Deck's value proposition and majorly shrinks one of the advantages it had over competing handhelds like the ROG Ally, the Legion Go 2, and the Xbox Ally. I don't think we'll see the cost go back to normal any time soon, either; AI datacenters are projected to hog 70% of all RAM this year.

The situation is frustrating, but from Valve's perspective, I imagine the only way it could sell the Steam Deck for less is if it did so at a loss — something it doesn't want to do, and may not be able to afford to do while it's also trying to gear up to sell its delayed upcoming console-like Steam Machine PC.

In the end, I suppose we should be glad that there are even Steam Decks to buy at all, even if they're ridiculously expensive now. If you really want one and have the money to afford it, you can buy it on the official Steam Deck store page.

Do you think the Steam Deck is worth buying now that it's gotten a big price hike? Share your opinion in the comments and in our poll.

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Ever confident, MSI is pushing ahead with its Claw 8 handheld, with the perplexingly named MSI Claw 8 EX AI+, and a move to Intel's Panther Lake-based Arc G3 Extreme chip. It's a processor expected to appear at the Computex show in Taipei next month (via VideoCardz), and Australian retail links have seemingly confirmed their inclusion in a "Void Purple" model.

It sounds great in theory, especially since I tested the previous MSI Claw 8 AI+ last year and came away impressed by the phenomenal performance from its Lunar Lake-based iGPU. However, that model came with a price that I already described as "absurd", but I'll have to find a stronger synonym after seeing the ~$1,900 price tag on the Claw 8 EX AI+ (converted from $2,749 AUD).

There's also a "Launch Pack" listed at ~$2,000 ($2,849 AUD), bundled with a tempered glass screen protector, claw-grip caps, a travel case, and a keychain. Unfortunately, any eager gamers with pockets full of money in Australia will be disappointed to see that Scorptec's listings are set to "out of stock", but the price doesn't feel unrealistic when the Claw 8 AI+ still sells for $1,299.99 in the US.

MSI never implied that the Claw range was anything but high-end, premium gaming handhelds, and it's still offering 32GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, a 120Hz touchscreen, and an 80Whr battery on the Claw 8 EX AI+ model. It's certainly an impressive display of what you can pack into a portable PC gaming device, but I'd struggle to convince anyone that a handheld is worth over $1,000.

At this point, I'm not sure who would be legitimately excited to buy the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ when there are more viable options on the market. Valve's still-brilliant Steam Deck remains the champion, and Windows-based alternatives start with ASUS' comparable ROG Xbox Ally (that's the $599 white one) and realistically end at the also eye-wateringly expensive $999 ROG Xbox Ally X.

Perhaps it's just a display of what's possible; a spectacle of sorts. Then again, this hardly feels like the time to show off your ability to push prices to their extreme — even with Intel's Arc G3 Extreme. Give me more affordable hardware that runs games at a consistent framerate, otherwise I'm sticking with the Steam Deck and ASUS' original ROG Ally (and so should you).

Windows Central will be at Computex, so we'll keep an eye out for Intel's new handheld-centric processor and any of the OEMs that might be showing it off — including MSI — to see how it justifies such a monstrous asking price. Until then, I wouldn't hold your breath for a price change before this launches. At least, not one in the cheaper direction.

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The team over at Winhanced is really pumping out updates lately, bringing new features for early access members, as well as additions for everyone. I’ve covered Winhanced quite a bit recently, even giving my full thoughts on why I believe you should use it over the Xbox App on your handheld, alongside the previous update that introduced low-power downloads to Windows handhelds.

First off, I’ll cover what’s being added in the latest public release (version 0.9.6.9). While it’s not really a feature aimed at me personally, it does add to how all-encompassing Winhanced is becoming. The team has now added PlayStation library support directly into Winhanced, meaning once you connect your PSN account, Winhanced can display your PlayStation games within its interface. As explained in the release note:

"PlayStation library support is now exiting early access! This is different from the current PlayStation remote play integration. Just like with your other libraries, you have the ability to sign in with your PSN credentials. Winhanced will then automatically import all of your PlayStation libraries into the PlayStation library menu. While you can’t install and play your PlayStation games locally, it's not just pretty pictures. If a game is installed on your PS5 console, you can open the game details for a game and select Play. This will automatically wake your PS5 over the internet, launch that game for you, and then launch a remote play session via Chiaki."

Basically, if a supported game is already installed on your PS5 console, you can launch it remotely through Winhanced using Chiaki (an open-source remote play app for PC) and stream it directly to your handheld. You can’t install PlayStation games locally through this feature, but if you’re a PlayStation fan, it’s honestly a pretty neat addition.

Improvements have also been made to navigation, which is nice to see and something I’ve personally wanted. The settings pages and Friends hub now have smoother navigation, and you can also scroll settings menus using the right stick.

Now, over to the early access release, which is accessible by supporting the team via Patreon. Winhanced has now added support for over 108 emulators, all of which can appear under a dedicated Emulator Library tab.

While Winhanced won’t directly display your ROMs like a traditional emulator frontend, I actually think this is a pretty good compromise for people who use emulators regularly. Another great addition is the new Apps Library, which now allows users to launch apps directly through Winhanced, including Progressive web apps.

You can download Winhanced from their official website, and to stay up-to-date with the launcher, be sure to join their Discord too.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on these latest updates to Winhanced. Do you think these are welcome additions? Have I convinced you to give it a try yet, or are you still waiting for version 1.0 before jumping in?

Let me know in the comments, and as always, be sure to take part in our poll above.

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I recently covered Winhanced, going in-depth on why I personally prefer using it over Microsoft’s current offerings, which is essentially just the Xbox App in full-screen using the previously named Xbox Fullscreen Experience, now renamed Xbox Mode.

Well, since my initial article, the team behind Winhanced has now released a new update for everyone. It adds several fixes for devices like the Legion Go, alongside a new low-power download mode.

For those unaware, Winhanced is a launcher for Windows that allows you to pull games from several libraries, including Steam, Epic, Xbox, and more, while still providing access to Xbox Game Pass. There’s also the ability to browse your library and install games directly from each storefront.

In the latest version, 0.9.6.5, Winhanced introduces a new low-power download mode. Similar to the Steam Deck, this allows your device to remain on in a lower-powered state while downloading games, with Winhanced recognizing when your screen would normally turn off and instead keeping the device awake using a lower TDP state to help reduce battery drain.

Alongside this new update, the team has also released new icons to give the launcher a cleaner overall design, including custom glass-style icons for your different libraries, quite reminiscent of Xbox's new glass-designed logo or Apple's liquid glass aesthetic.

Winhanced is coming a long way, and version 1.0 is coming at some point in the future. The app is also teasing some awesome features planned for future releases, but for now, you can download the latest version from their website, which can be found here, and join their Discord community here.

I’ve already spent a whole article discussing why I think you should give Winhanced a go, and I do plan on covering more updates in the future as they are released. So, let me know your thoughts on the launcher, whether you’ve already tried it, if this new update is enough to entice you, or perhaps if you use a completely different launcher altogether.

Be sure to let me know in the comments, and be sure to take part in our poll above.

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Now, this is really aimed at anyone using a handheld gaming PC or those who want a more console-like experience on PC with a controller.

Winhanced acts as an almost complete replacement for your PC library, bringing together your Xbox, Steam, Epic, and GOG libraries into a single app. It delivers a fairly friendly, console-style experience that feels much more cohesive than juggling multiple launchers.

It’s not perfect, but in my experience, it's already better than the Xbox app. With how responsive the developers are, I would be surprised if I ever switch back.

So with that in mind, let’s take a full look at Winhanced and why I like it so much, but more importantly, why I think everyone should make the switch.

Right out of the box, Winhanced sets you up with all your launchers, giving you the option to merge your libraries into one place. You can browse your entire collection in a single interface, with full Xbox Game Pass support, including cloud gaming and remote play.

It even includes options for PlayStation Remote Play and NVIDIA GeForce NOW, which alone puts it well ahead of the Xbox app. Speaking of the Xbox app, Winhanced also works in Xbox Mode (formerly Xbox FSE).

Not only that, but the app does more than just launch your games. The team behind Winhanced has also added a feature that automatically adjusts your TDP to help get the best performance possible in your games, which is a nice-to-have.

Now, before I glaze Winhanced too much, I should point out that I am part of its early access. That means my experience is based on features currently locked behind its Patreon.

That said, I do suggest supporting the team; you can find their Patreon here. It's a project built in their spare time, and they are very responsive to feedback.

It's also fair to say this is an early access experience. You will run into bugs and quirks that can take you out of that console-like feel.

Still, I run into similar issues with the Xbox app, and it's easier to overlook them here. This is a small team putting in the work, not a trillion-dollar company reporting record earnings.

Some of the issues I have encountered include graphical glitches, problems closing games (I believe this has been resolved), and occasional download hiccups. In my experience, though, reporting them leads to fairly quick fixes.

The team is also actively working on new features. A friends list is on the way and currently in testing, which merges your friends across Steam, Discord, and Xbox.

Speaking to one of the developers, Floop, on looking ahead, the developer had a clear vision for where Winhanced is heading. He states:

“A year from now if I could have the world I would see Winhanced talked about in the same vein as something like Bazzite or Playnite online, as a main staple app that people go to for their Windows controller first experiences.”

It’s certainly a bold vision, and honestly, based on my experience with Winhanced, I can see it happening if the developers continue refining the experience. And in many ways, they already have, and aside from the issues I've mentioned, I do already prefer it to Xbox’s own app, which just doesn't feel as console-like in its current state.

There are a few ideas I would love to see added. The ability to browse storefronts like Steam or Xbox directly within the app would be great, though I am not sure how realistic that is, and more customization options to mirror an Xbox-style dashboard would also be appreciated.

An installer-style screen showing game updates, currently installing, and recently installed items would also be a nice touch. It’s something Xbox already does well, and it would help round out the overall experience here.

As I feel like I've said a million times already, the team is incredibly responsive, and the reason I want more from Winhanced is that I can see just how much potential it has. Like the developer I spoke to, I can see it being talked about in the same vein as something like Playnite within a year.

The app is not even at version 1.0 yet, but the legwork is well underway to get it there, and whilst there is still plenty of work to be done, the team is clearly hard at work. Even so, what is already here feels like the foundation of something genuinely special, and it is absolutely worth checking out if you are getting tired of the Xbox app like I was.

If I’ve sold you on Winhanced or even just got you curious, be sure to join their Discord and let the team know, and of course, be sure to support the developers over on their Patreon.

👉 If you wish to install Winhanced, you can do so by clicking here.

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Once again, Default Game Profiles are expanding, adding another two dozen titles to the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X. That means more games now benefit from improved performance (and better battery life) when the hardware is updated out of the box.

For those unfamiliar, these are per-game settings tailored to each device. They adjust tweaks like power usage, TDP, and frame rate targets to help games run smoother while also lasting longer on battery, going beyond what in-game settings alone offer.

There are a few limitations to keep in mind. Right now, Default Game Profiles only work with games played through the Xbox app on both the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X, and when the feature first launched in November, it supported around 40 titles.

Now, that number is growing in a meaningful way, so expect more handheld gains. Xbox has confirmed another two dozen games are joining the list, and there are some solid additions here, so let’s take a look at what’s been added. I’ll keep it simple and run through the full list:

Now, you’ll notice that not every game supports both the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X. Titles like Invincible VS and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II don’t currently have Default Game Profiles for the base ASUS ROG Xbox Ally, which is a shame.

That said, there are still some standout additions here. We’re getting a Default Game Profile for Forza Horizon 6 ahead of its release, and perhaps most interesting to me is Halo: Spartan Assault, a game I was convinced Xbox had forgotten about, and one I actually enjoyed back in the day on Windows Phone.

How do you feel about Default Game Profiles so far? Are they a worthwhile addition, or do they not really affect the games you play?

Let me know in the comments and be sure to take part in our poll below:

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

The PC gaming world has been focused lately on the Steam Controller's launch this week, but it's another piece of Valve hardware that's lately stealing some of the spotlight.

According to Valve programmer Pierre-Loup Griffais, speaking with IGN, the company behind Steam is "hard at work" on the Steam Deck 2.

The first Steam Deck is what really kicked the PC gaming handheld craze off when it launched in 2022, with major brands like Lenovo, ASUS, MSI, and even Xbox getting in on the action in the following years.

So, with a Valve employee stating that the Steam Deck 2 is under development, that must mean it's coming sometime soon? Not likely.

Valve's Steam Deck 2 is in development, but don't expect it anytime soon

Valve is currently having a hard time getting its previously announced hardware, including the Steam Machine and Steam Frame, to market, never mind anything it has yet to officially unveil.

Announced alongside the new Steam Controller that launched on May 4, the console-like Steam Machine gaming PC and the new ARM-based Steam Frame VR headset have been delayed beyond their original "early 2026" launch target due to an ongoing memory crisis.

Valve is still hoping to get its new platforms out sometime in 2026, though I'm sure only a select few know if that goal remains a reality.

The RAM crisis could extend as far as 2030

With AI datacenters gobbling up the world's supply of DRAM and NAND, memory and storage are a hot commodity. The blooming effects of these supply chain issues are being felt elsewhere, and the cost of almost everything with a processor continues to rise.

What's worse is that there's no real end in sight for the RAM crisis. Some experts believe that high prices could last until 2030, while others take a more optimistic outlook with a potential 2027 or 2028 solution.

With this timeline in mind, it's easy to assume that the Steam Deck 2 could be two or three years away from an official reveal, never mind a physical launch.

TL;DR: Valve claims it's working on the Steam Deck 2 as its Steam Machine and Steam Frame are delayed due to hardware shortages.

Valve is more worried about handheld gaming power than hardware prices

Let's assume for a moment that there is no RAM crisis. The Steam Machine and Steam Frame launched alongside the Steam Controller, and everyone is having a grand time gaming on the hardware.

In this scenario, I still don't think the Steam Deck 2 would be arriving anytime soon. Valve has publicly stated that its goal for the Steam Deck's successor isn't just to boost performance while delivering similar battery life to the first-gen handheld.

This comment from Griffais was made in 2025. Since then, there have, of course, been advancements in chip technology. Intel launched its impressive Panther Lake mobile generation, Qualcomm revealed Snapdragon X2 SoCs, and AMD continues to forge ahead with Ryzen AI Max APUs.

Are they what Valve has been waiting for? Probably not. But they could be an early step on the way to Steam Deck 2's full development.

TL;DR: As of 2025, Valve has stated it's waiting for significant SoC performance and efficiency advancements before launching the Steam Deck 2.

Could the Steam Deck 2 be the first ARM-based PC gaming handheld?

Considering it's said that Valve made a ton of different prototypes for the original Steam Deck, I don't doubt that the company is exploring all options when it comes to the Steam Deck 2's SoC.

That could include ARM-based chips like Qualcomm's Snapdragon or the rumored NVIDIA N1X, especially if a performance-to-battery ratio is as important as Valve makes it seem.

👉 I tested 5 PC games on the ASUS Zenbook A16 with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme: Is Windows on ARM improving?

Although Nintendo has had massive success using an ARM-based NVIDIA Tegra SoC in its Switch devices, there has yet to be a mainstream PC gaming handheld using ARM. That's a shame considering how efficient we've found Snapdragon X and X2 chips to be in laptops, but I get it — until recently, PC gaming on ARM hasn't been a great experience.

That's changing quicker than I think most people realize, and even something like the Surface Pro 11 with a Snapdragon X Plus chip, a PC that's by no means a gaming system, has proven to be a reliable device for having fun.

Valve is getting cozy with ARM in its Steam Frame VR headset

It's not like Valve would be breaking new ground by considering ARM for its Steam Deck 2.

The upcoming Steam Frame VR headset is known to be using an ARM-based Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, running SteamOS and games locally on the device (it also works connected to a PC).

Doesn't this seem like the perfect test bed for an ARM-based PC gaming handheld? If it works better than expected, great. If not, it's back to the drawing board.

We've yet to see what NVIDIA's N1X SoC can actually do, but we have seen the rather significant generational upgrade to performance and efficiency that Qualcomm has pulled off with Snapdragon X2.

Assuming these improvements continue in future generations, the Steam Deck 2's arrival a few years in the future could line up perfectly with an ARM-based Snapdragon SoC with capabilities far beyond the current state.

TL;DR: Valve could be using its ARM-based Steam Frame VR headset as a test bed for a potential ARM-based gaming handheld.

The AMD-based Steam Deck 2 counter argument to an ARM device

A Steam Deck 2 running on an efficient and powerful ARM chip is an exciting thought, but it's certainly not a guarantee.

The original Steam Deck runs on a custom AMD Zen 2/RDNA 2 APU, and the upcoming Steam Machine is also leaning into an AMD Zen 4/RDNA 3 APU. Many believe the Steam Deck 2 will also stick with AMD, and for good reason.

Valve has put a ton of work into Mesa RADV drivers for AMD CPUs and the Linux platform (which SteamOS is based on), and it's not likely going to abandon that work anytime soon.

Of course, the Mesa3D Turnip driver used by Qualcomm Adreno GPUs has also been receiving its fair share of love from Valve, especially thanks to the Steam Frame, though some believe that has more to do with bringing PC games to your phone than an ARM-based gaming handheld.

In the same vein, Valve has been quietly funding FEX — an open-source translation layer for bringing x86 Windows games to ARM-based Linux — for about a decade.

TL;DR: Valve has put a lot of work into optimizing AMD drivers for the Linux platform, which many view as a primary reason why the Steam Deck 2 will use AMD hardware.

The state of the Steam Deck 2 is anyone's guess until Valve makes it official

I'm basing my predictions on what Valve reps have publicly stated as well as the current tech landscape, but it's ultimately only a select few at Valve who actually know what the Steam Deck 2 could look like.

What I want to know is whether or not you think the scenarios I've laid out here make any sense. Could Valve make the Steam Deck 2 ARM-based if future Qualcomm or NVIDIA chips prove to be a huge step forward?

Or will Valve stick with a future AMD chip, if only to take advantage of all the work it's put into the development of drivers for Linux? Let me know what you think in the comments section below!

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

The Xbox Ally range is getting some big enhancements today.

Rolling out now, Microsoft is enabling Auto Super Resolution (AutoSR) for the Xbox Ally X, alongside a variety of big enhancements to the way the Xbox Ally range (and other devices) show up on TVs and external displays.

The Nintendo Switch pioneered the "docked handheld" experience, but Microsoft's own PC gaming handheld efforts on Windows 11 massively lag behind. Today's range of updates is designed to begin plugging away at that gap in a big way.

Here's everything that's new.

The big enhancements hitting your Xbox Ally

Here's everything coming to your Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X in the near term. Most of these enhancements will also be rolling out more broadly to any Windows 11 device, making the concept of a "console PC" based on Windows 11 for TVs a more realistic proposition than ever.

• Finally, docking your Xbox Ally automatically configures your external display. The Xbox Game Bar now also has a display widget options menu.
  Out of the box, the Xbox Ally has the very irritating Windows external display configuration flow. It previously asked for a mouse to navigate and configure effectively, but Microsoft has now moved many of the display options into the Xbox Game Bar. Furthermore, when detecting an external display, the Xbox Ally will automatically target that display and disable its internal display.
  
  Additionally, the Xbox Game Bar will support changing resolution, refresh rate, and other display features, eliminating the need to grab a mouse or navigate tiny Windows desktop settings screens.
• Automatic "Game Mode" enhancements on compatible TVs, Super Wideband Stereo Voice.
  If you have a modern TV from the likes of Samsung, you might have noticed the display automatically switching to a low-latency gaming mode when your Xbox turns on. Now, the Xbox Ally will benefit from this as well. However, Microsoft says the automated mode is limited to ASUS docking products (for now), with a broader rollout planned later. So, for now, you may still have to manually switch your display to gaming mode when docking the Xbox Ally. Microsoft has also added support for super wideband stereo voice for headsets that support Bluetooth LE audio, which should improve the voice chat experience without degrading overall sound quality.
• Improved controller pairing when docked, in addition to joystick cursor mode.
  Another irritating part of the Xbox Ally docking flow pertained to gamepads and inputs. Previously, you'd have to manually switch between inputs using the Game Bar, if indeed your Xbox Ally would detect an external controller at all. Microsoft now says these features have been improved and should provide a far more seamless Nintendo Switch-like experience when docked with an external controller.
  
  On top, there's now the option of navigating Windows settings menus without a mouse. You can now switch your joystick to a mouse cursor, enabling you to tweak more esoteric Windows features from the comfort of your sofa. Microsoft has also improved vibration and haptics on PC as well, bringing them more in line with modern Xbox console games.
• You can now add apps and games to the library from outside of the Xbox PC app by hitting the + button.
  This is already live for testers, but now rolling out more broadly. You can click on the "+" symbol in your library section to add games and apps that aren't available natively through the Xbox PC app. This makes it easier to add things like Netflix, Spotify, and other tools you might want to use from your sofa.

• Perhaps the big one: AutoSR (Preview) is now available on the Xbox Ally X.
  Promised since launch, Auto Super Resolution (AutoSR) is now available in testing on the Xbox Ally X. Microsoft shared the above video to demonstrate how it can enhance games, although there are some pretty big restrictions, sadly.
  
  Only when docked to an external TV or display, AutoSR uses the NPU on the Xbox Ally X to upscale game visuals to "1440p-like" fidelity while natively running at a lower resolution. In the above example, we can see the Xbox Ally X getting anywhere up to a 10 FPS boost when using AutoSR without sacrificing quality.
  
  Microsoft sources tell me that the firm is exploring how and when to implement AutoSR on the Xbox Ally X when it's in portable mode. My guess is that it requires a decent chunk of electricity to run through the NPU, and thus prefers to be docked to a compatible 65w+ charger.

The Xbox Ally docked experience is already SO MUCH better

Just dabbling with the Xbox Ally's new docked features already reveals a huge leap in usability. When I initially did our reviews last year, docking the Xbox Ally would require messing with the Windows 11 display settings, which aren't even navigable without a mouse. Now, you can do everything from the Xbox Game Bar. My Razer Wolverine V3 Pro controller connected up immediately without issue or complaint, and switching between the Xbox Ally display and the TV display was simple and very fast.

My dock didn't detect my TV's auto game mode features, but that is coming later via updates, according to Microsoft. As of writing, it doesn't seem like AutoSR (Preview) supports all games, but it might be rolling out on a per-game basis. I'll try to figure out which supports it, but at the very least, it seems Forza Horizon 5 does for now.

RELATED: Best docks for the Xbox Ally / X

The reason the Xbox Ally update experience is so compelling is because it informs us what the Xbox Helix "PC-Console" hybrid might look like. Microsoft's next first-party Xbox is going to be a Windows 11 full PC-style device, albeit with compatibility for existing Xbox console games on top of the full-scale openness of a regular Windows PC. For Xbox gamers who prefer a simple "console-style" experience, Microsoft still has its work cut out towards making Windows 11 feel that way. But we're definitely heading in the right direction. The Xbox Ally is now closer in polish to the Nintendo Switch than ever, while simultaneously being orders of magnitude more powerful and open.

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

A little over four years ago, Steam creator Valve invigorated the handheld gaming PC market with the Steam Deck. Featuring a strong balance of performance, battery longevity, and price alongside a smooth user experience driven by the bespoke Linux-based SteamOS and quality controls, it was an instant hit. And even as competing Windows devices like the ASUS ROG Ally, the Lenovo Legion Go 2, and the Xbox Ally have come along, the Steam Deck is still the preferred handheld of choice for many.

With the rise of AI bringing a widespread RAM shortage, however, Steam Deck stock has rapidly dried up this year, and it may not be back for a long time; reports indicate that AI datacenters are expected to use up 70% of available RAM in 2026, lengthening a memory crisis so severe that it's hamstringing countless industries, from the production of automotives to the creation of Xbox's upcoming Project Helix console.

To put it lightly, things look pretty bleak for the Steam Deck — especially since Valve recently halted production of the original LCD model, and is only working on making the pricier OLED variants now. In a new interview, however, programmer Pierre-Loup Griffais has promised that the firm is "working very hard" to bring the beloved handheld back in stock.

"Yeah, we don't really have any specific details to share about that, but it's something we're working hard on," he told IGN. "And as you are aware, there's a lot of considerations right now with respect to shipping being difficult, and also memory shortages and all that."

"So we've been trying to work through that because we are very cognizant of the fact that there's folks that want to get Steam Deck and they're not currently able to get it," Griffais added. "It's available in some regions right now, but in general, it's something that we're working very hard on."

In an effort to get its hands on as much RAM as it can — both for new Steam Decks as well as the delayed upcoming console-like Steam Machine gaming PC — Valve says it's aiming to "work with all the big players and some of the smaller ones as well" to have multiple sources of RAM to fall back on when supply runs dry elsewhere.

"We're trying to make sure to keep options open and to work with as many different manufacturers as we can," explained Griffais. "I think in general, that's something that we're doing throughout our hardware design and production phase where we're always cognizant of the fact that having a single source for a given part would put us downstream of potential shortages, and things like that in a way that affects the continuity of the supply and the price for end users."

"So from the get-go, we've been trying to make sure that we have many options there, and that's been proving really useful in this kind of climate, because we can work with all the big players and some of the smaller ones as well," he continued.

Of course, there's only so much Valve can do to mitigate the effects of the RAM crisis, as "the conditions around memory are pretty global right now." Still, Griffais points out that there was a similar situation with microcontroller during the pandemic, and Valve was able to weather it by employing this same strategy.

"Because we had so many different options open in terms of putting different types of microcontrollers in there, we were able to navigate that and keep some supply in a climate where maybe some other players were not able to do that," he added. "So we expect to be navigating the memory thing the same way."

One device not affected by the memory shortages is the new $99 Steam Controller, which comes out on May 4. It looks great, though many feel it's too pricey and will be hampered by its lack of compatibility with Xbox on PC and PC Game Pass.

Have you been trying to buy a new Steam Deck, but have been unable to do so due to the memory crisis preventing restocks? Let me know down below.

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

Valve's Steam Deck Verified Games initiative has been a massive success in the gaming handheld world. Now, Valve has added new beta Steamworks tools for game developers that gather data directly from Steam Deck users.

If a game has made the cut and is Steam Deck Verified, developers can now track average framerates over the past 30 days, as well as receive user survey results based on whether or not a game lives up to its Verified promises.

For those who are worried about Steam harvesting user data without permission, fret not. These two new metrics are based on opt-in user participation.

Valve says it plans to add variance data for each date listed in its 30-day tally at some point in the future, and it also plans to bring this new compatibility chart to Steam Deck games listed as Playable rather than Verified.

👉 After 3 years, Valve's Steam Deck is still one of the best gaming handhelds — but the conversation has changed

The user survey results metric works a bit differently. Again, it's opt-in only, and the survey will only appear after a user has played at least 10 minutes of a game.

Users will be prompted about whether or not they agree with a specific game's Steam Deck Verified status. Should they disagree, they'll be asked to provide reasons why based on Input, Legibility, Performance, Stability, and Other.

These user survey results are meant to accompany the new average frame rate charts and to provide developers with a clearer look at whether or not their tweaks are actually improving the experience for gamers.

How does the Steam Deck Verified program work?

Valve uses a system with four main tenets to judge Steam Deck verification. Controller input focuses on support, appropriate icons, and on-screen keyboard automation. Display focuses on default resolution settings and text legibility.

Seamlessness is more about avoiding compatibility warnings and proper controller navigation. System support relies on Proton compatibility and anti-cheat support.

Games are then given one of four different Steam Deck Verified ratings.

Verified means a game has passed all checks. Playable means it runs with some caveats (maybe text isn't always legible). Unsupported is just what it suggests; this often has to do with anti-cheat not running on Linux. And Unknown means it hasn't been processed.

These ratings are all readily visible in the Steam store, largely taking the guesswork out of the buying process.

Windows Central's take

These new metrics should prove to be invaluable for developers who want to make their game run optimally on Steam Deck.

Although the new charts are only for developers at this point, I don't see why Valve couldn't one day make the data publicly visible, giving customers a better gauge of how a game will run. Perhaps it will arrive once a bank of data has been built.

Valve has been hard at work adding new hardware monitoring, no doubt as it preps for its release of the Steam Machine ... if that ever happens.

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

With the RAMpocalypse in full force, upping the cost of gaming and downright eliminating stock, the market is looking a little dry right now if you're looking to buy something new.

Yet, inexplicably, in the UK at least the entry level Xbox Ally is on a 20% deal right now, you can grab it from Amazon for only £396.50.

Why buy the Xbox Ally?

I can say personally that I own the Xbox Ally X, the more expensive and so-called beefy upgrade to this, but as someone who mainly plays less demanding titles, I actually regret dishing out the extra cash, as this model would have sufficed for me and not been as painful on my bank balance. Luckily, you can learn from my mistakes!

Lenovo is busy hiking the price of the Legion Go 2 into the stratosphere, reaching nearly $3k in the US. The Steam Deck is woefully out of stock due to "component shortages." It seems it's come down to ASUS to hold the line on prices (and they've increased them in certain territories).

Right now, the Xbox Ally at this price drop of a whopping 20% drop is the most viable, and honestly the most sensible option for portable gaming right now.

Outside of the more attractive price, it's really the most reliable Windows-based answer to the Steam Deck as it is most closely aligned in performance, and now price to the popular competitor.

Rocking an AMD Ryzen Z2 processor and 16GB of RAM, you also get a 7-inch 1080p display with 120Hz Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), this will crush your indie backlog.

Unlike the Steam Deck, this will also run Windows 11 out of the box and utilize the Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE) so you'll be able to switch between your Steam library and those Xbox Game Pass titles with ease. It's arguably a more comfortable device, too, with the controller-like grips.

The Xbox Ally isn't quite the powerhouse it's big brother the Xbox Ally X is, but it also doesn't come with that monster price tag and more comfortably falls in line with the price point and limitations of the Steam Deck. You may not be running COD on this, but the indies and AA titles will work just beautifully.

The bottom line is this: while the rest of the market is getting progressively more expensive or hard to find, the Xbox Ally is sitting right there at a discount, so I'd jump now before the price hikes hit this model too!

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

When the Steam Deck originally launched on February 25, 2022, we called it "streamlined, responsive, and undeniably compelling" in our five-star review.

Designed and produced entirely by Steam's parent company, Valve, it arrived running a custom Linux version called SteamOS. This was an introduction to Linux for many PC gamers who'd otherwise been beholden to Windows, and it proved to be a stable, efficient, and clean OS that just seemed to work.

The Steam Deck's main competition was found in Nintendo's Switch, before a wave of PC handhelds was launched by various manufacturers in an attempt to capitalize on the Steam Deck's popularity.

👉 After 3 years, Valve's Steam Deck is still one of the best gaming handhelds — but the conversation has changed

Many of these competing handhelds, like the ASUS ROG Ally X, Lenovo Legion Go, and MSI Claw 8 AI+, arrived with Windows 11 installed. This, of course, kicked off a debate over SteamOS vs. Windows that continues today.

Both operating systems certainly have their benefits and downsides. Game and app compatibility falls in favor of Windows 11, as does native store access. My biggest gripe about my Steam Deck is that I can't access Game Pass titles, and I know that I'm not alone.

It didn't take long for Steam Deck owners to begin experimenting with running Windows on Valve's hardware.

Was it always possible to run Windows 11 on a Steam Deck?

The Steam Deck was never intended to be a Windows 11 device. While you could "hack" Windows onto the hardware with some awkward steps and community driver efforts during the first year of the Deck's life, Valve eventually made the process a lot easier by releasing an official Windows driver package.

This didn't mean that Valve was suddenly distancing itself from its SteamOS. The company was simply acknowledging interest in Windows running on its hardware while removing some of the biggest obstacles.

With Windows 11 installed on Steam Deck, users could get full support for anti-cheat, access to Xbox Game Pass titles, and better support for other game launchers like Epic, Battle.net, and Ubisoft.

As you can imagine, getting it all to work properly wasn't exactly a straightforward process.

The "Windows on Steam Deck" community steps in to fill the gaps

Until recently, when Microsoft began pushing its Xbox Full Screen Experience/Xbox mode for gaming PCs, Windows wasn't much fun to operate on a small screen using gamepad input.

Windows on a Steam Deck, being the full Windows experience, also came with additional telemetry and bloat, reducing efficiency and performance compared to SteamOS.

This issue wasn't unique to the Steam Deck. In our Xbox Ally X review, it was noted that the Windows experience was still lacking due chiefly to missing optimization.

Many of these issues remain despite Microsoft's recent advancements for gaming handhelds. What else were Steam Deck users to do but create their own solutions?

A Reddit community known as r/WindowsOnDeck arrived in 2022 and has since grown to have more than 15,000 weekly visitors. The community is made up of like-minded PC gamers who prefer installing Windows to dual-boot alongside SteamOS, and it's home to an impressive amount of support documents and how-to guides.

Bald Sealion's ultimate Steam Deck Windows guide can be considered the WindowsOnDeck community's first stop on the journey. It's a veritable treasure chest of installation help, Windows OS tweaks, controller setups, quality-of-life improvements, FAQs, troubleshooting help, and much more.

Community-made utilities that help with controller mapping and more granular power control are available, as are custom scripts that help improve performance and battery life when running Windows.

If you're at all interested in dual-booting Windows and SteamOS on your Steam Deck, I can't think of a better place to check out first. The community is quite active answering troubleshooting help requests, and there are some great discussions on a wide variety of topics.

Why is the Steam Deck an unlikely Windows gaming handheld?

Despite the evident hurdles, including the necessity of custom tinkering and the fact that many consider SteamOS to be the superior way to game, the Steam Deck has become an unlikely Windows gaming handheld.

👉 4 reasons why SteamOS is quietly winning over PC gamers — and why Windows won't be dethroned any time soon

While Valve made the initial steps easier with its official Windows drivers package roughly a year after the Steam Deck's launch (likely in response to Valve seeing how many users wanted to try Windows on its hardware), it's been the community that sprang up around it that has really kept the dream alive.

Although I've always toyed with the idea of putting Windows 11 on my Steam Deck, I've yet to actually go through the process. That's going to change this weekend now that I've seen how many gamers are having positive experiences, and I can't wait to get my favorite Game Pass titles running while I sit back on the couch.

Do you have your Steam Deck set up to dual-boot Windows and SteamOS? How are you enjoying the experience? If you haven't taken the dual-boot pill, do you plan to in the future? Let me know what you think in the comments section!

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

Price hikes for gaming handhelds are coming in hot and fast across the board thanks to the ongoing RAM crisis.

Yet, one gaming handheld that's managed to escape this hike thus far (at least in the US) is the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally, a modest device built for portable Xbox gaming that's currently available at a 17% discount for $499.99 at Amazon.

Why buy the Xbox Ally?

The Xbox Ally is one of Steam Deck's biggest direct competitors as it features similar performance levels for playing games thanks to its advanced AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, 16GB RAM, and 7-inch IPS display with a 120Hz Variable Refresh Rate (VRR).

With these specs, the Xbox Ally can easily run low-end to AA budget games at 60fps and 1080p resolutions. Although it will have some trouble running intensive, demanding AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Forza Horizon 5 at high graphical settings compared to its big brother, the Xbox Ally X.

That's where the similarities end, as the Xbox Ally has a few advantages over the Steam Deck.

These include the ability to stream Xbox games via Xbox Cloud Gaming and PC games via NVIDIA GeForce NOW with little to no lag, superior ergonomic grips that are more comfortable to hold for long periods of time, and compatibility with more digital storefronts to download games from due to being outfitted with Windows 11.

The only things that hold the Xbox Ally back are its lack of performance-boosting HYPR-RX support, low battery life for playing AAA titles unplugged (1 to 2 hours to be precise), and a moderate 512GB SSD (thankfully, you can enhance it with one of the best MicroSD cards for Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X).

If you can look past those flaws, then the Xbox Ally is one of the best gaming handhelds you can buy if you're a fan of Xbox or PC gaming on the go.

If this gaming handheld sounds like your ally, then now's the best time to get an Xbox Ally using this $499.99 at Amazon, as this could potentially be the last time it's sold for so low before it gets price-hiked high like it is in Japan or like how the Xbox Ally X has been price-hiked in Australia.

Alternative discounts

Is Amazon's stock or discount deal on the Xbox Ally expires, here are some discount deals for it you can use as backup options:

• $538.00 at Walmart (was $599.99)
• $538.99 at Best Buy (was $599.99)
• $538.00 at Newegg (was $599.99)

FAQ

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The Xbox Ally X still has a long way to go, at least based on my experience with the device (see our full review of the Xbox Ally X for another take).

That said, Xbox is clearly trying to smooth out the experience, and its latest update tackles a few long-standing issues with some much-needed quality-of-life changes. With that said, let’s take a quick look at what’s being added.

Here’s what the Xbox app update actually changes

Users who update the Xbox app for Windows can expect a handful of genuinely useful features.

First, users can now customize where notifications appear, giving more control over how alerts show up on screen. These settings can be found within the Xbox Game Bar.

Next, users can directly adjust graphics settings without leaving their game, which is a much-needed quality-of-life improvement.

The new Display Widget, available through the Xbox Game Bar overlay, allows users to change display resolution, switch projection modes, and access Auto Super Resolution, which is set to release in April 2026.

That is all for now. With Auto Super Resolution right around the corner, I would expect more updates to arrive soon, and if you want early access to these features, Xbox now advertises sign-ups through a “What’s New” panel within the Xbox Game bar.

Having heard about these updates thanks to RogAllyLife, who also covered it, I decided to boot up my Xbox Ally X and install them myself to grab some photos for this article, but when I went to the Microsoft Store, I was hit with a “Something went wrong” error while trying to update my apps, and was also reminded that everything from Notepad to Windows Media Player needed updating, leaving me sat here for half an hour waiting while everything installs, unable to actually access the latest updates.

Regardless of my never-ending list of complaints for the device, I do actually enjoy using it daily, but over to you, have you found these updates useful? Let me know in the comments, and make sure to take part in our poll below:

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All sorts of consumer electronics have become exorbitantly more expensive and difficult to get hands on as a result of the RAM shortage crisis, and availability of storage and SSDs has started to fall, too. For some manufacturers and devices, there's simply not enough silicon to go around, and getting enough isn't economically viable. Such is the case with AYANEO.

AYANEO is known for its wide range of performant handheld gaming PCs, and its latest, the NEXT 2 — a high-end device for enthusiasts with desktop-class hardware under the hood — is scheduled to begin shipping in June. But thanks to the rise of AI vacuuming up nearly all of the market's components, the company says building and selling the NEXT 2 is "no longer sustainable."

In a post on its website, AYANEO explained that while "storage prices were already at a very high level" when it unveiled NEXT 2, it chose to go ahead with production and open preorders "so as not to disappoint our supporters." However, prices continued to skyrocket several times higher, and the firm says "Under such circumstances, the overall cost of the product has become far higher than our current selling price."

As a result, AYANEO has chosen to suspend preorders of NEXT 2, and has "removed the product from all sales channels" such as Indiegogo for the time being. It notes that "At present, the total cost of the product has far exceeded our selling price, even approaching twice the price we originally set," and that "Under such circumstances, continuing to sell this product is no longer sustainable." The price of the NEXT 2 ranges from $1,999 to $4,299.

"At the same time, we do not want to constantly adjust the selling price due to fluctuations in component costs. We believe that continuing to sell NEXT 2 under the current circumstances could potentially harm the interests of consumers and ultimately affect the long-term development of the brand," the manufacturer wrote. "Therefore, we have removed the product from all sales channels, and consumers are no longer able to purchase NEXT 2 on Indiegogo."

Some good news for those who already preordered the NEXT 2, though, is that AYANEO will "continue to move forward with production as planned," and make good on the orders for the handheld that it's already received. The company has also emphasized that this suspension of sales is intended to be temporary, and that it will "consider" resuming them once the market recovers.

"We would also like to clarify that this does not mean the end of the NEXT 2 product lifecycle. We are only temporarily suspending pre-orders. If storage prices return to more reasonable levels in the future, we may consider resuming the sale of NEXT 2," it noted. "At this time, we cannot predict when storage prices will decline, but we will continue to closely monitor market changes."

AYANEO has also committed to providing after-sales services to those who do end up getting NEXT 2 devices. "We will prepare sufficient spare parts for after-sales support and will provide long-term, reliable service and maintenance for NEXT 2, just as we have done for many previous AYANEO products," it said.

Speaking as someone who feels exactly zero passion for anything related to generative AI, it's been really frustrating seeing pretty much the entire PC market bend over backwards to fuel the craze. AI is burning through silicon at an alarming rate, and ever since Micron killed Crucial products to support it, every week seems to bring news of fewer components available for gaming devices and higher costs for consumers.

It's good that AYANEO is at least able to ship NEXT 2 handhelds to folks that've already ordered them, though it's obviously disappointing that one of the most impressive and exciting gaming devices made in recent memory will be unavailable to everyone else for a lengthy amount of time. Hopefully the RAM and SSD shortage ends sooner rather than later.

🗨️ Would you get an AYANEO NEXT 2?

Premium enthusiast devices like the AYANEO NEXT 2 are very expensive, but given that it's packing desktop-level power into a handheld chassis, its price makes sense. Indeed, this is one of the most promising high-end gaming handhelds ever, which makes it all the more frustrating that the ongoing RAM and storage shortages have made selling it unsustainable for AYANEO.

Did you happen to preorder a NEXT 2 while you still could? Would you get one if buying it was still possible? Let me know in the comments, and vote in our poll:

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A few weeks ago, a devastating tech tragedy struck my household when my Xbox ROG Ally X gave up the ghost. It wouldn't turn on, it wouldn't charge, and I was forced into the brutal unknown of the ASUS RMA process.

I can now happily (or perhaps awkwardly) update you that the unit has returned. It’s been resuscitated and repaired, now sitting in its box waiting for me to reinstall my library. But for our relationship, this might be the end of the road.

While my Ally X was away getting the tech medical treatment, I found myself in the arms of another.. possibly better handheld. And friends, I don't want to look back.

The "other" gaming handheld

When I was left bereft of a handheld (having already passed my beloved Steam Deck down to my son), my esteemed colleague and Windows Central Executive Editor, Jez Corden, stepped in — he loaned me his Lenovo Legion Go.

On paper, I wasn't interested in the device at all. I’d previously dismissed the bigger Legion Go; it looked heavy, clunky, and I thought the detachable joysticks were a gimmick I wouldn't use. I was wrong. I am now completely besotted.

That 8.8-inch screen is a wowza moment every time I turn it on. I actually thought it was an OLED at first, but it's actually a high-resolution LCD panel that puts the tiny 7-inch screen of the Xbox ROG Ally X to shame. Turns out, size does matter.

Also, if you'd told me this time last year I'd care about detachable controllers, I would have laughed. But I'm eating humble pie; they are life-changing. Dealing with some recent health issues, being able to sit back with my arms outstretched, lazily playing with the pseudo-joycons while the screen rests on its kickstand, has been ridiculously comfortable.

I can't believe I even care about a kickstand on a handheld, but having the option? Incredible.

The Lenovo Legion Go also has charging ports on both the top and bottom, plus a case (which is included!) with a cutout that lets you charge it while it's tucked away. Little things like this make a big difference when you are using something daily. It all adds up to make it feel more luxurious, more "worth it." I’ve even lovingly named it the Jenovo. My social media name is Jenbox360, but this handheld has me considering a whole rebrand.

Riddled with guilt over the expenditure

This situation has triggered a massive wave of consumer guilt. I am the self-proclaimed "Budget Bitch" of Windows Central. I’m the one who turns up my nose at $300 headsets and overpriced accessories. I agonize over big purchases to ensure they are worth every penny of what I'm putting in (just don't talk to me about Samsung smartphones).

I spent £800 on the Ally X because it felt like a sure thing at the time, even though it was out of character for me to slam down that much money in one go on a device (I play on an Xbox Series S, for God's sake). But I wanted that Play Anywhere Xbox library access and the so-called future-proof AI tech it offered. I was comfortable and confident in my purchase, even though I joked I was upgrading from my Steam Deck and may live to regret it (Narrator: she did.)

Unfortunately, it let me down after only five months. Although it's been fixed, ASUS returned it without an explanation of what caused the issue or what was repaired. Did they take it apart? Did they poke it with a stick to wake it up? I honestly don't have a clue because they simply told me it's fixed. Here you go.

Given the age of the early Lenovo offering now, it would have been quite a chunk cheaper to purchase instead of diving into the ROG Ally X hype. For the games I play regularly, Stardew Valley and Diablo 4, I really don't need the fancy ASUS device. And I say "fancy" lightly, as the triggers are already squeaking after five months of use. The composite parts just don't feel as premium as the Legion Go.

Is there hope for me and the prodigal ROG?

The Ally X (I call him ROGer) and I have some making up to do. If I can bring myself to go through the install process again. The whole experience has left a bitter taste in my mouth; the Ally X gave up on me, went away for repair, my head was turned, and now I can't bear to look at it. I checked that it turned on, and I've put it back in its box. I'm actually considering selling it, but I also have little patience for dealing with that process.

The moral of this torrid tale really is that I jumped in too quickly on a purchase. I didn't need the latest greatest most expensive tech to play Stardew Valley and Diablo 4 on. I just needed something that worked for my lifestyle and let me access all my libraries, and the Lenovo does that much cheaper.

So I suppose there is only one thing left to say. Sorry, Jez, you're not getting your Lenovo back.

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

Automatic Super Resolution, or Auto SR, is a long-awaited feature that many Xbox fans have been eager to see.

After a rather impressive showing from Xbox at GDC, where we got some rather juicy details, we now know Auto SR is set to launch next month, in April 2026, for Xbox Ally X.

But what exactly is Auto SR, and why could it change how people view the Xbox Ally X? Well, I’m glad you asked, so let’s break it down as simply as possible.

Before we begin, we do actually already have a detailed breakdown of Auto SR, so if you would prefer a more in-depth explanation, be sure to check that out.

What is automatic super resolution?

Auto SR is Microsoft’s own answer to AI upscaling, similar to tools like Nvidia’s DLSS or AMD’s FSR. Both are designed to help games look better while running at lower resolutions, so you can get as much performance as possible out of your hardware.

In the case of the Xbox Ally X, Auto SR will make use of the device’s Neural Processing Unit (NPU), thanks to AMD’s Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme chipset. These are high-efficiency processors designed specifically for AI and machine learning workloads.

The base model Xbox Ally does not have any NPU cores, but the Xbox Ally X does. This means that if you are struggling with performance in some games on your Xbox Ally X, starting in April, you will be able to use Auto SR to upscale games from lower resolutions like 720p up to 1080p or more.

Unlike tools like Nvidia’s DLSS and AMD’s FSR, Auto SR works at the operating system level. Those other tools have to be integrated directly by developers in order to work in a game.

It is not exactly a catch-all, though. Microsoft’s own documentation currently states that Auto SR only works on supported DirectX 11 and DirectX 12 games.

For those wanting an idea of performance, Digital Foundry covered the deeper parts of the technology back in 2024. The results showed it delivering better image quality than native resolution in some cases, but still falling short of Nvidia’s DLSS.

However, this testing was done over a year and a half ago, so results are subject to change and a recent showcase from Microsoft themselves boasted a 30% increase in performance.

🗨️ Will you use Automatic Super Resolution in April?

Auto SR has actually been around for a while now, but the feature has not yet made its way to Xbox Ally X.

With the feature now fast approaching, I would love to hear what you all think about it, and whether this kind of technology is a good use of AI.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments and make sure you take part in our poll below:

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

For those not in the loop, RPCS3 is a PlayStation 3 emulator that has made impressive progress over the years. It now allows users to play games like God of War 3, Uncharted 3, and many more on PC, provided the games are sourced legally.

It is also worth pointing out that emulation itself is legal. A common misconception is that emulation is illegal, but that is not the case.

Legality only becomes an issue when games are obtained illegally. If you own a legitimate copy of a game and dump it from your own disc to your PC, the process is legal.

Now, with all that fluff out of the way, let’s go over just what RSPCS3 team said and what users can expect.

What RPCS3 is planning for handheld gaming PCs

Thanks to the rise of the best handheld gaming PCs, the team behind RPCS3 is asking users for feedback on how the experience could be improved on portable devices.

Alongside that request, it has also outlined several changes it is currently working on that could benefit handheld players:

• A redesigned in-game home menu
• More settings that can be changed on the fly without restarting a game
• Better mapping of the home menu button
• Adding games to Steam directly from within RPCS3

These are only the features currently planned. However, the team has also reached out on X (formerly Twitter), asking users what else they would like to see to improve the handheld experience.

There are not many suggestions yet. One user asked for a SteamOS-style big picture mode equivalent for the emulator, while others simply want a better interface when navigating menus in-game.

That is where you come in. If you use RPCS3 on a handheld PC, you can head over to the post and let the team know what features or improvements you would like to see.

🗨️ Do you use RSPCS3 or do you prefer sticking to original hardware?

It has been a rather emulator heavy week. From an original Xbox emulator releasing on Android, to an Xbox 360 emulator appearing on iOS, and now improvements coming to the PS3 emulator on PC for handhelds.

It really does feel like a great time for emulation. It is also something I have always thought PlayStation should explore more seriously if it wants to revive older titles, whether on its own consoles or on PC.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments and make sure you take part in our poll below:

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

Only a few months ago, Lenovo's Legion Go handheld gaming PC lineup received an update that improved support for the Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE), introducing optimizations to help the handheld run the efficiency-centric gaming interface even more smoothly when manually enabled.

Now, it looks like Lenovo is taking another step towards broader implementations. Lenovo's community manager shared on X that users can now register for early access to Xbox FSE on the Legion Go (via VideoCardz).

Of course, you might already have the Xbox Full Screen Experience running on your Lenovo Legion Go since we've been able to enable FSE on any handheld, or even a standard Windows PC, using tools like AnyFSE. It isn't limited to the official Xbox app either, and it can launch straight into Steam Big Picture mode if you prefer (or any other app).

Xbox Full Screen Experience is essentially an answer to what Valve offers in SteamOS, giving Windows handhelds a more console-like experience by booting directly into the Xbox app (in full screen, naturally) and reducing background Windows tasks while gaming.

Lenovo's Legion Go handheld lives on despite recent reports suggesting the device would no longer receive future Z1 Extreme graphics driver updates. That confusion began with AMD ending its plans to provide Z1E graphics updates, but soon after, Lenovo clarified that it would still support the Legion Go (via Reddit).

And now, it's receiving another update so Legion Go users can sign up to test the Xbox Full Screen Experience in a more official capacity, with slightly fewer manual tweaks!

🗨️ Do you already use Xbox FSE?

Xbox Full Screen Experience has already been available on devices like the Xbox Ally, as well as some MSI handhelds, for a while now. Support continues to expand as more devices begin testing the interface.

With that in mind, I would love to know if you actually like the experience, or if you have even used it yet.

Let us know in the comments, and take part in my poll!

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

For those unfamiliar, Decky Loader is a plugin management tool for SteamOS and Bazzite handhelds. It is easy to install and significantly expands what your Steam Deck, or any Bazzite-powered handheld, can do.

Once installed, Decky Loader lets you add system tweaks, performance tools, and quality-of-life features directly into SteamOS. It runs quietly in the background and does not require deep system knowledge to use.

Bazzite is compatible with most, if not all, Windows-based handheld PCs. However, installing it will replace your existing Windows installation unless you choose to set up a dual-boot configuration.

If you prefer to dual boot, we have a full guide you can follow. It walks through the entire process on an Xbox Ally X, but the same steps should apply to most Windows handheld devices.

To install Decky Loader, follow the steps in this guide. The guide will work on both SteamOS and Bazzite.

Installing Plugins for Decky Loader

Installing plugins is fairly straightforward once Decky Loader is installed. Press the three dots button on your Steam Deck to open the Options menu.

Scroll to the bottom of the menu until you reach Decky Loader, then select the marketplace icon. From here, you can browse, install, and manage plugins directly.

Honorable mentions

Before digging into what I consider essential plugins for your Steam Deck or Bazzite device, it is worth starting with a few honorable mentions. These plugins did not quite make my final list, but they are still well worth checking out depending on how you use your handheld.

First up is XIVOmega, a plugin designed specifically for Final Fantasy XIV Online. It is a must-have for anyone who regularly plays the MMORPG on Steam Deck or Bazzite, offering useful tools that make the experience far more comfortable on a handheld screen.

Next is Decky Lookup, a simple but effective plugin that lets you quickly access information about the game you are currently playing. It is ideal for checking a short guide or looking something up without needing to leave SteamOS entirely.

The final honorable mention is Picture in Picture. This plugin is perfect for slower-paced or more relaxing games, letting you watch videos in the background while you play. I have personally found it works especially well with titles like Slay the Spire, which is also the game featured on the plugin’s download page.

Number 5: PlayCount

First off, we have PlayCount, a plugin that shows how many people are currently playing the game you have selected on Steam, updating in real time. It is not an essential add-on by any means, but it is a surprisingly fun way to see how active a game’s community is.

There is something oddly satisfying about knowing that tens of thousands of other players are jumping into something like Resident Evil 4 Remake at the same time as me, especially when playing on a handheld.

Number 4: HLTB for Deck

This one feels far more essential. HLTB, short for How Long to Beat, shows you how long it typically takes to finish a game, which is exactly what the name suggests.

That information has become increasingly useful as backlogs continue to grow, especially with Steam sales adding more games every year. On a handheld, being able to quickly see whether a game fits into a short session or a longer playthrough can make choosing what to play much easier.

Number 3: SteamGridDB

SteamGridDB adds a surprising amount of polish to your Steam library by filling in missing artwork like hero images, logos, and grid art. It is especially useful for non-Steam games, helping everything look consistent alongside native Steam titles.

This makes a noticeable difference on handhelds, where clean visuals and clear library layouts matter more on smaller screens. Games that would otherwise look out of place blend in naturally once their artwork is applied.

SteamGridDB is also available as a Game Bar widget on the Xbox Ally X, where it helps non-Xbox games look far better within that interface. While this article focuses specifically on Steam Deck and Bazzite, it is worth noting how flexible the plugin is across devices.

If a dedicated guide to the best Game Bar apps is something readers would be interested in, that is something I would be happy to explore further.

Number 2: NonSteamLaunchers and Unifideck

At the time of writing, neither of these plugins is fully integrated into Decky Loader by default. You can still install and use both, but the process requires switching to desktop mode first.

For NonSteamLaunchers, the setup is straightforward. You download the NSLPlugin.desktop file and remove the .desktop part of the filename, then double-click it to begin installation.

Once installed, the plugin becomes accessible through Decky Loader as normal. While this extra step may sound intimidating, it only takes a few minutes and is well worth it if you regularly play games outside of Steam.

Unifideck goes a step further by bringing games from different launchers into one place. Instead of opening Epic Games Store or GOG separately, it pulls your owned titles into a single searchable list within SteamOS.

To install Unifideck, visit the project page on your Steam Deck or Bazzite device in desktop mode and download the unifideck.prod.vXXX.zip file. In Decky’s Developer options, choose Install plugin from ZIP file, navigate to where the ZIP file is saved, and install it.

The two plugins do somewhat compliment each other, with NonSteamLaunchers handling launcher installation and Unifideck keeping everything neatly contained within Steam’s user interface. At the moment, Unifideck only supports Epic Games Store, GOG, and Amazon Games, with plans to expand support in the future.

Number 1: Decky LSFG VX

Decky LSFG VX enables Lossless Scaling on Steam Deck and Bazzite and is designed to help you get more out of your handheld in terms of performance.

For those unfamiliar, Lossless Scaling is a fairly cheap paid tool available on Steam that enables frame generation in supported games. This can help squeeze out extra performance, which is especially valuable on devices like the Steam Deck or Xbox Ally.

Thanks to this plugin, frame generation can be controlled directly from the Decky menu, making setup quick and painless. It removes much of the usual friction and makes advanced performance features far more approachable on handheld hardware.

Frame generation works best when a game already runs at a stable base frame rate, as it builds on existing performance rather than replacing it. It is not a magic fix for poorly running games, and results will vary depending on the title and the settings you use.

Your favorite plugins for Steam Deck and Bazzite

Which Decky Loader plugin has made the biggest difference to how you use your Steam Deck or Bazzite handheld? Let us know by commenting and taking part in our poll below:

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I’ll preface this by saying I generally tend to hold off on Windows updates. Honestly, it feels like so many do these days, especially given the somewhat muddied reputation around Windows Update and whatever issue the next might introduce.

In my case, one update caused my Xbox Ally X handheld to get stuck in recovery mode. The only way out was a Cloud Restore, which ended up taking over 12 hours, despite being connected to a solid internet connection. I have Gigabit internet and was even connected via a cable over Ethernet, yet the process still dragged on.

The whole ordeal really highlighted just how much work Xbox still has to do for the Xbox PC experience. While I recently wrote about being optimistic regarding the future of Xbox, moments like this make me feel a lot less confident and, more than anything else, simply frustrated.

An expensive work in progress

I’ve written before about my frustrations with the Xbox Ally X. At times, it feels unfinished, awkward, and less like a console, and more like a console-ish if you squint hard enough. That said, I have actually enjoyed my time with the device.

Whether it’s using it at night or just jumping in casually here and there, it is genuinely great hardware that is unfortunately dragged down by an awkward user experience and, well, Windows 11.

Windows remains a sore spot for a lot of people. It simply is not the OS many want it to be, even though Windows 11 adoption continues to grow. This whole experience almost pushed me to install Bazzite full-time out of spite on my Xbox Ally X.

The user experience there is generally better, but even that still does not feel quite as console-like as I would want from a device like this. As frustrating as these Windows 11 issues can be, I am heavily invested in the Xbox ecosystem and would miss access to Game Pass. That said, if there is another price hike, I will probably stop that service entirely.

So what actually happened?

Now this is where I’m honestly just a bit stumped. I updated my handheld because I wanted to move on to an Insider build to try the Highlight Reels feature that was recently shown off. Now, to avoid any confusion, no, I was not updating to the Insider build when this happened; I was just planning to after installing the latest updates.

Now my plan was to test Highlight Reels and maybe cover it here with some deeper impressions, especially with Elden Ring (after buying the game). Mainly because that game specifically isn't even available through the Xbox App and only runs through Steam.

Anyway, I made sure my Xbox Ally X was fully updated, restarted the device, and then I was letting the device restart and apply the update, and was suddenly hit with the message, “Your device ran into a problem and couldn’t be repaired.”

What actually caused the issue is still unknown to me. That said, this would not be the first time an update has broken something on the Xbox Ally X, with Armory Crate being a victim just a couple of months ago.

From what I could gather while troubleshooting, it seems the Windows update may have corrupted boot files or other system files, preventing Windows 11 from launching properly.

It's this kind of experience that worries me about the future of Xbox being built around a PC. If I cannot install a simple Windows 11 update without ending up wiping my entire device because the update failed, then what hope is there for a stable user experience in the next generation of Xbox?

What Xbox could be doing next generation is genuinely exciting. At the same time, that excitement comes with a heavy dose of caution.

Right now, I struggle to see Microsoft successfully pulling off an ambitious Xbox PC without first going back to the drawing board and fixing the underlying Windows experience.

🗨️ Have you experienced any issues with a Windows handheld?

I am still a bit bewildered by the issues I had with the Xbox Ally X, but I digress. Let me know if it has all been smooth sailing with your Windows handheld ventures, or, if, like me, you have been an unfortunate victim of Windows 11.

Let us know in the comments, and make sure to reach out to us over on Reddit!

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

Recently, we reported that AMD was stopping support for the Z1 Extreme, at least in the case of the excellent Lenovo Legion Go, a handheld released in 2023 that now appears to be receiving no further updates from AMD.

That understandably raised concerns, myself included, that support could also be winding down for other Z1 Extreme devices, including the ASUS ROG Ally and the Legion Go S, the latter only launching last year.

However, for now at least, ASUS devices appear to be continuing to receive support. A new graphics driver update for the Z1 Extreme handhelds has just landed, so let’s take a closer look at what it includes.

What this new ROG Ally driver actually changes

ASUS has released a new AMD graphics driver for the ROG Ally with the Z1 Extreme. The latest version is 32.0.22029.13001, dated February 24, 2026. Prior to this, the most recent update arrived in November 2025 (via VideoCardz).

Unfortunately, that is largely the full story. This latest release appears to be a minor revision of the existing 22029 branch that was already in place in late 2025, which previously added support for Call of Duty Black Ops 7.

In other words, this is not the major graphics overhaul that some owners may have been hoping for. There is no indication of a new driver branch, a shift to AMD’s latest public releases, or a broad architectural update.

What it does confirm, however, is that ASUS is still maintaining its Z1 Extreme driver package. That alone is significant, especially given recent concerns surrounding support for devices like the Lenovo Legion Go.

ASUS provides very little in the way of detailed patch notes for this release. The description simply states, “This package includes the AMD Graphics Driver, to provide your system the powerful graphic computing experiences,” and does not elaborate further.

That lack of detail makes it difficult to assess what has changed under the hood. Still, the presence of a new build number in 2026 suggests the ROG Ally has not been quietly dropped, at least for now.

If you wish to find the latest drivers, find them here, then find your device and navigate to support.

🗨️ Passing it back over to you!

Are you still using the ROG Ally or Ally X with the Z1 Extreme? Let me know in the comments here or comment over on our Reddit and make sure to take part in our poll below:

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

Thanks to reporting from DCInside, we may have just received confirmation that AMD is stopping updates for the Z1 Extreme chipset. The chip powers devices such as the Lenovo Legion Go, Legion Go S, ASUS ROG Ally, and ROG Ally X.

Perhaps more notably, the Legion Go S only debuted last year (see our non-Extreme review). If support is indeed winding down, that could leave many owners disappointed, especially those who invested in the device expecting longer-term driver updates.

For now, it remains uncertain as AMD has seemingly only named the Lenovo Legion Go; it does raise the question of how much longer other Z1 Extreme devices will be supported.

Is AMD ending support, or is this an OEM decision?

Lenovo Korea has reportedly stated that no further driver updates are planned for the original Legion Go. The support response specifically claims that AMD has ended driver support for the Ryzen Z1 Extreme, with some users even reporting they are stuck on older drivers.

Typically, AMD provides drivers to OEMs such as Lenovo or ASUS for validation and release. Without an official statement from AMD, it remains unclear whether this situation extends beyond Lenovo devices, though it is a reasonable concern.

Lenovo has also advised against installing Legion Go S drivers on the original Legion Go, even if the newer device continues to receive updates. Cross-installing drivers is not supported.

For users who want to stay updated, Lenovo recommends using Windows Update or AMD’s universal graphics drivers, where compatible.

ASUS has not commented on the situation, which is to be expected as this pertains to Lenovo.

Users who have Z2-based devices should not have to worry yet either, as they will continue to receive updates.

It does not sit well to see a device potentially reaching the end of support this quickly, especially when the Z1 Extreme remains a capable chipset. Legion Go owners have already raised concerns about slow driver rollouts, and if updates are truly ending, that frustration is unlikely to ease.

Whilst they are specifically discussing the Lenovo Legion Go here, which is only two and a half years old, mind you, it doesn’t give much confidence in support for other Z1 Extreme devices and even Z2 Extreme in the long term.

How do you feel about Z1 Extreme possibly nearing end of life support?

Are you using a Legion Go or another Ryzen Z1 Extreme device? Let us know your thoughts in the comments and make sure you take part in our poll below:

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

The ongoing RAM Crisis is quickening its toll on the games industry, with gaming handhelds having their prices raised across the board.

Fortunately, Microsoft's Xbox Ally gaming handheld has yet to be affected by these price hikes. In fact, it's still on the 18% discount sale it had in January for $489.99 at Amazon, giving Xbox fans a chance to experience its modest performance, high-quality screen, and other enticing features for less.

Why is now a good time to buy an Xbox Ally?

According to a recent report by Automation Media (and translated by PureXbox), the Xbox Ally X console has officially risen in price across Japan from 139,800 Yen to 169,800 Yen on ASUS' Japanese website.

When converted to US currency, this is the equivalent of a $200 price hike from its $999 MSRP. Fortunately, this price hike hasn't affected Xbox Ally Xs on US or UK soil, nor has the Xbox Ally's $599.99 MSRP price risen in Japan or any other country as of yet.

However, given that the ongoing RAM Crisis is starting to affect gaming handhelds like Xbox Ally X's price hike in Japan and Steam Deck OLEDs constantly running out of stock, it's only a matter of time before the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X seeing massive price spikes across the world.

So it's pretty fortunate that the Xbox Ally's $499.99 discount at Amazon is still on sale, even after over two weeks from the last time we covered a discount for it, especially for Xbox fans who prefer enjoying gaming on the go.

The Xbox Ally is a well-made gaming handheld with hardware capabilities and performance rates that rival those of the Steam Deck.

It features an AMD Z2 Series processor to help it run games consistently at 30fps or higher, depending on your settings. It's compatible with Xbox Cloud Gaming and NVIDIA GeForce NOW so it can play games via the Cloud, and at stable framerates at that.

The Xbox Ally also includes a 7-inch HFD IPS touchscreen display with 120HZ variable Refresh Rates, 1920x1080p resolution, 500 nits of max brightness, a 16:9 aspect ratio, and a color gamut with 97% of sRGB, so it can convey images and videos with vibrant colors and crisp details.

On top of that, it has comfy ergonomic grips, 16GB of RAM, an efficient cooling system, and dual USB-C ports for chargers and accessories.

Granted, the Xbox Ally's lack of HYPR-RX support to enhance gameplay and a small 512GB SSD storage unit leave something to be desired. However, the latter issue can be fixed by replacing the SSD with one of the best MicroSD cards we have found for Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X.

So, in light of the encroaching RAMpocalypse making gaming more expensive than ever, this could be your last chance to own one of the best gaming handhelds for a reasonable price before it potentially becomes financially unviable.

Alternative discount deal

Here are a few alternate discounts from various retailers you can use as last resorts if Amazon's 18% discount or stock on the Xbox Ally disappears.

• $499.99 at Walmart (was $599.99)
• $499.99 at Best Buy (was $599.99)

FAQ

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Recently, we covered how Steam Deck OLED stock was beginning to dry up. At the time, many (including us) speculated that rising RAM and storage prices across the industry could be the cause. Now, Valve has stepped in and addressed the situation directly.

Updating the Steam Deck store page with a comment that leaves very little room for interpretation, Valve says, "Steam Deck OLED may be out-of-stock intermittently in some regions due to memory and storage shortages. Steam Deck LCD 256GB is no longer in production, and once sold out will no longer be available."

It doesn't leave much to the imagination, and it isn't the first time Valve has commented on RAM and storage constraints. Not long ago, Valve delayed the release of its Steam Machine and has yet to provide a concrete price. The reason, again, comes down to RAM and storage pricing.

It’s also worth noting that when I checked the store page in the US, all Steam Deck variants are currently in stock, so buying one now could be your last chance for a while.

Memory and storage prices continue to rise, in part due to AI demand reshaping the industry. Some suppliers are prioritizing large AI-focused deals, sending more stock toward data centers and enterprise clients, and leaving less available for consumer hardware.

Even recently, Western Digital ran into HDD stock shortages (via Reddit). Its CEO confirmed the company had secured major AI-related agreements. At this point, a Steam Deck OLED price increase would not be surprising. The same likely applies to the Steam Machine, though we never knew the price to begin with.

And it is not just Valve. Future Xbox and PlayStation consoles will face the same market pressures. In Sony’s case, IGN suggests it could push the PS6 as far back as 2030 due to rising component costs. Nintendo Life also covered rumors of a price increase for the Nintendo Switch 2 this year.

RAM and storage aren't the only components facing issues across the industry, as NVIDIA is reportedly slashing GPU supply, with no new GPU set to release for gamers until 2027.

Are you concerned about how rising RAM and storage prices could impact Steam Deck, Steam Machine, or next generation consoles? Let us know your thoughts in the comments and make sure to take part in our poll below:

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It’s not quite SteamOS we’re working with here but rather Bazzite. For those who don’t know, Bazzite is a SteamOS-style Linux operating system that aims to mimic the SteamOS experience, but it is not affiliated with Valve.

Installing Bazzite on a Windows handheld can come with real benefits. It can make your device feel more console-like than Windows does today, even with the Xbox FullScreen Experience and in some instances Bazzite has reported improvements to performance.

The trade-off is that a full Bazzite install means giving up some of what Windows does best. That includes native Xbox Game Pass PC support, and certain games that rely on anti-cheat, such as Battlefield 6 and Call of Duty.

That’s where dual booting makes sense. It lets you use Bazzite for a more console-style experience, while keeping Windows ready for Game Pass, the wider Xbox ecosystem, and anything else you may need Windows for.

Important things to note before you begin

You’ll need a reasonable amount of free SSD space. While 64GB is the minimum required for Bazzite itself, allocating more is strongly recommended, with a roughly even split between Windows and Bazzite offering the most comfortable experience for games, updates, and day to day use.

A USB drive is required to create the Bazzite installer. It should be at least 16GB in size, and anything stored on it will be erased during the process. You’ll also need a USB hub, as most Windows handhelds do not have enough ports on their own. Ideally, the hub should support multiple USB devices at once, including a keyboard, mouse, and USB drive.

While some steps can be done directly on the handheld, a keyboard and mouse make the installation significantly easier. Certain menus are awkward to navigate with touch or controller input, and using proper peripherals helps avoid mistakes.

Prerequisites

Before installing Bazzite, there are a couple of Windows settings that need to be checked. Fast Startup and Hibernate should both be disabled, as they can cause file system and boot issues when Windows and Linux share the same device.

To disable hibernation on Windows 11, follow these steps below:

1. In Windows Desktop Mode, open the Start Menu.
2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click, and open as Administrator.
3. Within the Command Prompt, type: powercfg.exe /hibernate off
4. Press Enter, and it will disable hibernation.

This option might not be there but just to be sure, you'll want to disable Fast Startup. To do this follow the steps from this guide linked here.

These features keep parts of Windows in a semi-active state rather than fully shutting down. That can interfere with how Bazzite accesses the drive and may lead to boot problems or stability issues later on.

It is also worth making sure Windows is fully up to date before you begin. Running major updates after setting up a dual boot can introduce boot changes, so taking care of them in advance helps keep everything working as expected once Bazzite is installed.

If you haven’t already I do highly recommend you get a USB-C Hub to connect your USB drive and mouse and keyboard to your handheld, here is the one I use and recommend:

Step 01A: Downloading the required files

Before we begin, we first need to create our boot media, I will be doing these steps on an Xbox Ally X, however, the steps will be mostly identical on all Windows handheld devices.

With that said, follow these steps below for creating Bazzite boot media:

1. If you’re in the Xbox FSE, swipe up from the bottom and go to Windows Desktop.
2. On Windows Desktop, open your web browser.
3. Go to this website: https://bazzite.gg
4. Select Download Bazzite in the top right corner of the website.
5. Here you can select your hardware.
6. I will be choosing the Xbox Ally X, but choose whichever one corresponds to your handheld.
7. You will then be asked to pick a desktop environment; select KDE (Like SteamOS’s Desktop)
8. Then select the option Download bazzite-deck Legacy ISO.
9. Wait for that download to finish.

With that downloaded, next we’ll need to download and install a program called Balena Etcher, this will allow you to create a boot media from the ISO file we just downloaded. Follow these steps to download Balena Etcher:

1. If you’re in Xbox FSE, swipe up and go to Windows Desktop mode.
2. On Windows Desktop, open your browser of choice.
3. Go to this website: https://etcher.balena.io
4. Scroll down and download the version that matches your system.
5. Once downloaded, double-click the install file and install Balena Etcher.
6. Go through the installation process.

With Balena Etcher now downloaded we can move onto installing Bazzite onto a USB Drive, if you’re interested, I have these two USB drives for any time I need to create any type of boot media, and you can find them here:

Step 01B: Creating your Bazzite boot media

With all the required files downloaded, we’ll need to load the ISO into Balena Etcher with Your USB Drive inserted into your handheld.

For the correct settings, follow the instructions below:

1. Open Balena Etcher.
2. Choose the option Select from file
3. Confirm the correct USB drive is selected.
4. Select Flash and wait for the process to finish.

Once complete, Balena Etcher will confirm the write has finished. You can then safely remove the USB drive and move on to the next step.

Step 01C: Disabling BitLocker

This step is precautionary but strongly recommended. If BitLocker remains enabled, like me, you may be prompted to enter a 48-digit recovery key during reboots or when changing boot settings, which can quickly become frustrating during a dual boot setup.

To avoid this, you should temporarily decrypt the drive by disabling BitLocker before continuing.

To disable BitLocker, follow the steps below while booted into Windows:

1. Open the Start menu and search for Manage BitLocker.
2. Select Manage BitLocker from the results.
3. Locate your main Windows drive, usually listed as the C: drive.
4. Select Turn off BitLocker.
5. Confirm when prompted to begin decryption.

Windows will now start decrypting the drive in the background. This can take some time depending on your storage size, but you can continue using the device while it runs.

Step 02A: Entering BIOS

Entering the BIOS can vary slightly depending on your device. To keep things simple, this guide uses the Xbox Ally as the example. If you are using a different handheld, a quick search such as “how to enter BIOS on Legion Go 2” will point you in the right direction.

For the Xbox Ally, follow the steps below, or refer to our full dedicated guide if you need more detail.

1. Fully power off the device.
2. Press the Power button to turn it back on.
3. Immediately begin pressing the Volume Down button repeatedly.
4. Keep pressing until the BIOS menu appears.

Once you are in the BIOS, you can move on to the required settings changes in the next step.

Step 02B: BIOS Settings

Once you are in the BIOS, there are only a few settings that need to be checked or changed. It is important not to adjust anything else, as most options here do not need to be touched.

For the Xbox Ally, follow the steps below. Menu names may vary slightly on other handhelds, but the overall process is the same.

1. Switch to Advanced Mode if your BIOS opens in a simplified view by pressing Y or selecting advanced view.
2. Navigate to the Security tab.
3. Locate Secure Boot and set it to Disabled.
4. Confirm the system is using UEFI boot mode. In most cases, no change is required.
5. Save your changes and exit the BIOS.

After saving, the device will either restart or return you to the boot menu. From here, you can continue with the next step of the installation.

Step 03A: Shrinking your Volume

Before installing Bazzite, you need to create space for it on your internal SSD. This is done by shrinking the existing Windows partition, which allows Bazzite to be installed without removing Windows.

Take your time during this step. Nothing is applied until you confirm it, but mistakes here are the most common cause of data loss.

To prepare your SSD, follow the steps below while booted into Windows and not in BIOS:

1. Boot back into Windows if you are not already there.
2. Open the Start menu and search for Disk Management.
3. Open the first option.
4. Locate your main Windows drive, usually labeled as the C: drive.
5. Right-click the Windows partition and select Shrink volume.
6. Wait while Windows calculates the available shrink space.
7. Enter the amount of space you want to allocate to Bazzite.
8. Confirm the shrink operation.

Once complete, you should see a section of unallocated space on the drive. Do not create a new partition here. This empty space will be used by the Bazzite installer in the next steps.

In some cases, Windows will refuse to shrink the partition by the amount you expect, even if there appears to be plenty of free space. This is usually caused by system files that Windows refuses to move automatically.

If this happens, follow Step 03B to remove those limitations.

Step 03B: Fixing Windows volume shrink limitations

First, disable hibernation, by following these steps:

1. Open the Start Menu and search Command Prompt.
2. Right-click the Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.
3. With Command Prompt open run the following command: powercfg -h off

Next, temporarily disable the page file, by following these instructions below:

4. Go to the Start Menu, search for Control Panel, and open it.
5. Go to System and Security.
6. Select System; this will open System settings in a new window.
7. Select Advanced system settings.
8. Under Performance, select Settings.
9. Open the Advanced tab and under Virtual Memory, select Change.
10. Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.
11. Go back to the Change option under the Advanced tab.
12. Choose No paging file and select Set.
13. Reboot the device.

After rebooting, disable System Restore by doing the following:

1. Open Control Panel.
2. Go to System and Security.
3. Select the option System.
4. Choose Advanced System Settings
5. Go to the System Protection Tab.
6. Select your main Drive (it should be the top one in the list).
7. With the drive selected, choose Configure.
8. Then select the option Disable system protection and click apply.

Now we consolidate the free space, to do this follow these steps:

1. Open Command Prompt again by right-clicking it and selecting Run as administrator.
2. Type in the follow command: defrag C: /X
3. With the command typed in, press Enter on your keyboard.

Once this completes, return to Disk Management and try shrinking the Windows partition again.

After you have successfully created unallocated space, you can re-enable the page file, System Restore, and hibernation if you normally use them. These changes are only required to help Windows release locked space during partitioning.

Step 04: Installing Bazzite

With your USB installer ready and unallocated space created on the SSD, you can now boot into the Bazzite installer and begin the installation process.

Follow the steps below:

1. Fully power off the device.
2. Make sure your Bazzite boot media is inserted.
3. Boot back into the BIOS by pressing the power button and repeatedly pressing the volume down button.
4. Press the Command Centre button on your Xbox Ally to enter the boot menu.
5. Select your boot media from the options, on other devices, I’d Google how to enter the boot menu.

With that done, your device will reboot into your Bazzite boot media, from here follow these steps:

1. Choose Install Bazzite-deck.
2. Select your Region and click Continue.
3. Choose the option Installation Destination under System.
4. Make sure you choose your partitioned space and not your Windows drive.
5. While still within the Installation Destination page, make sure that Advanced Custom (Blivet-GUI) is selected too and only your partitioned space is chosen.
6. Once that is finished, select Done in the top left corner.

Step 05: Custom Partitioning and EFI setup

You should now already be on the Installation Destination screen, with Advanced Custom (Blivet-GUI) selected and only your unallocated space highlighted, as covered in the previous step, having select Done you will be taken to a new screen where we'll have to do some extremely important steps.

This step is where you manually create the partitions Bazzite needs. Take your time here. Everything you create must be done inside the unallocated space only. Do not delete or modify any existing Windows partitions.

Once you are in the Blivet-GUI partition editor, follow the steps below, and/or use the images I’ve provided with clear instructions on what to do.

Creating the EFI partition:

1. Select the unallocated space.
2. Click the plus icon to create a new partition.
3. Change the file system to EFI System Partition.
4. Set the mount point to /boot/efi
5. Change the size unit to MiB.
6. Set the size to 300.
7. Confirm the changes.

Creating the boot partition:

1. Select the remaining unallocated space.
2. Click the plus icon.
3. Leave the file system set to ext4.
4. Set the mount point to /boot.
5. Set the size to 1.0 GiB.
6. Confirm the changes.

Creating the BTRFS partition:

1. Select the remaining unallocated space again.
2. Click the plus icon.
3. Change the file system to BTRFS.
4. Do not set a mount point yet.
5. Use the rest of the available space.
6. Confirm the changes.

You will now see a new BTRFS entry appear in the list.

Next, we need to create the BTRFS mount points.

First, the root mount:

1. Select the BTRFS partition.
2. Click the plus icon.
3. Set the mount point to /
4. Confirm the changes.

Next we need to create the Var mount:

• With the BTRFS partition still selected, click the plus icon.
• Set the mount point to /var
• Confirm the changes.

Lastly we have the Home mount:

1. With the BTRFS partition still selected, click the plus icon.
2. Set the mount point to /var/home
3. Confirm the changes.

Now for the final checks before applying changes. Before continuing, double check the following:

• All newly created partitions are within the unallocated space.
• Your Windows partitions have not been changed or removed.
• You have an EFI system partition mounted at /boot/efi.

Once everything looks correct, do the following:

1. Select Done from the top left
2. Review the summary of changes.
3. Select Accept changes.

Step 06: Finish installation

To finish the installation, you will first need to create your user profile. Select the User Creation option and enter your name, username, and password. Make sure you choose a password you will remember, as it will be required for system changes later on.

Next, connect the device to your network. Select the Network and Host Name option, choose your connection type, then select Select Network in the bottom right corner and connect to your Wi-Fi network. Once connected, return to the installer overview to continue.

With that all done, now choose the Begin Installation option in the bottom right corner of the main screen; this will begin installing Bazzite which may take some time.

Step 07: First boot into Bazzite

If you have followed the steps correctly, you will be prompted to reboot your device once the installation is complete. After rebooting, you will see a blue screen with the option to continue to boot.

Select this option to proceed. You will then be guided through the Bazzite setup process, where you can choose your language, time zone, and network settings if you did not configure them earlier. Once this is complete, Bazzite may still need to set up and install some things; wait for this to finish and then sign into Steam when prompted.

If the system appears stuck at this stage, remove the USB boot media if it is still inserted and restart the device. You may need to re-enter the BIOS and manually select your Bazzite installation from the boot menu before continuing.

Step 08: Switching between Windows and Bazzite

Because Windows does not play particularly well with shared boot setups, an extra step is required to make switching between operating systems reliable. This involves creating a Bazzite boot shortcut in Windows, and a Windows boot option inside Bazzite.

To do this, you will first need to boot back into Windows. Depending on your current state, this may require entering the BIOS again and selecting Windows from the boot menu.

Rather than duplicating a long set of steps here, I highly recommend following the video below or clicking here for text based instructions, which walk you through this process clearly and avoid common mistakes.

With everything complete, you should now have Bazzite and Windows successfully dual booted on your Windows handheld.

I followed the steps from the guide linked here from Pete Talks Tech and adjusted parts of the process to make it as clear and approachable as possible. If this helped you, be sure to show some support to the original video as well.

For now, enjoy having the best of both worlds, with Bazzite and Windows running side by side on a single device.

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Steam Deck is Valve’s own handheld console, and an impressive one at that. It runs SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system built by Valve with gaming at the core of the experience, and Steam as the focal storefront.

That said, you are not locked into that ecosystem if you are willing to tinker.

Valve stopped producing the Steam Deck LCD, its most affordable model, last year. That left the Steam Deck OLED as the only version still in production.

Now, users have begun noticing that the Steam Deck OLED has seemingly gone out of stock across the US and several Asian regions.

Regions where the Steam Deck OLED is currently sold out include the US and Canada, as well as Komodo, Valve’s official distributor for Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

Is this a temporary shortage or something bigger?

Spotted by popular deal hunter Wario64 on X, last night, and further reported on by sites like TomsHardware.

Valve has yet to comment on the lack of stock in the US and parts of Asia. Europe, however, still appears to have inventory, and here in the U,K there is even Steam Deck LCD stock available, which is surprising given production officially ended last year.

There are also reports of stock potentially returning in some regions, though there is currently no indication of when that might happen in the US or Canada

Given current market conditions, with RAM and storage prices climbing and showing little sign of stabilizing, some are speculating that Valve could raise hardware prices. That remains purely speculation for now.

If we keep the tin foil hat on for a moment, rumors of a Steam Deck 2 have circulated for years. Valve has previously said it does not want to release a successor unless it represents a meaningful leap in performance, and at today’s pricing and power levels, that moment may not have arrived yet.

Valve has also reportedly delayed its Steam Machine plans due to rising component costs, which have been heavily impacted by AI-driven demand.

There is still a strong chance this is simply a temporary stock fluctuation and nothing more. If that changes, we will update this article accordingly.

For now, there are other capable handheld options available, including the Xbox Ally. Microsoft is gradually refining the handheld experience on Windows to feel more console-like, bringing it closer to the simplicity that makes SteamOS so appealing on Steam Deck.

Do you think this is just a temporary stock issue, or could something bigger be happening with Steam Deck? Let us know your thoughts in the comments and make sure to take part in our poll below:

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

AYANEO is quickly making a name for itself in the handheld gaming space — not to be confused with AYN. The latter makes the recently released AYN Thor that I have been seeing everywhere lately, and, honestly, I am extremely jealous of.

Yes, AYANEO also makes handhelds, but it primarily focuses on Windows-based devices. So far, it has built its reputation on pushing the limits of what a Windows handheld can be.

And it is certainly doing that again with the AYANEO Next 2, which has just gone up for pre-order on Indiegogo for as high as $4,299 (or $3,499 if you secure the early bird price).

AYANEO's Next 2 will launch in multiple configurations, with entry-level pricing starting at $1,799 if you pre-order. That model features the Ryzen AI Max 385 CPU, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage, rising to $1,999 at full retail price.

Going over that eye watering price and other configurations

These aren't weak specs. The Next 2 should comfortably handle most modern games, depending on settings and resolution. If that isn't enough, it also offers a higher-tier model at $2,299 with early-bird pricing.

That version includes the more powerful Ryzen AI Max+ 395, 64GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage, putting it a step above devices like the GPD Win 5, which uses the Ryzen AI Max 385. And it doesn't stop there. The top configuration uses the same Ryzen AI Max+ 395, but pairs it with 128GB of RAM and 2TB of storage.

That model costs $3,499 at the early-bird price or $4,299 at full retail.

Beyond raw performance, the hardware itself is equally ambitious. It features a 9.06-inch 2400x1504 OLED display with a 165Hz refresh rate and up to 1155 nits of peak brightness, alongside Hall Effect triggers for improved durability and precision, and even has touchpads, something I feel the Xbox Ally line of devices really needed.

Battery life will likely be the real test. It includes a large 116Wh battery, and unlike the GPD Win 5, which relies on an additional battery pack for extended use, the AYANEO Next 2 appears to integrate everything into a single unit.

The handheld weighs in at 1426g (via TweakTown), which is more than double the Xbox Ally X. That could make extended play sessions uncomfortable. As someone who owns the Xbox Ally X and already finds it a bit heavy over time, I am genuinely curious to see how the AYANEO Next 2 feels in hand during longer sessions.

It is also an extremely expensive machine. Part of that pricing likely reflects the ongoing RAM and storage supply issues affecting the wider industry, which are expected to continue into next year.

Would you spend up to $4,299 on a Windows handheld, or is this pushing the handheld space too far? Let us know your thoughts in the comments and make sure to take part in our poll below:

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A new Xbox Ally update has just landed, and according to Windows Central's own Jez Corden, it has brought a fresh new soundscape to the handheld console's UI.

According to Corden, the update introduced the navigational sound effects from the Xbox Series X|S consoles, resulting in a small change that has a significant impact toward making the Xbox Ally feel more like its Series console brethren.

The new soundscape is an optional addition to the handheld's UI, and those who aren't a fan of the new audio bits can visit the Xbox Ally's settings tab to customize the navigation sounds. The volume for the sounds can be turned up or down, as needed, or completely disabled if you prefer a quieter dashboard experience.

Corden also reports that, in addition to the new navigation audio, the overall dashboard experience for the Xbox Ally seems to have improved and is more responsive with this latest update.

Significant changelog information for the Xbox Ally has been scarce, despite continued updates working their way to the system. The last update to the ROG Ally changelog forum was way back in November 2025, but the system is expected to receive a major update in March that will turn on the NPU clip recording feature.

Due to the lack of changelog information, we're currently uncertain if this new audio update is only available to Windows Insiders or Xbox Insiders who have access to the Xbox Ally or if the update is for all users.

Windows Central's Jennifer Young recently wrote about her personal experience with the Xbox Ally X after hers stopped working just five short months after purchasing it. Most notably, Young wrote about an influx of failing ROG Ally units mentioned on a subreddit dedicated to the handheld gaming system.

How do you feel about the new console-style sounds of the Xbox Ally handheld? Let us know your thoughts down below in the comments.

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Over the past several years, new gaming handhelds have been coming out of the woodwork to challenge the iconic Steam Deck for portable handheld supremacy.

One of the newer contestants to step into this competitive market is the Xbox Ally, a Microsoft-branded variant of ASUS's ROG Ally console built to play Xbox titles with high performance rates while being comfy to use.

It's normally on sale for a steep price of $599.99, but Amazon is closing January with a bang as it's hosting a generous 18% for it, making the Xbox Ally now cost $489.99 for a limited time.

What makes the Xbox Ally a fun gaming handheld?

The Xbox Ally is a modest gaming handheld built with all manner of high-quality hardware specs that make it worth your consideration.

It's built with an AMD Z2 Series processor, so it can run games at smooth, consistent framerates of 30fps or slightly higher, whether you're playing them offline or through Cloud services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and NVIDIA GeForce NOW.

To help make the framerates stable, the Xbox Ally is outfitted with a 7-inch FHD IPS touchscreen display that can render images with 120Hz refresh rates (complete with Variable Refresh Rate Support) and a screen resolution of 1920x1080p.

The display also features 500 nits of max brightness, a 16:9 aspect ratio, and a color gamut with 97% of sRGB, so it renders images with clear, distinct, and vibrant colors.

Other standout features include comfortable ergonomic grips modelled after Xbox controllers, a silent and efficient cooling system to prevent the Xbox Ally from overheating during long gaming sessions, and dual USB-C ports to allow for charging and accessories to be plugged in.

The only objectionable drawbacks of the Xbox Ally are that it doesn't support HYPR-RX to enhance gameplay performance as the Xbox Ally X does, it has a small SSD storage unit of 512GB, and its steep MSRP of $599.

Fortunately for you, we have curated a list of the best microSD cards for Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X to help fix this gaming handheld's storage issue, and this 18% discount we have found has reduced the Xbox Ally's pricy toll to $489.99 at Amazon.

So if you have been holding out for a chance to get one of the best gaming handhelds to play your favorite Xbox titles on the go at a more affordable price, now's the time to do so as discounts for this device don't come often.

Alternative discount deal

If Amazon's 18% discount on the Xbox Ally expires or stock runs dry, we have found an alternative discount of this gaming handheld for $499.99 at Best Buy you can use as a back-up option.

FAQ

Another day, another Windows update breaking something it shouldn’t. This time, instead of power issues or black screen crashes, users who bought into the Xbox Ally lineup, or earlier ROG Ally devices, are being greeted with an “Oops!” moment as Armory Crate simply refuses to work.

For those unfamiliar, Armory Crate is ASUS’s companion software for the Xbox Ally and ROG Ally. It is used to manage performance profiles, system settings, and other essential features.

What’s going wrong with Armory Crate

Users on Reddit report that Armory Crate is hitting them with an error message reading, “Oops! There was an issue with the connections to Armory Crate SE. Please open Armory Crate SE for repairs and try again.”

The issue appears to be tied to Windows Smart App Control, which many users are mocking as not so smart, given the circumstances. Neowin, which also reported on the problem, summed up the irony neatly by calling it a “Not-so-smart Windows Defender.”

Armory Crate is an essential part of the Xbox Ally and ROG Ally experience. It lets users tweak device settings, manage controls, adjust performance profiles, and install important system updates.

Windows Smart App Control is a security feature in Windows 11 that, if you could not already guess from its breaking things, uses AI to block what it considers malicious, untrusted, or harmful applications by analyzing them before launch.

In typical Microsoft fashion, whether through overreliance on AI or poorly tested updates, Smart App Control now appears to be blocking Armory Crate from opening at all, locking users out of a genuinely useful tool their devices rely on.

How to fix the issue

To fix the issue, users can disable Smart App Control in Windows 11. Here is how to do it.

1. On your device, switch to Windows desktop mode.
2. Open the Start menu.
3. Search for Windows Security and open it.
4. Go to App & browser control.
5. Select Smart App Control settings.
6. Set Smart App Control to Off.
7. Restart your device once disabled.

Once disabled, Armory Crate should open and function normally.

So far, this is the only consistently reported fix circulating online. If it does not resolve the issue for you, the next step is to uninstall and reinstall Armory Crate after doing the steps above. ASUS provides a clear FAQ covering both the uninstall and reinstall processes, which you can find here.

Windows’ AI‑powered security tools are supposed to make the platform safer, but issues like this show how easily they can collide with the realities of handheld gaming. Until Microsoft and ASUS smooth out the compatibility gaps, Ally owners are stuck navigating yet another Windows‑on‑handheld growing pain.

Are Windows 11 updates and forced AI features starting to impact how you use your devices, or is this just another isolated misstep? Let us know your thoughts in the comments and make sure you take part in our poll below:

Hytale has only been out for just over a week, and fans are already doing some genuinely impressive things with its modding tools. Mods range from Minecraft cross-play to even running Windows 95 inside the game itself.

Despite that momentum, one of the most common requests from players is proper Steam Deck support. While Hytale does offer a Linux version, the experience on Valve’s handheld still leaves room for improvement, particularly when it comes to controls.

The game generally runs well on Steam Deck, but players are currently forced to rely heavily on the touchpads for movement and interaction, which makes the experience feel less intuitive than it should be on a handheld device.

That said, there is some encouraging news. Kevin Carstens, also known as Slikey, co-founder of Hypixel Studios, has commented directly on the possibility of Steam Deck support. Here is what he had to say and what it means for Hytale’s future on handheld PCs.

Steam Deck support is coming, but there is no timeline

As shown in the video above, Hytale can be installed on Steam Deck and generally performs well. However, the lack of controller support is what currently holds it back from being a truly enjoyable handheld experience.

According to reporting from SteamDeckHQ, the outlet reached out to Hypixel Studios co-founder Kevin Carstens, also known online as Slikey, to ask whether the game would receive proper Steam Deck support. Carstens explained that the work involved goes beyond simple input changes, stating:

Carstens also kept expectations grounded, something Hypixel Studios has been praised for due to its open approach to communication. He added that Steam Deck support is not a requirement for the game’s 1.0 launch:

Fortunately, despite the lack of official support, Hytale already runs well on Steam Deck. SteamDeckHQ also noted that Carstens reiterated controller support will arrive before the game’s 1.0 release, describing it as the next accessibility milestone. That work will go beyond basic joystick input, with a focus on broader accessibility needs.

Of course, official support for Steam Deck also opens the door for other handhelds, so it would also be great to see the game get official handheld support for Xbox Ally and other Windows-based handhelds either at the same time as the Steam Deck or not long after.

Do you plan to play Hytale on Steam Deck once official support arrives, or are you already jumping in using the current setup? Let us know by commenting and taking part in our poll below:

The Xbox Ally is already a decent device, but what if it was even BETTER?

Last year, I collected together the various Xbox Ally roadmap hints from ASUS, Microsoft, and other sources to offer a glimpse at what 2026 will look like for the device. We know that Microsoft is gearing up enable the Xbox Ally X's AI NPU this year, maybe even this quarter, enabling boosted super resolution features that could improve battery life without impacting performance. We're also getting some sort of AI-led game clip and social sharing feature, and Microsoft is also iterating on improving the Xbox PC app — with hints of a big redesign coming down the pipeline too.

While the Xbox Ally represents a collaboration between Microsoft and ASUS, Microsoft and Xbox are primarily handling things on the Windows end. Things like the Xbox Full Screen Experience, improvements to Windows under the hood, and beyond require updates from Microsoft itself. ASUS is tasked more with handling the hardware side, improving driver performance, device optimization, and adding fan-requested features.

To that end, ASUS has issued an update over the past couple of days for the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X, adding some much requested features and enhancements. Here's the patch notes from ASUS itself. The big one is the ability to effectively turn off Xbox's gaming version of Microsoft Copilot, which lets you ask AI for tips in games, while it scans your screen.

BIOS updates for: ROG Ally (RC71), ROG Ally X (RC72), ROG Xbox Ally (RC73YA), ROG Xbox Ally X (RC73XA), and Armoury Crate SE software updates (2.1.20.0).

• Enhancement: Added the ability to remap Gaming Copilot and Push-to-Talk under the "Action" section of the keymap configuration menu.
• Enhancement: Improved Extreme Standby Mode logic to enhance Modern Standby accuracy. (Requires BIOS v317 or later).
• Bug fix: Fixed an issue where the ACSE UI could extend beyond the screen at 900p resolution.
• Bug fix: Fixed a stability issue that could cause a BSOD when using Xbox 360 controller emulation.

Microsoft's Gaming Copilot is an interesting one. When you hold down the library button on the Xbox Ally right now, it calls up Gaming Copilot and turns on your microphone. You can communicate with the service, asking it for tips and tricks based on what it can "see" on your gaming screen. Sometimes it works pretty well, but only if the data exists on the web for it to reference.

For big games and easy information, it can be a decent reference, but for less-popular games and more granular information, it often just tries to make things up. Today's AI models have a notorious flaw where they refuse to say "I don't know" for some reason, which isn't exactly useful in these kinds of scenarios. Microsoft's Gaming Copilot also spends a long time greeting the user and being overly familiar and expressive, which is cute at first, but frustrating when you're just looking for quick information. I'll probably write a deeper article on Gaming Copilot soon, because I do think it could eventually become something more useful – but it doesn't really work if AI puts all guide writers out of a job... where will the information come from? I don't think investors really care about these kinds of long-term existential questions, though.

In any case, you can turn the whole thing off now. You can already remove it from the Xbox Game Bar, but removing its default mapping from the Xbox Ally means you'll no longer call it up by accident, as I've done on occasion. I'm also happy that the Armoury Crate UI will scale below 900p now, since before it would get cut off.

The Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X are fantastic devices despite some flaws with the Xbox Full Screen Experience and the Xbox PC app in general. It has become a pillar of my gaming life, and I can't recommend them both enough. I've been playing Final Fantasy 7 Remake via Xbox PC on the Xbox Ally for review recently, and I don't think they'll mind me praising its performance and optimization there. It runs flawlessly at 30 FPS even on the lowest power setting, making it a big winner for handheld battery life.

The Xbox Ally base model is currently on sale too, and is in my view, incredibly underrated, particularly for indie games and 2D titles and the like.

SteamOS already offers one of the best console-like experiences you can get on a PC handheld. It is fast, streamlined, and designed to feel simple in a way most desktop operating systems are not.

That said, installing Windows alongside SteamOS can unlock far more flexibility. Dual booting gives you access to games, launchers, and services that simply are not supported on SteamOS today, while still letting you keep the console-style experience when you want it.

In this guide, I will walk through the easiest and safest way to dual-boot Windows and SteamOS. The process works on Steam Deck, Legion Go S, Legion Go 2, and other handhelds that run SteamOS, and it is designed to avoid common mistakes that can lead to data loss or broken boot setups.

Before you start: During the Windows 11 installation process, you may see an option that says, "delete everything." Do not select this at any point. Choosing it can wipe your SteamOS partition and break the dual-boot setup.

A few extra tools will make this process much easier. While some steps can be done directly on the device, having the right setup avoids unnecessary frustration.

You will need a keyboard and mouse, a USB stick, and a USB hub that supports at least three USB devices at once, as well as Ethernet. Windows 11 also requires a minimum of 64GB of storage for the operating system alone, so make sure your device has enough free space before starting for both the OS and some space for any games or apps you’d like to use on Windows.

Although it is possible to complete most, if not all, steps on the handheld itself, creating the required boot devices is often smoother on a Windows PC. If you have access to one, it can save time and reduce setup issues later on.

The USB-C hub that I use (and recommend) can be found here:

1: Update SteamOS to the latest beta (3.6.9 or later)

Make sure that you are on the latest beta version of SteamOS, you can do this by doing the following:

1. To update to beta, press the Steam button or open the Steam menu.
2. Select the Settings option.
3. Go to the System option.
4. Select Beta participation.
5. Change the System update channel from Stable to Beta.
6. Restart and apply the update.

2: Set your SteamOS user password

If you have already set a password before, you can skip this step.

To do certain tasks, you’ll need a user password to essentially provide administrator privileges. It’s straightforward to do, and you can doit by following these steps below:

1. Switch your Steam Deck to Desktop Mode.
2. You can do this by pressing the Steam button, selecting Power, and choosing Switch to Desktop.
3. Once on the desktop, open System Settings from the taskbar.
4. Scroll down and select the Users section.
5. Choose Change password.
6. When prompted to enter a password, bring up the on-screen keyboard by pressing the Steam and X buttons together.
7. Enter a password of your choice and confirm it.
8. When asked to change additional options, leave everything else unchanged and confirm.
9. Once complete, close System Settings and return to the desktop.

You may also want a keyboard from here on out, and to keep things relatively cheap, I recommend an affordable keyboard and mouse combo to save on costs:

3: Create your SteamOS recovery media

This step is essential for resizing your internal drive later. It does not wipe your device and will only be used to safely manage partitions when SteamOS is not running.

Valve provides an official SteamOS recovery image, and you can create this boot media on either SteamOS or Windows. Use whichever system is easiest for you.

You will need a USB stick or microSD card with at least 8GB of storage; however, Windows recommends at least 16GB, so if you plan to just use one USB here, keep this in mind.

1. Download the SteamOS image by clicking here.
2. Insert your USB stick or microSD card.
3. On Windows, download and install Rufus from here.
4. On SteamOS or Linux, download and install Balena Etcher from here.
5. If you are using Windows, follow the steps by clicking here.
6. If you are on SteamOS or Linux, click here to follow the steps.

3a: Using Windows to create boot media

If you are using Windows to create your boot media, follow the steps below:

1. Download the SteamOS image by clicking here.
2. Insert your USB stick or microSD card.
3. Download and install Rufus from here.
4. Open Rufus.
5. Ensure that your USB Drive is selected under Device.
6. With Rufus open, select the Steamdeck_repair img file.
7. Make sure that "List USB Hard Drives" is selected.
8. Under "Partition scheme," select MBR.
9. Under the "Target system" option, select BIOS (or UEFI-CSM).
10. Now press Start.
11. Choose Ok when prompted that all data on the USB Drive will be lost.

3b: Using SteamOS/Linux to create boot media

If instead of Windows, you're choosing to use SteamOS/Linux then you can follow the steps below to create your recovery media:

1. Download the SteamOS image by clicking here.
2. Insert your USB stick or microSD card.
3. Download Balena Etcher from here.
4. Scroll down and choose the 64-bit option.
5. Go to the download location, right-click on your Balena Etcher download, and select Extract.
6. Extract somewhere easily accessible.
7. Once extracted, open the extracted folder, and then select the balenca_etcher file.
8. Choose the execute option.

4: Install the dual boot manager

This step is performed on your SteamOS device.

To make dual booting reliable and easy to manage, you will need a boot manager. This controls which operating system loads when you power on your device and prevents Windows from taking over the boot process.

For this guide, we are using SteamDeck rEFInd, a tool designed specifically for SteamOS devices. It allows you to switch between SteamOS and Windows from a clean menu and supports custom icons and backgrounds later on.

To install it, follow these steps carefully:

1. Make sure you are still in Desktop Mode on SteamOS.
2. Open the application launcher.
3. Navigate to System and open Konsole.
4. I’d recommend visiting this guide on your SteamOS device, and copying this install command:
5. cd $HOME && rm -rf $HOME/SteamDeck_rEFInd/ && git clone https://github.com/jlobue10/SteamDeck_rEFInd && cd SteamDeck_rEFInd && chmod +x install-GUI.sh && ./install-GUI.sh
6. Paste the command into the Konsole window.
7. Press Enter and type your SteamOS user password when prompted.
8. Confirm when asked to proceed with the installation.
9. Once installed, the application will appear on your desktop.

5: Dual boot GUI setup

Once the installation is complete, open the application and review the available settings. This part is straightforward, but I will briefly walk you through what needs to be configured next.

1. Open SteamDeck_reEFIned on your desktop.
2. I won't change many settings here, but you want to make sure SteamOS is the default Boot option.
3. Windows is already selected for Boot Option #2, so leave this as is.
4. You can change other settings if you wish, such as the boot menu icons and boot menu background.
5. Change the Timeout option to what you desire. I have chosen 10 seconds.
6. Select the "Install rEFInd" option at the bottom of the GUI.
7. Enter the password you created earlier.
8. Then choose "OK" and wait for it to install.
9. Then choose "Create Config," especially if you make any other changes.
10. Then select the option "Install Config."
11. Enter your password again.
12. Restart your Steam Deck to see your custom boot screen.

6: Resize the internal drive for Windows

This step creates space for Windows by resizing your existing SteamOS partition. It is done from the SteamOS recovery environment to avoid conflicts with files currently in use.

Take your time here. Nothing is applied until you confirm it, and following the steps carefully avoids data loss.

If you can't load into the SteamOS recovery image, try a Micro SD Card or a different USB stick.

1. To begin, make sure your Steam Deck is fully powered off.
2. Insert your SteamOS recovery USB or microSD card.
3. Hold the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Power button.
4. Release both once the boot menu appears.
5. Select your USB or microSD recovery media from the list.
6. Wait for the SteamOS recovery desktop to load.

Once on the recovery desktop:

1. Open the application launcher in the bottom left corner.
2. Navigate to All Applications and scroll down.
3. Open KDE Partition Manager.
4. Select your internal drive from the list on the left side.
5. Locate the ext4 home partition. This is where SteamOS is installed.

To resize the partition:

1. Right-click the ext4 home partition.
2. Select Resize/Move.
3. Use the slider to reduce the partition size based on how much space you want to allocate to Windows.
4. You can also type in how big you want your new partition size to be.

Once resized:

• Click OK to confirm the new size.
• You will now see unallocated space below the SteamOS partition.
• Right-click the unallocated space and select New.
• Choose NTFS as the file system.
• Confirm the changes.
• Click Apply in the top left corner and wait for the process to finish.

When complete, you should see a smaller SteamOS partition and a new NTFS partition ready for Windows.

Shut down the Steam Deck and remove the SteamOS recovery media. You will use this new partition in the next step when installing Windows.

7: Create your Windows boot media

This step mirrors the SteamOS recovery media process, but this time you will be creating boot media for Windows 11. The overall process is the same, with the only difference being the file you use.

For this guide, I will cover both the Windows and SteamOS or Linux methods, as the steps are very similar. If you followed Step 3, this should feel familiar.

You can safely boot back into SteamOS after the previous step to create your Windows 11 boot media. For this guide, I used a separate USB drive and kept my SteamOS recovery image intact.

1. Download the Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft’s official website.
2. Insert your USB stick into your PC or SteamOS device.
3. Download and install Rufus or Balena Etcher if it is not already installed.
4. Open Rufus or Balena Etcher.
5. Make sure your USB drive is selected under Device.
6. Select the Windows 11 ISO file you downloaded.
7. Leave the default settings unless prompted otherwise.
8. Click Start.
9. Confirm that all data on the USB drive will be erased when prompted.

Wait for the image writing process to finish. This can take several minutes.

Once complete, safely eject the USB drive. You will use this Windows boot media in the next step to install Windows onto the partition you created earlier.

8: Installing Windows on Steam Deck

With your Windows boot media ready and your internal drive partitioned, it is time to install Windows on your Steam Deck. This part is straightforward, but there is one important installer option to watch for.

1. Power off your SteamOS device.
2. Insert the Windows 11 boot media you created earlier.
3. Hold the Volume Down button, then hold the Power button down.
4. Release both once the boot menu appears
5. Select your Windows USB drive from the list.
6. Wait for the Windows installer to load; this can take some time.

Once the Windows installer appears, rotate your Steam Deck into portrait mode. This makes the setup screens easier to use.

It is normal for Windows to be in portrait mode on boot and during setup.

1. Select Install Windows.
2. Accept the license terms when prompted.
3. If asked for a product key, select "I don't have a product key."
4. Choose Windows 11 Pro when prompted, then select Next.
5. Choose the option to install Windows only.
6. Locate the NTFS partition you created earlier.
7. Select this partition and choose Next.
8. Do not delete or format any other partitions.

Windows will now begin installing. This usually takes a few minutes, and the Steam Deck will restart automatically.

After the restart, the Windows setup process will continue.

• Connect to WiFi when prompted, if available, or connect via Ethernet using the USB-C hub.
• Alternatively, you can select the I don't have internet option if available.
• Follow the install process, selecting your region, keyboard layout, etc.

Once setup completes, Windows will load to the desktop, likely still in portrait mode. This is expected and will be fixed in the next step.

9a: Downloading Windows drivers

This step applies to Steam Deck only. If you are using another SteamOS device, you should already be good to go.

For Steam Deck, Valve provides official Windows drivers for each Steam Deck model. These are required to ensure Windows runs correctly on the device. You can follow the instructions here:

1. Download all of the Windows drivers for your specific Steam Deck model from the official page.
2. Once downloaded, extract each folder.
3. Copy each driver folder to a USB drive and keep it somewhere easy to access.
4. You will need this USB drive in the next steps when installing the drivers in Windows.

Very importantly, you must also download the Dual Boot Fix tool. This step is required to prevent Windows from automatically bypassing the dual-boot menu after restarts.

Download the Dual Boot Fix from here and copy it to the same USB drive as your Steam Deck drivers.

If the download link does not work, the tool is also available on the SteamDeck rEFInd GitHub page by scrolling down to the Windows section.

You will run this tool later from within Windows to ensure the rEFInd boot menu always appears correctly.

9b: Installing Steam Deck Drivers

Once Windows has finished installing, several core features will not work correctly until the proper drivers are installed. This is expected and easy to fix.

Before starting, make sure you know whether you are using a Steam Deck LCD or Steam Deck OLED. The driver sets are slightly different.

It is also normal for Windows to be in portrait mode on boot and during setup.

You can download the drivers here if you haven't already.

1. Once the drivers are downloaded, extract each folder.
2. Put the extracted folders onto your USB drive.
3. Insert the USB drive containing the Steam Deck drivers into your Steam Deck.
4. Next, I highly recommend following the instructions for your Steam Deck on Valve's website, here.

Once all drivers are installed, restart Windows.

After rebooting, graphics, Wi Fi, Bluetooth, audio, and SD card support should all be working correctly.

The next step focuses on fixing the dual-boot priority, so Windows does not bypass the boot menu.

10: Fixing problems introduced by Windows

This step is required to stop Windows from bypassing the dual-boot menu after restarts. Without it, Windows can take control of the boot order and load automatically.

You should have already downloaded the Dual Boot Fix tool and placed it on a USB drive in an earlier step.

To apply the fix, follow these steps while booted into Windows:

1. Insert the USB drive containing the Dual Boot Fix tool.
2. Open the folder and locate the file named Setup_rEFInd_Windows_RunAsAdmin.
3. Right-click the file and select Run as administrator.
4. Confirm any prompts that appear.

The script will run briefly and close automatically once complete. This creates a scheduled task in Windows that ensures the rEFInd boot menu is always placed at the top of the boot order.

Once finished, leave Windows running and continue to the next step.

11: Final Windows configuration for Steam Deck

This step helps prevent graphical issues when booting into Windows.

1. Right-click the Start button and type Run and press Enter.
2. With the Run dialog box open, type msconfig
3. Press Enter or OK.
4. Open the Boot tab.
5. Check the option for No GUI boot.
6. Select Apply, then OK.

Once this is done, shut down the Steam Deck completely.

Turn back on the device and load in to SteamOS and follow these instructions:

1. Open the rEFInd GUI from the desktop.
2. Select Create config.
3. Select Install config and enter your password when prompted.
4. Restart the Steam Deck.

You should now see the dual-boot menu on startup, allowing you to choose between SteamOS and Windows with everything configured correctly.

If you prefer a video walkthrough, this guide is based on an older video created by Deck Wizard. However, this version has been updated and modernised, with several tweaks made to reflect current tools and best practices.

Much of the gaming I do in my downtime is now split between a ridiculously overpowered desktop PC, loaded with power-hungry components and unnecessary RGB, and the rest on my beloved Steam Deck. It's a sound system, and one that gets me away from the same desk I sit at all day to work, but it could be even better.

The problem is, handheld gaming PCs like Valve's iconic progenitor and Windows-based responses like the high-scoring ASUS ROG Ally and its Microsoft-centric offshoot, the equally appreciated Xbox Ally X, are just too damn big to be genuinely convenient. Sure, they're portable, and I've traveled around the world with both types, but they take up too much space in my carry-on luggage.

We're already craving more affordable, strange handhelds to offset the ultra-premium options like the MSI Claw 8 AI+ and the Lenovo Legion Go 2. As Rebecca says, "It would be great to see some smaller designs like this that are actually, truly portable and better protected." She's right, and I recently found a relic that perfectly demonstrates how PlayStation did it right in the past.

That faint rumbling sound is thousands of rolling eyeballs from gamers who don't appreciate my comparison between Valve's fully fledged PC and Sony's 333 MHz PSP Go from 2011, but hear me out — it's the pocketability that I miss. Yes, the singular hockey puck-esque thumbstick wasn't ideal, and the shoulder buttons were a spongey mess, but the sliding-screen mechanic was clever.

We came close to seeing its form factor return in 2024 with AYANEO's Slide, but it only revealed a hidden QWERTY keyboard, like some mutated BlackBerry with tacked-on joypad controls. Still, if Mr. Mobile and CrackBerry Kevin can spearhead the Clicks Communicator on the back of that kind of nostalgia, why shouldn't I yearn for a spiritual PC sequel to the PSP Go?

After all, why not? What's preventing manufacturers from returning to this pocket-sized convenience category anyway? Well, even a light pondering of the topic reveals at least two answers: the ergonomics of built-in controls will be compromised, and smartphones are already capable of running modern games without issue — but I hate playing games on my phone.

The most straightforward answer to both is a detachable joypad, something like the Backbone Pro, but it isn't quite right for me. It's another thing to carry, and I want to avoid carrying a bag full of extra gadgets. Plus, I'm far too precious about my phone's battery to force it into playing AAA games. If only there were something closer to a PC— you can probably guess where I'm going with this.

The solution was Windows Phone

You know we used to be called Windows Phone Central, right? We're never letting it go, especially when I think about modern uses for a smartphone running Windows — or even Linux, for that matter. Naturally, I couldn't expect this fantastical phone-turned-handheld to use any standard PC parts like M.2 solid-state drives, but the software side could work.

In fact, people are already running x86-64 Windows PC games on Android via Winlator, so it isn't that far-fetched. However, possibility rarely goes hand in hand with viability, and there's just no reason for this strange in-between hardware to exist. I know how powerful smartphones are and that they can play AAA games, but Android isn't good enough. I want Windows in my pocket.

Big surprise, the Windows Central guy wants Windows. I can hear the "just buy a better phone" crowd, but that's not what I'm craving. I want some entry-level, budget-friendly, compact, and pocketable handhelds that won't threaten to replace any of the high-end category leaders — no dropshipped trash, either. I'm definitely in the minority, but I miss those cute and compact consoles.

Am I just a sad old man yelling at clouds? Did the Temu-flooded clones solve this already? Let me know.

Valve better watch its back, for its greatest challenger has arrived — the Xbox Ally. Made in collaboration with Microsoft and ASUS ROG, this young gaming handheld is one of the hottest portable gaming consoles in a long while.

It has a satisfyingly consistent performance, a display with gorgeous visuals, comfy grips, a modest MSRP of $599.99, that's been reduced to $499.99 at Amazon for a limited time, and much more.

Why buy the Xbox Ally in 2026?

There are plenty of reasons as to why we believe the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally gives the Steam Deck a run for its money, and why you should consider purchasing one if you enjoy Xbox Cloud Gaming or portable gaming in general.

For starters, its performance is on par with the Steam Deck's, thanks to being built with the AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor. This allows it to run most AA games and all low-end indie titles at 60fps with 1080p resolution for smooth, enjoyable gameplay.

Additionally, the Xbox Ally's AMD Ryzen Z2 A allows it to stream Xbox games via Xbox Cloud Gaming and PC games via NVIDIA GeForce NOW strongly with little to no latency, so you don't have to worry about delayed inputs or lag.

Other standout features include responsive controls, ergonomic grips, a 7-inch IPS display with a 120Hz Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and an efficient cooling system to prevent your console from overheating.

That being said, there are some drawbacks with the Xbox Ally to consider.

It has trouble running graphically intense titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Forza Horizon 5 at high settings compared to the Xbox Ally X. It has only 512GB of storage, it has no HYPR-RX or AI enhancement support, and it has a short battery life of 2 hours for AAA titles/7 hours for indie & AA titles.

Fortunately, you can improve the Xbox Ally's storage capacity by upgrading it with the best microSD cards for Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X.

Once you get over these shortcomings, the Xbox Ally is still an amazing Windows 11 gaming handheld for people who like to play on the cloud. If this console sounds enticing to you, you can pick it up right now for a 17% discount at $499.99 at Amazon.

Alternative Discount

If Amazon's discount shuts down or runs out of stock, Best Buy has an identical discount available now for $499.99 as a back-up option.

FAQ

While enjoying the holiday break, my husband and I finally decided to play Divinity: Original Sin 2, the highly rated 2017 RPG created by Larian Studios, long before Baldur's Gate 3 was ever released.

I've been playing on my Xbox Ally X, and I've enjoyed the co-op handheld experience so much that I want people to try it for themselves.

You can even get a PC copy of Divinity: Original Sin 2 at a discount while it's $20.49 at Loaded (GOG code), which is about 66% less than it's currently selling for on Steam.

Oh, and the Xbox Ally X is finally back in stock at Best Buy, if you want to grab it.

Playing DOS2 on a gaming handheld has completely changed the co-op experience

I expected Divinity: Original Sin 2 (DOS2) to share mechanics and certain assets in common with Baldur's Gate 3 (BG3) since it's the same kind of choice-based RPG from the same developer, but I didn't realize how similar the story and characters would feel.

RELATED: Our Divinity: Original Sin 2 PC review from 2017

Without going too far into spoilers, both start on a vessel, land you on a beach, and give you the option of banding together with memorable characters who need to get something removed from their bodies. As with BG3, you have the option of playing the game solo or with other players.

Every character can be leveled up, with a class and build that best fits your preferred playstyle.

Some aspects of DOS2 feel like precursors to BG3, and that's because they are. But, while BG3 feels like a refined game with quality of life (QoL) improvements, DOS2 is still plenty enjoyable and worth playing. It certainly holds up in 2026.

Some of the biggest differences are that there aren't any mocap cutscenes in DOS2, and unless I'm playing wrong, it seems you can only have four characters total in your party; there is no camp for swapping between benched origin characters.

If anything, the different mechanics make DOS2 more interesting and keep my brain engaged since I have to solve problems a little differently. As with BG3, I'm already thinking about which of the other characters I'll add to my party and what I'll do differently in my next playthrough.

Playing DOS2 has honestly satisfied my need for more BG3 content, even if it takes place in a completely different universe with different mechanics, a different magic system, and different characters. Plus, I'm more excited and prepared for the upcoming Divinity game Larian is currently working on.

It runs beautifully on handhelds, too

On top of that, DOS2 plays beautifully on Xbox Ally X without needing any tweaks. My only issue so far was with entering in-game text for my character when starting my game, since the on-screen keyboard didn't want to play nicely. But after that, the RPG has run like a dream.

In case you're wondering, DOS2 officially became Steam Deck Verified in June 2022, so it should run well on most compatible handhelds.

What I didn't expect was how playing DOS2 on my Xbox Ally X in the same room as my husband playing on our living room TV would be a night-and-day difference from when we played BG3 together, isolated in separate rooms and talking via gaming headsets.

Don't get me wrong, playing BG3 in different rooms was fun, but we both find playing DOS2 in the same room is more socially interactive and fun.

While seated on the couch next to him, I can look up from my own gaming handheld to discuss things on his screen or lean over to show what's happening on mine. That way, we can more easily decide what to do next. We're truly playing together rather than feeling like separated hermits united by Discord.

If you loved BG3 and are looking for more, or you have someone you'd like to play an in-depth RPG with, I highly recommend playing DOS2. If you can play in the same physical location, I suggest doing so via a compatible gaming handheld PC or at least in the same room where you can see each other's screens. It's a far more helpful and social experience that way.

Are you interested in playing Divinity: Original Sin 2? If you've already played it, how does it compare to Baldur's Gate 3? Have you tried playing either game on a handheld gaming PC? Tell us about it in the comments.

At CES 2026, Intel unveiled its next-gen Core Ultra Series 3 chips (Panther Lake) and its powerful ARC B390 graphics, which will challenge AMD's handheld dominance in what some are calling the handheld war.

Currently, AMD handheld SoCs (system on a chip) power most mainstream handhelds, including ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X, Legion Go 2 (Windows), the recently announced Legion Go 2 (SteamOS), and even the Steam Deck.

Sure, Intel and AMD can wage a handheld war over who can create the most powerful handheld processors, advancing premium portable gaming hardware to ever-increasing heights... and equally premium prices, too.

Thing is, we've already got so many flagship handhelds to choose from, and they're going to continue to get next-gen successors. If companies want their handhelds to really stand out going forward, they need to focus on innovation and affordability (as current events allow).

I'm talking about unique, fun, and perhaps even weird designs that offer new handheld experiences.

After all, it was a strange, never-before-seen, and relatively affordable design that launched the whole handheld gaming PC craze to begin with. These devices really haven't changed that much over the last few years, and most of them feel like the same blocky idea rehashed over and over again.

It's time for a change, and I have a few ideas I'd love to see in future gaming handhelds.

Surprising innovations and weird new designs are what launched the gaming handheld craze

Before I dive into the new features I want to see in future handhelds, let's do a refresher, discuss what launched the handheld craze. Feel free to skip to the next section if you already know all this.

While not a handheld gaming PC, the Nintendo Switch was an extremely innovative hybrid console when it launched in 2017, with its detachable controllers and ability to be played in handheld, tabletop, or docked mode.

It might not seem like it now, but this design was wildly different from anything people had seen before; many even thought it was a weirdly confusing device at the time, to the point that it took months before its genius was understood, and it really started to sell. It's now the third-best-selling console of all time, soon to be second-best (see Wikipedia).

If nothing else, Nintendo showed the world that AAA handheld gaming was now possible. Following its success, it didn't take long for other tech companies to imitate Nintendo's avant-garde design. AYANEO's first handheld launched in 2021, the Steam Deck launched in 2022, and then the ASUS ROG Ally, Legion Go, and several other devices followed in 2023 and beyond.

We need more innovations like this in 2026, preferably some ideas that seem crazy or weird now, but could become the new norm that other companies follow. As it stands, most of the gaming handhelds available today basically look and function the same.

That said, there are some companies out there trying new things. It's impossible to list them all, so I'll just give a few highlights.

Lenovo Legion Go and Legion Go 2 offer some of the most versatile designs of any handheld gaming PC, but they also took most of their ideas from Nintendo and Steam Deck, such as the detachable controllers and touchpad. Of course, Lenovo added a fingerprint reader as well as an FPS mode to the right controller that allows it to function a lot like a mouse, which was a cool new feature. But we need more of this innovation.

One company that really does experiment with different handheld designs is AYANEO. Among the prolific company's devices are a dual-screen handheld and even a handheld with a full keyboard that slides from under the screen (as seen in my AYANEO Slide review). It's incredibly convenient for interacting with certain games that don't play nice with the on-screen keyboard.

Focusing on "unique" and "weird" designs like this that surprise and delight us could be just what handhelds need to keep them relevant and appealing in 2026. Otherwise, they threaten to become a stagnant category that loses momentum only to become a passing fad.

I'm talking crazy new ideas we haven't seen yet, or even a return to nostalgic designs that people already love — in short, we've gotten enough premium handhelds to choose from already, now what we need is more fun and unique options that focus more on new features, true portability, affordability, and casual gaming.

I'll discuss some ideas I'd love to see in future handheld gaming PCs, and I'd love to hear any ideas you might have in the comments.

Bring back small clamshells — they're nostalgic, convenient, and actually portable

If you're a chronically online kind of person or a nostalgic tech junkie, you've probably seen that the Nintendo 3DS gaming systems of old have once more exploded in popularity.

This is sort of wild considering the retro handheld launched way back in 2011 and was discontinued in 2020. Since 3DS handhelds are no longer in production, the prices for these nostalgic devices have soared to ridiculously high levels at places like eBay and Facebook Marketplace, selling up to 76% higher than their original retail values (thanks, Tom's Hardware).

I could discuss at length what makes these gaming systems so appealing, but suffice it to say that some of the aspects of these nostalgic devices are well-suited for new Windows and SteamOS handheld gaming PCs, as illustrated by the dual-screen clamshell handheld concept images I put together in Photoshop (see above).

Take the dual screens for starters, having two displays makes it easier to multitask between two programs. You could even watch a YouTube game guide on one display while playing a game on the other.

Then there's the compact clamshell design. This casing is self-protecting since it closes in on itself to shield the dual screens, joysticks, and buttons. That, combined with its smaller size, makes it easier to slip into your pocket or travel somewhere without needing a special carrying case or bag.

The majority of handheld gaming PCs today are massive in comparison; I'm constantly worried my handhelds will get damaged when I travel. It would be great to see some smaller designs like this that are actually, truly portable and better protected.

To be fair, AYANEO does offer a clamshell Windows handheld (as seen in my AYANEO Flip DS review), but it is rather expensive. Ideally, we'd have more options out there at different price points, which brings me to my next topic.

We need more low-cost handhelds designed for casual gaming, not just afterthoughts

As I said before, the plethora of premium gaming handhelds currently on the market doesn't leave us wanting for choices. However, casual gamers and people who prefer to play less intensive pixel art titles (like Little Witch in the Woods, Witchbrook, Stardew Valley, etc.) do need more budget-friendly, casual handhelds to choose from.

Now, there are some lower-priced devices already out there, but some of them honestly feel like more of an afterthought or catchall for those who don't want to spend as much for a company's flagship handheld. What we need are perfectly engineered entry-level devices specifically designed for casual gaming and low pricing.

That said, I do love ASUS ROG's latest entry-level handheld, as seen in my Xbox Ally review. The problem is that it has a relatively high starting price of $599.99, and ASUS has already announced that ROG handheld prices are going up in 2026. So, that takes it out of the budget-friendly category.

Of course, the beloved Steam Deck has held the crown as budget king for years now, but with Valve no longer producing the entry-level Steam Deck LCD ($399), the entry point for handheld gaming PCs has gone up to $549 for the starting Steam Deck OLED, and gamer wallets aren't happy about it.

Now is the perfect time for one of the big OEMs (ASUS, Lenovo, etc.) to design a Windows or SteamOS handheld gaming PC using reliable, lower-tier internals to take the Steam Deck LCD's place as the perfect budget handheld — preferably something that sells for around $300. But as much as I want this, it looks highly unlikely that this will happen in 2026, at least, not at that low of a price.

For one thing, companies often prefer to create premium gaming hardware because those devices are more likely to offer a bigger ROI (return on investment). Secondly, Valve might have been more willing to sell its hardware at a loss because it helps bring people into its game store ecosystem, where it can make more money over time, but most OEMs don't have that connection. Thirdly, there are global issues (see below) driving tech prices higher this year. But you could argue that all of these things also make the idea of budget handheld gaming PCs even more appealing in 2026.

⚠️ REALITY CHECK: Between the ongoing US-China tariff situation (where most handheld hardware is made), RAM price increases, and the GPU shortage, it's looking like all tech is going to get more expensive this year unless something changes.

More crazy (and not-so-crazy) handheld ideas

Of course, just because someone can think up an idea or create a visual concept for a new handheld design doesn't mean it can actually be implemented. Not only does the hardware need to fit, but it needs to work efficiently, or else these designs fall flat.

Still, here are some of my own crazy and not-so-crazy ideas I'd love to see in future handhelds, once the tech is feasible and affordable:

• Smaller, truly portable handhelds that don't take up a lot of room
• A handheld where the actual computer is a keyboard (like HP EliteBoard G1a) with controllers that attach to a screen
• Alternatively, a handheld that comes with a carrying case that has a built-in keyboard and touchpad
• A fingerprint reader on the grip for convenient login that requires minimal movement
• Magnetic modular handhelds for swappable parts and maximum customization
• A dual-screen handheld where one display attaches to the other magnetically
• Rollable, expanding display (like Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Rollable proof of concept)
• A handheld that is technically a controller connected to AR glasses (like ROG XREAL R1)
• A built-in height-adjustable kickstand that can tilt and pivot
• Support for handwriting recognition and an included tiny stylus that can be used like a mouse, so a keyboard isn't needed
  • Bonus points if the stylus is magnetic or there's a stylus slot on the handheld
• Wireless charging support (we're a long way off from this one; gaming takes a lot of power)
• A physical button or dial for adjusting screen brightness

Also, can we get some color, please? The vast majority of handheld gaming PCs on the market right now are either white or black (or a deep purple that looks like black), with one notable exception being the MSI Claw 8 AI+ Glacier Blue Edition.

We really need to see portable gaming devices in vibrant hues or the nostalgic transparent purples and blues from the 2000s.

Focusing more on innovation and affordability will help handhelds stand out in 2026

Gaming handheld PCs have been around for a few years now, inspired by the original Nintendo Switch, which launched nine years ago, and then the Steam Deck, which is going to hit its fourth year next month. Now we have an overabundance of premium handhelds on the market.

Intel and AMD will continue to battle for the most powerful options, but innovation outside of the hardware is also needed to keep the handheld market from going stagnant.

Specifically, surprising new features will continue to keep these devices relevant and appealing, and companies also need a greater focus on budget-friendly options to meet consumer needs.

When it comes to future handheld gaming PCs, are you more interested in affordability, portability, innovation, premium performance, or comfort? What innovative new features would you like handhelds to have? Let's discuss in the comments.