The times, they are a-changing. Years passed, if you wanted a portable PC gaming machine, you'd be hunting the Black Friday deals looking for a gaming laptop. But I don't think you should do that anymore.
That's because I think, for actual portable gaming, they don't make the same kind of sense they used to. A handheld gaming PC like the delightful (and discounted) Lenovo Legion Go S for $449 at Best Buy is a far better choice. And here are 6 reasons why.
If you'd prefer a Windows 11 handheld gaming PC, that version of the Lenovo Legion Go S is also reduced, albeit costing more than the comparable SteamOS variant. Grab one with the Ryzen Z2 Go, 16GB RAM and 512GB storage for $579.99 at Amazon.
1. A handheld gaming PC is actually portable
Size matters. It does. The simple fact is that a handheld gaming PC is just significantly more portable than even the slimmest of gaming laptops. You can hold it in your hands, after all.
The Nintendo Switch proved it works.
2. Recharging on the go is so much simpler
Battery life is always a concern, but a gaming laptop with a dedicated GPU will not only drain fast, but likely have a fairly chunky power brick to lug around with it.
By contrast, a handheld gaming PC can be charged with the same USB-C charger you're probably already using with your smartphone. Or a portable power bank.
3. More powerful than you think
Not only are handheld gaming PCs more powerful than you think (Cyberpunk 2077 on the go, anyone?) more and more of today's games are being optimized for the form factor.
Like a gaming laptop, the more powerful the chip inside that you get, the further you can push your settings.
4. A handheld gaming PC is perfect for older and retro gaming
If you want to play older or more casual games, or you're into emulation, you absolutely do not need to splash out on a gaming laptop.
Whether you use Windows 11 or SteamOS, both platforms have what you need, and the horsepower inside a modern handheld gaming PC is more than enough to have a great time.
5. A handheld gaming PC is focused on gaming
Whichever handheld you get, one thing is common across them all; they're focused on gaming. That means user interfaces optimized for controllers, and in Windows 11, the new Xbox Full Screen Experience helps streamline the OS to perform better while you play.
SteamOS, in particular, is essentially designed like a console, with almost no reason to ever look at a desktop interface. When you're gaming, you just want to pick up and play, right? A handheld is a far better way to do that.
6. It's still a regular PC if you need it to be
SteamOS may be based on Linux, but it still has a full desktop experience behind it. Windows 11, of course, is the same.
While handheld gaming PCs are designed to be used with a controller first, if you need it to be a full PC, it is. Hook up a mouse and keyboard, an external monitor, and you have yourself a desktop wherever you need it.
I truly believe that for just pure gaming on the go, a handheld gaming PC is now the answer. They're so easy to live with, and truly can be used anywhere.
Even with a compact gaming laptop, it's not comfortable to use on a sofa. You need a big enough table on a train or a plane. You need a big enough bag to carry it (and a charger) around in.
I have both an 18-inch gaming laptop and a Steam Deck. Only one of those is regularly used for gaming on. I've had a Steam Deck for nearly four years, and its portability has meant I've played tons of games in my backlog, because I can do so whenever I have a spare few moments.
Just turn it on, select the game, and play. Simple! The original, the Steam Deck, is also reduced in a rare Black Friday deal from Valve, and despite being older, it's still an amazing option.
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FAQ
Should I get a Windows 11 or SteamOS handheld gaming PC?
There are two key points worth considering. The first is if you want to play any competitive games with anti cheat, because those are mostly out of the question on SteamOS right now.
The other is whether you want to use Xbox Game Pass. You can't access that natively on SteamOS (though you can use the cloud). If either of these are important, go for a Windows 11 handheld.
The SteamOS experience is, in my opinion, much nicer on a handheld than Windows 11 right now. If you have a big Steam library, it's the best choice. You can also use Epic Games and GOG, though there's a little more work involved.
When is Black Friday?
Black Friday has now officially begun and will last from November 28, 2025, to December 1, 2025.
When is Cyber Monday?
Cyber Monday will start on December 1, 2025 and will last for the full day. Retailers will host electronic-focused discounts throughout the day and possibly have them last a couple of days after Cyber Monday is over.
More Black Friday 2025 - quick links
- All our TOP recommended Black Friday deals: Just the best
- Mini PC deals: up to 47% off tiny PCs
- GPU deals: early price drops on NVIDIA RTX before they go up
- Microsoft Surface deals: save up to $500 on premium PCs
- Xbox accessories: best deals on gadgets for your Xbox Series X|S and PC
- Gaming laptop deals: the best laptops for the best price
- Xbox controllers: our top picks for best controller deals
- ANC headphones: great Black Friday deals on the best ANC headphones
Even more Black Friday deals: - Dell deals: 13 deals from Dell.com that you shouldn't miss
- Best Buy: 34 hottest discounts on laptops, monitors, gaming, and more
- Walmart: 7 top laptop deals you shouldn't miss
- Samsung monitors: the best Samsung display deals we've found
- Retro gaming: handhelds, arcade machines, old school consoles, and more
- Gamer merch: Blizzard’s Warcraft, Overwatch, and Diablo IV collectibles
- Game keys: 10 PC game codes are even cheaper at Loaded (formerly CDKeys)
- Accessories: Even more PC accessories starting at $17
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