The Steam Deck has quickly become a game-changer in portable PC gaming, allowing gamers to enjoy their favorite titles on the go. However, it’s not the only option for those looking for a handheld PC gaming experience. Several alternatives to the Steam Deck offer unique features and benefits. If you're a gamer looking for something different, here are some of the best alternatives to consider.
The ASUS ROG Ally is a strong contender against the Steam Deck, which delivers excellent gaming performance in a portable package. It is powered by an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor that gives it enough power to play demanding games easily. The ROG Ally is accompanied by a 120Hz full HD display, making games smooth and visually stunning. Since it runs on Windows 11, you will be able to access games from Steam as well as other sources such as the Epic Games Store and Xbox Game Pass.
The GPD Win 3 is another great alternative to the Steam Deck. It's a compact handheld gaming PC running Windows 10, so you can play all sorts of games from various sources. The device comes with a 5.5-inch touchscreen and also includes a slide-out physical keyboard, making it perfect for both gaming and productivity, plus its hardware configuration, such as Intel Core i5 or i7 processor along with 16GB of RAM can play most modern PC games with no problem.
It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor and has a 6-inch 1080p display, so games look great on the go. What sets the Odin Pro apart is its Android operating system, which allows you to play games from Steam, Google Play, and even emulators for retro games. It's also affordable compared to other options, making it a great choice for budget-conscious gamers.
If you don't need all the features of the AYN Odin Pro, the AYN Odin Base might be a good alternative. It's similar to the Pro version but comes with a less powerful Snapdragon 660 processor, making it a more affordable option. It still has a 6-inch display and can run Android games, including those on Steam via Steam Link.
The G Cloud isn't a traditional gaming device with a powerful processor. The G Cloud focuses on cloud gaming. This means it is meant to stream games from services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and NVIDIA GeForce Now, which allows you not to rely on local hardware for your games. The G Cloud has a 7-inch touchscreen and can last up to 12 hours on a single charge.
While it is obviously not a competitor to the Steam Deck, the Nintendo Switch can still be used for playing PC games on the go with just the help of streaming services such as Steam Link. The user can stream his Steam library games to the Switch and enjoy them on his handheld device. Its own great selection of games doesn't hurt, with classics like - The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey that would make any PC gamer green with envy.
Although the Steam Deck is great, several other devices are offering different features and benefits. functionality. If one requires powerful hardware, cloud gaming, or an Android player, there will always be some variant that fulfills the demands of the gamer. Regardless of gamers' wishes, all of these provide great new opportunities to enjoy PC gaming on the go.