Top 2025 PC Gaming Portable Devices: Windows and Steam Decks Leading the Pack
In the rapidly growing market of portable gaming, Tom's Hardware is gearing up to evaluate three new handheld devices: the Zotac Zone, Acer Nitro Blaze 7, and MSI Claw 8 AI. These devices are part of a new wave of handheld gaming PCs, offering a range of features for gamers on the move.
While detailed reviews of these models are yet to be published, Tom's Hardware is known for its comprehensive evaluations of performance, display quality, battery life, and overall usability. This approach was evident in their recent review of the Lenovo Legion Go S with SteamOS, which demonstrated high performance but came with a premium price tag.
The market for handheld gaming PCs is becoming increasingly competitive, with established devices such as the Steam Deck OLED and Asus ROG Ally vying for attention. The upcoming Zotac Zone, Acer Nitro Blaze 7, and MSI Claw 8 AI are expected to offer different options in terms of hardware capabilities and price points, providing more choices for consumers.
The Asus ROG Ally (Z1 Extreme) is one such device that has recently entered the market. It boasts a bright screen and a 1280 x 800 OLED HDR display with up to 90 Hz refresh rate. However, it has a short battery life, needs to be plugged in for optimal performance, and is not as ergonomically sound as the Steam Deck. It retails for $649.99 for the Z1 Extreme version.
In contrast, the Lenovo Legion Go features a massive 8.8-inch display, a sturdy kickstand, and detachable controllers. Despite its luxurious screen, multiple USB-C ports, and sturdy construction, the device is too bulky and its 2560 x 1600 resolution isn't ideal for most games on the AMD Z1 Extreme. It starts at $699.99 for 512GB and $749.99 for 1TB. However, the Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS) delivers impressive gaming performance with the Ryzen Z1 Extreme, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. It is effectively identical to the Windows version, except it comes with a purple-black "nebula color." The Lenovo Legion Go S with SteamOS is priced at $829.99, offering the best SteamOS performance with the Z1 Extreme and SteamOS.
When considering a PC gaming handheld, it's essential to consider where you play your games. If you primarily use Steam for PC gaming, the Steam Deck will make a lot of sense. But if most of your catalog is on Epic Games or GOG, you may want to consider Windows devices.
As we await the detailed reviews of the Zotac Zone, Acer Nitro Blaze 7, and MSI Claw 8 AI, it's clear that Tom's Hardware will continue to provide valuable insights into the world of portable gaming, helping consumers make informed decisions before purchase. Stay tuned for more updates on these exciting new devices.
[1] For more information on the Lenovo Legion Go S with SteamOS, visit the Tom's Hardware review:
The upcoming Zotac Zone, Acer Nitro Blaze 7, and MSI Claw 8 AI are expected to join the market, positioning themselves as options for gamers who seek variety in hardware capabilities and price points, thanks to the ever-expanding technology in the realm of portable gaming. These new gadgets, much like other devices reviewed by Tom's Hardware, will face scrutiny for performance, display quality, battery life, and overall usability.
