Portable game consoles

The 512GB Steam Deck OLED is an updated version of the popular portable console from Steam, which sets trends in the mobile gaming market. This version uses an OLED screen, which provides vivid colors and deep blacks. One of the key features of the Steam Deck is the touchscreen-adapted SteamOS shell based on Arch Linux with access to an extensive library of Steam games, most of which have already been adapted for the mobile console. Steam Deck OLED is powered by a custom AMD processor (3.5 GHz, Zen 2 architecture) with four physical cores and the ability to process data in eight threads. Graphics performance is provided by an AMD RDNA 2 video processor with eight computing units operating at a frequency of up to 1.6 GHz. The device is equipped with 16 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and offers an increased amount of memory compared to the original model, including an NVMe SSD with a capacity of 512 or 1000 GB. This is a pretty significant improvement, which significantly expands the storage options for your game library without the need for memory cards. Although the console's hardware is a bit outdated compared to its newer competitors, it still delivers decent performance thanks to its 720p screen resolution, while most competitors are tuned for the more demanding 1080p resolution. In most games, the console delivers frame rates of 30 to 40 frames per second at medium graphics settings, although results may vary depending on the specific game.

The game console, as the name implies, is distinguished by the presence of a colorful OLED screen with deep colours. By reducing the frames, its diagonal is increased to 7", and the resolution is 1280x720 pixels. The model allows you to play in three modes: portable, desktop, using a wide adjustable support and placing the console on the floor or on a table at the right angle, or on a large screen by connecting the console to a TV. The included docking station has two USB ports, an HDMI connector for connecting to a TV and a new LAN port for stable online gaming in TV mode, while the two Joy-Con controllers, which are equipped with HD vibration and an infrared motion camera, can be detached at any time to play with a friend. In addition, the Nintendo Switch (OLED model) boasts built-in speakers with improved sound and increased storage capacity up to 64 GB. And to download even more games, you can expand the storage using a microSD memory card. A 3.5 mm audio jack is provided for connecting headphones, a microphone and a headset. Responsible for battery life is a 4310 mAh battery, one charge of which will last up to 9 hours. But this time directly depends on the games: for example, if you play The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the battery will last about 5.5 hours.

The Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme is a powerful and convenient portable console that can run demanding games with an adequate frame rate. The console is equipped with an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip, which includes integrated AMD RDNA 3 graphics and is comparable in performance to a 6-core Ryzen 5 7540U laptop chip. Unlike the younger version with the regular Ryzen Z1, this model provides significantly higher performance. In terms of price and performance, the ROG Ally can be compared to inexpensive gaming laptops that demonstrate 40 to 60 frames per second in modern AAA games (for example, Cyberpunk 2077, Black Myth: Wukong and Elden Ring) at medium graphics settings and the FSR upscaler enabled. The console runs on an adapted Windows 11 platform and has access to an extensive library of games, including the Steam, Xbox Game Pass, Epic Games Store, and GOG service catalogs. A fast and bright 7-inch Full HD screen with a refresh rate of 120 Hz provides a smooth and high-quality visual experience both in games and when watching movies and TV series in high quality. The controls are designed in the style of SteamDeck and other mobile consoles, and the built-in RGB backlighting adds individuality. Overall, the built-in controllers provide a pleasant gaming experience, although they are slightly below the level of premium gamepads.

A powerful and convenient portable console from the Taiwanese manufacturer MSI, providing high performance and wide functionality. It is a direct competitor to the increasingly popular portable consoles Valve Steam Deck, Asus ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go. MSI Claw 135H 512GB is equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 5 135H mobile processor and integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, which allows you to run most games on the Windows 11 platform, including demanding AAA projects. Despite the initial problems with performance and battery life caused by unsuccessful Intel drivers, after regular firmware updates, the device began to work much faster and now allows you to run modern gaming blockbusters like Cyberpunk 2077, Spider-Man and God of War with a Full HD resolution and a stable frame rate without significant stutters and drops. The built-in 7-inch display has a Full HD resolution and a refresh rate of 120 Hz, which ensures smooth gameplay, and the peak brightness of 500 nits allows you to comfortably play even in bright lighting. The MSI Claw has a laconic design, although its weight (680 grams) is slightly inferior to competitors. The device also supports Wi-Fi 7 and the Thunderbolt protocol, providing additional options for connectivity and data exchange. An important feature is the TDP profile switch, which allows you to adjust performance depending on the requirements of the game and the remaining battery charge.

A portable version of the popular game console from one of the market leaders, the Japanese company Nintendo. Positioned as a product of the middle price category, designed for mobile gaming. Fully compatible with a vast library of popular games designed for its big sister, the Nintendo Switch hybrid console. The differences lie in a much more affordable cost, a smaller screen size (5.5 "vs. 6.2"), the absence of a docking station, the inability to connect to a TV, as well as non-removable Joy-Con controller panels. Thanks to these design changes, the weight of the console has been reduced by 31% (from 398g to 275g), which greatly increases the attractiveness of the device as a mobile console that you can take with you without hesitation in any bag, backpack or even an outerwear pocket. The hardware basis of the Nintendo Switch Lite model is still a powerful Nvidia Tegra X1 processor with 4 GB of RAM. The resolution of the capacitive touch screen with high-quality protective glass is 1280x720, and the amount of permanent memory is 32 GB, which can be expanded by installing a microSD/SDHC/SDXC card (up to 2 TB). For fast loading of game content, a high-speed Wi-Fi adapter is provided. The capacity of the Li-Ion battery is 3570 mAh, which is enough for 3-6 hours of use.

Valve's portable pocket computer that can run almost any PC game from the Steam library, allowing you to play the conventional Cyberpunk 2077 or the new COD, lounging on the couch. The main charm of the console lies in the huge Steam game library, which has hundreds of AAA projects of recent years, long-forgotten hits of the past and numerous single or multiplayer indie games. The game is controlled using touch panels, buttons and sticks on the front panel, as well as two touch pads on the rear panel. Responsible for displaying the image is a 7-inch touch screen with a resolution of 1280x800 pixels and a refresh rate of 60 Hz, which provides a clear and bright picture. In addition, the device can work in desktop mode, allowing you to connect to monitors, keyboards and mice, as well as use other applications such as browsers and word processing programs. Hidden inside the compact Steam Deck is a 4-core, 8-thread AMD APU Zen 2 processor that runs at 2.4GHz and has an RDNA 2 GPU with 8 compute units. The device is equipped with 16 GB of LPDDR5 RAM. The internal storage is a 64 GB eMMC class memory card, which, if necessary, can be replaced with a larger version with up to 2 TB, which should be enough for most players. Steam Deck supports 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 wireless connections, and has a built-in USB-C port for docking and other devices. The built-in battery provides up to 8 hours of continuous play. The operating time is highly dependent on optimization, graphics level and load on the processor and video card.

A remote gaming device that provides access to games from the PlayStation 5 console via a home Wi-Fi network. The console is controlled using the same buttons and controllers as the DualSense gamepad. Dynamic vibration responds to the player's actions, and dynamic resistance simulates interaction with objects in the game. In the center, instead of a small touch panel, there is a larger 8-inch Full HD display with high-quality color rendering, high contrast and a solid reserve of brightness. PlayStation Portal is designed for quick connection to the PS5 console: just turn on the device, press the connect button and quickly start playing. In this case, the player must have an active PlayStation Network account, and the console itself must be connected to the Internet, in rest mode or fully turned on. For basic operation of the device, a Wi-Fi connection with a data transfer rate of at least 5 Mbps is required. The recommended speed is 15 Mbps, since the quality of the connection depends on the number of connected devices, the room, the distance from the Wi-Fi receiver and other factors.

The ROG Ally X portable gaming system is an updated version of the original ROG Ally Z1 model, which was released in 2023. Despite using the same AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, the device has received a number of improvements that make it even more productive and convenient for gamers. One of the key upgrades is the 7-inch touchscreen display with a 1080p resolution, a refresh rate of 120 Hz and a brightness reserve of 500 nits, which provides a more pleasant gaming experience, allowing you to play both at home and outside on a sunny day. The hardware of the ROG Ally X has been improved: the portable console received 24 GB of LPDDR5X-7500 RAM and a more capacious 1 TB M.2 2280 solid-state drive, which makes it possible to store a larger library of games without having to constantly delete something. ROG Ally X is equipped with a more capacious 80 Wh battery, which, according to the manufacturer, should increase its battery life by almost 2 times. At the same time, the weight of the device has increased by only 70 grams and is 678 g. As for the design, Asus has made several changes: the case is now made in an elegant black color, and the resource of the joysticks has been increased. In addition, the cooling system has become more efficient, reducing the heating of the device during the launch of particularly demanding games. One of the most significant changes was the abandonment of the proprietary ROG XG connector for connecting an external video card. Instead, a universal USB4 is now used, which expands the compatibility of the device with peripherals and allows you to connect various external accessories. ROG Ally X uses Windows 11 as an operating system with support for all the most popular gaming platforms and services, including Steam, Xbox Game Pass, Epic Games Store and GOG.

Platform: Windows 11; Screen ("): 8.8; Touch screen; Bluetooth; mini-Jack (3.5 mm); USB C; Storage (GB): 256; Memory card slot; Dimensions (mm): 131x299x41; Weight (kg): 0.85;

A popular portable console introduced by the famous Japanese company Nintendo in 2017. One of the key features of the model is the original form factor, which provides several usage scenarios at once. So, the Nintendo Switch package includes a 6.2-inch tablet, a special docking station and two Joy‑Con wireless controllers. These controllers can be attached to the side faces of the tablet and thus turn the device into a portable console that you can easily take with you on the road, travel, etc. Or you can connect them together to form a full-fledged gamepad, and connect the set-top box to your TV and play in such a way that as if you are using a classic stationary console. It is noteworthy that when connected to a TV, the resolution of the image displayed by the device increases from HD to full FullHD. In total, up to 8 branded controllers can be connected to one console to play together with friends.

Platform: SteamOS 3.0; Screen ("): 7.4; Touch screen; ultraHD (4K); Bluetooth; mini-Jack (3.5 mm); USB C; Storage (GB): 1024; Memory card slot; Dimensions (mm): 117x298x49; Weight (kg): 0.64;

A portable gaming console from Zotac, equipped with a high-performance AMD Ryzen 7 8840U processor based on the Zen 4 architecture and integrated Radeon 780M graphics with RDNA 3 architecture. For data storage, it uses a modern M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 x4 drive with a capacity of 512 GB, with the ability to expand memory using a UHS-II class card. The amount of LPDDR5X RAM is standard for this class 16 GB. ZOTAC GAMING ZONE is positioned as an alternative to Steam Deck OLED, Asus ROG Ally, MSI Claw, Lenovo Legion Go and other mobile devices for gamers that flooded the market in 2023-2024. The console is equipped with a 7-inch AMOLED display with a Full HD resolution and a refresh rate of 120 Hz. The screen brightness reaches an impressive 800 nits, allowing you to comfortably use the console in various lighting conditions. The console is equipped with triggers and sticks on Hall sensors, which are highly accurate. The user can independently adjust the trigger point. Around the sticks there are special controls that allow you to quickly change game settings. For additional convenience, there are two trackpads on the front of the console, which expand the control options. The device supports modern connection standards, including two USB4 ports, Bluetooth 5.2 and Wi-Fi 6E. The device runs a specialized version of Windows 11. A docking station with USB C and a slot for connecting an external M.2 SSD is also available with the console. For additional protection, the console has a waterproof case with additional pockets.

Screen ("): 3.5; mini-Jack (3.5 mm); Storage (GB): 64; Memory card slot;

An unusual portable gaming console from Razer based on Android, which combines the functionality of a mini-tablet with the Razer Kishi gaming controller. Razer Edge supports both standard Android applications and games available in the Google Play service, as well as popular cloud solutions GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming. Local game streaming via Steam Link is also available if the user has a gaming PC. In terms of its characteristics and positioning, it is not so much a competitor to Steam Deck, Switch and ROG Ally, but rather an analogue of another popular gaming repeater Logitech G Cloud, which also runs on Android and is aimed primarily at cloud gaming. Razer Edge is equipped with a 6.8-inch display with a resolution of 2400x1080 pixels and a refresh rate of 144 Hz. The screen supports touch control, providing convenient interaction with the interface and applications. The Qualcomm Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 mobile processor is responsible for performance, the RAM is 6 GB, and for storing games there is a built-in drive with a capacity of 128 GB, which can be supplemented with a microSD memory card if desired. The console supports connection via Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.2, providing a stable connection when streaming games from the cloud. USB C and mini-Jack 3.5 mm connectors are provided for connecting peripheral devices and headphones. Detachable controllers are attached to the console using USB C. At the same time, the device weighs 400 grams, being one of the lightest in its class.

Screen ("): 3.5; Bluetooth; mini-Jack (3.5 mm); Storage (GB): 64; Memory card slot; Battery capacity (mAh): 3300; Dimensions (mm): 69x145x16; Weight (kg): 0.18;

Logitech's unusual portable console, which, unlike the Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch, and Asus ROG Ally, does not boast high performance and is focused exclusively on cloud gaming. It runs Windows, is based on the 8-core Snapdragon 720G chipset, and comes with Nvidia GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming services pre-installed, providing access to both of the most popular streaming platforms (note: using cloud gaming requires a subscription that is purchased separately from the device). In addition to cloud gaming, the console supports remote play of games from a PC or Xbox and PlayStation game consoles, allowing you to use the device as a repeater or a second screen. The Logitech G Cloud is equipped with a 7-inch display with a resolution of 1080p and a refresh rate of 60 Hz. The built-in 6000 mAh battery provides up to 12 hours of battery life. The Logitech G Cloud features a gyroscope for motion control and haptic vibration. Additionally, you can customize the buttons to suit your preferences, expanding your control options and allowing you to better adapt to your gaming habits. The console weighs 460 grams, making it slightly larger than the Nintendo Switch but significantly smaller than the Steam Deck. For external connections, the device has a USB C port, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, and a wireless receiver with support for Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Bluetooth 5.1 with support for Qualcomm aptXTM Adaptive.

Although this console is not the most advanced on the market today, it still has a very impressive set of features, both basic and advanced. Technically, it is a direct successor to the original PSP and outwardly differs from it in reduced size and a new screen, and inside — doubled (up to 64 MB) RAM. Like the original, it works with MS Duo cards and UMDs and can be used not only for games, but also as a player and for accessing

Platform: Nintendo; game included;

Screen ("): 3.5; mini-Jack (3.5 mm); Storage (GB): 16; Memory card slot; Battery capacity (mAh): 3500;

Platform: PlayStation; Screen ("): 8; mini-Jack (3.5 mm); Dimensions (mm): 150x337x95; Weight (kg): 0.54;

Screen ("): 3.5; Bluetooth; mini-Jack (3.5 mm); Storage (GB): 64; Memory card slot; Battery capacity (mAh): 3300; Dimensions (mm): 117x81x22; Weight (kg): 0.17;

Screen ("): 3.5; mini-Jack (3.5 mm); Storage (GB): 64; Memory card slot; Battery capacity (mAh): 2600; Dimensions (mm): 117x81x20; Weight (kg): 0.17;

Screen ("): 3.5; mini-Jack (3.5 mm); Storage (GB): 64; Memory card slot; Battery capacity (mAh): 3500;

Screen ("): 3.5; Bluetooth; mini-Jack (3.5 mm); Storage (GB): 64; Memory card slot; Battery capacity (mAh): 3300; Dimensions (mm): 89x85x27; Weight (kg): 0.19;