The portable console is the main alternative to enjoy your game’s favorites in countless locations. Whether to spend time waiting in a place, playing on public transport, or just enjoying on the couch and bed without being tied to a television, there are different types and sizes of laptops.
To help you differentiate and distinguish which is the best portable console for your type of gameplay, check out six options for the best portable consoles today.
Explore Handheld Console Options
Steam Deck
With powerful hardware, bold visuals in a good construction, and practical controls, the Steam Deck is a portable console that emphasizes the idea of leaving the computer but being able to enjoy part of it anywhere else; after all, its great differential is the fact that you can access your library of Steam games, and play them directly from your laptop. We are talking about more than two thousand games that can be purchased on Steam to be played on the Steam Deck.
As previously mentioned, this laptop has powerful hardware, 16GB of RAM, processor AMD Zen 2 4 cores eight threads with a frequency of 2.4 to 3.5 GHz, a 7-inch IPS LCD screen with WXGA resolution and 60Hz refresh rate, storage capacity ranging from 64 to 512GB. Because of that, this portable console has enough firepower to run even more recent and heavy games, like Elden Ring, with an average of 30/35 fps.
In addition, it also has WIFI and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity. Its operating system is Steam OS based on Linux, which is well optimized on the console, and its battery can last up to 8 hours of gameplay, being charged through the USB-C port.
ASUS ROG Ally
ROG Ally is the direct competitor of Steam Deck and seeks to differentiate itself from its rival in specific points, resulting in a similar portable console in many respects but which has its particularities. The ROG Ally’s design seeks a more common aspect in gaming notebooks, a little more flashy and with RGB lights around the analogue sticks. The screen has virtually the same specifications as the Steam Deck but has Full HD resolution and a 120 Hz refresh rate.
Starting with the main differences, ROG Ally uses Windows 11 as the operating system, allowing Steam games and other launchers such as Microsoft, Battle.net and Xbox Cloud Gaming. ASUS handheld console hardware is slightly superior to Valve’s, with the same 16GB of RAM but a Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor with eight cores and 16 threads. Its storage capacity is 512GB, and it supports WIFI 6E and Bluetooth 5.2.
Despite seeming superior to Steam Deck in virtually all aspects, having Windows as an operating system costs a “slice” of its performance, which does not happen with Steam Deck using Steam OS. That is, despite the hardware differences, in practice, many games end up performing the same on both consoles.
Nintendo Switch OLED
It’s practically impossible to talk about portable consoles without talking about Nintendo. And having good options in different generations, Nintendo’s portable console of the current generation has different versions, each of which has its shine. The Nintendo Switch OLED maintains the main qualities of the original Switch, such as the fact that it is a hybrid console and can also be used connected to the TV as a desktop console, but having an enhanced experience as a portable console.
While the switch standard has a 6.2-inch LCD screen, this version has a 7-inch OLED screen, just like the models mentioned above, but with even better image quality and color definition, superior contrast and blacker deep. And the evolutions are not just related to the screen, having increased the storage capacity to 64GB, maintaining support for a microSD card of up to 1TB, and having an entry for a network cable. Therefore, one of the best options to play Nintendo exclusives today.
Nintendo Switch Lite
But if you’re looking for a 100% portable Nintendo console, the Nintendo Switch Lite is the right choice. The portability version of the Nintendo Switch has a simple and beautiful design, is a light and compact device, is easy to transport and practical to use outdoors. Its entire construction is aimed at the player not feeling discomfort when spending hours playing, not straying too far from the experience of playing on the cell phone.
Having the joy-cons fixed on the sides implies that the only option to play multiplayer is online; however, if you are in a place with a Switch connected to the TV, you can play in person using the Lite as a control. For example, having two people using the normal Switch Joy-Cons or OLED, plus two people in the same place connected online through Lite but still using the screen of the portable console.
Powkiddy X18S
Leaving for laptops that serve as emulators for several different consoles, the Powkiddy X18S appears as one of the best options for Dreamcast, Game cube and PlayStation fans, who want to have access to the library of games from these three platforms in the palm of their hand and with a good performance. Its design resembles a Nintendo DS, with a slightly larger body, but with the internal part differing by having only one screen and a different arrangement of buttons. The Powkiddy X18S runs smoothly on consoles with up to 32 and 64 bits, such as the Nintendo 64 and the first PlayStation.
In addition, it is a portable console with the functions of a smartphone, mainly because it has Android 11 as its operating system. Several applications, such as YouTube and other streaming platforms, can be downloaded and used through the console. Its hardware is simpler than the previously mentioned items, having 4GB of RAM and an 8-core Unison T618 processor, having 64GB of internal memory with space for microSD.
Also Read: Is Samsung OLED TV Any Good? Learn More
