Handhelds have split into two camps: consoles built around one store, and small PCs that run almost anything. Here’s how to pick a side.
Short version
- Handheld consoles offer exclusives and simplicity; handheld PCs run the PC library you may already own.
- On SteamOS, check Valve’s Deck Verified rating, and remember some online games block it through anti-cheat.
- Windows handhelds run every PC store and launcher but take more tinkering.
- Nintendo Switch 2 uses microSD Express cards for extra storage, not ordinary microSD.
Not long ago, “handheld” meant a Nintendo console and maybe your phone. Now there’s a second camp: pocket-sized gaming PCs that run the same games as a desktop. They solve different problems, so the right pick depends mostly on which games you play.
The two camps
| Handheld console | Handheld gaming PC | |
|---|---|---|
| Example | Nintendo Switch 2 | Steam Deck and Windows handhelds |
| Games | One store, with exclusives you can’t get elsewhere | PC stores, including a library you may already own |
| Setup | Switch on and play | Occasional tweaking of settings, launchers and drivers |
| Online play | Most online multiplayer needs a Nintendo Switch Online membership | No subscription needed for online play |
| Battery life | Tuned around its own games | Varies a lot with the game and power settings |
| Storage | microSD Express cards on Switch 2 | microSD on most; some let you swap the internal SSD |
SteamOS or Windows?
SteamOS runs the Steam Deck and a few other devices, including a version of Lenovo’s Legion Go S. It feels like a console built around Steam: sleep and resume work well, and Valve rates games as Verified, Playable, Unsupported or Unknown on the Deck. Games from other stores can run too, but they take extra setup.
Windows runs most other handhelds. Every PC store, launcher and PC Game Pass works directly, which is the big draw. Desktop Windows is fiddly on a seven- or eight-inch screen, so makers add their own launcher software, and Microsoft introduced a controller-friendly Xbox full screen experience in 2025, starting with the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds.
The anti-cheat problem
Some of the most popular online games use anti-cheat software that doesn’t support SteamOS, which is based on Linux. Those games won’t run there even though the hardware could easily handle them. If you play a particular competitive game, check it before you buy: Valve’s compatibility rating and community sites like ProtonDB track what works.
Before you buy, check these
- Your must-play list. Where is each game available, and does it run on the system you’re considering?
- The screen. OLED screens look better and can be easier on the battery; higher resolutions look sharper but cost frame rate and battery life.
- Real battery tests. Demanding 3D games can drain a handheld PC in a couple of hours, while older or lighter games last much longer. Look for reviews that test the kinds of games you play.
- Weight and grip. On a long session, comfort matters more than a spec sheet.
- Storage. Nintendo Switch 2 only accepts microSD Express cards for game storage. Most handheld PCs take a regular microSD card, and some, like the Steam Deck, let you replace the internal SSD.
- Repairs. Valve sells official Steam Deck replacement parts through iFixit. Check what support and parts exist for other models.
- The return window. Test your own games while you can still send it back.
Our call
If Nintendo’s games are what you want, the choice makes itself. If you already have a big Steam library, a SteamOS handheld is the least fuss. A Windows handheld suits players who need Game Pass or several launchers and don’t mind tinkering.
Handheld PCs are also popular for retro collections and emulation; before you load one up, read what U.S. law says about emulators and ROMs. And whichever handheld you choose, set up cloud saves early, as our save data guide explains.
Quick questions
Do I need a subscription to play online on a handheld PC?
No. PC stores don’t charge for online play, though individual games can have their own subscriptions or passes.
Can a handheld PC replace my console?
For many players, yes, especially if you dock it to a TV. Console exclusives and online games that block the handheld’s operating system are the main exceptions.
Will my Steam saves carry over?
For games that use Steam Cloud, yes. Saves sync between your desktop and the handheld automatically when both are online.
Store policies, subscription terms and platform features change often. This guide is general information for players in the U.S., not legal advice; check the current terms on the store’s or platform’s own help pages before relying on them.