All posts tagged: handheld

The Steam Deck OLED beats every rival because of one thing no Windows handheld can match

The Steam Deck OLED beats every rival because of one thing no Windows handheld can match

The Steam Deck OLED is one of my favorite gaming devices of all time. And I don’t say that lightly — I’ve been playing handhelds since the prehistoric times of 1991 when my granddad bought me a Sega Game Gear. I also loved the OG LCD version of Valve’s teeny PC even if I was using my Steam Deck wrong until I made this one change. Though the likes of the Lenovo Legion Go 2 and ROG Ally X have since far outstripped the Deck in terms of pure horsepower, I still say Valve’s machine is the best handheld PC for most people. Thanks to its ultra-intuitive OS, canny design tweaks and a truly sensational screen, here’s why I wouldn’t swap my Steam Deck OLED for any of its rivals. Related I own 3 PC gaming handhelds, and this is the one I barely use Until Linux gets serious about multiplayer gaming, my Steam Deck will collect dust while I play on my Windows gaming handhelds instead. An incredible OLED screen I’ll always value display …

I installed NixOS on my gaming handheld and immediately regretted it

I installed NixOS on my gaming handheld and immediately regretted it

Linux comes in many different flavors and distributions. Each distro kind of does its own thing, but most are derivatives of a parent distribution. NixOS is different. It’s a Linux distribution that targets reproducibility using an extensive configuration that remains (mostly) universal across all builds. Which should be a tinkerer’s dream, all things considered. Being drawn to NixOS, I booted up a fresh installation medium and got ready to install on a very unlikely candidate — my Lenovo Legion Go (Gen 1) handheld. While the installation went off without a hitch, configuring the other aspects, such as the game mode switcher, was an entirely different story altogether. Related I own 3 PC gaming handhelds, and this is the one I barely use Until Linux gets serious about multiplayer gaming, my Steam Deck will collect dust while I play on my Windows gaming handhelds instead. Installing NixOS Dead simple using the official ISO Installing NixOS on the Lenovo Legion Go was surprisingly straightforward. All I had to do was boot from a USB Drive (with NixOS …

Why the AI Boom is Quietly Killing Handheld Gaming

Why the AI Boom is Quietly Killing Handheld Gaming

The handheld gaming industry is under pressure as the rapid growth of AI data centers drives up demand for essential components like RAM and storage, creating supply shortages. According to ETA Prime, this surge, fueled by companies such as NVIDIA and Google, has led to rising production costs and delays across the sector. Smaller manufacturers like AYANEO and Retroid have been hit particularly hard, with some canceling devices like the Neo Next 2 and scaling back on others, including the Pocket 6. Even larger companies like Valve and Lenovo are experiencing setbacks, as increasing costs and supply chain disruptions affect their flagship products. Learn how these component shortages are reshaping production strategies, including the shift toward premium models and the impact on pricing. Discover how consumer behavior is adapting, from the growing reliance on the secondhand market to the adoption of cloud gaming as an alternative. Gain insight into the difficult trade-offs manufacturers face as they navigate rising costs and changing market demands and understand the broader implications for the future of handheld gaming. Why RAM …

00 Gaming PC vs 00 Handheld : Gaming Performance Compared

$1400 Gaming PC vs $1400 Handheld : Gaming Performance Compared

When faced with a $1,400 gaming budget, the decision between a custom-built PC and a handheld device like the Lenovo Legion Go highlights the trade-offs between performance and portability. Tech Fowler explores this comparison by breaking down how each option uses the same budget to cater to different gaming needs. For instance, the custom-built PC includes peripherals like a monitor, keyboard and mouse, creating a complete setup for stationary gaming, while the Lenovo Legion Go offers an all-in-one portable solution with its compact design and integrated hardware. This feature examines how these differences impact gaming experiences, from hardware capabilities to practical use cases. In this breakdown, you’ll discover how the custom PC’s AMD Ryzen 5 7600X CPU and Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 GPU stack up against the Legion Go’s Z2 Extreme processor in both synthetic and gaming benchmarks. You’ll also gain insights into how portability affects gaming flexibility, whether you prefer immersive, high-performance setups or the convenience of gaming on the go. By the end, you’ll have a clearer understanding of which option aligns best …

This handheld e-reader has effectively replaced my Kindle, and I can’t argue with the price

This handheld e-reader has effectively replaced my Kindle, and I can’t argue with the price

ZDNET’s key takeaways The DuRobo Krono is a smartphone-sized ePaper tablet, available for $280. The Android-based Krono is meant to be a distraction-free device for reading, note-taking, and productivity. Following a successful Kickstarter campaign, the Krono is now available for preorder, with shipping scheduled for the end of January. Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. As an avid book lover, I’m a sucker for a great e-reader. But the problem is that many of these devices are way too limited to become a companion device. This is why I loved the TCL Nxtpaper tablet so much. There’s another device, however: the new DuRobo Krono is here to address that tablet’s downfall: it’s a pocket e-reader and productivity device that is finally available for purchase. Also: CES 2026: 7 biggest news stories across TVs, laptops, and other weird gadgets you missed Admittedly, I am biased. I’ve been using a prototype of the DuRobo Krono for a couple of months, and it’s done what no e-reader has before: it’s the only one that has replaced …

This handheld e-reader has effectively replaced my Kindle, and I can’t argue with the price

This handheld e-reader has effectively replaced my Kindle, and it’s decently priced

Maria Diaz/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET’s key takeaways The DuRobo Krono is a smartphone-sized ePaper tablet with a productivity focus. The Android-based Krono is meant to be a distraction-free device for reading, note-taking, and productivity. Following a successful Kickstarter campaign, the Krono is now available for preorder, with shipping scheduled for the end of January. As an avid book lover, I’m a sucker for a great e-reader. Yet many of these devices are way too limited to really become a companion device. This is why I loved the TCL Nxtpaper tablet so much; however, the new DuRobo Krono is here to address that tablet’s single downfall: it’s a pocket e-reader and productivity device that is finally available for preorder. Also: CES 2026 live blog: Latest news on TVs, AI, phones, more  Admittedly, I am biased. I’ve been using a prototype of the DuRobo Krono for a couple of months, and it’s done what no e-reader has before: it’s the only one that has replaced my Kindle during travel. As an adult, …