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The best handheld gaming PCs of 2024 let you ditch your laptop
Best Buy/Asus
Like the Nintendo Switch, handheld gaming systems are having a moment. One of the most popular iterations is the handheld gaming PC. These devices are small PCs packed into smaller housings that let you play your favorite PC games like “Starfield” anywhere you can connect to Wi-Fi. They make it simple to kick back, relax in your favorite gaming chair, bed, or spot on the couch, and play your favorite game without having to sit at a computer. Needless to say, that’s a major step forward from the days where you had to have a desk.
If you’re looking to get your own handheld gaming PC to replace your desktop or laptop, you’ve got a few choices. But if you can’t decide which one is best for you based on your use case or price range, you can check out our picks below. From the ubiquitous Steam Deck to the upcoming MSI Claw, there’s a little something for everyone on every budget. Below, check out our picks for the best handheld gaming PCs of 2024.
The best handheld gaming PCs of 2024
Best Steam-based handheld gaming PC: Valve Steam Deck
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Valve’s Steam Deck is by far the best gaming handheld PC for most, due to both its price and performance. It also looks great and feels good in your hands.
With a base model of 512GB for storage, a 7.4-inch display (or OLED display when available), a powerful AMD APU, and a long-lasting battery, this is a device you can count on to handle most of your favorite PC games, including blockbuster titles that you’d never be able to play comfortably on something like the Nintendo Switch. That means titles like “Elden Ring” and “Resident Evil” are in your future.
The handheld runs on SteamOS from Valve, however, so you’ll have to stick to games that are available on that platform. It doesn’t afford you the same versatility as some handheld gaming PCs, but with the sheer number of games on Valve’s Steam platform, you won’t be running out of things to play anytime soon.
If you want the best handheld gaming PC experience right now, and don’t mind limiting your game catalogue to Steam, this is the device that’s right for you by a long shot.
Best premium handheld gaming PC: Lenovo Legion Go
Best Buy
This Windows handheld is a great alternative to the Steam Deck, especially because it’s a portable gaming PC that doesn’t rely on SteamOS.
It runs on the Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip and features a large, crisp, 8.8-inch panel with a 2,560 x 1,600 resolution as well as a 144Hz refresh rate. It also boasts several interesting features it seems to have borrowed from the Switch, including a kickstand. It also comes with detachable controllers for multiple players to jump in and enjoy games together on the same console.
You can connect the Legion Go to an external display and use it as a handheld PC as well. You can also use it as a standalone gaming controller.
One more perk: You also can use this handy gadget as a vanilla PC for other functionality, since it’s Windows-based. It’s super versatile that way, and well worth its premium price tag.
Best budget handheld gaming PC: Asus ROG Ally
Best Buy
This portable gaming PC offers a 7-inch touchscreen and some pretty impressive presentation. It takes inspiration from the many gaming PCs people have built with RGB decoration, featuring RGB light rings around each joystick. That’s flashy enough to get anyone’s attention.
The Ally runs on Windows like the Lenovo Legion, and on an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor with AM Radeon GPU. Its 1,920 x 1,080 resolution as well as 120Hz refresh rate make it a stellar option for gaming, but you can also use it as a portable PC for getting work done on the go. Though it isn’t designed for work per se, you can definitely do some on it.
It has great audio, comes with a fingerprint sensor that locks and unlock the device, and comfortable buttons that feel just like using a regular game controller.
Out of all of the handheld gaming PCs, this one looks the most like a miniature desktop with all its flash and razzle-dazzle. It’s also consistently on sale and usually more affordable. Check it out for its gamer-centric branding, performance, and reliability.
Most anticipated handheld gaming PC: MSI Claw Portable Gaming Console
Best Buy
The upcoming MSI Claw may not be out yet, but it’s going to be one of the best handheld gaming PC options you’ll be able to choose from when it ships in April.
Powered by Intel’s new Meteor Lake Core Ultra procesor, it can be upgraded to an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H if you prefer — and it’ll be available in three models, with the base version featuring a Core Ultra 5 processor and 512GB of storage.
It runs on Windows 11, much like other handheld gaming PCs aside from the Steam Deck. It’ll also include RGB lighting, which we typically also see on MSI’s laptop range. Choose from configurations with 16GB of RAM with 512GB of storage as a base edition with options for more RAM and more storage space as we near the release date.
You can preorder the ultra-powerful handheld gaming PC now, but don’t expect to start receiving yours until next month.
How to choose a handheld gaming PC
Think about the types of games you want to play. More demanding, graphically intensive titles mean you’ll need more powerful processing components like a strong GPU and CPU for smooth performance. However, if you plan to play more casual indie games or less resource-heavy titles, this won’t be nearly as important.
Portability and ergonomic design are, though. The size, weight and layout of the handheld you’re thinking about buying should support comfortable extended handheld use. The device should fit nicely in your hands, and the controls should feel good and work great, without causing strain in your hands and fingers.
Battery life is a key factor, too. Gaming drains batteries, so look for several hours of runtime per charge to avoid constantly tethering yourself to an outlet. Balance power and battery life, as more capable components may consume energy faster.
The display hugely impacts gaming experience, too. Higher resolution, color accuracy and size make games more immersive but they also mean your battery will drain more quickly. Try something with a balance of all these factors to find the best gaming handheld PC that works for you.
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Nima Momeni has been found guilty of second degree murder in the fatal stabbing of Cash App founder Bob Lee, a verdict reached by a San Francisco jury after seven days of deliberations.
The verdict of second degree murder carries a 15 years to life sentence and includes an enhancement for using a knife in the crime. Momeni was found not guilty of the more serious charge of pre-meditated first degree murder.
Prosecutors Dane Reinstedt and Omid Talai were present in the courtroom for the verdict, as was Sgt. Brent Dittmer – who testified in the trial – and a handful of members of the DA’s office.
Defense attorneys Tony Brass and Zoe Aron were also present along with Nima’s mother Mahnaz Momeni.
Outside the courtroom, Lee’s brother Timothy Oliver Lee said the family was satisfied with the verdict.
“We we’re happy with the result today. We’re happy that Nima Momeni won’t be on the streets, no longer has the opportunity to harm anyone else in this world,” he said. “The verdict of murder two will put him away for a long time.”
Shocking murder
Momeni was accused of fatally stabbing tech executive Lee in a secluded part of San Francisco’s East Cut neighborhood under the Bay Bridge in April 2023.
Court officials announced late Monday afternoon that the jury had reached a verdict shortly before 4 p.m.
Prosecutors accused Momeni of stabbing Lee with a kitchen paring knife following a heated discussion regarding his sister’s relationship with Lee as well as their ongoing drug use. During the trial, Momeni’s lawyers claimed that their client acted in self-defense, alleging that Lee lunged at Momeni with a knife in his hand while high on ketamine and cocaine. The defense said Lee became erratic and aggressive after Momeni made a “bad joke” at the expense of Lee’s family.
Intense trial
The trial, which lasted six weeks, was punctuated by dramatic testimony, including an appearance on the stand of Momeni’s sister, Khazar Momeni. She testified as a witness for the prosecution and insisted during her first day of testimony that her brother didn’t kill Lee. She also detailed consuming several drugs with Lee and others in the days leading up to the fatal stabbing.
During cross examination by defense attorneys, Khazar Momeni described Lee as “all over the place” and “aggressive” while high on drugs. Her testimony was criticized outside the courtroom by Lee’s ex-wife Krista Lee, who accused her of trying to “make herself a victim.”
The testimony turned contentious when Nima Momeni took the stand, as the defendant sparred with the prosecution during cross-examination after earlier describing how Lee allegedly attacked him while his defense team questioned him about the confrontation.
Prosecutorial challenge
San Francisco Assistant District Attorney Omid Talai challenged Momeni’s version of the story and focused on his actions immediately after Lee’s death, including his calls to attorneys and text messages with his sister.
The case wrapped up in the first week of December with prosecutors trying to tear down Momeni’s defense in their closing arguments and asking why he didn’t call police or tell anyone about Lee allegedly attacking him.
The defense showed a bombshell video during their closing arguments, presenting surveillance footage they claimed showed Lee doing cocaine on the street outside a private club with the same knife used to kill him hours later. Defense attorney Saam Zangeneh used a cardboard cutout of the knife in court so the jury could see the size of the paring knife he said the video proved Lee had in his possession all along.
That video sparked a tense exchange between Zangeneh and Lee’s former wife, who let out a loud, mocking laugh as he showed the footage.
Zangeneh turned to directly address her, saying it wasn’t funny. Prosecutors quickly objected and the judge intervened to restore order in the courtroom.
The jury began deliberations on the morning of Dec. 4.
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