Handheld PCs

The handheld PC form factor has been a concept I've enamoured ever since the launch of Nintendo Switch.

It's beautiful for a single device to serve as a Android tablet (via WSA), a highly-powerful gaming handheld, a highly powerful desktop (via eGPU), and a work PC (by simply connecting the tablet to a monitor via HDMI). This is something I attempted to do with the Switch via the efforts of Switchroot: have a native version of Linux, Android, and Horizon on the same device, filling the niches of gaming, productivity, and simple applications at the same time with the flip of a switch. However, as Switchroot projects are still work in progress, and the Nintendo Switch isn't the most powerful device (and especially so, running x86-64 programs through an ARM compatibility layer) I quickly retired this work setup due to its inherent inefficiencies.

That's when, coincidentally, Steam announced the Steam Deck, one of the first major handheld PCs with a focus on modern gaming. Having access to the same files locally without having to worry about wirelessly synchronising data or using copious amount of real storage to duplicate content is much more efficient than having a separate work/gaming/laptop PC.

Here, it's even more modular than simply a laptop, which has a fixed screen size and isn't always feasible to carry wherever you go, especially with an enforced attached keyboard. The closest contender to fix this was the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio, as you can simply fold the screen into the area of the keyboard and have a simple tablet, without the clunkiness and gaps of normal 2-in-1s. Having the entire device fit into the span of your hand solves that entirely. If you want a keyboard, nothing stops you from bringing your favorite one, mechanical or otherwise.

I love clocking out from work and attaching controllers to the same unit I worked with to play full PC and console games on the ride home. Something also not exactly possible on a laptop.

Advertisement material still active on One-Netbook's crowdfunding page. It is blatant false advertising as the controllers do not work independently, as implied by the photo.

Handheld PCs in inventory

Brand	PC	Release	Processor / APU	Graphics
Valve	Steam Deck	2022	Aerith	Custom GPU 0405
One-Netbook	ONEXPLAYER 2	2023	Ryzen 7 6800U	Radeon 680M
Lenovo	Legion Go	2023	Z1 Extreme	Radeon 780M

I own three models of handheld PC, starting with the Steam Deck, which I massively disprefer compared to any native Windows device for multiple reasons, not limited to: its long, lanky form factor; massive screen bezels along with the lacklustre screen; its poor choice of a native operating system; its limited support for Windows and dualbooting as well. After seeing the following photo of the ONEXPLAYER 2, I fell in love with the concept of being able to use two independent controllers natively with a Windows device. It had one shortcoming though: false advertisement as misleading campaigns. It is truly a disappointing piece of hardware in this regard, despite being the only device to sport this unique form factor for the better end of nine months. At long last, what seems to currently be the holy grail of handheld PCs has been delivered by Lenovo in the form of the Legion Go. I only have a handful of reservations on it, which you can read about on its dedicated page.