Eschew anticipation of favorable Prime Day Nintendo Switch 2 offers; instead, delve into three pocket-sized gaming PC alternatives recommended, accompanied by suitable sales to scrutinize.
In the world of handheld gaming, the Nintendo Switch 2 has made some noise with its impressive sales – over 3.5 million units worldwide – but it's not the Holy Grail for gamers, as I've previously stated, and here's why.
First, the hefty $80 price tag for first-party games is a hard pill to swallow, especially when compared to other options. Then, there's the issue of freedom and ownership – the Switch 2 doesn't let you have full control over your games or the system. It also costs a pretty penny compared to other handheld gaming PCs and consoles.
If you're looking for a Switch 2 alternative, Prime Day might not bring the desired price drops for the Switch 2 because it's still too early post-launch. Instead, consider the following three handheld gaming PCs that are worth a look:
1. Asus ROG Ally
The Asus ROG Ally and the Lenovo Legion Go are the cream of the crop when it comes to handhelds in the Switch 2 price range. Both rely on AMD's Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, which boasts 8 cores and 16 threads, coupled with 12 RDNA 3 GPU cores – perfect for a 1080p game resolution.
They come with VRR (variable refresh rate) to eliminate screen tearing by syncing the screen's refresh rate with your game's frame rate. This feature is missing in the Switch 2, even when docked. You can even go the extra mile by installing Bazzite on the Asus ROG Ally – it streamlines the gaming experience lending to Windows 11's impact on gaming performance we've seen in SteamOS.
Compared to the Switch 2, the ROG Ally has a faster processor, more RAM at 16GB, access to a greater library of games (as it's a PC), and a lower price – it's currently pocket-friendly at $649 / £522 on Amazon. If you're in the UK, you can grab it for as low as £449 on sale – that's just around the price of the Switch 2's Mario Kart World bundle.
With Prime Day approaching, expect the price to drop even lower.
2. Lenovo Legion Go
The Lenovo Legion Go is closely related to the Asus ROG Ally in terms of performance. You'll enjoy great gaming performance across various titles with the Z1 Extreme chip and a 144Hz refresh rate. Its detachable controllers even help replicate the Joy-Con experience of the Switch 2.
While I stand by my suggestion to go for the Asus ROG Ally, the Lenovo Legion Go still has its charms. It offers a bigger 8.8-inch 2560x1440 screen, but this resolution can sometimes be a disadvantage as it can put a strain on the Z1 Extreme chip in demanding games.
It's available at $699 at Amazon in the US and Best Buy, but you can find it as low as £499 in the UK. With Prime Day around the corner, you can expect the price to drop significantly.
3. MSI Claw 8 AI
Even though the MSI Claw 8 AI is priced higher than the Switch 2, Lenovo Legion Go, and Asus ROG Ally (by a significant margin at $900 / £899 / AU$1,799), it's the best handheld gaming PC under $1,000 you can find. Its headline is Intel's Core Ultra 7 258V processor, which excels in delivering top-notch gaming performance at low TDPs (power consumption), ensuring an extensive battery life.
If you want to spend more on a handheld gaming PC, the MSI Claw 8 AI is an excellent choice. Unfortunately, I don't foresee any substantial Prime Day discounts for this one, but its top-tier performance might be enough to outweigh the price tag for you.
So, there you have it – three handheld gaming PCs that will give the Switch 2 a run for its money. Happy gaming!
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Gaming enthusiasts seeking alternatives to the Nintendo Switch 2 might find the Asus ROG Ally or Lenovo Legion Go appealing. These handheld gaming PCs, priced around $649 / £522 and $699 respectively, boast powerful AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processors, VRR for smoother gaming, and access to a wider game library compared to the Switch 2. On the other hand, the MSI Claw 8 AI, costing $900 / £899 / AU$1,799, offers top-notch gaming performance with Intel's Core Ultra 7 258V processor, providing an extended battery life. These gadgets, including the Switch 2, are prime examples of advancements in technology shaping the world of computing and gaming.
