Summary

• I can't see myself playing high-end games on a small screen, and I have my phone for playing casual games.
• Playing on a handheld while my partner watches something else in the background isn't for me.
• I have many other ways to spend time when traveling; I don't need a separate device that I need to charge multiple times.
• If I need to step away from my work-and-gaming PC, I have a console for some lounging-on-the-sofa gaming.

Once the Steam Deck truly brought PC gaming to the handheld form factor, there was no going back. The industry quickly took notice of the growing popularity and demand for PC gaming handhelds and churned out one Steam Deck alternative after another. With the likes of the ROG Ally X and Lenovo Legion Go offering different features for different kinds of users, and the Nintendo Switch still being a great buy, the handheld gaming market is showing no signs of stopping.

But, here I am, still struggling to find compelling reasons to buy one. This is completely subjective, obviously, but I know enough people like me who don't see a gaming handheld fitting into their lifestyle, especially considering the questionable pricing of some of the best PC gaming handhelds. It might be the perfect device for a lot of gamers, but I'm yet to be convinced in favor of a separate, miniature gaming device.

5 I don't like small screen PC gaming

I already have a phone for casual games

Before you take out your pitchforks, hear me out. I've been super into mobile games since the days of Android 4.0, so I don't have anything against a small screen. But, I reserve my mobile gaming for quiz, puzzle, and social games. For anything more advanced, I simply don't find the handheld form factor (or even a tablet) appealing. Sure, I can play Cyberpunk 2077 on a 7-inch screen, but do I want to?

I've heard some people actually prefer playing high-end games on a handheld over a PC, but that's something I can't make sense of.

It's not even about adapting to a different set of controls — I don't want the experience of a fantastic AAA title ruined by a device full of compromises. I've heard some people actually prefer playing high-end games on a handheld over a PC, but that's something I can't make sense of. Whatever flexibility or convenience it affords, I don't see myself using a handheld for my favorite PC games.

Moreover, if I ever want to, I can fashion a handheld out of my smartphone with a new controller or by using cloud streaming.

4 I don't like multitasking while gaming

Gaming while my partner watches TV isn't for me

I've seen this brought up again and again by many people — it allows them to "be alone together" with their partner. While they game away on their handheld, their significant other watches TV in the same room. This might work for others, but I don't see the point. If I want to spend time with my partner, I'd rather we give each other our full attention, and watch something together.

Another thing that I don't connect with is playing on a handheld while a podcast or a TV episode plays in the background.

And if she wants to watch something I don't like, I'll play something on my phone or step out and do something else for the time being. This is something my partner is also in sync with. Both of us find it better to finish a work or personal engagement, and then spend time together. Another thing that I don't connect with is playing on a handheld while a podcast or a TV episode plays in the background — is it that hard to focus on a single thing?

3 I have other ways to pass the time when traveling

Reading, listening to music, and more

I get the feeling of missing your gaming PC or console when you're traveling and have to stay away from your favorite devices for days or weeks. But, I feel this is something that isn't a problem to be fixed. I don't need another device to keep me occupied on a commute, a long flight or train ride, or even when staying at a hotel. I have a smartphone which I regularly use to listen to podcasts, audio shows, and music.

Plus, if I'm out of things to do, I'd rather spend time talking to my partner, friends, or family I'm traveling with.

And a commute or long trip is the only time I can actually get some reading done — finishing that long-pending fantasy novel, so I can move to the next one is always on my to-do list. Plus, if I'm out of things to do, I'd rather spend time talking to my partner, friends, or family I'm traveling with. If I'm alone, I'd get some shut-eye. All things considered, a gaming handheld just doesn't fit into my travel preferences.

2 Gaming handhelds suck at battery life

Less than 2 hours of AAA gaming? I'd pass

Gaming handhelds have rapidly evolved as far as performance and technical specs are concerned. We have 120Hz OLED screens, powerful chips, great cooling systems, fast charging, and terabytes of storage. But, something that remains annoyingly lacking is battery life. I may be able to squeeze 8 hours or more playing light indie titles on a handheld, but if I play something remotely demanding, the battery life tanks horribly.

I'd rather invest in a smartphone with a massive battery that can game for much longer than an $800 handheld.

When buying a gaming handheld, battery life ranks among the top considerations. If I need to charge yet another device multiple times on a short trip, then what's the point? I'd rather invest in a smartphone with a massive battery that can game for much longer than an $800 handheld that struggles to get 2 hours of usage playing AAA titles.

1 I have a console if I need a break from my desk

Gaming PC fatigue is real, but I have a console for that

Another big reason people gravitate toward gaming handhelds is that they find playing on their PC after a long work day not too stimulating. After all, you want a change of scenery sometimes, especially if you just spend over 8 hours typing and answering Teams calls on your PC. Stepping away and getting some game time on a handheld console while lazing around on your sofa sounds amazing. But I can derive the same pleasure from my console.

I know what you're thinking — I can't play many of my PC games on my console. But, I don't want to.

My TV is rarely occupied during the times I want a break from work and want to play some Ghost of Tsuhima or Horizon Forbidden West. And I know what you're thinking — I can't play many of my PC games on my console. But I don't want to. The very reason I bought a PlayStation 5 is to play PS exclusives that weren't available on PC. And now, even that is changing — almost every PS exclusive is coming to PC, albeit after a few months.

Even if I want a PC experience on my TV, I have the option of streaming PC games on my Android TV. So, again, I don't see the point of buying a gaming handheld just because I sometimes want time away from my gaming PC.

Will I ever buy a gaming handheld?

Who knows what the future holds? Maybe someday PC gaming handhelds will win me over. But as it stands today, I don't see myself getting a handheld anytime soon, no matter how much I want to play PC games away from my PC. I might gift one to my partner or brother, and then gradually grow to like it somewhat, but I doubt I'd spend more to get another one for myself. Gaming handhelds are novel devices and fulfill a specific need for a lot of gamers, but I'm not one of them.

This doesn't mean I'll stop being curious about every new launch — it'll be tempting to see what happens next in this market. And if anyone would like to send me one for a review, I'd hardly refuse.