Before the DRAM shortage sent RAM, SSD, and GPU prices soaring to record highs, I had plans to move to AM5 and buy an RTX 50 series graphics card. Thanks to the data center demand, those plans are shelved for another two years, at least. However, I still want to inject some novelty into my gaming arsenal this year. With that in mind, I plan to buy one of the following devices this year: a VR headset, a gaming handheld, and a PlayStation 5. Each of these costs around $550–$650 where I live, and will be a worthwhile investment at that price. VR and handheld PC gaming can introduce me to new ways to enjoy my favorite titles, and the PS5 will be necessary to experience the phenomenon that is GTA VI, launching only on consoles in 2026.

Finally buying a VR headset

Meta Quest 3 for the win

I've been lukewarm about VR gaming since forever. The hardware has been impressive enough for generations, but the lack of standout VR games kept me on the fence. I've tried the technology in gaming arcades a few times, and love the unparalleled immersion it offers, but actually buying a VR headset was something I couldn't commit to. Titles like Half-Life: Alyx, Batman: Arkham Shadow, Metro Awakening, and Horizon: Call of the Mountain were console-sellers in their own right. However, if I'm spending over $500 on a headset, I want a larger library to sink my teeth into. Other than so-called AAA games, VR gaming has many native titles to experience, but they never became selling points, at least not to me.

In 2026, with my PC upgrade plans killed by the AI-induced hardware crisis, I've become warmer to the idea of having my own VR headset. My brother highly recommends the Meta Quest 3, and I'm finally considering buying into the hype. VR gaming might not have panned out the way the industry thought it would, but it still offers a whole new frontier for gamers. Getting engrossed in a game world isn't something you can just shrug off, and my objections regarding the game library, ease of use, and having a powerful PC for PCVR have been overshadowed by my need to experience something new. PC gaming has become stale, and I find myself playing casual browser games instead of clearing my backlog. Buying a Meta Quest 3 for just over $600 doesn't seem like a bad deal to get myself out of the rut.

Exploring PC gaming handhelds

Time for the Steam Deck OLED

The category that the Steam Deck popularized is yet another one that didn't sway me enough in the beginning. Playing on a smaller screen didn't excite me in the first place. It's anti-immersion and doesn't simplify the experience in any way. The portability argument also felt lacking since the average battery life of handhelds leaves a lot to be desired. Add to that the premium pricing most handhelds now command, and it's not an easy decision to invest in one. That said, I got the opportunity to try the Steam Deck OLED at a cousin's place last month. I got curious and played Cyberpunk 2077 to see what all the fuss was about. Naturally, I didn't expect much, but I was glad to be proven wrong. The Steam Deck OLED wasn't competing with a gaming PC or a PS5; it had created a whole different way of experiencing the same titles I was already in love with.

Even if the handheld never leaves my home, it's still worth the convenience of firing up a single-player title, side-scroller, or point-and-click adventure anywhere in the house. And the battery life problem doesn't really exist if I'm using the Deck only at home. I now see what I was missing: a powerful yet compact device offering a seamless Steam gaming experience. It may not replace my gaming PC, but it doesn't need to. At $650, it's still an expensive console, but I'm not averse to investing in it anymore. After getting my hands on it for a few days, I'm convinced that it's a compelling option to get myself excited about gaming again. I'm already imagining taking 15-minute breaks between writing articles for a quick fix of Stardew Valley or Elden Ring on the Steam Deck OLED.

Investing in the PlayStation 5

GTA VI is coming to town

This one is self-explanatory. Many PC gamers like myself will probably buy a PS5 or PS5 Pro before November so they can play GTA VI on day one. Nothing quite like Rockstar's next title has ever been released before, except perhaps GTA V. The hype surrounding GTA VI has crossed all comparisons, and people have already declared it a once-in-a-generation event. It may be launching over 13 years after its predecessor, but gamers aren't complaining. After years of jokes, memes, and delays, GTA VI is about to become real in a span of months. Almost every gamer will be part of the cultural phenomenon, and those who don't have a console yet will most likely buy one soon. I have my eyes set on the PS5 as I don't want to wait years for the game to come to PC.

The PS5 Pro will offer a better experience, but it's way more expensive (especially in India) than the base variant to make the cut. I can get the PS5 Slim Disc edition for around $550, which isn't a bad price, even if GTA VI is the only thing I'll play on it for years. I avoided the PS5 due to the lackluster library, but Rockstar's next hit is enough to sway even the most ardent PC gamers. If I had to choose one of the three devices on this list, it would have to be the PS5.

My gaming PC will finally take a backseat this year

It's not that I don't want to upgrade my PC anymore, but PC hardware prices have decided for me. Buying a new GPU or switching to AM5 is unthinkable right now, and will probably be for the next two years. Consequently, I've decided to invest around $600 in the PlayStation 5 to be able to play GTA VI, Steam Deck, or Meta Quest 3. One of these three devices will allow me to ride the PC hardware crisis that the AI boom has forced upon us. My only wish is that we don't see a new normal once the AI hype settles down.