If you want a handheld gaming device but do not want a Steam Deck, three options stand out for different reasons: Lenovo Legion Go is the most flexible Windows-based alternative, Nintendo Switch Lite is the smallest and most budget-focused choice, and the ASUS ROG Ally X (2024) is the premium Windows model. They are not interchangeable: the Legion Go and Ally X are compact Windows PCs, while the Switch Lite is a dedicated Nintendo console with a separate game library.
The “$789” figure in the title cannot be treated as a verified current Steam Deck price because its model, market and date are unspecified. Prices for all three alternatives vary by configuration, retailer, region and promotion, so check a current local listing before buying.
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The three best alternatives at a glance
| Handheld | Best for | Core hardware cited by the comparison | Operating system and library | Main compromise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lenovo Legion Go | Most capable all-round Steam Deck alternative | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB storage, 8.8-inch QHD+ 144 Hz display, detachable controllers and built-in kickstand | Windows 11; PC storefronts and services, including access to Steam | Large, heavy design and only a few hours of gameplay in TechRadar’s testing |
| Nintendo Switch Lite | Lower-cost, highly portable console gaming | Smaller and lighter Switch-family hardware; exact configuration details and current price vary by market | Nintendo’s dedicated console library; it does not run a buyer’s Steam library | Not a Windows PC and not a Steam-compatible handheld |
| ASUS ROG Ally X (2024) | Premium Windows handheld with more memory and storage | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme, 24 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD | Windows 11; broad PC-game compatibility | Substantially higher price than a budget console option; model year matters |
TechRadar’s guide, updated July 14, 2026, ranked the Legion Go as its best overall alternative, the Switch Lite as its budget and portability pick, and the ROG Ally X (2024) as its premium choice. Those are guide-level recommendations based on the team’s hands-on work, not a universal ranking for every buyer or every later hardware revision.
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What you get
The Legion Go is a Windows 11 gaming PC built around an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor. The configuration listed by TechRadar pairs that chip with 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage. Its defining physical features are an 8.8-inch QHD+ display with a 144 Hz refresh rate, detachable controllers and an integrated kickstand.
#1 Best Overall
- ALL GAMES, ALL PLACES, ALL YOURS – Get ready to game on the 8" 120Hz Lenovo PureSight display and launch any title using Legion Space. The AMD Ryzen Z2 Go processor and AMD Radeon graphics deliver incredible gaming performance.
- SEE EVERY DETAIL – Make every scene pop with 500 nits of stunning brightness and 100% sRGB color accuracy. And with 10-point touch support, your interactions are as precise as your aim.
- PLAY YOUR WAY – Play hundreds of high-quality PC games with your complimentary 3 months of PC Game Pass and EA Play. With new games added all the time, there’s always something new to play.
- POWER-UP AND GO – When it comes to gaming on the go, battery life is everything. The Lenovo Legion Go S is built with a robust 55.5Whr battery that delivers the long-lasting power you need for extended play sessions.
- TAKE FULL CONTROL – Get ready to dominate with the ergonomic Legion TrueStrike Controllers, designed for all-day comfort and precision. With their anti-slip texture, you’ll stay in control during even the most intense battles.
That combination makes it feel closer to a small, adaptable computer than a fixed console. Windows 11 lets you install PC launchers and games outside a single storefront, while the detachable controllers and kickstand support tabletop play. The large screen is useful for readable menus and games designed for a monitor, but it also makes the device less convenient to carry than smaller handhelds.
Why it is the overall pick
Choose the Legion Go when you want one device for a Steam library and other Windows PC games, and you value screen size or flexible positioning. Detachable controls can also help when the handheld is resting on a desk or table rather than held continuously.
Its flexibility is not the same as guaranteed performance in every game. The processor, memory and power settings, the game’s graphics options and Windows software all affect results. The cited guide supports calling it a strong overall alternative; it does not establish a single benchmark that applies to every title or every Legion Go variant.
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- Bulk: TechRadar describes the device as large and bulky. The 8.8-inch screen contributes to that size, so measure your bag and consider how long you normally hold a handheld before buying.
- Battery: The guide reports only a few hours of gameplay during its testing. That is an observed result under the review team’s conditions, not a guaranteed runtime for every game, brightness level or power mode.
- Windows overhead: A Windows handheld gives you broad software access, but you may encounter desktop prompts, launcher updates and controller-mapping differences that a dedicated console interface avoids.
- Configuration differences: The cited 16 GB/512 GB specification belongs to the configuration discussed in the guide. Do not assume a later Legion Go variant has identical memory, storage or screen specifications.
Who should buy it
The Legion Go is the sensible first choice for a PC player who wants a large display, detachable controls and the ability to use multiple PC storefronts. It is less suitable if your priority is the lightest possible device or long sessions far from an outlet.
2. Nintendo Switch Lite: the budget and portability option
A different kind of handheld
The Switch Lite is not a cheaper Windows computer. It is a dedicated Nintendo console, and its games come from Nintendo’s platform rather than from Steam. That distinction is the most important fact in this comparison: buying a Switch Lite does not provide access to your existing Steam library.
Rank #2
- High-Performance Computing: Harness the power of the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor to effortlessly handle demanding tasks. Enjoy reliable, high-performance computing wherever you go.
- Simplistic Design: Enjoy the latest generation of Windows 11 Home for your everyday needs. MSI recommends Windows 11 Pro for business use.
- Perfection Through Anthropometry: As a handheld device, Claw has achieved the optimal balance between its grip and weight. We have meticulously polished various design details, from the curvature that fits the palm, to the finger grip positions and trigger force.
- Best-in-Class Battery Life: Unlock exceptional gaming endurance with our breakthrough battery capacity. It's where efficient power meets robust performance—more game, less charge.
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TechRadar’s July 2026 guide describes the Switch Lite as smaller, lighter and suited to readers on a particularly tight budget. The guide placed it below $200/£200 at the time, but that was a dated guide-level claim rather than a current quotation. Regional pricing, stock and bundles can change, so verify the price and availability in your country.
Why portability matters here
A smaller, lighter console is easier to slip into a small bag and more comfortable to hold during short trips. The trade-off is that you are choosing Nintendo’s software ecosystem instead of the open PC environment offered by Windows handhelds. Before purchase, make a list of the games you actually intend to play and confirm that they are available for the Switch platform.
What you give up compared with a PC handheld
- Steam compatibility: Your Steam purchases do not transfer to the Switch Lite.
- PC storefront choice: You cannot treat it as a Windows desktop for installing PC launchers or utilities.
- Hardware comparison: The Legion Go and Ally X are evaluated partly on PC performance; those expectations do not map directly to a dedicated console.
Who should buy it
Pick the Switch Lite when portability, Nintendo’s first-party and console library, and the lowest purchase cost matter more than PC-game compatibility. It is also the clearest choice for someone who does not want to manage Windows settings or multiple launchers.
3. ASUS ROG Ally X (2024): the premium Windows choice
Hardware and model-year clarity
The ROG Ally X (2024) is the premium Windows handheld in this group. TechRadar lists an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, 24 GB of RAM and a 1 TB SSD. ASUS’s product page identifies this specific product as the “ROG Ally X (2024).” Keep the year in your search and purchase records: newer Xbox-branded or similarly named handhelds should not be assumed to share this model’s specifications or price.
Like the Legion Go, the Ally X runs Windows 11 and is intended for PC gaming. Its larger memory allocation and 1 TB storage give it a higher-end specification on paper than the Legion Go configuration cited above. Storage capacity also affects how many large PC games you can keep installed, although actual free space is lower than the advertised drive capacity after system files and formatting.
Rank #3
- The next evolution of Nintendo Switch
- One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
- Larger, vivid, 7.9” LCD touch screen with support for HDR and up to 120 fps
- Dock that supports 4K when connected to a compatible TV*
- GameChat** lets you voice chat, share your game screen, and connect via video chat as you play
Endurance and performance positioning
TechRadar describes improved endurance relative to the Steam Deck in its testing and positions the Ally X as the better-performance, premium alternative. That comparison reflects the review team’s test conditions. Battery life still changes with game load, display settings, frame-rate targets, brightness and power mode, so do not read “improved endurance” as a fixed number of hours.
The Ryzen Z1 Extreme appears in both the Legion Go and Ally X specifications cited here. The Ally X’s differentiators in this comparison are its 24 GB of RAM, 1 TB SSD and premium positioning rather than a different processor family. Whether those upgrades justify the higher price depends on how many games you install and whether your workloads benefit from additional memory.
Who should buy it
Choose the Ally X (2024) if you want a Windows handheld, are willing to pay substantially more than for a budget console, and value the listed memory, storage and endurance improvements. It is a poor fit if you mainly want Nintendo games or if your budget is fixed around the lower end of the handheld market.
How the three compare on the decisions that matter
Game library and operating system
The first decision is not the processor; it is the software library. Legion Go and ROG Ally X use Windows 11, so they are designed for PC games and can access Steam alongside other PC services. The Switch Lite uses Nintendo’s dedicated operating system and library. A Switch purchase therefore complements a Steam handheld rather than replacing one for a PC-focused player.
Performance for demanding PC games
The Legion Go and Ally X both list the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme in the cited specifications, but headline hardware does not guarantee identical frame rates. Cooling, power limits, game settings, drivers and resolution all influence playability. The Switch Lite should not be evaluated with the same PC benchmark expectations because it runs a separate console version of games where one exists.
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Display and ergonomics
The Legion Go’s 8.8-inch QHD+ 144 Hz screen is its clearest display advantage in this comparison. A larger, faster panel can make games and desktop text easier to see, but it increases the device’s physical footprint. The Switch Lite’s smaller, lighter form favors carrying comfort. The Ally X is a premium Windows handheld, but the sources cited for this comparison do not establish a display specification that should be substituted for its official product listing.
Battery and time away from an outlet
Battery results must be read as test observations, not guarantees. TechRadar reported only a few hours of gameplay for the Legion Go in its testing and improved endurance for the Ally X relative to Steam Deck. TechRadar’s guide, updated July 14, 2026, does not provide a comparable Switch Lite runtime figure, so no direct hours-versus-hours ranking is established here.
Price and configuration
Do not compare a headline price without recording the exact model, storage, memory, retailer, currency and date. The Switch Lite’s under-$200/£200 description was published in July 2026 and may no longer match local listings. A PC Gamer report dated October 7, 2026 discussed a Legion Go S configuration with a $650 starting retail price in deal context; that figure is not a price for the original Legion Go and is not a universal current market quote. The $789 number associated with the title has no verified model, region or date in a current official retail listing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.A practical buying process
- Write down your must-play games. Separate Steam and other PC titles from Nintendo titles. If most of your list is on Steam, the Switch Lite is the wrong platform regardless of its price.
- Choose the device type. Select a Windows PC handheld for storefront flexibility, or choose the Switch Lite for a dedicated Nintendo console experience and lower weight.
- Set a carrying and session limit. If you commute with a small bag or play while standing, the Legion Go’s size may matter more than its large display. If you play near an outlet, its reported short battery sessions may be less important.
- Match hardware to storage needs. The cited Legion Go configuration has 512 GB, while the cited Ally X (2024) has a 1 TB SSD. Estimate your installed-game library rather than assuming either drive will be entirely free.
- Decide whether premium memory is useful. The Ally X’s 24 GB RAM is a step above the Legion Go configuration’s 16 GB. Pay for it when your games or multitasking habits can use the extra headroom, not simply because the number is larger.
- Verify the live listing. Before checkout, confirm the exact model name, model year, RAM, storage, included controls, retailer, currency, warranty, return policy, stock status and delivery territory.
- Check the return window. A handheld’s weight, controls, Windows setup and screen size are personal fit issues. A clear return policy gives you a way to resolve discomfort or a configuration mismatch.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Treating every “Legion Go” or “Ally” listing as the same product
Product families receive revisions and similarly named models. The Legion Go recommendation in the guide refers to a listed Z1 Extreme, 16 GB, 512 GB configuration; the Ally recommendation is specifically the 2024 model. Read the complete specification block on the retailer or manufacturer’s page rather than relying on a shortened title.
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Using the Switch Lite as a Steam Deck substitute
The Switch Lite can replace a Steam Deck only if your desired games are in Nintendo’s ecosystem. It cannot run a buyer’s Steam library. Make platform availability the first check, not an afterthought after comparing prices.
Best Value
- 1TB NVMe SSD
- 1280 x 800 HDR OLED display with premium anti-glare etched glass, 7.4" Diagonal display size up to 90Hz refresh rate
- Wi-Fi 6E
- 50Whr battery; 3-12 hours of gameplay (content-dependent)
- Carrying case with removable liner
Assuming a review battery result is a promise
“A few hours” for the Legion Go and “improved endurance” for the Ally X describe TechRadar’s testing conditions. A demanding game at high brightness can produce a different result from a lightweight indie game at a lower power setting.
Comparing an unverified $789 figure with current products
A price without a model, market and date is not a reliable benchmark. Use the exact local listing you can buy, and record whether the amount is a sale price, a recurring retail price or a one-time promotion.
Other devices that are not direct replacements
A phone controller such as the Backbone One 2nd Gen can make an existing smartphone useful for native mobile games and streaming, but it is an accessory around a phone rather than a self-contained PC handheld. PlayStation Portal is similarly narrow: it is aimed at an existing PS5 owner and relies on remote play or cloud streaming. Consider either only when your library and network setup already match that use case.
Which handheld should you pick?
- Pick Lenovo Legion Go for the broadest Windows flexibility, a very large 8.8-inch display, detachable controllers and a kickstand, provided you can accept a bulky chassis and short tested battery sessions.
- Pick Nintendo Switch Lite for the smallest, budget-oriented dedicated console experience, provided Nintendo’s library—not Steam—is what you want to play.
- Pick ASUS ROG Ally X (2024) for a premium Windows handheld with the cited 24 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD and better endurance in TechRadar’s testing, provided its substantially higher price fits your budget.
There is no single winner across all three because they solve different problems. Decide on the library first, then weigh portability, endurance, screen size, configuration and the current local price.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
