When Valve launched the Steam Deck in 2022, carrying your Steam library around stopped being a hobbyist project and became something anyone could buy. Since then, PC makers have released their own Windows handhelds, such as ASUS's ROG Ally series and Lenovo's Legion Go series. More choice is good, but it has also made the decision harder.
This guide is for people who have not bought a handheld yet and are comparing options. We already have a Steam Deck buying and optimization guide (Steam Deck Buying and Settings Guide) that focuses on configuring the Deck itself. This article widens the lens: it compares how SteamOS handhelds and Windows handhelds differ in everyday use and gives you a decision process.
One ground rule: models, specs and prices change quickly, so we do not quote any spec figures or prices here. Check each manufacturer's official spec pages and your local authorized retailers. What follows is a way of thinking that will not go stale when the next model launches.
Choose the Operating System Before the Device
The most common mistake is comparing processors and screens first, only to discover later that the operating system does not suit you. The OS shapes how you use the device every day, which makes it a more fundamental choice than raw specs.
SteamOS: a console-like experience
The Steam Deck runs SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system from Valve that runs Windows games through a compatibility layer called Proton. Its characteristics:
- Boots straight into a gaming interface designed for controller input, with fast sleep and resume. It feels close to a console.
- Deep Steam integration: downloads, updates, cloud saves and performance settings all live in one place.
- Published compatibility ratings: Valve tests games and labels how well they work, explained below.
- Limitations: non-Steam games, certain anti-cheat systems, and software that needs specific Windows components take more effort, often through desktop mode.
Windows: a shrunken gaming PC
Windows handhelds like the ROG Ally and Legion Go run full Windows. They are essentially compact PCs with a built-in screen and controls:
- Broad compatibility: in principle, anything that runs on a Windows PC can be installed, including other stores' launchers.
- Simpler anti-cheat situation: most online games' anti-cheat that supports Windows works normally.
- Clunkier navigation: Windows was built for mouse and keyboard. Manufacturers add their own handheld overlays, but system updates, driver prompts and pop-ups still often require touch input or an on-screen keyboard.
- More maintenance: you manage drivers, Windows updates and multiple launchers yourself.
The one-line version
If you mostly play Steam games and want to pick it up and play, SteamOS is usually the smoother fit. If you own lots of games on other platforms or play online games with strict anti-cheat, a Windows handheld offers more flexibility. Some third-party handhelds also ship with SteamOS, so check which operating system a given model comes with.
Reading Steam Deck Compatibility Ratings
Valve created a compatibility rating system for the Steam Deck, visible on Steam store pages and in the Deck's library. There are four ratings:
- Verified: Valve's testing found the game works fully on Steam Deck, including controller support, default display settings and text legibility.
- Playable: it runs, but may need extra effort, such as using touch for some menus, adjusting controls manually, or squinting at small text.
- Unsupported: currently does not work properly on Steam Deck, often due to anti-cheat incompatibility or hardware requirements.
- Unknown: Valve has not tested it yet. That does not mean it fails; there is simply no official verdict.
Key points when reading them:
- Ratings reflect testing on Steam Deck and SteamOS. They do not transfer to Windows handhelds, where problems tend to be about performance or interface rather than whether a game runs at all.
- "Playable" does not mean a poor experience. Often one menu needs touch input and the game itself plays fine. Click the rating to see Valve's specific notes.
- Ratings can change after game updates or Proton updates. An unsupported game may later become playable, and occasionally the reverse.
- For "Unknown" games, community reports help, but they are individual experiences, not guarantees.
Anti-Cheat: Check Before You Buy
If you play online multiplayer games, this section may matter more than any spec.
Many online games use anti-cheat software, and some anti-cheat systems only work on SteamOS if the developer actively enables Linux and Proton support. When a developer has not done so, or chooses not to support Linux, the game cannot be played online on the Steam Deck. This is a major reason some popular online games are rated Unsupported.
Windows handhelds face far fewer restrictions here, though not zero: a few anti-cheat systems have requirements around virtualization, drivers or specific hardware settings that occasionally cause trouble.
What to do: list the online games you play most, check each one's Steam Deck rating on its store page, and look for any official statement from the developer about Steam Deck or Linux support. If your main games will not run on SteamOS, the decision is already made.
Practical Hardware Considerations
We will not give numbers, because every generation changes them. Take these questions to the official spec pages instead.
Screen
Look at size, resolution, refresh rate and panel type, such as LCD or OLED. Higher resolutions look sharper but demand more performance, and on a handheld you often end up rendering games below native resolution to keep them smooth. If you play text-heavy games like RPGs or strategy titles, pay attention to how readable small text is.
Weight and ergonomics
You hold a handheld for the whole session, so weight and balance directly affect comfort. Official weight figures are a starting point, but grip is personal. If you can, try devices in a store.
Battery life
Battery life depends heavily on what you play and your settings. The same device can last very different lengths of time on a light indie game versus a demanding AAA title. Treat official battery claims as a rough range under specific conditions, not a promise. If you play on the go, consider power bank and charger compatibility too.
Storage
Games keep getting bigger, and storage fills quickly. Check the built-in capacity, whether there is a memory card slot, and whether the internal SSD is user-replaceable. Opening the device yourself may affect your warranty, so read the terms first.
Performance
Within a generation, performance gaps between handhelds are often smaller than marketing suggests, and cooling design and power modes frequently matter more. Rather than comparing synthetic benchmarks, look for reviews of the specific games you want to play on that model.
After-Sales Support
Wherever you live, support deserves as much weight as the hardware:
- Where you buy: prefer the manufacturer or authorized local retailers so the warranty is honored in your country. Grey-import units may be cheaper but can require shipping abroad for repairs.
- Service centers: major PC brands often have local repair centers. Steam Deck sales and warranty channels vary by region, so check Valve's official information and its authorized partners for your country.
- Warranty scope: confirm the warranty period, whether wear-prone parts like screens and sticks are covered, and whether upgrades like replacing the SSD void it.
- Language and software: SteamOS and Windows support many languages, but manufacturers' own handheld software and documentation vary in localization.
A Step-by-Step Decision Process
- List the games you play most, split into single-player, online, and non-Steam titles.
- Check each game's Steam Deck rating and anti-cheat support.
- Choose your OS: mostly single-player Steam games point to SteamOS; lots of online or non-Steam games point to Windows.
- Within that OS, compare screen, weight, storage and budget, and read reviews of specific games on each model.
- Confirm local purchase channels and warranty terms, and try the device in person if possible.
Common Mistakes
- Comparing specs while ignoring the OS: you end up with a faster device that is less pleasant to use, or that cannot run your main games.
- Applying Deck ratings to every handheld: ratings are Steam Deck test results; Windows handhelds need separate research.
- Ignoring anti-cheat: discovering after purchase that your favorite online game will not connect is the hardest mistake to fix.
- Treating battery claims as guarantees: real-world battery life depends on the game and settings.
- Buying a grey import to save money and only discovering the warranty problem when it needs repair.
FAQ
Q: Can I install Windows on a Steam Deck?
Technically yes, and Valve has provided driver resources for it. But you lose SteamOS's integrated experience and take on driver and configuration work yourself, so it suits experienced users. Check Valve's official support pages for the current state of support.
Q: Can Windows handhelds run games outside Steam?
Yes. A Windows handheld is a full Windows PC, so other stores' launchers and games install normally. That is one of its main advantages.
Q: Should I buy a game rated "Unknown"?
Unknown only means untested. If you want to try it on a Deck, Steam's standard refund guideline is within 14 days of purchase and under 2 hours of playtime; check Steam's official support pages for the current rules. Our refund guide has more detail (How to Get a Steam Refund).
Q: Can a handheld replace a desktop PC?
For some players, yes, especially with models that connect to an external monitor, keyboard and mouse. But size and cooling limit performance and expandability compared with a similarly priced desktop. If you mostly play at home, a desktop may still be more flexible.
Q: Do handhelds need a constant internet connection?
No. Single-player games can usually be played offline once downloaded and verified, though some games require a connection by design. Check each game's requirements.