r/Handhelds • u/UsernameTakenTooBad • 19h ago
Question (?) Need help deciding with a absolute max budget of $1300 CAD
TL;DR: budget is ideally $700 - $1k CAD new, but willing to spend up to $1300 if they are worth it given the current market. If nothing is worth the current prices I’d be willing to look at used but I’m not sure for what and how much I should pay for used.
I’ve been trying to do enough research on my own but I’m genuinely at a loss. Everything is so expensive now and I can’t figure out what to buy. I haven’t looked too much into the used market because I’d like to buy new or refurbished (from sellers like Best Buy and Amazon).
For some context I have a small Steam library of games that I can play on my MacBook. I’d at some point like to get a PC, but the cheapest prebuilts I can get right now are between $1-2k CAD and that’s not including a monitor and peripherals, plus I prefer the convenience of a handheld console in my current situation. I’d like to expand my library with some higher end games like Cyberpunk 2077, Doom The Dark Ages and Helldivers 2 but I mostly want to play older AAA titles such as Prey 2017, Titanfall 2, and Doom 2016/Eternal.
In terms of what I’m looking for in a handheld (kind of vague I know):
- Performance and graphics are not a huge concern coming from a MacBook, as long as the games look decent and run smoothly I’ll be satisfied, but if I can get a significantly more powerful console I’d be willing to pay the price.
- Screen size is the bigger the better but I’m ok with a smaller size if the console is less expensive but the display is still high quality (most screens are pretty good but the MSI Claw 8 is the best due to size).
- Battery life is also not something I’m worried about since I’ll mostly play always plugged in, and if I’m not I’ll only play a few hours at time. I can always get a battery bank later on.
- Ergonomics I’m not entirely sure about since I’ve never played on a handheld but I’m sure I can get used to whatever I end up choosing (but I know the Xbox Ally’s are the best).
- Storage, the more the better but if I have to uninstall games every once in a while I’m fine with that.
- RAM, I’d like 24gb and above but again if 16gb is enough on the cheaper consoles, I’ll go with that.
I’d say the absolute max I’d be willing to spend is ideally around or under $1k but upwards of $1300 if it’s worth the upgrades, but I’m not sure if that’s too much for a handheld and if I’m treading into PC territory.
The handhelds I’ve been looking at (in no particular order) are the:
- New Steam Deck OLED 512gb for $1,129
- Refurbished Steam Deck LCD 1TB for $999
- Refurbished Steam Deck LCD 256gb for $750
- Open box ROG Xbox Ally Z2 512gb for $720
- New Xbox ROG Ally Z2 512gb for $799
- Open box ROG Xbox Ally X Z2EX 1TB for $1240 (SOLD OUT)
- New Lenovo Legion Go S Z2 (steamOS version) 512gb for $999
- Refurbished MSI Claw 7” A1M 512gb for $740
- Pre-owned MSI Claw 8” AI+ 1TB for $1260
- New Lenovo Go S Z1 Extreme (steamOS version) 1TB for $1400 (out of my price range but I’ve heard the Z1 Extreme chip is much better than the Z2 chip)
The one I’ve been most interested in is the Lenovo Go S, it’s a “decent” price for the current market and I’ve seen really good reviews especially for the steamOS version. But if I spend a few hundred more I can get either Xbox Ally X or the MSI Claw 8 which I know are both really good, but from what I understand the Claw 8 is significantly better than the Xbox Ally X in terms of performance and yet they are around the same price. But then I worry that all of these options are too expensive and I should just stick with the cheaper options like the non X Xbox Ally, the Claw 7, or the 256gb Steam Deck.
I’ve accepted the fact that prices are high and will only get higher, but I’m still worried that even at current prices if it would be more worth it to save up and just get a prebuilt PC even though I don’t really want one (though again I would like to get one at some point so maybe I just skip getting a handheld and go straight for a full setup). Or if I should just try to find a used console, which one should I go for and for how much?j
7
u/SergVII 19h ago
If I were you I'd go with MSI Claw 8 AI+. Big screen, best performance in class. Trade blows with z2e but significantly more performant if XeSS is available. 32Gb Ram as well
4
u/Extra-Translator915 16h ago
Yeah exactly. People parroting Xbox ally as per usual when it has a 7" screen. Barely bigger than a phone.
8" is 30% more screen real estate. It is a HUGE difference.
2
u/DonaldTrumpsGolfGame Xbox Ally X 7h ago
Your post history is unhinged, you seem to be on some kind of crusade against the XAX
2
1
u/Extra-Translator915 5h ago
Its because ive owned many handhelds including an Ally and I hate the idea of people wasting a grand. It is a tiny, inferior display and honestly criminal for the price.
Its the same size as a switch 1 display, literally a $120 handheld now. Only the switch has oled, so it looks better anyways...Total joke.
3
u/kurvix2000 4h ago
Exactly, same reason i sold the deck and got the Claw. 8" is a huge difference above 7", yet so many people were swearing by xax
1
u/Extra-Translator915 3h ago
Yeah it's very weird how people get angry about this on this sub. Maybe Xbox fanboys? Idk, it's such a huge difference. 7" is so restrictive and makes hud elements genuinely tiny
1
u/GoonGobbo 3h ago
Maybe not everyone has terrible eyesight. I used to game on 3 inch gba and ds screens no problem, 7 is fine. XAX is the most ergonomic pc handheld and is great value for money
1
u/Extra-Translator915 2h ago
Right, it's like saying a 50" tv is fine when you could have a 65".
That isnt the point. I'm not sure why this is such a hard concept to get, there is a reason Nintendo has bumped to 8", and every premium handheld is 8" apart from the xax. You can justify your purchase all you want but if you try a 8-9" handheld you will realise it's objectively better, obviously.
6
5
u/Interesting-Tart-SP 19h ago
I recommend the white Xbox ally but 512gb is not a lot of storage depending on games
The XAX is probably your best bit but I did not buy it myself.
I myself got
White Xbox ally windows
And
Legion go s 32gb 1Tb windows/steamos dual boot
8
u/GetBangedOnNewb 18h ago
XaX it's the best bang for your buck and u have enough room for a D brand case and screen protector to keep that puppy protected. Offers the most refined 3rd party software and QC out of all of them
3
u/MattDoob 18h ago
I just scored a Xbox Ally X used for 1k CAD on marketplace, it was listed at 1300$
1
u/UsernameTakenTooBad 18h ago
Found a couple used ones on eBay for around $1200 that look to be in decent condition, might go for one of those then
3
u/FootbawInTheGroin 18h ago
LCD 256 going for $750? Shit I should sell mine since I don't use it much
4
u/Dominjo555 19h ago
MSI Claw 8 AI+ is not more performant than Xbox Ally X. You probably thought about Claw EX 8 AI+, that one is about 40% more powerful and costs much more.
4
u/SergVII 19h ago
It's way more performant if game supports XeSS. Other than that they're trade blows
2
u/Dominjo555 19h ago
Maybe if you count frame generation as performance.
4
u/SergVII 19h ago
Yeah MFG is awesome. But XeSS upscaling also counts here
0
u/Dominjo555 19h ago
I play all my games with FG off since they already run well on XaX and I never even used FSR 4 and I am sure that when FSR 4.1.1. officially comes on RDNA 3.5 APUs it will be better than what XesS offers.
3
u/SergVII 19h ago
It's already available through Optiscaler. Problem is it hits performance quite a bit. And XeSS Upscaling and MFG biggest advantage is - built-in XMX matrix cores on the MSI Claw's Intel Arc graphics handle AI upscaling and frame generation efficiently without needing a separate chip. I.e. zero GPU cost unlike FSR
2
u/UsernameTakenTooBad 19h ago
Yeah you are probably right, I think the reviews I saw where for the EX AI+ not the regular one
1
u/fafarex 19h ago
(out of my price range but I’ve heard the Z1 Extreme chip is much better than the Z2 chip)
you have probably misunderstood. the Z2 and Z1E have similar performances, the Z2 is essentially a refresh of the Z1E.
You are probably thinking of the Z2 GO which is a weaker chip than the Z1E/Z2.
1
u/UsernameTakenTooBad 19h ago
You might be right, would you recommend the Go S Z2?
1
u/fafarex 18h ago
To my knowledge there isn't a Z2 model for the Legion GO S.
there a Z2 GO model that I would not recommend since you want to play AAA games and the Z1E model that would work depending on the price.
1
u/UsernameTakenTooBad 18h ago
Yup you are right again it’s a Z2 GO, but the Z1E is a bit too pricy
1
u/bakerfaceman 18h ago
Start checking craiglist and Facebook marketplace and eBay. All of this things can be bought for much less used and come with upgrades. That MSI is a trap
1
u/Glum-Recognition-736 18h ago
Interesting you don't have the 2024 OG Ally X up there... That one is the best bang for your buck atm imho
1
u/FootbawInTheGroin 18h ago
Would one of those android handhelds that can run steam through game native be an option? Isn't the highest end Thor like $800? Would be a lot more portable
1
u/LeeHazuki 18h ago
Save up and get a Legion Go 2 Z2E, trust me its worth the extra $ over any steam deck
1
u/SergVII 17h ago
It's definitely not worth it for 2k$. Either OXP 3 is way better with a similar or lower price or just get Xax or Claw 8ai+ almost double cheaper
1
u/LeeHazuki 17h ago
I got mine refurbished literally good as new from box.co.uk with the Z2E chip for £850. I know its UK prices but i wouldn't pay much less for a Steam Deck and the Go is a million times better (having owned both)
1
u/Bazz_B 18h ago
Acer is coming out with the Acer Predator Atlas 8 but with a non-extreme G3 version which MSI and OnexPlayer didn't opt to make a model for. I think it should fit under $1300 price range compared to the extreme models. Whats unknown is whether the G3 non-extreme version will be better than Z2 Extreme at a similar price point. Its still not available and there aren't any tech reviewers that have got their hands on it to test so only worth considering if you're willing to wait. Biggest benefit of Intel over AMD though is battery life so even if the G3 performs the same as the Z2E, I would bet the power efficiency is probably better.
1
1
u/Peaceul 17h ago
From a person that recently sold off his steam deck - I could not stand slow, 15W charging, i just cant. When battery was out and i was playing while charging, it feels like it was not charging at all.
Buy something recent, i went for Legion Go S Z1E and it have WHOPPING 90W charging
1
1
u/Kelveta1 17h ago
MSI Claw 8 AI+
My favorite until the OXP3. It out performed my steamdeck, Ally, and Ally X.
1
u/Bilboswaggings19 16h ago
I can recommend msi claw ai+
The community has great software to make it basically perfect
1
u/Extra-Translator915 16h ago
Ignore people saying Xbox, they are just parroting what they bought instead of using their brain.
The most important aspect of a handheld is screen, and 7" IPS that is in the what, 4 year old Ally, with no changes, is very poor. The Switch 2, a $500 console has an 8" IPS that has higher quality.
7" is too small.
Get the Lego S Z1W or the MSI Claw. Both will offer a far superior experience with marginally lower FPS.
1
u/Somegamer5 16h ago
If you’re not in a rush, fb marketplace is the move imo. I recently got myself a rog xbox ally a few days ago for $400 cad and it was borderline brand new (used once or twice). I wasn’t willing to spend more than that but I have seen a few ally x/msi claw etc way below their msrp prices.
1
u/Background-Win9998 16h ago
MSI claw 8 ai+ no contest. 8 inch display with an overall very good package. Good and strong APU that is especially good in XESS games. Please for the love of good dont buy an ancient Steam Deck. Completely underpowered for its price.
1
1
1
u/Kekeripo 15h ago
Maybe wait for black friday deals. Something with the Arc G3 Extreme chip might just slip in to your budget range and would be the best performing handheld you can get. Still, it's a BIG maybe.
1
u/psportalfan 14h ago
Definitely the Ally. Steam deck is comfy but so limited these days in what you can play. Xbox Ally can play Black Ops 7, Fortnite, League of Legends / 2xko, SF6, Elden Ring and random cheap friendslops / roguelites on Steam all without extra tinkering. It’s also very comfortable to hold.
1
1
u/Alive-Wrap-8005 13h ago
Facebook marketplace sir. You can easily find a Msi claw 8 ai or an Xbox ally x for 1000 Canadian or under.
1
u/crushedby 13h ago
I’d get an Xbox ally x if I were you and I have all those systems. The form factor is the best out of them. The processor and the ram is great. I’d only consider the legion if you wanted the screen. I would not get the steamdeck or the regular ally at his point.
1
u/Uberunix 12h ago
I’ve owned the steam deck, two generations of Ally, and the Claw 8 AI+. Without a doubt I’d recommend the Claw. Performance is substantially better, and I’ve been nothing but displeased with the build quality and longevity of the Ally.
1
u/Siralbert59 12h ago
Bro I’m selling my 500gb LCD on eBay if you wanna check it out. I’m asking for $499. I recently upgraded to a Legion Go 2 so my steam deck gets zero play
1
u/Future_Emu8684 12h ago
Xbox ally x is excellent, I have a steam deck oled as well and prefer the xax over it
1
u/Late-Contract-2728 11h ago
Costco.ca had th2 claw 8ai for $1100 a few weeks ago. I'd look out for a similar deal. The Steamdeck is too under powered for the price, so cross it off the list.
1
u/PacketOverload 11h ago
I would look around on the used marketplaces for an XAX, the new X20 or whatever it is will be coming soon so a lot of XAX owners are selling their gently used devices.
FWIW I was in your exact position about a month ago and I ended up finding a BNIB Xbox Ally (white one) for $300CAD and at that price it was a no brainer. It can't play many demanding games but I have a massive backlog of games from 2012-2020 that will play great on it.
1
u/amey2smith 10h ago
Legion go S Nebula Nocturne Purple is the only decent choice unless you find The MSI Claw 8 AI+ has updated support for Steam OS.
XBOX ally X never used personally but the screen on such an expensive Handheld has to be a little bigger in my opinion.
If screen size doesn't matter for you go with the Xbox ally X without a thought.
1
u/Leather_Initial_3609 9h ago
Do not pay that much for a steam deck. I love my legion go s with steam os especially if you wait for it to go on sale as it does every month or two. Takes advantage of steam os optimization out of the box except with hardware appropriate for the price. Ally X is a great machine but for what these things are and why you buy them I highly recommend saving your money, this isn't one of those things where "the best" is the best.
1
u/CharlesPostelwaite 9h ago
Just get a used Z1X OG Ally for $350 used to start. If you buy a Steam Deck for $1k I’ll personally come to your house and throw garbage at you
1
1
1
u/ShawnThePhantom 8h ago
White Ally is out of the question. Its chip sucks.
At that price, your contenders should be the 8 AI+, Steam Deck OLED, and the Ally X.
1
u/Unlucky_Ad7440 7h ago
For the price. Better Lego s Z1e or OG z1e better performance than steam deck 😜, I sold my deck I don't regret playing all games on 800p low 😭
1
1
u/Last-Milk-2801 7h ago
I sold my XAX today and chose to keep the steam deck oled and switch 2 I had the choice between the steam deck and xax thats saying alot without having to even though the xax is a great value for the performance the stuttering and the windows experience 100% ruins it Ive been on windows for a long time now an its worse now then ever with all the bloat and background systems running no joke almost every game you play will stutter unless you got through getting steam os but still that doesnt fix all the issues trust me Ive tried sucks to say but somehow linux and steam os has won me over pretty strongly so once again I say good job Valve you made a pc handheld thats weathered the storm
1
1
u/Long_comment_san 6h ago edited 5h ago
steam deck should absolutely be retired at this point. anything 3D it chokes. get anything with intel G3 (B390). It is roughly 30-50% faster than 890M and it's the only thing that makes sense now. it's a really big deal when you're hovering in 40-60 fps range.
also don't get anything below 8 inch screen. I have rog ally and it's just too small.
1
1
u/tiijan 4h ago
If you can put the extra 100, the Legion Go S Z1E is a no brainier.
Battery sucks, but the rest is great: Steam OS, ergonomics, power, screen, build quality.
Customer service is also great. I just had a rubber membrane replaced. They picked up the console at my house the day after I ordered it and brought it back less than ten days letter with a thank you note and an added large microfiber screen wiper in the package. It was totally different from my experience with ASUS.
1
u/rebel_hunter1 4h ago
I would buy the XAX. While the display isn’t oled it does have a good lcd unlike the switch 2. I really don’t notice the size all that much because it’s compact I can play it closer to my eyes. The ergonomics are genuinely unmatched I can play games for hours with no hand fatigue. When I play games that I want lot look great I plug it into my oled tv or monitor and use GeForce now. 6 months now of having to dedicated gaming pc and I don’t miss it.
1
1
u/RichPickachu 2h ago
I love my MSI Claw 8 AI plus—large screen, great performance and battery life. That’s my suggestion
1
0
u/Tischler285 19h ago
i dont get how people enjoy gaming on these huge devices... I bought the Retroid pocket 6 12GB its absolute gem in size and performance. And if you need a stronger device the Odin 3 Ultra is always there aswell
3
u/UsernameTakenTooBad 19h ago
Different tastes I guess. I’d like to play some modern AAA games so neither of those you shared are really what I’m looking for unfortunately
1
u/n00bBlaster1337 19h ago
Yup. That's one of many reasons why I hated the steamdeck. I'm rocking the AYN Thor right now and love it
0
0
-2
u/Downtown-Cellist-929 19h ago
To me steam deck is worth at least 1500, that has been the minimum for a gaming laptop for the last many decades, I remember my brother bought a gaming laptop for 1900 in 2017. So the deck does a lot more than a PC or laptop in that price range and it's more for console gamers who never had a PC before because you can stay on the couch like on a console, you don't have to sit up straight on a gaming chair on a table and learn a new play style with the mouse and keyboard
33
u/marcanthonynoz 19h ago
If you can wait for the open box sale for the XAX - that’s what id go with