handheld gaming PCs Archives

Winsage

January 26, 2026

We’re talking about the best of Windows 11, and we want your input.

Expressions of affection for Windows are common, and while the author acknowledges some shortcomings in Windows 11, it remains an essential tool for productivity, creativity, and communication. Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 Plus platform is expected to indicate a significant transition toward Arm-based Windows devices. The Microsoft Store has become a reliable platform for discovering and downloading applications on Windows. Recent enhancements in Windows 11 have improved the experience for handheld gaming PCs. The Windows Package Manager, or winget, is highly regarded, and PowerToys is recommended as essential for Windows 11 users. The Command Palette allows users to launch applications using the keyboard and execute commands. The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) provides a genuine Linux experience within Windows 11. Phone Link facilitates effortless photo transfers. The 12-inch Surface LCD is slightly thinner than the Surface Pro 11. The Windows Central community is engaged in discussions about the standout features of Windows 11.

AppWizard

January 16, 2026

Hytale controller support explained

Hytale currently does not support controllers in its existing build, as confirmed by Simon Collins-Laflamme, the founder of Hypixel Studios. Controller support is a priority on their roadmap, aimed at enhancing accessibility for gameplay on devices like the Steam Deck. Kevin 'Slikey' Carstens, the technical director, advised players to wait for official controller support before making a purchase. The current version of Hytale is based on an older build, with future updates promising cross-platform play and controller support. Players can use a controller by following a setup process through Steam, which involves adding the Hytale Launcher as a non-Steam game and adjusting controller settings, although navigating menus and crafting may be challenging without a mouse.

AppWizard

December 20, 2025

My top 12 handheld games I played in 2025 — Indies and AAA titles I recommend for Steam Deck, Xbox Ally X, Legion Go 2, and more

- Little Kitty, Big City: A whimsical game where players navigate city streets as a cat, runs well on handhelds and is Steam Deck verified. - Amber Isle: A cozy game allowing players to create a dinosaur character and craft, marked as Playable for Steam Deck, though some text is small. - Kingdom of Night: An engaging game with 80s-inspired pixel art and combat, set in Miami, Arizona, Steam Deck verified. - PowerWash Simulator: An addictive game about cleaning surfaces, Steam Deck verified. - The Plucky Squire: A game where players leap from book pages into the real world, runs beautifully on Steam Deck and is Steam Deck verified. - My Little Puppy: A heartfelt game about a dog searching for its owner in the afterlife, Steam Deck verified. - Blue Prince: A roguelike puzzle game set in a mansion, marked as Playable for Steam Deck, though some text can be hard to read. - Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo: An adventure puzzle game featuring a snake assisting souls, Steam Deck verified. - Baldur's Gate 3: Acclaimed as 2023's Game of the Year, runs beautifully on handheld devices and is Steam Deck verified. - Dave the Diver: A game combining underwater exploration with sushi restaurant management, Steam Deck verified. - Minecraft: Runs well on handhelds with adjustments, but is not Steam Deck verified. - Immortals Fenyx Rising: An open-world RPG inspired by The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, marked as Playable on Steam Deck. - Horizon Zero Dawn: A favorite game with a captivating story, Steam Deck verified. - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: An award-winning game with improved performance after an update, Steam Deck verified. - Xbox Game Pass: Offers a vast library of titles perfect for handhelds.

Winsage

November 24, 2025

Xbox full screen experience is no longer just for handheld gaming PCs, but the feature is rolling out gradually and we’re not having much luck with workarounds

Microsoft has expanded the availability of its Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE) to a wider range of Windows 11 PC form factors, including laptops, desktops, and tablets. The FSE offers a user interface similar to the Xbox Series X/S and allows access to various gaming platforms with improved performance over the standard Windows environment. Users can activate Xbox FSE by pressing Win + F11 or using the Task View icon. The feature is being rolled out gradually as part of the Windows Insider Preview Build 26220.7271, with some users needing workarounds like ViVeTool for access. MSI's Claw devices officially support Xbox FSE, but its effectiveness on non-handheld devices is debated. The FSE aims to create a console-like atmosphere on Windows 11, featuring a controller-friendly interface and a powerful Task Switcher for seamless transitions between games and applications.

AppWizard

November 19, 2025

Abxylute 3D One Handheld PC Boasts Glasses-Free 3D Display, Puts Games in Depth

The 3D One from Abxylute is a handheld gaming PC that combines tablet functionality with gaming console features. It measures 10.2 inches wide, 6.7 inches tall, and weighs 1.92 pounds, expanding to 14.4 inches wide and 2.45 pounds with detachable controllers. The controllers attach magnetically and include buttons, Hall effect joysticks, and a touchpad. It has a 10.95-inch touchscreen with a 2560 x 1600 resolution, 120 Hz refresh rate, and a brightness of 480 nits. The device features a 50-watt-hour battery, Intel Core Ultra 7 258V chip, 32 GB of LPDDR5x memory, and a one-terabyte NVMe SSD. It includes various connectivity options, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth. The Kickstarter campaign offers early bird pricing at 9 and standard pricing at 9, with shipments starting in December.

AppWizard

November 4, 2025

Best Arc Raiders settings for optimized PC performance

The optimal settings for Arc Raiders on PC include: Graphics Settings: - Nvidia DLSS Frame Generation: Off - Vsync: Disabled - Nvidia Reflex Low Latency: On - Frame Rate Limit: Unlimited - Upscaled Resolution: 100% - Resolution Scaling Method: DLSS or FSR - Nvidia DLSS Quality: DLAA - Nvidia DLSS Model: Transformer - Field of View: 70 - Motion Blur: Off or your preference - Nvidia RTX Global Illumination: Dynamic - high - View Distance: Epic - Anti-Aliasing: Epic - Shadows: Epic - Post-Processing: Epic - Texture: Epic - Effects: Epic - Reflections: Epic - Foliage: Epic - Global Illumination Resolution: Medium Using these settings on an RTX 4070 yielded an average frame rate of 104fps at 1080p. At 1440p, the average frame rate was 78fps, and at 4K, it dropped to 43fps, which improved to over 70fps when settings were adjusted to high and DLSS upscaling was utilized. Audio Settings: - Use a quality gaming headset for better audio positioning. - Enable Night Mode for balanced audio mix. - Utilize push-to-talk for in-game proximity chat. Steam Deck Performance: Arc Raiders runs well on the Steam Deck at a native resolution of 1,280 x 800 with low detail settings, achieving frame rates of 40-50fps. Running the game in Proton Experimental mode is necessary for optimal performance. Testing Setup: The testing rig included an Intel Core i7-11700F, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 12GB, 32GB of DDR4 RAM, and an MSI B560 motherboard, with assessments conducted at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. SSD Recommendation: While not required, using an SSD is recommended to reduce loading times. Performance Monitoring: Nvidia users can monitor performance with the in-game overlay (ALT + R), while AMD users can use the Radeon overlay (CTRL + SHIFT + O). Free software like CapFrameX or Nvidia FrameView can also be used for benchmarking.

AppWizard

October 18, 2025

Vampire The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 is painful to play on PC, with severe performance issues and bugs

Bloodlines 2 is experiencing performance issues on PC, even with recommended settings. Players report struggling to achieve smooth gameplay due to bugs and frame rate drops. The system requirements are modest, but advanced technologies like Nvidia DLSS 4 do not resolve performance problems. Optimal settings for Bloodlines 2 on PC include: - VSync: On - Frame Rate Limit: Unlimited - Nvidia Reflex Low Latency: Enabled + Boost - Nvidia DLSS: Quality - Nvidia DLSS Frame Generation: 4x for RTX 5000 cards; 2x for RTX 4000 cards - Global Illumination: High - Shadows: High - Anti-Aliasing: High - View Distance: Far - Texture Quality: High - Effects: High - Reflections: High - Post-Processing: High Testing on a GeForce RTX 5070 showed an average frame rate of 61fps at 1080p, dropping to 52fps at 1440p and 21fps at 4K. Enabling multi-frame generation improved frame rates significantly, but 1% lows remained unchanged. Players encountered various performance issues, including stuttering and synchronization problems. Bugs included the Enter key disrupting fullscreen mode and mouse cursor misalignment. Bloodlines 2 offers four graphics presets: Low, Medium, High, and Ultra, along with an auto-detect tool for optimal settings. The game does not require an SSD for installation, but using one is recommended for faster loading times. Performance monitoring can be accessed via in-game overlays for Nvidia and AMD users or through third-party software like CapFrameX.

AppWizard

October 16, 2025

Grab up to 25 cheap Steam keys and you could win an Alienware OLED gaming monitor

Fanatical has reintroduced its mystery game bundle, allowing gamers to acquire a 27-inch Alienware OLED gaming monitor and up to 25 random Steam games for a low price. The Alienware AW2725DF is featured as the grand prize, marking the first time a gaming monitor is included. Each bundle contains games that meet specific criteria, ensuring quality titles with an average rating of "very positive." Buyers can purchase bundles of varying sizes, but duplicates may occur if multiple bundles are bought. To win the Alienware monitor, participants must find a Star gem in their purchase, with five golden gems also hidden in the bundles that contain curated game collections valued at ,000.

AppWizard

September 27, 2025

Xbox Ally X pre-orders prove popular as retailers sell out in no time

The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is available for pre-order, with significant demand leading to limited stock at various retailers. Pre-orders started on September 25, with the ROG Xbox Ally priced at 9.99 and the ROG Xbox Ally X at 9.99. The official release is set for October 16. Retailers like Walmart and Best Buy are offering pre-orders, but stock shortages are reported, particularly in the UK where the Xbox Ally X is out of stock. Some retailers have implemented measures like sign-in requirements and CAPTCHA due to high consumer interest. The design features Xbox branding and a controller-style grip, making it appealing to gamers.

AppWizard

September 19, 2025

Best EA Sports FC 26 settings for optimized PC performance

Finding the best settings for EA Sports FC 26 on PC is easy for users with modern gaming rigs. A mid-range graphics card like the Nvidia RTX 4070 can achieve smooth performance at 4K with ultra settings. The system requirements are low, and older PCs may need adjustments for optimal performance. Recommended settings include Ultra rendering quality, high grass and crowd quality, and motion blur enabled. Testing on an RTX 4070 showed an average frame rate of 153fps at 1080p, 132fps at 1440p, and 92fps at 4K. EA Sports FC 26 features four graphics presets: Low, Medium, High, and Ultra, with subtle differences in gameplay. An accessibility menu includes options for subtitles, colorblind settings, controller remapping, and enlarged UI elements. The game does not require an SSD, with a download size just under 70GB. Performance monitoring can be done using Nvidia or AMD overlays or third-party software like CapFrameX.