All models include high-speed microSD card slot (Some 256GB and 512GB models ship with a PCIe Gen 3 x2 SSD. In our testing, we did not see any impact to gaming performance between x2 and x4.) There will also be some games that are labeled ‘Unsupported’. Due to the sheer size of Steam’s library, there will likely be plenty of games that fall under this category, especially more obscure titles. This doesn’t mean they won’t play at all, but there may be bugs, uncooperative interfaces or text that doesn’t look quite right. Get the built-in storage you need: 64GB eMMC, 256GB NVMe SSD (faster), or 512GB NVMe SSD (fastest). If you're looking for more space, augment your built-in storage with a microSD card and fill it up with even more games.

This kind of tweaking is part and parcel of PC gaming, so for PC gamers, you may not mind this at all. However, for console gamers who are used to a more polished experience, this could be off putting. The idea of a Linux-based system might prove intimidating, but it’s one worth sorting out. The SteamOS operating system features a bespoke, console-like UI for easily navigating your Steam library, but you can do lots of under-the-hood tinkering in Desktop mode. Performance isn’t perfect, however, and even on less graphically intense games, there can occasionally be stuttering. But, on the whole, performance is good and we have a feeling that these little hitches will be ironed out as Steam OS, Proton (the tool that allows Windows games to run on Linux) and games themselves are updated. Added support for waking up from initial unboxing by long-pressing power button instead of requiring AC powerThe size certainly takes some getting used to, especially if you’re used to smaller handhelds or traditional game pads, and more frantic games like Hades can feel a bit uncomfortable. We don’t currently have prices or availability information for Australia, but will add it as soon as we get more information. Still, the SteamOS UI makes navigation a breeze, at least on the gaming front. Condensing your Steam Library to a Big Picture mode-like view, with a large tile-based interface, makes it as easy to browse as the Switch. Pressing the Steam or Options buttons opens helpful overlays and shortcuts, including Steam Cloud, Steam Store, and other familiar features. Overall, SteamOS is superior to Asus Armory Crate and Legion Space, proving the importance of a strong, intuitive UI to the user experience. Nintendo has the edge, then, when it comes to upfront cost, but many multiplatform games will cost less on Steam than for the Nintendo Switch. If you already have a large library of PC games, then you’ll also have a ready-made selection of games that you don’t need to buy again.

In our run down, Baldur’s Gate 3 lasted just one hour and 18 minutes on the older hardware, while Baldur’s Gate 3 lasted 2 hours and 15 minutes on the OLED. Of course, your battery life expectancy will depend on the game; the more complex, the more taxing on the battery.verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ PC gamers who have had to put up with dire battery lives in gaming laptops for years will be nodding sagely at this point. After all, if you want something small yet powerful enough to play modern games, battery life is going to take a hit. For console gamers used to longer battery lives in their handhelds, though, an hour and a half is going to sting. The good news is that when playing less intensive games, battery life is much better, with 2D games giving us hours of enjoyment over multiple play sessions. Even with our 256GB model with a solid state drive, load times for games were quite long. Coming from a gaming PC with a super-speedy SSD (or a console like the PS5) makes the load times a noticeable chore. It’s worse when using a microSD, as speeds are limited to UHS-I, which is around 104MB/s. This is far slower than any SSD, and for large games can introduce longer load times. However, while impressive, it’s clearly not a game with handheld play in mind. Similarly, some first person shooters felt cumbersome, but that may be because we much prefer keyboard and mouse for those types of games.

Adjusted rear cover screw heads to Torx™, as well as other materials and geometry tweaks on the heads to reduce stripping riskAdded support for using onboard microphone array simultaneously with the 3.5mm headphones connector WiFi keeps you connected to the world, and Bluetooth allows for a wide variety of wireless peripherals - from controllers to headsets, keyboards, and mice. However, if you’re a console player who’s used to more polished products that keep things as simple and straightforward as possible, you may be disappointed.