.png)
![‘Companion’ Ending Breakdown: Director Drew Hancock Tells All About the Film’s Showdown and Potential Sequel: ‘That’s the Future I Want for [Spoiler]’](https://variety.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/MCDCOMP_WB028.jpg?#)
What the Xbox handheld needs to learn from the Steam Deck’s dominance
In late 2024, Microsoft Gaming’s Phil Spencer confirmed that the company has plans to produce an Xbox handheld in the coming years. While there are plenty of reasons to get excited about the prospect of Microsoft entering the handheld gaming hardware arena, I’ve got one simple request, if Spencer is listening. Please, please don’t make me use Windows 11. My biggest issue with even some of the best handheld consoles out there, including the Asus ROG Ally X and Lenovo Legion Go, is the Windows 11 operating system. It’s clunky, there are too many pop-ups, and, at least in my experience, games tend to crash more often than they do on my Steam Deck. While the Steam Deck OLED might not have as powerful a processor as some of the more recent portable gaming PCs, SteamOS is an absolute breeze to use, which is the main reason I keep coming back to the Valve handheld after trying out the various Steam Deck alternatives. Continue reading What the Xbox handheld needs to learn from the Steam Deck’s dominance MORE FROM POCKET TACTICS: Best portable gaming consoles, Best gaming phones, Best Android phones
In late 2024, Microsoft Gaming’s Phil Spencer confirmed that the company has plans to produce an Xbox handheld in the coming years. While there are plenty of reasons to get excited about the prospect of Microsoft entering the handheld gaming hardware arena, I’ve got one simple request, if Spencer is listening. Please, please don’t make me use Windows 11.
My biggest issue with even some of the best handheld consoles out there, including the Asus ROG Ally X and Lenovo Legion Go, is the Windows 11 operating system. It’s clunky, there are too many pop-ups, and, at least in my experience, games tend to crash more often than they do on my Steam Deck. While the Steam Deck OLED might not have as powerful a processor as some of the more recent portable gaming PCs, SteamOS is an absolute breeze to use, which is the main reason I keep coming back to the Valve handheld after trying out the various Steam Deck alternatives.
MORE FROM POCKET TACTICS: Best portable gaming consoles, Best gaming phones, Best Android phones
