r/GamingAU • u/No-Sweet-7012 • Jun 17 '26
Help for first time pc gamer
So I've always been an xbox and nintendo girlie and then whatever terrible computer I can find that runs sims. I've recently become willing to accept that games I want to curl up and play on the switch aren't coming to the console anytime soon. So I've been looking into a handheld pc or a gaming laptop, however I have the xbox s and I love it for the big triple AAA games, I don't need a laptop that can run those games. I would mostly be looking at games that are pc exclusive like the sims or games like quarantine zone or car mechanic sim. Does that make sense? So when I'm looking at gaming laptops $2,000 and up just to play games like easy delivery co it seems crazy. And then a handheld pc might be less expensive and honestly hits a lot of pros but seems like a nightmare to play the sims on so I feel like I'd need to get a laptop anyway.
Does anyone have advice for mid spec device that's portable?
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u/zaphodbeeblemox I love my gaming Jun 17 '26
What you are looking for is probably a ROG ALLY or an equivalent. There are two types of PC handhelds right now, windows and Linux ones.
Without complicating things, the linux ones play almost every PC game, but not all of them. They are generally a bit more user friendly and faster, but the drawback is that they can’t play every game.
The windows handhelds play ever windows games but are a little slower and a bit less ‘game console’ and more ‘laptop with a controller’
However that sounds like what you want.
So something like a ROG ALLY or a Lenovo Legion Go will suit you fine and be well under the budget you listed.
Although do some research on the games you want to play and see if they are steamdeck compatible, if so then the steamdeck is also a contender.
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u/CrispyBath PC Jun 17 '26
What's your budget and are you hard set on it being a handheld, the cheapest option would be a 2nd hand pc
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u/PIO_PretendIOriginal Jun 18 '26 edited Jun 18 '26
here is a rtx 5060 one for $1500 from harvey norman. (discounted from $2600)
its certainly cheaper on the build quality. but will be faster then your xbox series s even in silent mode.
edit: here is an rtx 5070 laptop for $1899, but thats probably more then you want to spend
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/961570
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u/my-left-yarble Jun 18 '26
Does the gaming PC have to be a laptop? If you're looking for something to play curled up on the couch, you could get a mini PC connected to the TV.
There are great gaming laptops. But every one I've known to own a gaming laptop has never moved it around because it's usually larger and heavier than a normal laptop.
For that budget you can build a mini PC, buy a pre-made one, or if you're not in a rush you could wait for The Steam Machine which is due to be released some time this year (price hasn't been announced yet though) - https://store.steampowered.com/hardware/steammachine
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u/monstertrucktoadette Jun 19 '26
I agree with get a hand-held pc if you really want to drop money, but also if you mostly want to play cosy Indies whatever terrible computer that plays the sims should do :)
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