Hi, I’m Hervé, and welcome to the brand-new version of my blog: HandheldGaming.online.
Those who followed me on my previous blog know that I have a wide range of interests. But in recent years, one passion has overshadowed all my other hobbies: handheld gaming. It all started with the launch of Valve’s Steam Deck. As a gamer since the days of the 286 and the Game Boy, I found that the Steam Deck solved a modern problem: a busy life with less and less time to “quickly jump into a game.” The handheld PC gave me that joy back.
But there was more. My old love for building and modifying PCs, something I did as a teenager with case modding, was completely rekindled. Where a laptop or a phone is a closed-off block, devices like the Steam Deck and the ROG Ally are an open invitation to tinker. And I accepted that invitation with both hands.
My old blog was personal, but HandheldGaming.online is a mission: I want to show you just how amazing these devices are and how you can, much more than with any other piece of tech, make them truly your own.
The Philosophy: Ownership and Openness
In a world of closed ecosystems, like that of the Nintendo Switch, I consciously choose the opposite. I am a firm believer in open hardware and software. A device is only truly yours if you can open it, repair it, and customize it. Companies like Valve and ASUS understand this. They even encourage it by making their handheld PCs surprisingly repairable. This isn’t just more fun; it’s also more sustainable. You don’t just throw away a device that you’ve improved yourself. It has become a part of you.
The Magic of Modding: My Projects
“That’s nice, all that customizing, but what do you do exactly?” Good question! I basically modify everything to get the devices perfectly tailored to my preferences.
My ROG Ally: This powerhouse has already received a significant battery upgrade for longer sessions. The original joysticks felt a bit loose, so they’ve been replaced with tighter Hall Effect joysticks that are immune to stick drift. Soon, it will also get custom back paddles for extra control.
My Steam Deck (LCD): My trusty Deck is about to undergo a transformation. After a slight fall, the left stick developed some drift, so it will be replaced with a superior set. But the biggest projects are the upgrade to a higher-resolution OLED screen and a completely new, white housing.
Some of these mods take 15 minutes, others a couple of hours. On HandheldGaming.online, I will document every project step-by-step, complete with photos, videos, and links to all the necessary materials. So you can do it too!
The Big Question: Steam Deck or ROG Ally?
If you forced me to choose for an evening on the couch? Steam Deck… without a doubt. The ergonomics are simply superior.
However, it’s a nuanced issue. The ROG Ally has the advantages on paper: Windows runs (in theory) more games, and the screen is better than the LCD Deck’s. At home, the choice is 50/50, depending on the game.
But here’s the twist: Windows on a handheld is a bloated mess. It holds the Ally back. As soon as you install SteamOS on the ROG Ally, everything changes. Then, the combination of the better hardware and the superior software suddenly becomes a winner.
My advice:
- For the ‘casual gamer’ who wants a seamless console experience: The Steam Deck. No question.
- For the advanced user who isn’t afraid of some tweaks: The ROG Ally offers more potential.
- For the expert: They’ll choose what they want, but the Steam Deck offers a more enjoyable challenge and the best out-of-the-box experience.
A Glimpse into the Future
Hardware always gets better; that’s a given. I expect a lot from more efficient ARM and RISC-V APUs that will tackle the issues of heat and battery life.
But the real revolution is software. Valve’s SteamOS has opened Pandora’s box for the PC market. Gaming on Linux has suddenly become a serious, easy option. Microsoft, whose dominance was largely built on games, is going to feel the pressure. The openness and flexibility of Linux on a handheld is a game-changer.
What’s Next? The First Real Project!
Enough talk, time for action! The first project has already been filmed and is now being edited. We’re going to tackle one of the most common issues with the Steam Deck head-on.
Coming soon: A step-by-step tutorial where I replace the analog sticks of my Steam Deck with a Hall Effect set from Gulikit.
I hope you’re as excited about this new direction as I am. Welcome to HandheldGaming.online – your guide to the fantastic world of the handheld PC.
