In recent years, the gaming world has witnessed the rise in popularity of portable devices that have rekindled the love for mobile gaming, combining convenience and performance. Among them, portable PCs like Steam Deck, ASUS ROG Ally, and the Ayaneo series have become serious contenders in the market. 

With the announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2, the question arises: can modern portable PCs truly compete with the new hybrid device from Nintendo? To answer this, it's necessary to analyze the factors shaping this rivalry, including performance, software, ergonomics, screen technology, processors, battery life, and price.

Features of Nintendo Switch

Launched in 2017, Nintendo Switch revolutionized portable gaming with its hybrid design. Combining portability with the ability to connect to a TV, the Switch attracted a wide audience. As of early 2025, over 129 million devices have been sold, making it one of the best-selling consoles in history.

However, over time, the technical limitations of the Switch have become apparent. Its hardware struggles with demanding games, and its 720p resolution screen lags behind modern standards. Here comes the recently announced Nintendo Switch 2.

What We Know About the Nintendo Switch 2

Its successor, the Switch 2, promises to be even more impactful, providing backward compatibility with a vast library of games, a rich ecosystem of family-exclusive titles, and potentially enhanced hardware.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is likely to retain affordability, making it attractive to a wide audience. While Nintendo remains silent on the full specifications of the Switch 2, sources and official hints indicate several key improvements:

• Improved Performance: The Switch 2 will likely use a new NVIDIA Tegra chip supporting DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) to enhance graphics without sacrificing performance.
  
  
• High-Resolution Screen: A transition to a 1080p OLED display in handheld mode and 4K output when docked is expected, aligning with modern gaming standards.
  
  
• Backward Compatibility: Reports suggest the Switch 2 will maintain compatibility with current Switch games, ensuring a smooth transition for its large user base.
  
  
• Exclusive Games: Nintendo's strong position in the market with exclusives like The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario, and Pokémon remains a significant advantage.

Features of Portable PCs

Portable PCs represent a blend of mobile gaming and desktop-level performance. Utilizing AMD Ryzen processors, high-resolution displays, and customizable software ecosystems, these devices have carved a niche among gamers seeking a versatile experience. Key features of these devices include:

• Customization: Unlike traditional consoles, portable PCs allow for the installation of different operating systems, the emulation of older consoles, and graphics adjustment to optimize performance.
  
  
• Diverse Library: With access to Steam, Epic Games Store, Xbox Game Pass, etc., users are granted a vast library of AAA and indie games.
  
  
• Powerful Hardware: Devices like Steam Deck and ROG Ally boast features like RDNA 2 GPUs, high-refresh-rate screens, and substantial RAM, providing near-desktop performance.

Despite their remarkable capabilities, these devices face several challenges: limited battery life, higher prices compared to traditional consoles, and a usage experience that may require technical knowledge. Nintendo Switch 2 aims to address these shortcomings.

Portable PCs like Steam Deck, Asus ROG Ally, and Lenovo Legion Go have redefined the possibilities of mobile PC gaming. These devices harness PC power, granting access to vast libraries including AAA games and indie hits. They also bridge the gap between desktop and portable gaming, allowing players to seamlessly transition between these formats.

However, the portable PC ecosystem faces significant user challenges. Devices are often expensive, their operating systems (usually Windows) are not suited for quick and convenient use, and energy efficiency and ergonomics often fall short compared to the simplicity of specialized gaming consoles. Yet each console is unique, offering something distinct, providing healthy competition and thus a choice for the potential consumer.

Key Competitive Factors Between Nintendo Switch 2 and Portable PCs

1. Operating System

The operating system is a critical point of competition. Nintendo's proprietary OS delivers a smooth, intuitive experience, while portable PCs face issues with Windows overload and lack of optimization.

Valve's Linux-based SteamOS offers a promising compromise, but its adoption is limited. For portable PCs to thrive, manufacturers need to adopt or develop user-friendly, game-focused solutions. Valve is known to expand their SteamOS, allowing other manufacturers to install this operating system on their consoles, including the upcoming Lenovo console.

2. Screen Technologies

Screen quality can significantly enhance the gaming experience, especially with better color and tone representation. The HDR and variable refresh rate OLED screen on the Steam Deck set a high benchmark.

However, many portable PCs have overreached, adding too high resolution, unnecessarily limiting performance and battery life. Standardizing based on 1080p HDR OLED might provide the perfect balance.

3. Performance and Energy Efficiency

Portable PCs currently outperform the original Switch in performance, thanks to faster processors, better GPUs, and more RAM. The Switch 2 may narrow this gap but is unlikely to surpass devices' specs like the Steam Deck.

However, Nintendo always optimizes its games for less powerful hardware, achieving excellent performance while lagging in many aspects. For this reason, even at its launch, the console couldn't boast major performance, and porting games to it often became a bottleneck, requiring significant graphics downgrading.

Historically, Nintendo has succeeded in balancing performance and energy efficiency, which portable PCs have yet to achieve. But customized AMD chips for the Steam Deck have been a breakthrough in this area, though the portable PC market mainly relies on standard laptop processors, resulting in limited battery life and overheating issues. Chips designed for mobile gaming could change the game.

Battery life remains another weak point for portable PCs, with many running for only 3-7 hours on a single charge. Nintendo excels in this area: the original Switch provides up to 9 hours, depending on the game. If the Switch 2 improves energy efficiency, it will retain this advantage.

4. Price

Nintendo's pricing strategy is key to its success. The original Switch launched at $299, a price point that remains appealing to casual gamers and those with limited budgets. In comparison, most portable PCs start at $600 and up, making them inaccessible to many buyers. To compete, portable PC manufacturers must find ways to subsidize costs or offer competitive value at lower prices.

5. Ease of Use

Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, ROG Ally, and others are designed for portability, allowing them to be taken anywhere. But there are unique nuances: Nintendo offers a less bulky console and even a specialized, smaller Lite version, retaining its portability and performance.

Portable PCs are bulkier, harder to slip into a jacket pocket, or sometimes even a bag. Playing while lying down can cause discomfort and fatigue in the hands, making them less comfortable than Nintendo.

6. Game Library

The game libraries of portable PCs and Switch 2 cater to different audiences. Portable PCs offer an open ecosystem, access to various game stores, and even the ability to emulate other consoles. Meanwhile, Nintendo thrives on exclusives unavailable on other platforms.

It is known that Nintendo Switch 2 will have more PC game ports, thanks to better performance, though it's unknown how extensive the library will be. Thus, Nintendo Switch 2 will remain a more niche console for those seeking exclusive games. Otherwise, the need for this console is diminished by higher game prices compared to those available on Steam, particularly during regular sales.

Comparison: Nintendo Switch 2 vs Portable PCs

The Road Ahead for Portable Gaming Consoles

The Nintendo Switch 2 is likely to remain a dominant force among portable consoles, especially. However, portable PCs have and retain the potential to capture the enthusiast market, provided they overcome their current shortcomings. Collaboration among industry players, technological innovation, and focus on user experience will be key to their success.

The Nintendo Switch 2 will undoubtedly set a new standard for hybrid consoles, combining affordability, convenience, and exclusive content. However, portable PCs are not trying to replicate the Switch formula; they are forging their own path. As technology evolves, portable PCs will likely continue to grow in popularity, attracting gamers who value performance, flexibility, and access to a broader range of games.

Ultimately, the competition between portable PCs and Nintendo Switch 2 isn't about replacing one device with another but rather providing players with a choice. Whether you're a dedicated Nintendo fan eagerly anticipating the next Zelda adventure or a tech enthusiast looking to push the limits of portable gaming, the future of portable gaming has never looked brighter.