Computex is up there with the biggest global tech events. Packed with new hardware from top to bottom, Computex always delivers big—and the 2024 has been a rollercoaster of major reveals.
It isn’t all about CPU and GPUs, mind. Computex 2024 has also seen the launch or reveal of five new major gaming handhelds—but it’s a mixed bag when it comes to the one you should buy.
1MSI Claw 8 AI Plus
MSI revealed the MSI Claw 8 AI Plus, a follow-up to its MSI Claw—which only launched in May 2024. Whileour MSI Claw reviewgave the handheld a decent rating, it was noted for its inconsistent performance, poor optimization, and driver issues, not to mention the difficulty of taking on ASUS' ROG Ally (who also revealed a new unit; see below) and Lenovo’s Legion Go.
Still, it looks like an interesting proposition and a definite upgrade from the original. The MSI Claw 8 AI Plus featuresone of Intel’s new Lunar Lake chips, an 8-inch, 120Hz FHD display, and a much improved 80Wh battery (up from 53Wh on the original). The Claw 8 AI Plus will also ship with an extra USB-C port with Thunderbolt 4 specs, another tidy upgrade.
WithThe Verge reportingthat the original MSI Claw will also receive an upgrade to Intel’s Lunar Lake hardware, it’s a clear death knell for the original.
2Zotac Zone
Now, here’s a gaming handheld that came slightly out of the left field. Graphics card manufacturer Zotac revealed the Zotac Zone, a relatively chunky-looking AMD-powered handheld due to start shipping in September 2024.
Powering the Zotac Zone is an AMD Ryzen 7 8840 chip, 16GM RAM, and 512GB M.2 NVMe storage. It also sports a 7-inch 120Hz AMOLED display, which does feel a little on the small side, given most gaming handhelds now ship with larger screens. Also on the small side is the reported 48.5Wh battery. It’s only marginally more than the original Steam Deck’s 40Wh, first launched in 2022.
However, given that this is Zotac’s first attempt at a gaming handheld, it looks like a great effort, and I’ll be keen to try it closer to the time.
3ASUS ROG Ally X
Like the MSI Claw, ASUS' ROG Ally was mostly well received at launch, though it shipped with some glaring issues. The main focus was on the original Ally’s 40Wh battery, but thenew ASUS ROG Ally X fixes this problem, doubling the battery to deliver 80Wh.
The ROG Ally X will ship with the same powerful AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip and a 7-inch 120Hz FHD IPS screen but now comes with 24GB LPDDR5X RAM and 1TB NVMe SSD storage to boost its overall specs. ASUS also swapped out the Ally’s XG mobile port for two USB-C ports (one with Thunderbolt capabilities).
Interestingly, the ROG Ally X’s refresh also delivers better cooling, with ASUS opting for smaller fans with thinner blades, delivering up to 24 percent better airflow.
4Adata XPG NIA
What would an event like Computex be without some curveballs? The Adata XPG NIA prototype is just that and takes the title as the first modern modular gaming handheld (by which I mean Steam Deck-like).
That’s right; you’re able to upgrade the XPG NIA’s RAM using LPCAMM2 memory modules, boosting the amount of onboard memory up to 64GB, which is a neat and unique feature for gaming handhelds. You’ll also be able to upgrade the SSD, expanable to 2TB.
XPG product lead Luca Di Fiore also revealed the company will release 3D printing files and other information for users, allowing them to mod the XPG NIA, fix its parts, and so on. If it comes together, it could be a real game-changer among gaming handhelds.
At the time of writing, there is no confirmation for the XPG NIA’s processor, but in the same interview, Di Fiore explained the company was working on prototypes with several different AMD Phoenix chips.
5Antec Core HS
Of the five handheld devices launched or revealed at Computex, the Antec Core HS is my favorite. Its slide-up screen and hidden keyboard give it a throwback vibe.
Still, if you’re feeling like you’ve seen the Antec Core HS before, it’s because it’s actually a rebadged Ayaneo Slide. Given the Slide’s decent specs, the Antec Core HS could be a useful handheld gaming unit, if not as powerful as the other options on the list.
The Antec Core HS features an AMD Ryzen 7 7840U processor and ships with either 16GB RAM/512GB storage or 32GB RAM/2TB storage, which all sounds decent enough. Furthermore, the Core HS features a 6-inch FHD IPS screen with an adjustable 30-degree angle. The battery is also decent for the device size, delivering up to 46.2Wh. I know other devices have more, but given that this unit is more compact, has a smaller screen, and the 7840U is a power-efficient 28W chip, it should provide enough juice.
The Antec Core HS isn’t the most powerful gaming handheld on the list, but it looks fun and a little different from what’s become the standard PC gaming handheld design. However, the starting price for the Antec Core HS could be off-putting. The Ayaneo Slide starts at $899, with its most powerful configuration retailing for $1,599. Given the prices of other PC-based gaming handhelds, it might put regular folks off, giving this is certainly a niche device.
