So you're opting for a Windows gaming handheld? I respect that; having tried literally everything on the Linux-based Steam Deck, it's easy to want the familiarity of a Microsoft lover. But which of the best gaming handhelds are you going to choose?” When it comes to Windows, there are frankly only two choices: the Lenovo Legion Go or the Asus ROG Ally.

Both are from companies known for their best gaming laptops, and it's easy to see why the gaming handhelds scored so highly in our review. But how do you choose?

First, the Asus ROG Ally is a beautiful, lightweight, snow-white beast that not only hits impressive gaming performance, but runs quietly. Then there's the Lenovo Legion Go, which has a funky detachable controller gimmick and an even bigger screen.

The consideration here is what games you'll be playing and where. Because while it's easy to reach for something with a bigger panel (bigger = better, right?), it may not be the right machine for your gaming habits.

To understand why, you need to look beneath the surface. Both machines are powered by the same AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme, which is effectively the equivalent of a Ryzen 7 7840U processor. Don't get me wrong, it's a great processor, but it struggles a bit at higher resolutions than 1080p. [The ROG Ally has a very standard resolution of 1920 x 1080 at 7 inches. In contrast, the Legion is 8.8 inches and 2,560 x 1,600. This difference in resolution and screen size means that the Legion Go has a little more difficulty achieving a 144 Hz refresh rate with the same processor... Especially when it comes to more modern, high-fidelity games.

What this means is that if you plan to play less demanding indie titles on the Legion Go, you will likely get the most out of the Legion Go. Otherwise, you'll be wasting extra pixels by turning the settings down.

On the other hand, if you don't care much about whether or not you can remove the controller, the ROG Ally is an absolute joy to use. It fits comfortably in your hand and is not bulky. It also allows me to play the more demanding games in my Steam library without having to fiddle with the settings too much.

I think the ROG Ally is a better buy. Especially at $550, it makes even just a great budget gaming handheld more affordable for those who care about their wallets.