With the story of the next-generation Xbox console pricing potentially ranging between $1,200 and $1,800 does this mean even consoles are going to be out of reach of a lot of people?
Or does this mean that the planned handheld is going to be the new equivalent to the Xbox series S?
So let’s talk about the rumoured pricing. Do I think that it will actually be $1,800? No, I don't think it will, it will be more expensive than any console that has come before now but $1800 is a price that no one should ever pay for a console! For that price you can get a more powerful pc that will do more than just game!
But this asks the question, what is the future for the budget sector?
Well, is this the realm now of handhelds like the Switch, Steam Deck and ROG Ally?
The Switch brought handheld gaming back to the mainstream, but it also allowed for ‘traditional’ console-style gaming on your TV. The Switch showed everyone that you can take your console with you and play the games you have on that set up where you want when you want.
Then came the Steam Deck. The Steam Deck built on the work of the Switch but was more powerful and allowed us to take our Steam library wherever we wanted. The Steam Deck and the Switch have changed the game for the budget sector. These two systems showed that there was a call and a want for these systems, and then so many more appeared.
Since PC handhelds are the part we're really interested in, let's look at the numbers there. Since 2022 IconEra have estimated around 6 million units have been sold and that this is only going to increase over time. If you include things like the Switch the number gets even more insane but because the Switch is a ‘console’ for us we are going to leave it here.
Let's look at the ROG Ally and its brethren.
I personally have a ROG Ally and honestly it's a great bit of kit.
Is it the most powerful system I have? No, but it's not meant to be. It plays most of the games that I play with ease and I can take the damn thing anywhere I want! On a train? Yup, no worries, on a flight? Yup, all good, On holiday? Oh, go on then.
Now for me a handheld fits a certain part of my life but my desktop is still my primary. But it's still a PC, it's just smaller. You can dock these systems and use them as a desktop if you wanted! And you better believe that people are doing that!
If someone came to me today and said I have five hundred pounds to spend, what should I get? I'll point at the handhelds and say ‘get one of those!’
So does this mean that budget gaming PCs are dead? No, not yet but they are on life support. A brand new ‘budget system’ is now over a thousand pounds as an average, but a PC handheld? The ROG Xbox Ally is £499, The MSI Claw A8 is £749, The Steam Deck is £649, any of these will give most people the gaming experience they want and will allow them to be used as a mini desktop PC at the same time. Are there more powerful ones? Of course but they're expensive and when looking at the budget sector this is a big disruption. Now one thing that I haven't talked about is used parts, but this is on purpose because for this discussion we are talking about new. Not everyone is comfortable picking up second-hand systems or parts. The used market does offer alternatives but it comes with risks and not everyone wants to think about that side of things.
Will these replace desktop gaming or full fledged consoles? No but they offer a way into these things without having to sell a kidney to do it!
As a PC builder why would I be talking about these systems? Because they're amazing value for those on a tight budget.
You want to game? Yup,
Do you need to work? Yup
You can surf the web? Yup it can, they're mini PCs with a controller bolted to them! Need more screen size and want to use a keyboard and mouse? Add a docking station to them and you're good to go!
We have always said that we would rather recommend the right system for you than just the most expensive.
So if you're on a budget of under £1,000 and you're not comfortable buying second hand parts and building a PC? Well the handheld sector is right up your street! You will get a great experience and it won't utterly ruin your bank account.