I'm looking for Black Friday handheld gaming computer deals as the resident "guy who just can't stop talking about handheld gaming computers"
It is possible to replace the SSD in a handheld
On a standard gaming computer, swapping out a smaller SSD with a larger SSD is a simple task. On a portable, you'll need to remove more screws. It is possible.
First, you should know that in most casesyou will want a PCIe SSD with a form factor. This is a form of solid-state that has been compressed to take up less space than your typical NVMe stick. The only major exception is the Legion Go which requires a 2242 SSD. Some Ayaneo products actually use the 2280 SSD form-factor.
Two of the 2230 SSDs that we've tested on PC Gamer are currently discounted.
- $70 @ Amazon
- $90 @ Amazon
I have a few videos that will help you understand the process depending on what handheld you own.
You'll need to use an SSD clone program like Macrium Reflect to make your handheld work as intended. It's much easier to do this if you can access a Windows PC that has a spare NVMe port to run the app and clone your drive.
Steam Deck -- SSD replacement guidance
Here are written instructions on how to upgrade your Steam Deck SSD. Here's a video if you're more of a visual learner:
@pcgamer_mag Original sound - PC Gamer
ROG Ally -- SSD Replacement Guide
Asus has a good step-by-step guide for replacing your ROG Ally's SSD. You can read the guide here.
The video below shows how to open the handheld and access the NVMe.
Let's talk the ROG Ally X, the best of the very best.
The Ally X is the last gasp for this generation's AMD-powered Windows portables. It excels in many other ways. It is built around the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme Processor, which can also be found in the ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go and other Windows-based portables.
The battery life of this device is excellent. This is thanks to a 80 Whr Battery that makes a big difference in the longevity of this device. This is important for long flights, as you can play games without worrying about finding a power outlet.
The 24 GB RAM is another big improvement. This is more than we expected, but a little less memory than you'll see on some premium, niche handheld brands like Ayaneo and OneXPlayer. The Ally X processor uses the same memory pool to support both the CPU and the GPU components. More memory means a more equitable share for both. This is good for performance and we noticed a slight edge in our testing for this design.
The screen is a 7-inch, 1080p IPS. There's no model with OLED. You won't be using its 120 Hz rate very often, but it will keep your desktop running smoothly.
Of course, this is not just to whet you whistle without any payout. The ROG Ally X has a $100 discount right now. That's pretty good for a device released in July that is still considered to be the hottest thing.
Jacob Ridley is here. I cover all things Hardware here at PC Gamer and I like to talk about handhelds. Let's talk about handhelds.
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