This collaborative space allows users to contribute additional information, tips, and insights to enhance the original deal post. Feel free to share your knowledge and help fellow shoppers make informed decisions.
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank
Quote
from wantsomecandy
:
Cheaper and faster than a steam machine
correct on price, CPU, and RAM capacity, but with respect to the GPU no, not at all. The Steam Machine GPU has 28 RDNA 3 CUs versus 12 here. The portable is vastly outclassed. The Steam Machine's GPU is also discrete with GDDR6 memory which means more memory bandwidth. Now personally I don't think the Steam Machine is worth the price, but it's definitely more powerful than this hardware.
Last edited by BlueDesk9616 June 26, 2026 at 01:52 PM.
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank
Quote
from wantsomecandy
:
Cheaper and faster than a steam machine
No it isn't. CPU performance may be similar in "desktop" workloads, but for games where the Z1 Extreme can only hit 40fps average, the steam machine is nearing 100.
If we try to normalize for performance, a Z1 Extreme with low settings and turbo mode may push 40fps whereas the steam machine can push 50fps at ultra settings.
They aren't directly comparable though - one is running Windows, the other SteamOS. The Steam Machine is indeed quite expensive for what you get, but everything is increasing. Valve being unable to get supply contracts/fixed pricing isn't helping.
More RAM and bigger screen on the Legion, but I too would go with ROG Xbox Ally X. The Ally Xbox X with Z2 Extreme has 33% higher GPU core count which is the limiting factor in most games. Better energy efficiency on the Z2 Extreme as well. And 32GB of RAM, while nice, is rarely the limiting factor compared to 24GB … not at 1080p and under the settings you'll want to use on these handhelds.
Last edited by BlueDesk9616 June 26, 2026 at 02:38 PM.
3
Like
Helpful
Funny
Not helpful
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
I'm still kicking myself for missing the $649 at WalMart - I had it in my cart! Just debated too long because I already have a Steam Deck. But I'm finding I don't play my Deck much because the screen is so small and I'm getting old (almost 40), so I've been on the lookout for an 8+" device for a while now. It hurts that this is now a "deal" but I'm still really tempted…
I'm still kicking myself for missing the $649 at WalMart - I had it in my cart! Just debated too long because I already have a Steam Deck. But I'm finding I don't play my Deck much because the screen is so small and I'm getting old (almost 40), so I've been on the lookout for an 8+" device for a while now. It hurts that this is now a "deal" but I'm still really tempted…
"and I'm getting old (almost 40)"
I did not need to read this today.
My friend, you are not old until you hit 80 and neither am I.
"and I'm getting old (almost 40)"
I did not need to read this today.
My friend, you are not old until you hit 80 and neither am I.
Tell that to my eyes!! 🤣 I specifically put the age in there to make it clearer that the "old" was tongue in cheek, I guess my intention didn't work. I am irritated that I feel like I can't see anything on the Deck or enjoy games so small, when the itty bitty gameboy screen used to be plenty, though…
More RAM and bigger screen on the Legion, but I too would go with ROG Xbox Ally X. The Ally Xbox X with Z2 Extreme has 33% higher GPU core count which is the limiting factor in most games. Better energy efficiency on the Z2 Extreme as well. And 32GB of RAM, while nice, is rarely the limiting factor compared to 24GB … not at 1080p and under the settings you'll want to use on these handhelds.
Hi! Looking to run Apex Legends and an emulator for retro games, mostly connected to a pc monitor... is this or ROG a good option? I was looking at mini PC but it seems like these have nearly the same specs as a PC at this pricepoint and the handheld capability might be nice...
I was just about to post this. I think you're better off with a Z2 Extreme, even with 24GB of RAM vs 32GB. Anything you're able to play on handheld hardware, even if you allocate 8GB of RAM to VRAM, is unlikely to use more than the remaining 16GB at reasonable settings. I believe I've seen some comments about the energy efficiency of the Z2E vs Z1E, which are also very good points.
The Z2E is just a flat out superior mobile platform, as it's much more performant below 20w than the Z1E. That's where the Z2E truly shines; the lower the TDP, the better it compares to the Z1E. So if you want good battery life while maintaining good framerates, go with the Z2E. If you're just going to be running at max TDP and don't care about that battery life, the Z1E can come within 5-20% of the framerates of the Z2E when both are pushed with maxed out power.
The real difference comes when you lower TDP below 20w, where you'll see the difference balloon to 30% - 100% in some titles. The lower you go, the greater the delta between the two.
Hi! Looking to run Apex Legends and an emulator for retro games, mostly connected to a pc monitor... is this or ROG a good option? I was looking at mini PC but it seems like these have nearly the same specs as a PC at this pricepoint and the handheld capability might be nice...
Yes, this would be an excellent handheld for Apex and emulation. Just be aware, Apex Legends is only playable on Windows, not SteamOS, so if you install SteamOS on the device, you won't be able to get around the anti-cheat engine.
For Emulation, you can get RetroArch running nicely in Windows so you can play just about anything you want.
I was just about to post this. I think you're better off with a Z2 Extreme, even with 24GB of RAM vs 32GB. Anything you're able to play on handheld hardware, even if you allocate 8GB of RAM to VRAM, is unlikely to use more than the remaining 16GB at reasonable settings. I believe I've seen some comments about the energy efficiency of the Z2E vs Z1E, which are also very good points.
The Z2E is just a flat out superior mobile platform, as it's much more performant below 20w than the Z1E. That's where the Z2E truly shines; the lower the TDP, the better it compares to the Z1E. So if you want good battery life while maintaining good framerates, go with the Z2E. If you're just going to be running at max TDP and don't care about that battery life, the Z1E can come within 5-20% of the framerates of the Z2E when both are pushed with maxed out power.
The real difference comes when you lower TDP below 20w, where you'll see the difference balloon to 30% - 100% in some titles. The lower you go, the greater the delta between the two.
That is a pretty compelling case for avoiding the Go S, but I think I'd personally rather have the +1" screen. Even if my SteamDeck (7" screen) ran much better/faster/stronger/hardwr, like the Ally X, I'd find it hard to be immersed in the game on the little screen. And my ROG hardware experience has been pretty 😵 💫 compared to Lenovo, but that's anecdotal. Except Armoury Crate, that's objectively trash.
Like
Helpful
Funny
Not helpful
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
I sold my ROG Ally Z1E long ago - hated that the eGPU options were just with the proprietary XG connector. I have a Steam Deck LCD, and recently got the Legion Go S (Z2 Go, USB4 v1, from Woot). The Minisforum DEG2 works great when I dock for dedicated GPU performance, and up the CPU TDP 30W.
Like
Helpful
Funny
Not helpful
Join The Conversation
Share your experience with the Slickdeals community
Share information with the community. Please follow our Community Guidelines and be kind!
Join The Conversation
Share your experience with the Slickdeals community
Share information with the community. Please follow our Community Guidelines and be kind!
15 Comments
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank
If we try to normalize for performance, a Z1 Extreme with low settings and turbo mode may push 40fps whereas the steam machine can push 50fps at ultra settings.
They aren't directly comparable though - one is running Windows, the other SteamOS. The Steam Machine is indeed quite expensive for what you get, but everything is increasing. Valve being unable to get supply contracts/fixed pricing isn't helping.
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
I did not need to read this today.
My friend, you are not old until you hit 80 and neither am I.
I did not need to read this today.
My friend, you are not old until you hit 80 and neither am I.
The Z2E is just a flat out superior mobile platform, as it's much more performant below 20w than the Z1E. That's where the Z2E truly shines; the lower the TDP, the better it compares to the Z1E. So if you want good battery life while maintaining good framerates, go with the Z2E. If you're just going to be running at max TDP and don't care about that battery life, the Z1E can come within 5-20% of the framerates of the Z2E when both are pushed with maxed out power.
The real difference comes when you lower TDP below 20w, where you'll see the difference balloon to 30% - 100% in some titles. The lower you go, the greater the delta between the two.
For Emulation, you can get RetroArch running nicely in Windows so you can play just about anything you want.
The Z2E is just a flat out superior mobile platform, as it's much more performant below 20w than the Z1E. That's where the Z2E truly shines; the lower the TDP, the better it compares to the Z1E. So if you want good battery life while maintaining good framerates, go with the Z2E. If you're just going to be running at max TDP and don't care about that battery life, the Z1E can come within 5-20% of the framerates of the Z2E when both are pushed with maxed out power.
The real difference comes when you lower TDP below 20w, where you'll see the difference balloon to 30% - 100% in some titles. The lower you go, the greater the delta between the two.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
Join The Conversation
Share your experience with the Slickdeals community
Share information with the community. Please follow our Community Guidelines and be kind!