Entertainment & technology

Off the Desktop, and into your hands

When you think of gaming, you probably think of a powerful PC on a desktop or the most popular home console connected to the TV and/or screen, but what if they weren’t stuck in one location and instead portable like a phone or tablet?

That is where handheld gaming comes in, it is a subgenre of console/PC that essentially compacts the technology into a relatively small piece of hardware that is capable of performing the same task, playing the same games, and processing the same things as normal console/PC would be able to do. 

Ever since 2017, the handheld market has been growing exponentially as better and better portable 

consoles are being released for us to enjoy, but this decade has shown the peak of the hardware as some of the most powerful and popular consoles/PCs have been announced or published. 

As IGN says, “ 2025 looks to be a huge year for handheld gaming. After many years in the wilderness, pushed aside by the rise of mobile games and the departure of PlayStation from the handheld market, there's now a medley of portable consoles and gaming PCs enjoying a renaissance in quality on-the-go gaming experiences.”

Key Comparisons: Consoles VS. PCs

First of all, there is a difference between a console and a PC so let’s start with consoles. They often are locked to a certain amount of games that the console supports, but are filled with console-exclusive games that can be more enticing to the general library PCs offer, however, there is no promise of a higher quality and or performance when it comes to the console itself and its games.

The most prominent model out right now is the Nintendo Switch, which is most likely the main reason why these consoles still exist as it was overwhelmingly popular at launch and is still loved to this day despite releasing about 7 years ago.

 As for the other big console brands, Playstation and Xbox, Playstation made the Playstation Portal which was not very successful. 

Released with mixed reviews and a high price tag, it wasn’t exactly the most popular handheld console if you could even call it that as it is more of a streaming device for the PS5 rather than an actual console, meaning you have to own a Playstation 5 to even use the portal.

Let’s not forget the big reveal for January, the Nintendo Switch 2, which only had a small teaser on YouTube but according to said teaser  It will advance most of the features of the console including the way joycons attach and the processing power.

 Overall, while this specific version of the consoles isn’t as populous as PCs, there is still much potential when it comes to these kinds of handheld devices.

Next are PC handhelds, which are on average much more powerful than consoles. They don’t have the benefit of exclusives, but they come with free online access, a large library of games, and the same applications a normal PC can run. These can be great PCs for gamers in general. 

This kind of handheld became most popular when the steam deck launched, and has quickly snowballed into multiple different companies trying their hand at the same kind of concept. 

Some notable examples include the Lenovo Legion Go which combines aspects from the switch and the Steam deck, the ASUS Rog Ally which wasn’t very well received, but its predecessor was much more successful(ASUS Rog Ally X), and the Steam deck Oled which basically was a hardware update and a better screen, but it came with some very enticing additions that people liked.

Along with the fact that they can run pretty much any PC game a normal computer or laptop can with the same graphics and processing, they make decent gaming consoles for people who don’t want or have access to a desktop.

Pros and Cons 

If you’re looking into these consoles it is good to know what makes them worse or better than their normal counterparts. 

For the disadvantages, one small but noticeable difference is that because they aren’t always plugged into a wall or extension cable they have to run on a battery, and the majority of the devices have a very pitiful battery life, most of the time you’ll probably get 3-4 hours of play which isn’t a lot for long sessions,

As Ambiq says, “Despite the exponential advances in handheld gaming, including better graphics, audio, and gameplay, battery life remains an issue. This can affect game time and your preferred method of play, as most handheld gaming devices are complemented by an array of wireless accessories such as controllers and headsets (including AR headsets). Wireless controllers are also subject to the dead  one, the physical distance from which one can use a controller for a device.”

Probably the most egregious disadvantage however is the price.As said by Profolus, “ One disadvantage of handheld PC gaming devices is their high price tags. Steam Deck is a bit inexpensive but it is still more expensive compared to traditional handheld consoles such as the Nintendo Switch or as expensive as mid-range laptops.”

To further support this, one of the most powerful handheld PCs is the Onexplayer x1 which ON SALE is 1,099 dollars, meanwhile multiple laptops using some of the same technology are just a little over 700 dollars for a slightly better performance. 

The advantage of handhelds is their compact design. Because they are mostly quite small they can easily fit in a backpack, handbag, and sometimes even your pocket. Also for PC handhelds, as said before, they can run the exact applications a normal PC can, and can even be attached to an external monitor. 

Because they are mini gaming laptops, you can set up a PC handheld to a monitor and use the device as your PC which can be helpful for space management, and one more advantage is that they run on cloud gaming.

Profolus states that because most of these devices are configured for cloud gaming out of the box, they have access to a bigger and better variety of games at their fingertips.

Conclusion

Overall this innovation in the gaming industry has proven overwhelmingly successful, even though there are some disadvantages, and judging by the upcoming models like the Switch 2, Lenovo Legion go s, and a potential Xbox handheld, there isn’t any sign of these little computers slowing down.

Social media is a major part of life for teens today, especially in the U.S. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube provide entertainment, connection, and instant access to news. But while social media has its benefits, it also comes with serious risks. This article explains both the pros and cons of social media use, using facts and statistics to help teens make smart choices when it comes to their online life.

Cons of Social Media for Teens

Almost every teen has either experienced or witnessed cyberbullying. While some instances are minor, others can be extreme. In the worst cases, cyberbullying has led to suicide.

According to the CDC, 14.9% of adolescents have been cyberbullied, and 13.6% have attempted suicide because of it (CDC Study). The anonymity of the internet makes it easy for bullies to say rude statements they wouldn’t say in person, making social media an anonymously dangerous space for many teens.

Social media algorithms are designed to keep users engaged, but this sometimes leads to biased or misleading content being spread. Political content, for example, can be presented in a way that persuades viewers to obtain certain beliefs without explaining the situation.

Additionally, social media promotes unrealistic beauty standards. Many influencers use filters and editing to appear “perfect,” leading teens to compare themselves unfairly. Advertisements often take advantage of this by showing flawless models to sell products that may not even work. This can make teens feel insecure and pressured to buy things they don’t need.

Like propaganda, social media can subtly control users' decisions. For example, a viral post might convince a teen that they need the latest Stanley cup, even if they already have a perfectly good water bottle. Other times, social media can even influence personal decisions. A video saying, “THIS IS A SIGN TO BREAK UP!!!” might push someone to end a relationship they weren’t actually unhappy in, just because it matched their current feelings. Or could persuade someone to do something they never thought of doing, but does it to fit in.

Pros of Social Media for Teens

TikTok, Reels, and YouTube Shorts provide a never-ending variety of videos. With every swipe, users can see a completely different type of content, from funny skits to educational clips. This constant change makes social media highly engaging and fun for teens looking for quick entertainment.

Social media helps teens stay in touch with friends and family, no matter where they are. Apps like Snapchat, Instagram, and Discord make communication quick and easy. Social media also provides a fast way to get news. Unlike regular news outlets, which go through multiple editors before publishing a story, social media delivers information, in most situations, real-time.

For example, scrolling through, “NewsTok,” can give users updates in seconds. However, the way news is presented can be biased. A network like Fox News might tweak a story about Biden or Kamala Harris to make them look bad, just as a left-leaning station might do the same to a conservative figure. Because of this, it’s important to fact-check information before believing it.

Not everyone enjoys reading or traditional hobbies, and for those people, social media offers an alternative form of entertainment. With an endless stream of videos, memes, and posts, it’s easy to pass the time and always have something new to see.

Now What?

Social media has both benefits and drawbacks for teens. It helps them stay informed, entertained, and connected, but it also exposes them to cyberbullying, misinformation, and manipulative content. The key to using social media safely is to be aware of these risks—fact-check information, set screen time limits, and avoid unhealthy comparisons. Instead of letting social media dictate their thoughts and emotions, teens should use it as a tool for learning, creativity, and connection.