Build the Ultimate Portable Gaming Rig 2025: Monitor + Handheld

The Evolution of the Battlestation

Gone are the days of hauling heavy towers and CRT screens to a friend's house for a LAN. In 2025, you can build the ultimate portable gaming rig that slips right into your backpack. Whether you are dodging load shedding or gaming from a hotel room in Cape Town, the combination of a high-powered handheld and a sleek portable monitor changes the game entirely. 🚀

Choosing Your Engine: The Handheld Revolution

The core of this setup isn't a laptop; it's a dedicated console running full Windows 11. The market for handheld gaming consoles has exploded, offering performance that rivals entry-level gaming desktops from just a few years ago. These devices use powerful APUs to deliver smooth frame rates in AAA titles, but choosing the right one depends on your specific needs.

The Heavy Hitters

If you are looking for versatility and a massive display, the Lenovo Legion Go is a standout. Its detachable controllers and 8.8-inch screen make it perfect for strategy games where text readability is key. It even features a unique "FPS mode" that turns one controller into a vertical mouse.

On the other hand, gamers who prioritise a compact form factor with a highly mature software ecosystem often gravitate towards ASUS. The ROG Ally series popularised the concept of high-refresh-rate VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) screens in your hands, ensuring tear-free gaming even when performance dips in demanding titles.

For those loyal to the Dragon, MSI has entered the ring with the Claw. Utilising Intel’s Core Ultra architecture, it offers a different approach to power efficiency and AI upscaling capabilities, making it a strong contender for 1080p gaming on the go.

The "Rig" Element: Adding the Monitor

To truly claim you have built a portable rig, you need to break free from the 7-inch screen when you are stationary. Pairing your device with a 15.6-inch or 17-inch USB-C portable monitor creates a dual-screen command centre.

Most modern portable monitors can be powered directly by the handheld via a single USB-C cable, though we recommend a pass-through charging hub. This allows you to plug your wall charger into the monitor, which then powers your handheld—keeping cable clutter to a minimum while ensuring you don't drain your battery during a ranked match. ✨

Peripherals and Ergonomics

To finish the look, add a 60% mechanical keyboard and a lightweight wireless mouse. Since these handhelds run Windows, you aren't limited to controller-supported games. You can comfortably play Valorant or League of Legends anywhere you can find a table. With the right carry case, your entire setup—console, monitor, and peripherals—weighs less than a traditional gaming laptop and offers far more flexibility.