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Tom's Guide
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
I bought a PS Vita instead of a Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025 — and I have no regrets
The Nintendo Switch 2 is here, and I've decided to buy a PS Vita instead. We here at Tom's Guide check out the latest in tech (and beyond), but here I am with a portable console over a decade old — but I'm loving every minute of it. Out of all the handheld consoles I've played on throughout the years, the PS Vita always stands out. I mean, exclusive PlayStation games in your pocket? Come on, it's hard to beat. And despite its age, Sony's beloved device has amassed quite the die-hard community, so much so that Sony revoked its plans to drop PlayStation Store support for it due to quite a bit of backlash. Perhaps it's the fond memories of whipping out Persona 4 Golden or Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater on the fly, or that it's price was heavily reduced at the second-hand retailer I found it at (it was mainly that), but I bought a PS Vita despite the launch of the long-awaited sequel to one of the best-selling handheld consoles ever: the Switch 2. It wasn't for a lack of availability, as Nintendo Switch 2 restocks have been kind here in the U.K., nor was it because I'm not impressed by it — Donkey Kong Bananza in 4K? Yes, please. But the PS Vita reeled me back in for a few reasons. Now, this is no hot take; you won't find me spouting how the PS Vita is outright better than the Switch 2 (it's not). But gaming on the Vita over the last month has made me realize the perks and features that have been lost in translation over the years when it comes to portable consoles, and for now, I can't get enough of it. Launched in 2011, Sony's PlayStation Vita is no longer in production, so expect to only find pre-owned, refurbished or open-box models available. You can grab one via Amazon Renewed in "excellent" condition, but if you aren't fussed by a few nicks or scratches, then you'll certainly find one for less. I've rambled about how the Switch 2 impressed me but I won't be buying one until 2026, and to sum that up, it's mainly to do with the list of games that are ready to play. I mean, Mario Kart World fully embraces the furious fun the series is known for, and it was a blast to play in the short time I had with it in the office (who needs lunch when there's blue shells to throw?). It's not exactly the sort of system seller like, say, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, though. There are upgrades for that and Tears of the Kingdom, along with other major titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Street Fighter 6 and others, but it's a little thin on those exciting exclusives (for now). I can see why our own Tony Polanco is already bored with the Switch 2 after a week. Well, very unfairly, that hasn't been the case with the PS Vita. There are well over 1,000 games to check out, and they range from knockout exclusives you can't play anywhere else to timeless classics that are always worth revisiting. And luckily, I already have a collection of games for the system. Seeing titles like Uncharted: Golden Abyss, Killzone: Mercenary, Gravity Rush and Tearaway take full advantage of the PS Vita's hardware both graphically and feature-wise is a treat, whether it be swiping the screen, tapping the rear touchpad or taking a snap with the (laughable) 0.3 MP camera. There's something special about playing games like these, specifically designed for the handheld. Then there are the titles that really do work best when on the move. I've been making my way through the Sly Cooper Trilogy (then Thieves in Time) during my journey to and from work, but there's also the Jak and Daxter Trilogy, Ratchet and Clank Collection, Metal Gear Solid HD Collection and more of the classics many adore. And that's just the tip of the game-berg. Lengthy RPGs are perfect for a system like this, and the PS Vita can pull off Persona 4 Golden, Final Fantasy X HD Remaster and Odin Sphere Leifthrasir. Oh, and I have to give a shoutout to TxK, the frantic, bewildering arcade-style shoot 'em up from Llamasoft. It isn't like the Switch 2 (or the original) doesn't have these traits, with its mouse-capable controllers and exclusives of its own. And yes, it will play games at a much higher caliber in performance (if you've played Borderlands 2 on the PS Vita, you know what I mean). But many games really found their footing on the PS Vita, exclusive or not. That's something I've found missing on the best handheld gaming consoles, and I hope the Switch 2 leans into having more titles that are perfect for its system — not just games that you can play, well, anywhere else. I could talk about the PS Vita 1000's still-stunning OLED display or how its battery can last 5 hours or more, depending on the games I played (longer than the 2.5 hours on the Switch 2, at least), but what I really enjoy the most? It's size. Portable gaming has gotten big. The Switch 2 boasts a 7.9-inch LCD display, the Steam Deck OLED measures 7.4 inches and the MSI Claw 8 AI+ comes in at 8 inches. In contrast, the PS Vita offers a mere 5-inch display, and it's been completely suitable. Having a large screen to game on is always nice to see, but bigger isn't always better, especially when it comes to portability. The Vita measures 7.2 x 3.4 x 0.6 inches and weighs 7.7 ounces, and that's just the right lightweight size to make this system pocketable. As in, I literally slip this into my pocket when I'm on the move. The same can't be said about the vast majority of modern handhelds. The Switch 2 comes in at 10.71 x 4.57 x 0.55 inches and 18.8 ounces. Portable? Yes, for a bag or carrying case — not a pocket. You're not exactly whipping this out at every interval of a journey on public transport. A smaller console can go a long way in terms of when and where it can be used, especially when it packs a masterful selection of games, and it's another thing I've been missing about handheld consoles as of late. It feels natural to slip out my PS Vita during trips outside home, which I can't say the same for with other recent handheld consoles. The PS Vita wasn't nearly the hardware seller Sony wanted it to be due to its own lack of support, but you'll still find many whispering that it was ahead of its time — and honestly, I can see why. It's made me realize that handheld gaming really is a different beast these days, but not all for the better. Right now, I'm enjoying the small perks and plentiful games of the PS Vita, probably more so than I would if I opted to pick up a Switch 2 at the moment. Whether you're looking to take a trip down PlayStation lane with a host of classic titles, never got around to experiencing the joys of Sony's handheld or looking to see what all the fuss is about before the next rumored PlayStation handheld arrives, the PS Vita very much still holds up today. Of course, don't expect the graphical or performance highs of Nintendo's latest console. I'll be kicking myself once the Nintendo Switch 2 nails its lineup of exclusives and pushes its portable power to the limit, but in the meantime, I'm keeping the PS Vita at my side (pocket).
Tom's Guide
04-06-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
I lab tested the Legion Go S for a week — and now I want one for myself
As the New York-based lab tester at Future, I spend the bulk of my time benchmarking the latest gadgets. This includes the best laptops, the best monitors, and even the best phones. The newest thing to land at my desk? The Lenovo Legion Go S with SteamOS. My colleague, Tony Polanco, recently posted his Lenovo Legion Go S hands-on preview and will have a full review soon. As is routine for Tom's Guide testing, I run a series of benchmark tests on devices before reviews are published. Benchmarking the Legion Go S was an interesting experience, to say the least. Right now, it's the most unique device I've tested this year. Here's why. The Lenovo Legion Go S is the first non-Valve handheld utilizing SteamOS. As such, it's an easier machine to use than a Windows 11 handheld. This entry-level model has an 8-inch 120Hz display, 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage and an AMD Ryzen Z2 Go chip. "Wow, that was fast!" That's what I said when I first started testing the Legion Go S. You know the drill with Windows 11: connect to Wi-Fi, log in to a Microsoft account, download updates, and skip ads. These are the lengthy steps I typically face with Windows systems in the lab. Post-setup tasks, like updating graphics drivers and installing our benchmark software, add even more time. Powered by Linux, the Legion Go S is a complete contrast. I just turned it on, selected my language and time zone, and applied a single update. It was ready in under three minutes! In my job, every minute counts, so such a quick setup was incredibly refreshing. I've never had such a seamless gaming handheld setup. The SteamOS game launcher is also neat and makes the system easy to navigate thanks to the system's controller setup. This isn't always the case with Windows handhelds. For instance, testing the Legion Go S with Windows 11 required me to connect a keyboard and mouse just to navigate Windows and the Steam app on a small screen. I had to do the same when navigating menus in games like Grand Theft Auto V. While SteamOS is certainly more user-friendly, it's not without its quirks. When testing the best gaming laptops and best handheld gaming consoles, Future Labs runs through a total of 14 games. We run them using their native launchers and services, including Steam, Ubisoft Connect, as well as Rockstar Games and Epic Games. Testing all of these services and games on the Legion Go S was a trip. For Steam, we try out Cyberpunk 2077, DiRT 5, F1 23, Grand Theft Auto V, Monster Hunter Wilds, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and Total War: Warhammer III. Running these games on the Legion Go S was pretty seamless; just download through the standard game mode, then run the native benchmarks. The results were quite good for this type of system, too. For example, we saw 32 frames per second (fps) in DiRT 5 at full resolution and 39 fps in Shadow of the Tomb Raider. But the problem? SteamOS doesn't natively support the other gaming launchers we use. It is designed for running Steam games, in the same way that a Windows laptop doesn't run macOS. Ubisoft Connect, Rockstar Games, and Epic Games all need to be side-loaded. I had to add the .exe installer as a non-Steam game, launch the Linux desktop mode, and then change the compatibility layer for the game launcher to Proton (an emulation layer that mimics Windows). You can also use third-party programs like Lutris or Heroic Games, which utilize other layers like Wine, to help speed up this process, but I found that these can be hit or miss. Going that manual route, I then navigated through a series of 13 Linux folders to change the target and launch in folder options for said game launchers. Of the three services, only Ubisoft Games worked correctly, meaning I was able to test Assassin's Creed Mirage and Far Cry 6. When I tried Epic Games this way, nothing worked, and I resorted to using a third-party launcher. But when installing the games under that launcher, the system would just freeze or crash. Coming fresh off testing a gaming laptop, which can be priced close to the Legion Go S, I expected things to work better on SteamOS. You really shouldn't need technical Linux knowledge just to get non-Steam games working. In fact, I had to look up how to navigate Linux folders because a lot of these folders are hidden by default. My colleague suggested buying the Steam version of Red Dead Redemption 2 and Assassin's Creed: Shadows to benchmark them, but that shouldn't be an option if you already own these games, like we do. You'd be spending more money on games in addition to the handheld. Just know that with this handheld, you won't be able to easily play all the games in your library across services, and some you may not be able to play at all. Despite these problems, I really enjoyed the Legion Go S with SteamOS. It's a cool device, especially if you're used to Windows systems and handhelds. And while you might not be able to play all your games as you would on Windows, there are other uses for it outside of general gaming. After I finished benchmarking, I turned my Legion Go S review unit into a desktop PC, just like you can with the Windows-powered Legion Go. I hooked up a portable monitor, keyboard and mouse over a dock, and slid the handheld into a stand. Next, I switched the system into Desktop Mode by tapping on the power button. I then downloaded Google Chrome and Slack from the Software Center and logged in with my work account. All of the lab's spreadsheets from Google Drive were right at my fingertips, just like with Chrome on my MacBook. I was even able to download Telegram, so I could message my friends during my lunch break. Outside of work, I found another useful app from the Software Center that lets me play my PS5 over the internet, similar to how the PlayStation Portal works. I was able to log into my PSN account, connect to my PS5 remotely while it was in rest mode, and play Gran Turismo 7. There was no lag, and everything was smooth, almost as if I were sitting in front of my TV at home. As for the hardware, I loved the way the speakers output noises from the game. The Legion Go S has some powerful speakers. The haptics are great, too, with the handheld giving me some good feedback as I jumped over curbs in Gran Turismo 7. I only wish Sony would allow access to streaming PlayStation Plus games through the web. Then I'd ditch the PlayStation Portal entirely for a Legion Go S. I never thought the Legion Go S would be such a cool device. Going into my testing, I expected it to be yet another handheld, delivering the same boring experience as when I tested a similar product like the MSI Claw 8 AI+. Lenovo's device was anything but that. From the start, I learned how clean and efficient SteamOS is for gaming compared to Windows 11. And because of my issues with sideloading gaming launchers, I even learned how to use the Linux KDE desktop environment, which led me to a few cool ways to use my review unit for both work and play. There's no hiding it. I haven't had this much fun playing with a system in a long time. After I benchmarked the Legion Go S, I could barely put it down. I might just have to buy one for myself.
Tom's Guide
08-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
Microsoft's new Surface Pro takes a page from Apple's playbook, and I couldn't be happier
Microsoft's annual Build conference kicks off later this month, and alongside that event, the company will start selling a new Surface Pro tablet that's smaller, lighter and cheaper than last year's model. This is kind of a big deal for me as someone who reviews tablets for a living, because last year's Surface Pro 11 is, for my money, the best tablet Microsoft's ever sold. in our Surface Pro 11 review, my colleague Tony Polanco called that model "the best Surface in years" for good reason. Qualcomm's Snapdragon X chips power this thin slate, giving it remarkable speed and battery life that outpaces some of the best Windows laptops. You may like Plus, paying for the optional OLED upgrade makes the Surface Pro 11 feel like a premium slate to rival the iPad Pro — and unlike the iPad, Microsoft's tablet runs a full (Arm-based) version of Windows 11. On May 20, Microsoft will begin selling a slightly thinner, lighter version of the Surface Pro 11 with a 12-inch screen that's smaller than the 13-inch panel on last year's model. This new Surface Pro 11 (12-inch) also has a starting price that's $100 cheaper than the Surface Pro 11 (13-inch), though this model is less capable and less upgradable than its predecessor. And frankly, after digging into the specs and the state of the tablet market, I have a hard time recommending you rush out and buy this new 12-inch Surface Pro, because you can get the older (yet more powerful) Surface Pro 11 (13-inch) for the same price or cheaper. Of course, if speed and screen refresh rate aren't that important to you, the new 2025 Surface Pro 11 (12-inch) might be better for your needs since it's lighter, thinner and advertises better battery life than its predecessor. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. To show you what I mean, I've compared the key details of the 12-inch Surface Pro 11 against the older 13-inch model in the chart below so you can easily see the major differences between these two models. Swipe to scroll horizontally Header Cell - Column 0 Microsoft Surface Pro 11 (12-inch) 2025 Microsoft Surface Pro 11 (13-inch) 2024 Starting Price $799 $999 CPU Snapdragon X Plus (8-core) Snapdragon X Plus (10-core) RAM 16GB 16GB Storage 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB Display 12 inch (2196 x 1464 pixels) 90Hz LCD touchscreen 13 inch (2880 x 1920) 120Hz LCD touchscreen Graphics Qualcomm Adreno Qualcomm Adreno Ports 2x USB-C 2x USB-C Wireless Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 Battery life 12 hours web, 16 hours video 10 hours web, 14 hours video (12:10 tested) Size 10.8 x 7.4 x 0.3 inches 11.3 x 8.2 x 0.37 inches Weight 1.5 pounds 1.97 pounds Colors Ocean, Platinum, Violet Black, Dune, Sapphire, Platinum But while I can see that the 2025 Surface Pro 11 (12-inch) might be a very compelling slate for folks wanting a more affordable Surface tablet for working on the go, the number one thing I'm most excited about isn't the price or the potential battery life of this thin and lightweight slate: it's the new color. Don't shrink from violet (Image credit: Microsoft) Specifically, I love that Microsoft is offering the new 12-inch Surface Pro in a gorgeous shade of purple. It caught my eye immediately, and it's exactly the splash of color I'd like to enjoy every time I pull out a tablet to get some work done (or watch a video) on a long plane ride. Admittedly, that's the only interesting color you can get this slate in. If you don't go for Violet you can only get the new 12-inch Surface Pro 11 in Ocean (blue gray) or Platinum (dark gray). That's disappointing since last year's Surface Pro 11 came in four colors: Black, Dune (a sandy bronze), Sapphire (blue) and Platinum (silver). At the time I was excited about the debut of the Dune color scheme, which should give you some sense of how starved we tablet reviewers are for a bit of color in our lives. Nearly every laptop and tablet on the market comes in some variation of black, gray or silver, to the point that if you got everyone in your office to pile their gadgets together I think you'd have a hard time knowing which was yours at a glance. Apple is one of the rare companies to break this trend, and it's one of the few things I unabashedly love about the company's products. Whether you're buying a new Apple iMac M4 or a new iPad, you can get it in at least three to five different bright, primary colors. Whatever you think of Apple's iPads, you can't say they aren't colorful. (Image credit: Apple) That's why I'm so happy to see Microsoft taking a page from Apple's playbook and offering its new tablet in a bright, eye-catching color scheme. I'm not even the biggest fan of purple — I'm more partial to a deep emerald green, personally — and I'm sorely tempted to consider the Violet 12-inch Surface Pro 11 the next time I need to buy a tablet. Of course, I won't know for sure how good this lavender-shaded slate is until we get one in to test and review for ourselves. I'm hoping that will happen later this month when I attend Microsoft Build 2025 at the company's headquarters, but we'll have to wait to see. And who knows—maybe the company will have more new Surface devices to show off later on, If that's true, I sure hope they come in more than black and silv... sorry, Platinum! More from Tom's Guide
