It sounds like Lunar Lake will have unexpectedly high iGPU performance, possibly better than Meteor Lake-H:
https://videocardz.com/newz/intel-c...e-xe2-lpg-graphics-tested-in-first-benchmarks
That's a model with 87.5% of the cores (56 EUs of 64) beating Meteor Lake-H with 128 EUs by 19%, despite being clocked lower. But I don't know anything about the SiSoftware benchmark, and there's nothing about the memory speeds, so you tell me if you're impressed.
Something major has happened internally if "56 EUs" (7 Xe2 cores) are faster than "128 EUs" (8 Xe cores). Performance/Watt is up but some structure must have doubled with Xe2.
High IPC 8c/8t should do well for handhelds considering the Steam Deck's 4c/8t Zen 2.
I think the obvious chip to compare to in the future will be AMD's Kraken Point, which is also a lower power 4+4 hybrid design, but that could end up with a worse iGPU.
You get what you pay for. I don't think I would blow more than $400 (entry-level Steam Deck intro price), but you could end up with a handheld that could be turned into a capable mini PC as needed (moreso than the RK3566 w/ 4x Cortex-A55, which is used in slow SBCs).
However these $1000+ handhelds must be a dying breed with Steam Deck occupying a $400-500 tier and ROG Ally (ripped a new one by GN), Legion Go, etc. at around $700-800. Often less for sales/refurbs. If there's any justification for the price, they do it by comparing to high end laptops.