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[Cymbal Head]

It's absolutely portable enough for my purposes. I want to be able to move around the house while playing and toss it in a bag when I travel. I'm not the type to whip out a game when I'm in a waiting room somewhere, so it doesn't need to fit in my pocket.

 

[HardRojo]

Highly portable is an exaggeration. I read the OP and I know what you're trying to convey, but I'd consider my keys, wallet, phone and watch highly portable. A device the size of the Switch? Not so much, but it is portable indeed in an age where we carry around iPads and laptops, so if you carry a bag around with you then you'd have no problems carrying a Switch around too.

 

[Glix]

Some people have already sort of said this but...

I take my Vita everywhere. I can't pocket it, the screen is exposed. So I had to get a case. Cases add bulk. Therefore I would have to keep my Vita in my messenger bag.

The switch is bigger, but its the same. Needs a case, goes in my messenger bag. Or even just can be carried by the handle on the case (sheikah slate).

So if its "highly portable" or not is semantics, but I can say with some authority its as portable as a Vita, unless you don't care about your vita screen/body.

 

[The Futurist]

I understand where people are coming from.

It's portable in the sense that you can realistically take it with you and not be encumbered.

Throw it in a bag and you are good.

You can't put it in your pocket like you would a phone or a wallet.

To the guy that says he can fit it in his pocket. I don't know what to make of that. Is that a confession of the size of his pockets or his choice of pants?

Either way, as a fairly standard sized human of average proportions who wears clothing that fits my body. There is no way in hell I could ever get a switch with the joy cons in a pocket.

 

[DarkConfidant]

You don't take a backpack or laptop case to work?

Not always, and especially if I don't have to.
I do when I'll need my laptop at the office, but I prefer to travel light. I commute by bus, which is another reason to leave the Switch at home for something lighter.

The Vita was similar, but I tried to put it in my pocket and take it everywhere, but I ended up scratching it up a bunch. Second Vita stays in a case, and is thus around as portable as I see the Switch.
The clamshell design not only saves space, but it also protects screens.

 

[DarkChronic]

Brought it on my train ride into the city this morning for work (first time, I got my case yesterday) and it was wonderful. After I was done I put it back in the case and threw it in my bag.

The battery life will last me long enough for my commute to work and back (about 40 minutes each way) so it's fine.

Playing Zelda on my way to work is bliss.

 

[Inferno313]

I understand where people are coming from.

It's portable in the sense that you can realistically take it with you and not be encumbered.

Throw it in a bag and you are good.

You can't put it in your pocket like you would a phone or a wallet.

To the guy that says he can fit it in his pocket. I don't know what to make of that. Is that a confession of the size of his pockets or his choice of pants?

Either way, as a fairly standard sized human of average proportions who wears clothing that fits my body. There is no way in hell I could ever get a switch with the joy cons in a pocket.

Eh, some pockets are big. I dress business-casual for work every day, so I'm wearing nice well-fitted slacks most days and they have big enough pockets to fit the Switch. I'd never seriously transport it anywhere that way, but it fits.

Spoiler

Pockets are for sneaking it into the bathroom when I need to take a shit

 

[Glix]

Eh, some pockets are big. I dress business-casual for work every day, and my slacks have big enough pockets to fit the Switch. I'd never seriously transport it anywhere that way, but it fits.

Spoiler

Pockets are for sneaking it into the bathroom when I need to take a shit

Hahaha, being in IT I don't even have to hide it, people see me with electronic devices, they don't ask any questions.

 

[hogendaz85]

I don't plan on ever docking my switch! Portable console like the switch is exactly what I needed. And I find I can play Zelda anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours with no issue.

 

[UCBooties]

Just thinking for people saying it's not pocketable

Did you own a 3DS or Vita and always carry it in your pocket.

I don't think I ever did that. Even as a kid. And especially these days where I'm now carrying my car keys, wallet and my smartphone around

Yes, my Vita is in my pocket right now. I pretty much never leave the house without it.

These sentiments are valid and are echoed a few times in this thread. It seems to be mostly from people who would like to travel with it in their pocket. Which is understandable.

However even the Vita takes marked hits in design to maintain portability.

The comparison to laptop gaming with a controller is about perspective yes, but it's also an illustration of the next best way to even play a game that feels and plays like a console game.
My overarching point is that the compromise between portability and function are met very well with the Switch when the next best option is to bring a laptop if you want a comparable experience. So in that way it is highly portable.

This is not a knock against the 3DS and Vita two consoles I own and love. But just an acknowledgement that playing Uncharted on Vita or even Pokemon on 3DS there are comprises made.

I definitely agree with you about the compromises in the Vita and 3DS and there is no question that the Switch is a more technically impressive piece of hardware for gaming on the go than either of those. I just don't see a fit for the Switch in my current daily gaming habits. For the time being I'm only playing it at home, largely because it will not fit in my laptop case and I'm not going to carry a second bag just to keep the switch with me.

 

[The Futurist]

Eh, some pockets are big. I dress business-casual for work every day, so I'm wearing nice well-fitted slacks most days and they have big enough pockets to fit the Switch. I'd never seriously transport it anywhere that way, but it fits.

Spoiler

Pockets are for sneaking it into the bathroom when I need to take a shit

I also dress business casual and my pants are 32 inch waist slim fit from Banana Republic.

There is no way in hell any similar pants can fit a switch with joy cons inside.

 

[Certinty]

With that battery life I can't say I agree.

 

[ModBot]

I consider there to be enough Switch threads to share an opinion in without making a new thread.