This is just a semantic argument.
While nobody (who isn't doing so for the purpose of supporting an argument) goes around calling their DS or PSP "my portable console" that is what they are functionally.
If you don't believe those two devices are portable gaming consoles because they are independent platforms from their home console siblings, there was the Sega Nomad and the TG-16 Express that actually played the same exact media/games as their home console siblings. Portable gaming devices can in fact be functionally the same as a console without a battery based power supply, screen and controller.
If you only owned a mobile cellular phone and no land line, and someone asked you if you had a phone, you wouldn't say "no" unless you're one of those people who try to make people say "may I" rather than "can I".
For the purpose of sales on VGC, they are essentially considered consoles for the purpose of tracking unit sales even though "gaming platform" is probably a better definition.
I wouldn't call a gaming laptop a "gaming console" either, even if you somehow stripped out the ability to play anything other than media and games.
But again, this is all just semantics and personal perception.
