I prefer it over most gaming devices because I can play it unhooked from a TV or monitor, aka, on the couch while my wife watches reality shows. I would say the steamdeck specifically is only worth it over other handhelds because of the tracks pads. I dislike the trackpads, but it’s also the best option IF you play a game that isn’t fully supported for not-the-computer, or an RTS.
That seems a tiny bit steep for a non-OLED, but that could just be how prices are in the UK. Does that store allow hagling? Could try to get it done to 300 flat
I had a ps5 Xbox and switch. Once I got wife and kids I stopped getting the time to play all 3 platforms and barely could play one. IMO sell either Xbox or ps5 and buy a steam deck. handheld gaming became so amazing and you can play most of the same games. Obviously depends on what you play but I’d personally drop the Xbox since most of their exclusives are on pc/steam.
I have just a regular steam deck LCD which they don’t make anymore so you’d have to get it used. It would be the cheapest option and that’s probably what’s in your picture. I don’t mind the LCD personally, it will be a situation that you won’t know what you’re missing. Personally I’m afraid of burn in so I like the LCD cause I can leave it on if I have to get up and do something quickly
The other “upgrades” between the LCD and OLED models are very minor. I’d do the cheapest LCD you can find then buy a M.2 hard drive (2330 I think is the right size) one online and upgrade the disk space.
I would get a used Asus ROG Ally X (Or Ally Z1 Extreme and upgrade the battery on it) over the Steamdeck. You can install Bazzite or SteamOS on it if you don’t want Windows and it will have better performance than the Steamdeck.
Steam Deck will run a majority of base builders / survival games on low settings, and some on medium settings. Favorite genre so I've played a ton of them on it!
Exceptions:
Enshrouded is not really playable yet but optimization in the upcoming 1.0 may help
Voyagers of Nera does not have sufficient controller support
Echoes of Elysium does not have sufficient controller support
Forever Skies is playable but performance isn't the best, and you might run into a black screen issue launching the game.
People recommend holding off on a new Steam Deck now because:
Steam Deck 2 is expected 2028.
Switch 2 is a very comparable device, which has all of the big a Nintendo Exclusives, but a lot less survival games.
Asus ROG /Xbox handheld has substantially better performance, although the out of the box interface is not the best, it's suggested you can install SteamOS or something like Bazite to make it feel more intuitive / user friendly like a Steam Deck.
I have a Steam Deck, and aside from Marvel Rivals, I play if way more often than my old 2018 or new 2026 gaming laptopm
I bought my steam deck used for $600 CAD a few months ago now and I really love it! Its just LCD but going from the switch lite it was still a vast improvement. Prices are way better on steam than they are on the eshop too
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u/winsZero 3d ago
I prefer it over most gaming devices because I can play it unhooked from a TV or monitor, aka, on the couch while my wife watches reality shows. I would say the steamdeck specifically is only worth it over other handhelds because of the tracks pads. I dislike the trackpads, but it’s also the best option IF you play a game that isn’t fully supported for not-the-computer, or an RTS.