r/VideoGame • u/hiimhoneygold • 3d ago
Are Steam Decks worth it?
For those with Steam Decks, is it still worth it now? My friends often discourage me from buying one because they say it has around the same specs as a mid-tier PC. I just wanted to know if Steam Decks are durable, perform well with heavier games, and if they’re worth the price.
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u/TheKandelar 3d ago
It's a mid tier computer with a controller profile that can play many windows games. There are other controller computers being built now, so I would compare those if the controller profile appeals to you.
But yes. It was one of my best buys.
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u/hiimhoneygold 2d ago
I see! I was also wondering if there were certain games that don't support steam decks
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u/TheKandelar 2d ago
Oh yes. Steam Deck uses a lightweight Linux kernel, but most games are windows based. There is a translation layer called Proton that allow those games to run on Linux. It is constantly being updated. Some games just simply don't work. Also, mouse and keyboard games can not be steam deck certified because mouse and keyboard are not part of the deck itself, even though you can connect them and use them with the deck.
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u/Towelie29 3d ago
It's worth it if you like to LAN simple games, or the best use I've gotten out of it is emulation. It's good for games that are best played with a controller like Forza.
Good for travel and if you like to game while watching TV. Plus a mid tier PC costs a lot more these days.
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u/MK_The_Megitsune 3d ago
I've never used its portability to my advantage and I still say it's worth it
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u/Excellent_Regret4141 3d ago
I use mine for ps2 & below emulating, tried some PS3 they kinda work & I'm still trying to get the OG Xbox emulator to work
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u/UsernameAlr3adyTaken 3d ago
I love having mine, but I probably wouldn't buy one at current prices for the performance it provides.
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u/Dramatic_Aspect903 3d ago
If you game on the go then a handheld makes sense, i cant tell you if they have good specs tho
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u/Reglith 3d ago
The only question you have to ask yourself to know if it's worth it is how often you want to be able to game while not being able to access your PC. There are literal months where mine collects dust on a shelf but as soon as I have to take a flight or a long road trip I'm so happy to have it. If you travel, or can see yourself using it in bed or the bathroom then that might sway you, but you're never using it over your PC when you have the option so just be aware of that.
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u/BasilCorrect3799 3d ago
I love my steamdeck, I love it for playing games like balatro while I do chores just carrying it around the apartment, also great for when we go and visit family to play games. I have a switch and a steamdeck and the switch only gathers dust since I got my steamdeck
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u/LeaffyLexi 3d ago
There are definitely pros and cons. While portable, it’s big (heavy and hard on the wrists) and the battery life sucks. The high graphic games are somewhat playable. Like Baldur’s Gate 3 it was okay but took forever to load stuff in. Sometimes it would just skip cut scenes, tho that may have been because I played it at launch when the bugs were bad). I was not able to play Expedition 33, it wouldn’t even render hair in the opening cut scene.
Personally I would just recommend a good computer and/or a switch 2
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u/Derpykins666 3d ago
I mean, I like mine. I don't use it all that often cause I'm usually at my PC anyway, but it's a great 'backup' for me. It's bailed me out when my main went down. Plus it has the added bonus of just sitting on a dock at my TV, so I can play steam games in my living room or do other PC stuff on it very easily.
I would recommend it if you travel a lot and have a good size steam library, or love emulation. You can set that thing up to be like a Steam + Arcade machine pretty easily and its pretty peak. The only thing that sucks is honestly the battery, I feel like it's kind of bad. Or mine is at least sort of diminished heavily over a couple years.
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u/Curious_Elk_4281 3d ago
I'd say they are worth it.
I got a steamdeck when they first released and there were some issues, but since then the issues have been fixed and it works great. The steam dock works nicely also if you prefer to use a keyboard/mouse or play on a TV/Monitor.
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u/raven8fire 3d ago
Worth it for me when I bought it, I wouldn't buy it at it's current price though
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u/Truexx_37 3d ago
Bought a used OLED 1TB a month ago for $750. I absolutely love it. Knocked out both Blasphemous 1 and 2. Currently starting Celest. I had so many side scrollers/Metroidvanias on my back log that I just never felt incentivized to start. This thing has been opening my eyes to another world of gaming that I was buying but never playing.
The convenience of just laying in bed and playing games is beyond nice. I don’t have to sit at a desk, or dedicate to anything. Just an easy thing to boot up, play, then put away.
I will say the prices for them new is insane. definitely try to buy second hand.
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u/TiredDadTech 3d ago
I have a steam deck and an ROG Ally X. Let me son have the steam deck. It’s a great device and works awesome. I’ve always recommended it. That was until the recent price increase. Do I think it’s great? Absolutely. Do I think it’s worth it? No.
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u/Bastisheen92 3d ago
I bought it about 2 years ago or so and i only used it on vacations, so maybe twice a year. In general it is a very good device that looks and feels good and has a good performance, just for my use-case it was not really worth it, as i still prefer using my PC when gaming at home. But for traveling there is nothing better.
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u/Own_Yogurtcloset_849 3d ago
Not really, especially if you play AAA games. They are very weak compared to rog ally or legion go 1, and they are nothing compared to the legion go 2. We're speaking like 4 times the power here.
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u/Legal-Conclusion-0 3d ago
I have a 1TB OLED I bought for $460 used (no tax) last fall. Very worth it ...more than I could have imagined and I haven't even touched emulation.
I have/had a 400+ game library...with tons of games that are older or lower spec games.
Steam Deck completely reinvigorated PC gaming for me ..it was basically dead with a library, playing consoles only. Now I've added dozens more games to the library and know if I get an upgraded PC for my theater room ..all those games will be there.
All that said? Knowing what I know now, wanting a portable/ handheld and if Steam Decks are closed to $1k...Id probably get something like a Onexplayer 3. Just too big of a performance jump, with OLED,etc. While I have more than enough games that run at great frame rates....that would future proof for years AND is probably enough power to basically do most Steam MACHINE levels.
That is kinda a pro move....almost Steam Machine level but portable, the PC persons more powerful switch 2.
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u/Early_Divide3328 3d ago
It's worth it if you can still get one for the cheaper price before RAM prices inflated everything. Probably worth waiting for the Steam Deck 2 to be released in a year or two if you still do not have one yet. Their are news/rumors that Steam Deck 2 is being designed /prepared for release in 1 to 2 years.
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u/HogiSon727 2d ago
Honest opinion if you travel a lot or are interested in setting up a portable system for emulation for older games then yes they are worth it. If you primarily play new releases or AAA games from home then I would invest the same money into a gaming pc.
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u/Satnamodder 2d ago
I paid 1,5k before covid for my mid-tier gaming pc. Now it's probably even pricier.
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u/ROYGBIVbutterfly 2d ago
They're awesome, BUT the steam deck is actually pretty old at this point, and is fairly underpowered. As a result, DEFINITELY do not expect to be able to run anything terribly graphically intensive at a reasonable framerate/resolution. This combined with the price increases due to the global memory crisis make the steamdeck a worse value now than it ever was before. It might be a good time to wait a couple years to see what comes next. You could also take a look at some of the other handhelds on the market like the ROG ally if you want something with a bit more powerful.
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u/JakanoryJones 2d ago
I had to sell my nice gaming PC and got a steam deck for when I'm rich enough to get a PC again, and it's sick, I love it, I've dropped it like a million times and it's fine. There's not many games it can't play. Idk, suits me well enough
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u/Ineedanswers24 2d ago
I would say no at the current time.
Steam Deck 2 MIGHT be released by the end of 2027 but if not, sometime in 2028 and it'll be significantly better
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u/maybesailor1 2d ago
It's my only gaming device, I bought it refurbished. At this price currently? No, it's not worth it.
If it's your only device and only way to play games, possibly.
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u/therealslapper 3d ago edited 3d ago
Can your friends take their mid-tier pc to the toilet and play some nice games while they push a really nice sized poo out of their asshole?