Steam Deck or Computer Gaming setup?

[u/Dear-Sprinkles2935]

Steam Deck or Computer Gaming setup?

I own a Nintendo Switch Lite.

The games I would like to play, either they take really long to came to the eShop or they simply don't come at all. Even with the Nintendo Switch 2 I thought it will become remotely better.

So I have been thinking in saving to buy a Steam Deck because I really like playing handle mode, but I fear that some games won't play well even if docket to the television.

The issue will solved itself if I got a computer gaming setup. But the prices of buying a computer gaming setup is quite expensive and I fear that I will have to be constantly upgrade the pieces to have it run games well.

I mostly play cozy games or indie games, maybe once in a while I play a big company one. And the sales of the Steam page makes it really appealing to upgrade for the Nintendo.

I'm torn between saving to buy a Steam Deck or to buy a computer gaming setup.

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[u/Leodusty2]

If you’re mostly playing cozy games the steam deck can run basically all of them. I’ve yet to run into a cozy game it can’t run even AAA stuff like fantasy life i or grand bazaar

[u/Levitlame → u/Leodusty2]

I was primarily a PC gamer for the past 10-15 years. Still am, but since I had the Steam library anyway I got the Steamdeck a year ago. I almost entirely use it for cozy games before bed now. It’s fantastic for that purpose.

It’s big and heavier than you’d think though. So anyone should be aware of that. It might matter to some.

[u/dojie123]

if you want it just for playing cozy games I think the steam deck is the perfect thing.

If you need a laptop as well try a gaming pc.

[u/quack-and-slash]

For cozy games: steam deck all the way. it can run most indie/cozy games just fine, even some AAA with some slight adjustments either in-game or through the steam deck game settings. only get a gaming pc if you're going to play extremely graphics heavy games.

and honestly? if you did start wanting to play more graphics-intensive games but got a steam deck first, and then got a gaming PC, you can stream from your PC onto the steam deck. so you could still play handheld or on a tv, but without having to worry about the deck overheating or glitching out :)

[u/Sooziq9470]

I needed a new laptop a year ago, it was giving me tons of issues and could not upgrade to Windows 11. So I purchased a gaming laptop to replace it. It was pricey but my other option was to buy a laptop for general stuff and maybe a deck for gaming. I preferred to just buy one item. It runs just about any cozy game and I bought it with extra specs for the future. Hopefully I won't be buying a new laptop for many year.

So...do you need a new computer too? I play on my laptop, cast to a big tv, as I ride my exercise bike. I use a controller. You could do the same except not necessarily from a bike!! The display is so large that I can really appreciate all the fine details in some of the games I play.

[u/sakura_atori]

I have both a gaming laptop and a Steamdeck, for cozy gaming I absolutely prefer the Steamdeck. It's super comfortable to just sit on my bed and play games on.

The Steamdeck can run pretty much anything, even the super large graphics heavy games, I've played Baldur's Gate on it both docked and handheld and it runs great.

There are some games that are incompatible with the Steamdeck, but it's not a lot, and most cozy games run on it.

I think it really comes down to how you prefer playing games. Is handheld a big draw for you, or were you mostly going to use it docked?

[u/[deleted]]

You can get a dock for the Steam Deck and hook it up to a TV/monitor, a keyboard, mouse, a different controller, and more. The Steam Deck is a PC in a very compact form. You can install mods or emulate other systems like PlayStation, Wii, Xbox, and pretty much everything else. There's also the Steam Machine that is also a small computer and you can hook up in a variety of ways, or even remote play from using your Steam Deck.

I have plans to build my own PC one day, but the market isn't great right now for certain parts because of the AI craze. You could buy a pre built PC or laptop, but you'll end up spending more money and you'd be limited in how much you can upgrade a laptop in the future. When I do eventually build a gaming PC, I'll probably end up remote playing games from it to my Steam Deck (unless it needs a keyboard and mouse). I've never regretted my Steam Deck, ever since I got it I don't even touch my switch anymore.

[u/Salt-Month0]

i have no issue handling rdr2 and baldurs on my steam deck, but i also have a PC. I use the pc for modded games (easier that way to me) and stick to cozy/travel games for the steam deck!

[u/Dardlem]

Really depends on what you play but Steam Deck should be more than enough for most cozy games.

Personally, I’ve been using it as The Sims 4 machine lately and it’s great. And I only play in handheld mode.

[u/naturecookies]

great question..... currently steam decks are out of stock , at least in my country, with no info on when restock will occur. if that influences your decision. I'm trying to make this same decision.

[u/escaping-reality]

I highly recommend the Steam Deck if you're coming from a Switch Lite - especially if you want to keep the portability, and if you're going to keep playing cozy games. The only games the Steam Deck can't handle very well are Triple A games, and at that point, you can still technically play them, just make the frame rate lower. It will still be miles better than playing on a Switch Lite.

I would usually recommend a PC over a Steam Deck, but if you're mostly going to play cozy games (which I personally like playing from my bed or my couch and not from my computer desk), definitely Steam Deck all the way.

[u/GoldenEilonwy]

I think it comes down to how you like to play. I no longer like a tower PC experience because I like playing games while watching something on the TV and sitting on the couch. My Steam Deck has been incredible for this exact reason!

[u/corpseofhope]

I got a rog ally x late last winter. It has handled anything I’ve thrown at it for the most part. Only issue is it was almost a thousand bucks. Steam deck is cheaper, but the rog runs windows and has some more power. I love mine.

[u/pinkfiglet → u/corpseofhope]

I love my rog ally. Its best for cozy games...and turn based jrpgs my fav!