Do I want a Steam Deck?

Valve Is Playing With a Full Deck

If you only want to play Steam games on a handheld, the Steam Deck is fantastic. If you're willing to put in a little work to get your favorite emulators running on a handheld, the Steam Deck is also worth checking out.

Do you really need a Steam Deck?

If you're using it at home as a replacement for a high-quality PC to play games, then the Steam Deck is a no-brainer purchase. If you're attempting to use it as a travel device, however, it's important to consider its limitations, and how and when you'll be using it most.

What is the Steam Deck best for?

At its core, the Steam Deck is a gaming PC. It's a powerful piece of kit that brings your Steam library into your hands, so you can play your PC games wherever you are.

Should I get a Steam Deck or a computer?

PC vs Steam Deck - Winner

If you value portability and want to play less intense games, Steam Deck could be the right choice for you. However, a gaming PC is undoubtedly better if you're after style, performance, and power.

Is Steam Deck a good PC replacement?

With its amazing hardware specification and USB OTG functionality, the Steam Deck makes a surprising desktop replacement. Thanks to the Discover app and Flatpak support, a whole host of productivity apps can be installed, from office software to development tools and beyond.

Steam Deck - Before You Buy

Should I buy Steam Deck if I already have a gaming PC?

Gaming laptops are focused on being laptops first — even with more powerful hardware, you need Windows, a keyboard, a trackpad, and a webcam on any gaming laptop. The Steam Deck cuts the fluff and focuses on gaming. If you're like me and already own a gaming PC, the Steam Deck makes much more sense.

What are the cons of a Steam Deck?

What games Cannot be played on Steam Deck?

Which is better Steam Deck or switch?

For most people, picking up a Switch over the Deck probably makes the most sense right now, especially if you're not an avid PC gamer. But while the Nintendo Switch technically edges past the Steam Deck thanks to better battery life, display, and overall value, both were created with different audiences in mind.

Is Steam Deck illegal?

Is it legal to use the Steam Deck as a game emulator? Yes, it's legal to use the Steam Deck as an emulator (in the United States, at least). Though often considered legally dubious, nothing specifically prohibits the use of an emulator or even the use of game ROM files.

Which is better than Steam Deck?

AYANEO 2. We've talked about the AYANEO 2 several times here on overkill — we consider it one of two main competitors to the Steam Deck. Although coming in at a higher price (it starts at around $999), it is a much more capable device, especially at higher TDPs, thanks to the AMD 6800U chip it uses.

Is Steam actually giving away Steam decks?

Valve is giving away a Steam Deck each minute of The Game Awards when that show airs on Thursday, Dec. 8. The Game Awards 2022 usually runs about three hours, so, that's 180 Steam Decks!

Can I play every game on Steam Deck?

Not every Steam game is compatible yet, but most are.

Is a stream deck worth it?

Our Verdict

The Stream Deck + is both beautiful and versatile, and while the price point may be rather high you can't argue with the excellent software and professional build. It is incredibly customisable and the introduction of rotary dials and an LCD screen is an interesting development on older models.

Is the Steam Deck considered a success?

The Steam Deck has sat in the top 5 of the top sellers list (SteamDB) for something around 40 weeks, and the majority of that time has been at number 1 or number 2 when a few super hits came along to knock it down like Elden Ring or Modern Warfare 2 but it's quite rare to see it knocked down to the number 2 spot even a ...

Why are so many games unsupported on Steam Deck?

Why some games cannot be played on Steam Deck? The reason why not everything from Steam game library is playable on the device is mostly due to the anti-cheat aspect of titles with multiplayer modes. Many of the unplayable Steam Deck games are online titles, so it's a given that Valve will do something about it.

How long does Steam Deck battery last?

Valve's initial claims are a vague 2-8 hours, but it's perfectly possible to drain it in less than two hours. The battery life will be worse on games that push the CPU and GPU hardest.

Can Steam Deck run cyberpunk?

Well now you can! We're pleased to confirm that Cyberpunk 2077 has been Verified for Steam Deck Compatibility. Steam Deck users are able to enjoy V's adventures to the fullest. If you already have a copy of the game in your Steam Library then it's ready to run on your hardware.

Is Steam Deck uncomfortable to hold?

I find the Deck to actually be quite comfortable to hold, even though I have rather large hands, and the controls are smaller than typical gamepads. No problem with eyestrain, and I already wear glasses.

Is Steam Deck more powerful than gaming laptop?

Which one is more powerful, a Steam Deck or a gaming laptop? A gaming laptop is typically more powerful than a Steam Deck, as it is designed for more demanding and professional gaming needs. It has more powerful hardware and advanced features such as overclocking and custom cooling systems.

What PC is the Steam Deck equivalent to?

The Steam Deck uses a custom-designed “APU”, a combination CPU-GPU architecture built by AMD. The CPU is the equivalent of a Zen 2 laptop processor with a 4/8 core setup of primary and secondary cores maxing out at 3.5GHz.

What to do first with Steam Deck?

If it's your first time using your Steam Deck, you'll need to plug it in for a short time using the provided power supply in order to wake it from the battery-saving shipment mode. If you've used your Steam Deck before but it's currently not powering on, plug it in and check the LED next to the charging port.

How powerful is the Steam Deck as a PC?

Steam Deck's APU has a 15W power limit, with full system power hitting a maximum of around 26W.