It's good for single-player games, indies and for hobbyists who want to mess with Linux or install Windows. Most people don't need a Steam Deck (not that you'll be able to buy one easily for a long time, anyway), but many will enjoy it, despite any oddities. Yet it's also due to the fact that there is so much you can change, and how there are little quirks you'll have to live with or try to fix.

Some of that comes from the fact that Valve is still tinkering on the software side, and based on the improvements I've seen in my time with the device, I expect it to seem more fully baked soon. But what will compel some people and shock others is how much of a PC this is. I don't think anyone will be surprised that the battery life isn't stellar for most titles. The build quality is strong and solid, and the anti-glare display is beautiful. It also lets me play games however I'm comfortable playing them, much like the Nintendo Switch. As someone who started my life gaming on consoles before transitioning to being more platform agnostic, I find that the Steam Deck combines the simplicity I appreciate with the customization options I've learned to love. And having spent quite a bit of time with it, I think this thing is pretty great, even when it's a bit wonky. After all, previous handheld PCs like the Aya Neo aren't exactly household names, and usually cost much more.įollowing a hyped launch and one delay, it's now time for the Steam Deck to start shipping. So it's not entirely surprising that when Valve announced the Steam Deck ($399 to start, $649 as tested), players jumped at the opportunity to play their favorite games on what appeared to be a high-quality handheld device. It would be an understatement to say that PC gaming has seen a bit of a resurgence in the last few years, in spite of ongoing GPU supply issues and price gouging.

Steam deck retail price