The SteamDeck was released on February 25, 2022, by Valve in their return to the PC hardware space, and a triumphant return it has been. After launch, it was in the top 10 selling items on Steam for 82 consecutive weeks, and even though the streak has been lost, it is still frequently found here. This is for good reason, as it is an incredible device.
Capability: 4/5
The SteamDeck is easily one of the most capable PC gaming handhelds on the market, even if there are some limits due to the hardware and Linux-based operating system. Based on Valve’s ratings, of the 1000 games I have in my library, 34% are marked as Playable or Verified. But this is just Valve’s rating. According to the community ratings on ProtonDB, 87% of my games are marked Silver or higher, and 75% are Gold or higher.
Longevity: 4/5
As it is just a PC at the core, the SteamDeck has the potential for an incredibly long lifespan, as even if Valve stops supporting it, there is nothing stopping you from installing another OS to keep it up to date.
Having launched in 2022, the hardware in the SteamDeck has certainly aged, and even at launch it wasn’t the most powerful. However, for the intended use case, it works great and will for years to come. Sure, it is starting to struggle with modern releases, but it still shines with well-optimized and indie titles.
Ease of Use: 4/5
A common complaint you hear when console players talk about PC is that you can’t just boot it up and play. That couldn’t be any more wrong when it comes to the SteamDeck thanks to SteamOS bringing a console-like UI and features like wake-on-resume. SteamOS has to be one of the easiest ways to get into PC gaming.
However, even being incredibly easy to use, it does have some issues due to it running Linux. The biggest of these issues is the inability to play many popular multiplayer games due to the anticheats being incompatible.
Aesthetics: 5/5
Although a bit bulky, the SteamDeck is a good-looking device with a premium feel. This is an area I think Valve always nails, be it the Index and the Knuckles controllers or now the SteamDeck and its various models. Whether it’s the base model or the limited edition transparent and white models, they all look great.
Return on Investment: 5/5
As someone with a high-end gaming PC, I’m not using my SteamDeck terribly often. However, it still remains one of my favorite devices purchased, as the experience when using it has always been great. The ability to hold almost the entirety of my Steam Library in the palm of my hand is invaluable.
Final Score: 4.3/5
Where to buy?
Share on
Bluesky Mastodon RedditComments are configured with provider: giscus, but are disabled in non-production environments.
