I’ve been considering purchasing a steam deck. My pc is in my office, which limits interaction with the rest of the family if I want to play anything. I’ve tried playing mobile games, but just can’t get use to the controls. Think it’s worth getting one?
Worth it 100% for me, I love mine. I didn’t think I would use it much, I honestly bought it initially to just support the project and help FOSS friendly hardware and software.
But once I started playing on it, I fell in love. I play lots of indie games and smaller studio games, like Brotato, Hollow Knight, Battle for Wesnoth, Core Keeper. I also installed RetroArch and play all of my favorite Game Boy games. I play Old School Runescape with my friend, some kart racing games, some fighting games.
I also have Jellyfin installed on there, so I use it docked to my TV as a box for streaming from my Jellyfin server to my TV for movie nights. Discord runs pretty well on it in the background, so it works well for group party games like Pummel Party with my friends. Also games like Table Top simulator to play DnD, and virtual board games.
Idk, it’s just a perfect device for me. Super moddable, repair friendly, FOSS friendly, powerful enough to play most games without issue, works with every kind of Bluetooth device I’ve tested it with, controllers, headphones, etc. And now that it’s been out for well over a year, all of the most severe and annoying bugs have been fixed, so the general experience is very smooth and stable.
A simple upvote doesn’t do this comment justice. The Steam Deck completely changed how I play games. It is a must buy.
100% I haven’t been interested in handheld gaming since I was a pre-teen. Steam Deck got me back into it and I love it!
It’s been really great for me with that exact use case. I want to play some more intensive games but would still like to hang around in the living room. My wife and I both have one, we can play games alone or together and also hang out on the couch and watch something.
Deck just went on sale for summer sale great time to get one. I love mine :)
I just ordered mine!
I’ve barely used my desktop for gaming since I got the Steam Deck last May. It’s been great for playing on the go, or just sitting on the couch and gaming while my partner watches a show. Definitely recommend.
Well you probably won’t interact while gaming anyways. Little billy won’t get attention when you’re on a dark souls boss.
Absolutely. That’s the exact reason I got mine. After a couple of days, my wife started wanting to play some. Now, she has her own deck, and we play LAN coop and LAN PvP games as well as remote play together. It’s awesome!
I love my Steam Deck. I do a lot of gaming on my regular PC. But I appreciate my Deck when I’m on the go. It’s a great portable gaming device and all the games I’m interested in have worked fine.
What might be beneficial to know in your face, since you have your family and want to be close is the “suspend” feature. In the middle of a PC game, you can simple click the power button to Suspend the game and when you’re done, just turn it back on and you’ll be right where you left it.
100% yes. Have loved mine, and others I know have had similar experiences.
What you’re describing is almost exactly my main use for the Steam Deck. I do some travelling for work and that was my excuse for getting one - and it’s absolutely wonderful for that. What I wasn’t expecting was how much time I would play it on the sofa, so I could spend some time with my wife while she play Sims or watches TV.
Also, opposite works well too when I need some space and can go get the deck and head out side for some gaming with fresh air.
The Deck has become my main pc since months now. When I want to play, it’s just perfect as it has been designed for that (and yes, I do agree with the many comments about playing on the couch or bed).
But when I need to do something non-gaming related I boot from a dedicated SD card with WinasapOS where I have a full and unlocked linux OS on which I can install and run everything I need. I even occasionally run a Windows 10 VM from there when I needed to flash some peripheral’s firmware.
The Steam Deck is a quite decently powerful machine for its price, so why don’t use all its potential?
I love mine. I used it as a remote PC for 2 years on my skoolie bus conversion. If your work is compatible with linux and don’t need a lot of intense specs (or can cloud all the heavy labor), then you’ll be just fine.
How have you been using a device that was released a year and four months ago for two years?
I love mine. It’s my primary (and only) gaming machine. I’ve gotten a lot of use out of it. I play it docked, with a controller, more often than not; but it’s also really nice to bring on a trip for downtime at a hotel, playing outside on the patio, etc. Would be great for sitting on the couch with family. I play it in bed sometimes, too, but it’s a bit too heavy for that for a lot of people. I just let it rest on a pillow, or even on its case, when I’m playing in bed.
Overall it was a great purchase. Very pleased with it.
Yes. I use mine on my living room couch about 90% of the time it’s ever used. It owns.
Pretty much this. Got one for my girlfriend, and I’ve ended up playing games a lot on the couch next to her instead.
Also, strangely I’ve found it easier to play certain games this way - it feels like less of a commitment when you just power on the deck with the TV on in the background. As opposed to like, sitting down and being like ‘I’m going to play this game.’
I tell everyone I have played tons of games I’d never have played otherwise. Mostly more indie stuff, less graphically demanding. The best examples are Tunic and Symphony Of War. Neither game interested me at all on desktop but on deck they seemed and we’re perfect. Enjoyed them both immensely.
I think its worth because its more than just games. A full linux desktop with an unlocked bootloader. You actually own the device unlike a switch.
i love my steam deck. i havea similar same issue where i now work from home and dont want to spend any more time at my desk than i have to. The controls are fantastic, it also is the most comfortable grip ive ever experienced on any hand held or controller. The only down side is that it’s not the greatest for strategy games like civ that really lend themselves to keyboard and mouse. shooters, action/adventure games, and rpgs. it runs emulators really well also.
