Thomas EscrittWho’s got a #SteamDeck ? Is it really a substitute for a gaming PC? Seems almost too good to be true
This has been an amazingly helpful thread, everyone - thanks very much. If I do go ahead, how much does it matter which variant of the #SteamDeck I go for? How much is the basic version going to cramp my "style"?
So I went ahead and got a #steamdeck and am almost as impressed as this #cat here in the unusual and beautiful #Stray
Ben Wilson@thomasescritt
64GB will be extremely restrictive for modern games, for example, Red Dead Redemption 2 is over 100GB.
you can expand the storage with affordable microSD cards (Samsung EVO Select 256GB is less than $40) but I highly recommend the mid-tier 256GB Steam Deck instead.
even SteamOS files such as the Proton updates take up a reasonable amount of space, so unless you’re planning to exclusively play smaller games, the entry-level model will fill up fast!
64GB will be extremely restrictive for modern games, for example, Red Dead Redemption 2 is over 100GB.
you can expand the storage with affordable microSD cards (Samsung EVO Select 256GB is less than $40) but I highly recommend the mid-tier 256GB Steam Deck instead.
even SteamOS files such as the Proton updates take up a reasonable amount of space, so unless you’re planning to exclusively play smaller games, the entry-level model will fill up fast!
Grort@thomasescritt not a full replacement, byt can work in a pinch. Definitely good for xbox 360 gen, and most last gen games work great on it (Monster Hunter World, Sekiro, etc), and even newer stuff like Elden Ring works well enough (though not as nice looking). It's a bit lower spec, so expect 720p resolution, and check Proton.db to know how games run, it's a community made resource for how to get games working on Steams proton system. If you have specific questions, ask me, I'll try to help.
@Grort sounds extraordinary, am really tempted. Especially that you can hook it up to a monitor too, and compared to the price of a gaming laptop…!
@thomasescritt just be prepped for playing in lower resolution or lower frame rates (or both) for the newer or more demanding titles when using a monitor or telly. The resolution gets away with being lower handheld much more than on a big screen, but that's mostly noticeable with big new titles like Elden Ring. Battery life will also be lower for demanding titles. Older stuff does better. Do check proton.db for your key titles though, since coverage is spotty.
I like mine well enough, though.
Elden Ring, for instance, you get lower resolution, and the frame rate can dip a bit at times. Not as bad when running handheld, but can be jarring on a bigger screen. Though you have a side menu (button with the '•••' on it) on the deck where you can tell it to smooth things out a bit (scaling filter) which helps, but only so much you can do.
Bit of fiddling often necessary with in-game and Steam menu's, but you can get it working. Download others control presets for PC games.
extarv@thomasescritt
I was eager to buy a new gaming PC, but bought the Deck instead. For me it's more than I've ever hoped for, but I get that some people might want/need something different. Which aspects are you interested in?
I was eager to buy a new gaming PC, but bought the Deck instead. For me it's more than I've ever hoped for, but I get that some people might want/need something different. Which aspects are you interested in?
pieceofthepie 
@thomasescritt Not a replacement. A supplement.
It's absolutely perfect for out and about i.e. your commute or a holiday. It's fantastic for sitting on the sofa and grabbing a few minutes (the quick on/off suspend is just brilliant) between things like walking the dog and dinner.
But if you want AAA graphics on a 1080p+ screen at 60+ fps the desktop still has it.
delcake@thomasescritt Could be a full replacement for a more casual gamer, I'd say. But I think it really shines as a supplement to a full gaming PC setup.
In-home streaming to the Deck from your PC is quite viable, and is a good way to get the best of both worlds. This also lets you sidestep needing to worry about storage requirements on the device, letting you focus on keeping more on-the-go or latency-sensitive games installed directly.
I can say I was able to use the Deck as a travel PC easily.
@delcake @thomasescritt
Definitely one of the pluses is to use it as a microPC while traveling. Able to use like a handheld while on a train, plane, or bus but can be made into a more normal set up for other work when at a hotel or whatnot with a bluetooth keyboard.
Definitely lighter than bringing a gaming laptop, anyway.
Blake Leonard@thomasescritt
I don't have a real gaming PC so I use the Deck as my main gaming device. It's absolutely killer. Heavy games like Beam.NG and Cities Skylines don't run too well on them, but Halo Infinite, which doesn't run on my computer at all (and it's a pretty good mid range laptop), runs perfectly on the Deck.
I don't have a real gaming PC so I use the Deck as my main gaming device. It's absolutely killer. Heavy games like Beam.NG and Cities Skylines don't run too well on them, but Halo Infinite, which doesn't run on my computer at all (and it's a pretty good mid range laptop), runs perfectly on the Deck.
@thomasescritt It has been fully replacing mine, but I'm keeping most games at 720p. Some can run at 1080p while docked, but to be honest, I almost always use it undocked.
hardyharrSTFU@thomasescritt Santa is bringing me an official dock and a kvm switch and I’m going to see how long I can leave my desktop off in 2023. It really just depends what you play. I play Vampire Survivors and red dead redemption 2 right now. My desktop is an overpowered YouTube and discord machine 90% of the time. I can play/do all of those things on my steam deck just fine.
jamiepence@thomasescritt AMAZING handheld... You'll LOVE it.
@thomasescritt I haven't played a single game on my gaming laptop since I got my deck back in May. If you are okay with not maxing out the graphics, you'll be okay.
Halstead York@thomasescritt I have one and I love it. While it's not really a substitute for a current gaming rig with a solid GPU, it can handle the vast majority modern indie and AAA games at 720p. It's definitely changed the way I game, and I wouldn't want to give it up.