Key Takeaways
- Nintendo Switch exclusives are more exciting than my Steam library.
- My gaming laptop outweighs Steam Deck for portability, power, and multitasking functions.
- There’s just not room in my travel bag for another gaming device.
I recently noticed Valve is discounting the Steam Deck, with the 64GB model listed for less than $300. And while the Steam Deck is undoubtedly an incredible piece of hardware (especially at this new low price), I don’t think it’s a smart addition to my gaming catalog.
Here’s why I’ll probably never buy a Steam Deck, even though it’s one of the coolest gaming gadgets of our time.
I Still Prefer My Nintendo Switch
My Steam library is filled with hundreds of games and having them available in a handheld format is mighty enticing. However, I still think my old Nintendo Switch is a better fit for my lifestyle. Not only is it slimmer and easier to fit into a backpack or suitcase when I travel, but it also gives me access to exclusive games like Super Mario Bros. Wonder, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and Splatoon 3.
None of these titles can be found on Steam and they work incredibly well in handheld mode. I also love to play retro games on my Switch, a process that’s made easy thanks to Nintendo Switch Online.
I tend to travel light when I hit the road, and buying a Steam Deck would mean I’d need to leave my Switch at home to clear out space for the handheld PC. In fact, the Steam Deck is much bulkier than the Switch, so I might need to leave a few other devices at home to comfortably wedge it into my laptop bag.
No matter how much power the Steam Deck brings to the table, the compact size and exclusive games offered by Nintendo make it hard to ditch my Switch.
My Gaming Laptop Is More Powerful
The Steam Deck is leagues ahead of the Switch when it comes to processing power. Compared to my gaming laptop, however, it falls short. Equipped with the latest GPU, a high-end CPU, and an embarrassing amount of RAM, it plays just about anything I can throw at it. My laptop travels with me everywhere, as does an Xbox controller and HDMI cable.
This means I’ve already got access to my Steam library in a portable format, along with a PC that lets me easily stream Netflix, reply to work emails, or scroll through social media. Simply put, the benefits of a gaming laptop outweigh the benefits of a Steam Deck.
My laptop may not offer the compact form factor of the Steam Deck that makes it so appealing to play while on the road, but I’m not interested in playing games on a plane or while zipping through the city on public transit. If I do dive into games while away from home, it’s typically from the comfort of a hotel, making the handheld form factor less appealing.
Handheld Gaming Isn’t My Favorite Way to Play
Speaking of handheld gaming, it’s simply not my favorite way to play. I’d much prefer to have my games on a massive 4K display with a lightweight, ergonomic controller in my hands. If I’m at home, I have a dedicated gaming setup that makes for a much more immersive experience than anything you’ll find on a 7-inch LCD display. If I’m on the road, I can usually connect my laptop to a TV and treat it like a traditional console.
Handheld gaming is great if you have to share a TV with several other family members or roommates, as it gives you the flexibility to keep gaming even if you’re kicked off the big screen. But since my gaming laptop is docked in my home office, I have a reserved space for PC gaming whenever I want. In the rare instances where both my home office and game room are occupied, I can simply bide my time with my Switch.
The Steam Deck is one of the coolest gaming gadgets in recent memory. For anyone interested in handheld gaming, it’s the best option on the market. But for someone like me who always travels with a gaming laptop and a Nintendo Switch, it’s hard to justify dropping $300+ on a device I’d only use a handful of times.
