The Steam Deck. Is it still worth it in 2025?

[@GrenadeCeption]

I was working on this video all over the past couple days. I really hope you enjoy the video and appreciate the effort that I put into this. Thanks for being here with me!

[@mrcoolawesomemanguy]

I fully watched the first video before I bought my Steam Deck LCD, and I will watch this full video even though I have mine now

[@GrenadeCeption]

Thank you for your support! I hope you enjoyed the first one and go on to enjoy this one. I also hope your Deck is everything you wanted it to be!

[@mrcoolawesomemanguy]

@@GrenadeCeption its everything i wanted and more! im actually watching this on it and typed this comment on it lol

[@GrenadeCeption]

@mrcoolawesomemanguy That's great! I'm thoroughly glad you enjoy it. Being able to watch and type on it really does show how amazingly versatile it is as well. Things like that can truly make something like this worth it

[@destroyaX]

Phenomenal video!!! Informative, funny, and just damn good!

[@KM-hk8tc]

Just got a deck this morning so hope it’s still “worth it”

[@KM-hk8tc]

Subbed by the way. Looking forward to more deck videos and game reviews and tips from you! Should my first game be RDR2 or Elden Ring?

[@GrenadeCeption]

Thanks for the sub! Your support is honestly really appreciated. Either game is a good start, but I found that playing a game on the scale of Red Dead 2 on a handheld was such a novel experience that made the Deck feel otherworldly to me personally

[@The345joseph]

Rog ally x keeps black screening even during light gaming so imma get a deck aswell I use a stand and external controller then the ally x was working fine? But what's the point of a handheld I can't use with the built in buttons controls due to hardware issues with 😢😢

[@osmandahman9162]

this Video was amazing, i let the video play at my second monitor and at some points I just had to stop gaming and focus on the Video. Very funny, informatif and at some points I felt bad for you. I realy hope you get more viewers and subscribers, you have so much potential.

[@GrenadeCeption]

Thank you so much! Comments like this are one of the reasons why I enjoy doing these videos, so I thoroughly appreciate your support.

[@crowclaw]

I got the Steam Deck because of the repairability. Still haven't forgotten about the ASUS scandal over the SD card slot of the original Ally. And the bad customer service experience where they tried to push huge fees. I'm not much of a tinkerer, but the ifixit parts for the Steam Deck give me confidence that I can do it myself.

[@GrenadeCeption]

That whole repairability was one of the biggest selling points of the Steam Deck. I absolutely love that you can just change certain parts at a fraction of the cost it would take to replace the whole device. The fact they also have tutorials on their website to help you along the process is absolutely fantastic and a very underappreciated aspect of it

[@MancSoulja]

The Ally has VRR but it only works on 120Hz mode. Running it at 60Hz literally removes some of the screen's best features.

[@GrenadeCeption]

I completely forgot about VRR. I tend to just not use it. While definitely a decent addition that works great, I honestly just don't see a use for it. If you like it and use it regularly, then great! I'd honestly just prefer the 60hz and then lower the tdp limit more. Battery life is probably my biggest selling point for these and so maximising it is better for me

[@proggz39]

Of course it is. The Steam Deck will last as long as you want it to. And a second one isn’t coming out for a long time

[@GrenadeCeption]

Well said! Even though there is superior hardware out there, the Deck is more than serviceable for the things it excels at and will remain so with time to come. Especially with changes and updates to the upscaling software

[@blackstarbucks]

Youre missing the point of the 90hz screen... It is very good for half frame rates like games that play between 40-50. You can keep your deck at 90hz and it will be a smoother experience vs the 60hz screen as you will miss frames here and there. This might not be noticable to some but i can definitely say the 90hz is a god send for triple a gaming like cyberpunk which ends up feeling really smooth regardless of being at 40-45fps

[@sdoman7215]

Ive refused to use windows for the past few years since its just too slow for my undiagnosed (thanks NHS) hyper brain. After I understood the differences between windows and linux, I much prefer the way linux handles packages/apps, how its filesystem is laid out, being able to “talk” to it through TUI programs rather than just clicking stuff, customisability, and the GNU mentality towards software. This is the main reason I wouldnt get a different handheld, I want to get it from valve directly as a thank you for making linux so much more popular, and better for gaming! I am aware they sell them at a loss but Im sure the amount of units sold is more important. I enjoyed your video a lot, thank you for sharing your experience with these handhelds.

[@GrenadeCeption]

As someone who is also neurodivergent, the whole sluggish windows experience on devices like these is a very annoying thing, and that makes things like SteamOS and Bazzite a very attractive option. I love the way it feels. Also, considering the fact that I was a console gamer up until 2018/2019, I found that software very easy to get used to and use. The customisability of it as well is a HUGE plus as it allows me to really make the device as usable as possible, which for someone like me, is an incredibly important aspect

[@kindpanda1075]

You missed the track pads. If somebody's wanting to play RTS games the steam deck would be a much better option most likely unless, the Ally X has track pads I just can't see.

[@GrenadeCeption]

Yes, the track pads were something I completely forgot about also. The Ally X unfortunately does not feature any track pads. RTS games aren't usually on my radar, and so I tend to forget about the trackpads. They are incredibly useful in the right circumstances, though. Definitely a main feature for some

[@dewinter1411]

I love CRPGs so the track pads are an absolute necessity. Plus they work very well for shooter games for precision accuracy (or the gyro!)

[@kindpanda1075]

@@dewinter1411 The main reason I love my steam deck is the controls. It is the only way to get a Steam Controller 2 atm, you have to buy the rest of it as well. lol.

[@TomWoodhouse-gz1vg]

Why does that new Ally already look like its been dropped at least 3 times? Do you not use cases or screen protectors?

[@GrenadeCeption]

It already had a screen protector on it that has cracked. It seems to still be okay, and the crack is definitely more noticeable on camera. Cases, however, are a little more difficult. Because the device is newer, there aren't as many good cases available yet that don't cost an arm and a leg. I was thinking of getting the dbrand killswitch, but it certainly isn't cheap.

[@Nsfwstar]

Watching this while playing on my msi Claw that I got on sale lol

[@GrenadeCeption]

The MSI Claw is still a brilliant device and definitely has a place in the market. I hope you enjoy using it!

[@spicytuna5227]

Its not if next year is coming new 1⃣

[@GrenadeCeption]

While I could be wrong, I doubt that 2025 will be the year for the Steam Deck 2. The hardware, while lacking when compared to others, is still very capable, and with advancements in upscaling, the Deck will be able to keep up for a little while yet

[@spicytuna5227]

@ Damn. Wasn't hoping for that answer lol. I'm hoping you are wrong but after January if there's still no news might bite the bullet and get the oled

[@GrenadeCeption]

Well, the OLED will still be a very good shout and will last a while. I hope that you're happy with whatever you get regardless of what device it is! They'll all do mostly everything with no problems

[@hvdiv17]

yes unless xboxs handheld is cheaper when they announce it.

[@GrenadeCeption]

If Xbox releases a handheld, it will be a decent handheld indeed. The only downside is that you have to be in that whole ecosystem in order to fully make use of it. The PC handheld market allows for the entire PC library and the possibility of emulation. The fact that Xbox Game Pass can still be accessed via cloud gaming or even on the Windows handhelds means that it unfortunately might not be a major hit when compared to the other devices on the market

[@JoshuaPeck-j8m]

It's still the best

[@thatzaliasguy]

I think it's time for new gloves. Your hands are so fat they're busting through the seams.

[@GrenadeCeption]

Haha, genuinely, though, you're probably right. Might see if I can invest in some disposable ones. Definitely more comfortable over long periods of time

[@Krunked]

that rog is crap dude.

[@GrenadeCeption]

While I respect your opinion, I find it to be a brilliant device. Even though I broke it, I managed to fix it, and it works absolutely fine now. The power of that device is absolutely amazing, and it works perfectly for my use case

[@edwardlashley3572]

I have a stack of tech on the bottom of which is a steam deck that I haven’t turned on for weeks. It’s a decent option for streaming purposes but that’s about all imma say. Ppl allow themselves to be stuck with this b/c they don’t understand windows or likely any type of computer operating system, really, but valve created a front end that does all the work for the lazy & the uninitiated & that’s basically what it is. ppl are paying for the front end. The tech is super antiquated & very limited & it’s like knee capping yourself. The irony is you have to hack a steam deck through Linux (not steamos) to enable the features that are missing. But these are complicated processes for people who abandoned windows b/c windows was too complicated for them. lool.

[@funisanartform]

Said all that when the Rog Ally X costs £799 ($1K) & the Steam Deck costs £479 ($600) over here. I can make up that price difference with big games I've never played: Witcher, RDR2, Cyberpunk, Mass Effect, Nier, both of PS5's Spiderman, Jedi: Fallen Order, Elden Ring, the Resident Evil remake trilogy and more. It's a very easy choice.

[@GrenadeCeption]

Maybe so. But the Steam Deck is still a serious contender. There is a reason why major tech companies started throwing their hat in the ring after the Deck was released. It was and still is a fantastic device. As I say in the video, it's less powerful than the competition that is on offer, but its never all just about the hardware and power. The price, repairability, and other aspects, like the fact that it makes Linux a much more popular operating system, can still make this device an absolutely fantastic option for those looking for a way into this industry at a cheaper price. There's a reason why they're still popular among the competition

[@justarock9553]

No, it's because Windows is a bloated OS lmao.

[@GrenadeCeption]

@justarock9553 This is definitely a huge thing as well. The amount of bloatware that companies add to windows really just makes windows chug a lot more. It really makes everything feel a lot slower and janky in comparison to SteamOS

[@dewinter1411]

I’d say many people choose the deck because they in fact DO understand Windows and don’t want anything to do with it.