Steam Deck
7 comparisons available
About Steam Deck
Steam Deck is a handheld gaming PC developed by Valve Corporation, released in February 2022. Unlike traditional gaming handhelds, the Steam Deck runs a full PC operating system (SteamOS, based on Arch Linux) and plays PC games from Steam's library — giving players access to over 10,000 verified and playable titles. The original Steam Deck shipped with LCD screen variants (64GB, 256GB, 512GB). In November 2023, Valve released the Steam Deck OLED with a significantly improved OLED display, longer battery life (3–12 hours depending on game), and faster WiFi 6E. The base OLED model starts at $549. The Steam Deck's 7-inch touchscreen, dual trackpads, thumbsticks, and full button layout make it a versatile controller for any genre. Proton compatibility (Valve's Windows game translation layer) allows the vast majority of Windows-only PC games to run on Linux. Remote Play lets players stream games from a home gaming PC. The Steam Deck competes with Nintendo Switch in portability but targets a different audience: PC gamers who want to take their existing Steam library portable rather than buy new platform exclusives. Desktop Mode gives power users a full KDE Plasma desktop for non-gaming tasks, web browsing, and installing third-party software.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you play Windows games on Steam Deck?
Yes, through Valve's Proton compatibility layer most Windows PC games run on the Steam Deck's Linux-based SteamOS. Steam Deck Verified games are tested and confirmed to work well; Playable games work with minor issues.
Is the Steam Deck OLED worth the upgrade from the original?
For new buyers, yes — the OLED model has a dramatically better display, longer battery life, and faster WiFi. Existing LCD owners should consider the difference: OLED display quality alone is a major improvement for extended play sessions.
Can I install other games (non-Steam) on Steam Deck?
Yes. In Desktop Mode you can install Heroic Games Launcher for Epic and GOG libraries, or add any Windows/Linux application. The Steam Deck is an open platform with no restrictions from Valve.
Top Alternatives to Steam Deck
Nintendo Switch
Better exclusive games, more portable design, larger game-sharing ecosystem
PlayStation 5
Console gaming with Sony exclusives — not portable but much more powerful
ASUS ROG Ally
Windows 11 handheld with faster AMD chip and better compatibility
Lenovo Legion Go
Larger 8.8" screen and detachable controllers for a console feel
Xbox Series X
GamePass value with cloud streaming to any device
Razer Edge
Android-based gaming handheld focused on cloud streaming services