The Steam Deck has quickly become the defining handheld gaming PC, much like the iPad is for tablets. It’s the first device most people think of in this category. I noticed this even when using other popular options like the ASUS ROG Ally X – people would often ask if it was simply a new version of the Steam Deck.
I got mine in April 2022, just a couple of months after it first became available. It’s the only product, tech-related or otherwise, that I’ve ever pre-ordered as soon as I could – I was really excited! I’d spent the previous two years learning about Linux and how to get games working on it, so I had high expectations.
When the Steam Deck first came out, reviews were generally very good, including ours. The fact that it didn’t run Windows 11 wasn’t a big deal at the time, and it’s even less of a concern now. However, with three years of advancements and more handheld gaming devices available, the question is: does the Steam Deck still offer good value in 2025?
As a researcher, I definitely believe it still holds value. I’d happily suggest someone purchase it, even with strong competitors like the Xbox Ally, the Lenovo Legion Go S running SteamOS, and the newer, more powerful Windows-based Legion Go 2 now available. That said, the handheld gaming market is a lot more crowded and nuanced than when the Steam Deck first came out.
How has the Steam Deck hardware held up since 2022?
I’ve had my Steam Deck since the middle of 2022, and I feel confident sharing how well it’s lasted. Simply put, it’s held up remarkably well and continues to perform great. Of course, some people have experienced problems with their devices, but mine has been consistently reliable.
I’ve had my Steam Deck for a couple of years, mostly protected by a $60 dbrand Killswitch case, but I haven’t babied it at all. It’s been thrown in bags, handled by kids (which is a good test of how tough it is), and it still looks almost new. The only thing I’ve added is a dbrand skin on the front.
I’m currently getting about 3 to 4 hours of playtime with the games I usually play on my Steam Deck.
I tried out the JSAUX transparent case for my Steam Deck, but ultimately switched back to the original. The replacement rear buttons just didn’t feel right to me, and surprisingly, the built-in heatsink actually got quite hot to the touch. Because of that, I decided to go back to using the stock parts.
My older LCD Steam Deck still looks great, and the battery, though aged, is surprisingly decent. I’m currently getting about 3 to 4 hours of playtime with the games I usually play, which is much better than what you’d get from demanding, high-end games.
How has SteamOS held up?
Let’s address the biggest question right away: the Steam Deck doesn’t use Windows 11. It runs SteamOS, which is built on Linux. You might be wondering, “If games are made for Windows, how well can it actually work?”
That’s not quite right. Valve has invested a lot of effort into Proton, the compatibility tool that lets you play Windows games on Linux, both before and after releasing the Steam Deck. Usually, the biggest problem isn’t the software, but the hardware itself. However, there are still some games that don’t work, like the latest Call of Duty, Fortnite, EA’s online games, and Destiny 2.
As an analyst, I’ve been following the developments in cloud gaming, and it’s become increasingly viable on the Steam Deck. NVIDIA now offers a dedicated GeForce Now app, making it seamless to use their service. Plus, Xbox Cloud Gaming is accessible through standard web browsers on the Deck, and Microsoft even provides official setup instructions, which is a great sign of support for the platform.
These games aren’t missing because of technical limitations; the problem is that the anti-cheat software isn’t functioning correctly. It’s frustrating because some anti-cheat systems, like the one used in Destiny 2, actually *can* work on Linux – but game developers need to turn that support on. Unfortunately, other anti-cheat programs, including Ricochet (Activision), Vanguard (Riot), and Javelin (EA), don’t work with Linux at all.
Currently, these kernel-level anti-cheat solutions are only compatible with Windows 11.
Can you play as many games as people claim?
Proton technology allows around 90% of games on Steam to run on the Steam Deck, provided your device has the necessary power. Similar to how graphics card drivers are updated for new games, Proton receives updates to improve compatibility. This means Valve handles the technical work, so game developers don’t have to.
As the gaming market has grown, more developers have focused on making their games run smoothly on handheld devices by adjusting the settings. For instance, demanding, high-quality games like Cyberpunk 2077, Spider-Man 2, and Forza Horizon 5 – all games I own – are surprisingly playable on the Steam Deck.
Many people, including myself, have discovered that aiming for 40 frames per second (FPS) offers the best combination of smooth gameplay and long battery life on the Steam Deck.
While you might need to adjust some visual settings or the frame rate, 30 frames per second looks good on a handheld device. Many players, including myself, have found that aiming for 40 FPS on the Steam Deck offers the best combination of smooth gameplay and long battery life. If you set the screen’s refresh rate to 40Hz, you should have a great experience.
While Steam is the main platform, the Steam Deck isn’t limited to just Steam games. The Linux community has created easy-to-use tools like Heroic Games Launcher and Junk-Store, allowing you to play games from other stores like Epic Games, GOG Galaxy, and Amazon Games.
I’ve been testing things out with some games from my collection, even a few older ones that don’t need a super powerful system. I’ve been running them all at 1280×800 resolution to see how they perform.
| Game | Settings | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | Medium | 46 FPS (average) |
| Spider-Man: Miles Morales | Medium, FSR 3 FrameGen, Vsync on | 60 FPS |
| Control Ultimate Edition | Low | 45-50 FPS |
| Dead Island Definitive Edition | Medium | 65-75 FPS |
As a gamer, I’m so grateful for ProtonDB! It’s a fantastic community-run database that really helps me figure out how well my games will run on Linux. Plus, people share awesome tips to get everything optimized, which is a lifesaver.
Even the best hardware and software aren’t useful if games don’t run smoothly. As the Steam Deck approaches its fourth anniversary in February 2026, it’s becoming clear that its performance is no longer keeping pace with other handheld gaming devices.
Repairable, upgradeable, and customizable
I’ve been lucky enough to not have needed any repairs on my Steam Deck after over three years of use – a big difference from my ROG Ally, which stopped working after just two months. Still, the Steam Deck is designed to be easily fixed and personalized. The battery and storage drive are simple to reach, so anyone with basic tools and a little time can replace them if necessary.
You can personalize your Steam Deck in many ways thanks to a thriving market of accessories and modifications. From simple skins to complete shell replacements, improved screens, better joysticks, and custom buttons, there’s a huge range of options available to make it uniquely yours.
Modifying your Steam Deck is always done at your own risk – my colleague Jennifer Young has a cautionary tale about trying to replace the device’s shell, though others have reported positive experiences with Valve’s support. However, if you proceed carefully, you can customize your Steam Deck to your liking.
The same goes for the software. While Windows 11 lets you customize things, it takes some effort, but SteamOS is much easier to personalize. With Decky Loader, a plugin tool and store created by the community, you can completely change the look and add new features to your Steam Deck with ease.
Yes, you can install Windows 11 on a Steam Deck instead of SteamOS if you really want to.
I’ve really customized my Steam Deck! I’ve changed the interface, picked my own colors and fonts, added custom artwork, and even installed a plugin to make it work better with my VR headset. I also found a great plugin that shows compatibility ratings for games right on the screen. Plus, if you prefer, you can even install Windows 11 instead of the SteamOS operating system – it’s a fully functional PC, and Valve has made sure either OS will run well.
Should you still buy it?
Whether you choose the original Steam Deck LCD or the newer OLED model, it remains a great handheld gaming PC. It’s a bit bigger and heavier than some competitors, but the combination of its price, software, and performance still makes it a top pick. I personally use mine all the time, and it’s helped me finally get around to playing games I’d been putting off for ages.
Things have really shifted since the first Steam Deck reviews came out, and a lot of that is thanks to Valve! Now, you can actually install the official SteamOS on other handheld gaming PCs like the ROG Ally, the Lenovo Legion Go, and even the upcoming Xbox Ally if you want. It’s a huge change and opens things up for everyone.
SteamOS is simply a more user-friendly operating system for handheld gaming devices than Windows 11, despite recent Windows improvements like the new full-screen mode.
Things get a little trickier here. I happily recommend the Steam Deck, but if you’re looking for even better performance with a similar experience, you can now get it without needing to use custom Linux systems like Bazzite.
Honestly, the Steam Deck’s software is what really makes it shine, even with some games still having trouble due to anti-cheat systems. I just find SteamOS so much easier to use on a handheld device than Windows 11. And even with Microsoft trying to improve things with things like the new full-screen mode in the Xbox app, SteamOS still feels smoother and more natural for gaming on the go.
✅You should buy it if …
- You want a ‘console-like’ approach to PC gaming
- You’re realistic with graphical performance expectations
❌You should not buy it if …
- You play anti-cheat-protected multiplayer titles
- You’re a regular user of PC Game Pass
The Steam Deck is designed to feel and function like a traditional handheld gaming console. Unlike Windows 11, you generally don’t need to access a more complex desktop interface unless you’re doing something specific, like installing extra software. For now, I still prefer SteamOS – whether it’s on the official Steam Deck or installed on another handheld device – because it offers a smoother, console-like experience.
We’ve seen from users testing it on their Xbox Ally that SteamOS actually improves performance – it’s much more efficient than Windows 11. If you’re interested in a Steam Deck, it’s still a fantastic handheld gaming PC. However, if you’d prefer a more powerful device, consider a handheld with an AMD Z1 Extreme processor (or better) and install SteamOS on it.
I’d still hesitate to recommend a Steam Deck to people who rely heavily on Xbox Game Pass or Microsoft’s Play Anywhere games. These games aren’t available on SteamOS, so you won’t be able to play them. The same goes for games like a potential Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 if you prefer playing on a handheld device.
For everyone else, the Steam Deck is still here. And it is still glorious.
Read More
- One of Razer’s top gaming headsets — now over 40% off on Amazon
- BTC PREDICTION. BTC cryptocurrency
- Square Enix Invests in Nuuvem to Launch spawnd, a New Browser-Native Game Discovery Platform
- I’ve Been Rewatching The Twilight Movies (Again), And Bella Should Have Become A Vampire Way Sooner
- Gold Rate Forecast
- Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Is Taking Over the World & Anime Is Getting Harder to Deny
- Resident Evil Requiem Won’t Receive New Details in Capcom’s TGS 2025 Special Program
- Kelly Osbourne Shared Last Video With Ozzy Osbourne Days Before Death
- Every Original Avenger, Ranked By Their MCU Costumes (#2 Is Actually the Best)
- 10 Children of DC Superheroes
2025-11-11 21:12