Is The Steam Deck Already Obsolete?
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Sign up for Hetzner and deploy a cloud server in seconds at: techquickie.hetzner.com Can the Steam Deck's hardware stand the test of time, or will it be outdated in the near future? Leave a reply with your requests for future episodes. ► GET MERCH: lttstore.com ► AFFILIATES, SPONSORS & REFERRALS: lmg.gg ► PODCAST GEAR: lmg.gg ► SUPPORT US ON FLOATPLANE: floatplane.com FOLLOW US ELSEWHERE --------------------------------------------------- Twitter: twitter.com Facebook: @LinusTech Instagram: @linustech TikTok: @linustech Twitch: twitch.tv
The Steam Deck is presented as a highly successful handheld that doubles as a compact PC, running Steam OS rather than Windows and occupying a middle ground between a dedicated console and a portable desktop experience. The video emphasizes that PC hardware ages more quickly in gamers' minds than consoles, which typically have a five-year lifecycle, while PC components are often upgraded every couple of years. Because the Deck is essentially a PC at heart, its performance can vary widely depending on hardware and software configurations, so there are no guarantees that new titles will run smoothly years down the line. Despite this, the device includes several longevity strategies such as a capable AMD RDNA2 GPU with features like FidelityFX Super Resolution and, when dual-booted with Windows, potential ray tracing support. The Deck also offers expandable NVMe storage and ships with 16 GB of RAM, which helps it handle a broad library of titles available on Steam, many of which remain popular even if they are less demanding graphically. Valve’s approach mirrors the Switch in aiming for a specific gaming experience rather than chasing the highest-end graphics, and the video argues that the Steam Deck’s value persists because of its portability and the large Steam library, not because it can beat desktop PCs on raw horsepower. The presenter concludes that while the Deck will eventually become outdated, it is unlikely to die quickly thanks to ongoing Proton compatibility improvements and anticipated future Deck revisions, which should keep it relevant for a broader audience over time.
Topics · hardware · gaming · handheld · pc-gaming · emulation · technology-trends
Questions answered
- Will the Steam Deck remain relevant as PC hardware evolves, and what factors contribute to its longevity?
- Yes, the Steam Deck is positioned for longevity due to Proton compatibility improving SteamOS, a strong Steam library, and hardware features like RDNA2, upscaling with FidelityFX, and expandable storage. These factors help it continue to play many titles well even as new hardware arrives.
- What are the main limits of the Steam Deck compared to traditional consoles or gaming laptops?
- Its power is mid-range compared to gaming laptops, and its 7 inch 1280x800 display and embedded PC architecture mean it cannot match desktop performance. However, it prioritizes portability and a large existing library over peak graphics capability.