Valve's new handheld Steam Deck has seen impressive reviews, the hardware isn't without its issues.
As far as handheld consoles go, Steam Deck is shaping up to be one of, if not the most, powerful. The open-source device sports a design similar to handhelds like the Nintendo Switch, with a large screen taking up most of its face, and two controller-like control pads on either side of it. Unlike the Nintendo Switch, however, the Steam Deck is packed with hardware that can compete with certain PC builds; the console comes with a respectable 16GB of memory and can run several games at 60FPS and 4K (provided the connects the device to a 4K-enabled monitor). The higher-priced model also boasts an SSD. All forms of the device offer modern features like a touchscreen and haptic . The compact design and relatively powerful tech make the Steam Deck perfect for emulation, as well as for use as a portable Linux computer.
Steam Deck is also compatible with Windows, but it might not be the ideal way for gamers to configure their own models. According to YouTube channel Linus Tech Tips (via Game Rant), running Windows on a Steam Deck, while offering some unique features, can have major adverse effects on how games perform. Linus tests both Doom Eternal and Elden Ring on a Windows-enabled Steam Deck, and the framerate appears to take a major hit. Input lag is another concern raised in this tech analysis, along with other instances of poor optimization or glitchiness, with Elden Ring, in particular, suffering from a number of UI and visual bugs.
Unlike the now-resolved issue of joystick drift on Steam Deck machines, this is a problem that will likely affect significantly fewer people. Most consumers are planning to use the Steam Deck as a gaming device rather than a handheld PC, and the onboard Linux OS, while reportedly having issues of its own, is a much better alternative to running Windows. In other words, s have to go out of their way to install the worse-running Windows OS, while SteamOS is ready to run straight out of the box.
That's not to say that Windows performance on Steam Deck won't be improved down the road, though. Valve already stepped in to remedy the aforementioned Steam Deck drift problem, so the company does appear to be listening to consumer . However, it's unlikely that fixing the poor performance caused by Windows is a top priority.
Source: Linus Tech Tips/YouTube (via Game Rant)