The Steam deck remains particularly popular, partly due to the stranglehold that Valve’s Steam has on the PC gaming market, but also partly because it (arguably) popularized the modern version of the handheld console. It’s not the smallest, it’s not the most powerful, but it’s pretty darn attractive. More than two years after Deck’s original release, we now know the full extent of the console’s capabilities. After you get to know your deck inside and out, it could easily become your favorite piece of gaming equipment, bar none. I know it turned out that way for me.
The deck runs a Linux distribution that focuses on Steam in particular, so it’s a little harder to get a few other gaming clients like the Epic Games Store. If you’re looking for other Windows-based gaming handhelds, there’s the still popular one ROG Ally or the superficial but still functional Lenovo Legion Go. However, to be honest, until Microsoft finally releases a slimmed down version Since it’s an operating system for this form factor, it might be better to stick with the still-flawed SteamOS.
But you don’t have to feel tied to Steam with your deck. While we have created guides for consoles like this PlayStation 5, Xbox Series XAnd Nintendo Switch, the Steam Deck is effectively a Linux-based PC running a special user interface called SteamOS. If you can get it to work on a PC, you can also get it to work on a Steam Deck. Well, that also requires some effort. Your average user is more used to simply downloading the Netflix app to access their shows, but not having to download a separate app to access the cloud via what’s supposed to be just a device to play your Steam library -access services.
But this open ecosystem has allowed the Steam Deck, and by extension its other handheld console contemporaries, to become one of the best platforms for gaming emulation, streaming from your PC or even another console. With two years under its belt and a refresh thanks to the Steam Deck OLED, we’ve now seen a lot more of what the deck is capable of, and it’ll only get better with time.
Many of the more complicated applications on the Steam Deck require you to access desktop mode. It is actually quite simple. Press the Steam button on the Steam Deck and go down Perfomance, then choose Desktop mode. This will take you to a desktop that will look familiar to anyone who has used a version of Linux before. However, if you have experience with Windows, unzipping shouldn’t be too difficult. The Steam Deck uses KDE Plasma, an open source Linux distribution, and it’s pretty easy to get up to speed with. So if you are a complete newbie to this type of environment, don’t worry. We’re here to get the most out of your deck, and soon you’ll be running emulators and non-Steam content with the other “hardcore” users.