Steam Deck

As an example, I recently took my SteamDeck on a trip. I played it on both flights, played it when I had some downtime at the hotel, and using a Bluetooth keyboard I got some minor work done using Desktop mode.

Because of this I didn't need to bring a whole laptop with me, saving me space. It lasted longer than my laptop would've playing games, especially when using the external battery pack I have, and it's way more comfortable to use on tight airline seats with tiny tray tables.

For at home, I just often like to handheld game, on a couch or in bed, rather than being tethered to my Desktop or TV. Because of this I've owned almost every generation of Nintendo handhelds. But as I do often enjoy fancier games than what handhelds got in the past, I owned a few consoles, and then eventually transitioned to PC gaming. Steam Deck finally bridged the gap between those two things, giving me the ability to play my PC games on a handheld, and with better performance and flexibility than a Nintendo Switch. Plus PC games often have great sales, and there's a wider selection of indie titles that the Switch doesn't get.

Travel. Whether it be for: work/leisure, domestic/international, bus/train. I work from home and don't drive. So when I'm traveling via transit, it's Steam Deck time.

Playing subnautica below zero in my tent when it’s too dark to go outside and too hot to sleep :D

My main PC is in the hottest room in my house right now, so it's been really nice being able to game where it's somewhere cooler when it's too hot to exist. There's a good 6 hour chunk of the day that is miserable to be sitting in front of my PC during.

Streaming your games from your gaming pc to your Deck while at home also makes for better graphics and better battery. Massive difference to battery running Elden Ring natively compare to streaming it. Mostly using it for Diablo 4 myself.

Also some games just feel more right on a handheld. Turn based RPGs for example. Platformers like Celeste or Metroidvanias. Stardew Valley. Heck you can even play World of Warcraft without m+kb. There are add-ons to make binding somewhat like in FFXIV. Plus there is not sub just to play online like on other consoles. You bring all games with you. In my opinion everyone thats a PC gamer and can afford a Deck should have a one.

I use it as entertainment when I'm out at the cabin (mostly playing my hungover away), but on top of that I use it a lot to play at work.

My job entails certain tasks I have to do weekly/monthly. When I'm done with them and unless I get random gigs, I might have a lot of free time at work which mainly consists of having to be there, and keeping an eye out for all the automation. Before having the Deck it meant that when it was slower days, I had scoured Internet empty of all memes, cats and videos by the end of the day.

It's amazing for playing from my couch when I'm chilling with the family etc.

Local network game streaming works quite well in my experience. That means I get to use my beefier PC to carry that burden while I play Last of Us part 1 for 5 hours on the deck at 60fps.

I have a hefty gaming computer, and yet for some reason I can't bring myself to play certain types of games on the desktop. Even though I have and love the Steam Controller, there's just something about playing certain games that just feel right on the Steam Deck. Recently I've been trying to beat Yakuza 0. I love being able to pick up and put down without having to worry about the save points.

I was going to say indie-flash style games, but it's not just those that are easier to play.

Oh, and emulation is a dream now. It's awesome.

Mine has become my couch gaming set up for my TV, so pretty much anything compatible with controller support gets played on the couch instead of on my PC. Also use it for playing torrented TV shows & movies on my TV by remote mounting my media drives on my PC.

I've also brought it around for travel a few times now, but I also don't travel all that much either.

Overall I really only would 100% recommend it if you're willing to tinker with the Linux half to really unlock the full potential of having basically a really decent Linux HTPC at your disposal. That said, it's not a requirement and I think it functions super well in the Steam gaming mode on its own.

YSK: the steamdeck is on sale right now for 10 to 20% off depending on the configuration. I just can't find a use case for it for myself. I play a bit of Fortnite on PC and otherwise don't play much at all.

I’m mostly a cloud gaming guy, so a lot of the time I’m streaming from my computer or a TV, but sometimes I want to lay in bed or play on a road trip. It works great as a streaming machine too, but for when I don’t have internet, I fire up the local copies of the games.

I spend a night or two every week in a hotel for work. The Deck has been clutch as a distraction while working out on a stationary bike, or while relaxing in my room and being able to play games without lugging around an entire gaming PC. At home I use it to stream from my PC so I can spend time on the couch with my wife and dogs. I've also used it on planes and car trips with great success.

Honestly there's no game it can't play. Like besides super specific games that can't be emulated yet (Xbox 360 & original Xbox don't work, RIP), I'm yet to encounter something that it can't run. Like even shit that you'd expect to be totally unplayable without a keyboard or just kinda... No problem on deck 🤷‍♂️ the controller bindings or so customizable even Factorio or Apex are as close to PC as a handheld can get. It's wild.

I have a switch to mostly play Pokemon. But for other games, either they're not available on switch or loading times are very long. I have an old gtx 970 and 6700k but I don't feel like big spend on a modern build is valuable right now with how casual my gaming is. The steam deck gave me a gaming computer comprise and I really like it. $500 for a good enough computer that plays a lot.

Basically any Indie/controller/singleplayer based game I play on my steam deck. Current example: Dave the diver is fantastic on deck

My main PC is for MMO's/DOTA 2/FPS's mostly now

I have a pretty good desktop computer and used to pass all my time there, in my office. But it was at the expense of my wife being mad for me not being with her.

It allow me to still play but also being present in the living room. And since i got the Steamdeck, i’m more playing Switch emulated game than i ever played on my Switch.

And most of all, now i can play local multiplayer game everytime i go to friends place. They never was gamer but now they always ask me to bring it.

It’s really the best piece of tech that i’ve purchased in a while. 100% worth it.