I’ve owned a Steam Deck for over a year now, but until recently, it rarely saw the light of day. Aside from a couple of short flights, I struggled to find time or the right occasion to use it. The potential was always there, and I wanted to play more games, but it just never found its place in my life.
At home, my limited gaming hours were dominated by the PS5. When I traveled, it was mostly for work, with short trips and a minimalist packing list. The Steam Deck, being on the heavier side, usually didn’t make the cut.
But then, life threw me a curveball.
A couple of weeks ago, I tore my knee ligaments — completely. After surgery, I found myself with plenty of time to lie around and not much mobility. That’s when the Steam Deck finally got its moment to shine.
I dusted it off, installed all the updates, and launched GTA V — a game I’ve been meaning to replay for ages. And my verdict? It’s almost perfect.
The Steam Deck Experience
Sure, newer devices like the Legion Go might be more powerful, but they’re bigger, heavier, and run Windows, which doesn’t appeal to me for a handheld gaming device. The Steam Deck, on the other hand, is the perfect size, and SteamOS is fantastic. It just works.
While it won’t deliver stellar FPS on the latest graphically demanding games, it’s a dream for indie titles and slightly older releases.
That said, I do have the original LCD version, and while the newer OLED model has tempted me, I couldn’t justify the upgrade since I wasn’t using the Deck much at the time. Now, I find myself waiting for the next iteration instead.
And let me rave about one of the Deck’s biggest advantages: game prices. Steam sales are incredible, with discounts often reaching up to 90%. After years of paying PlayStation prices, it almost feels too good to be true.
Cons
Battery Life
One of the main downsides is battery life. It’s not a truly portable device in the sense of long, untethered play sessions. When I first got it, I played Guardians of the Galaxy, and the battery barely lasted 90 minutes. For GTA V, I didn’t measure precisely, but it estimates around five hours on a full charge. That’s enough for a couple of missions and some leisurely driving around Los Santos before I’m ready for a break—and at that point, it’s back on the charger.
No Background Downloads
Another quirk I’ve noticed is that the Steam Deck doesn’t download or update games while in sleep mode. Coming from the PS5, where updates and installations happen seamlessly in the background, this feels like a step back.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve got room in your life for a device like the Steam Deck, I’d highly recommend it. But go for the OLED version if you’re buying now—it has a slightly bigger screen, better battery life with no real downsides.
The Steam Deck has finally found its place in my life, and despite a rocky start, it’s proving to be a fantastic companion for my downtime. Here’s to hoping the next version builds on its already solid foundation!
