maaaaybe the dock (my friend is telling me to get one)
Unless you have something to replace its functionality with already, just get the dock. You are probably going to want to plug in a mouse and keyboard and monitor eventually; it's a full x86-64 linux computer with a desktop mode in addition to being a hand-held gaming console.
Personally, I usually use it more like a traditional gaming console (with my old xbox360 wireless controller plugged into the dock and hooked up to my monitor) -- that I can pick up and take with me occasionally -- but have written code on it and installed mods/patches that have to be copied into specific parts of a game's folder and such. Just being able to use it like a regular computer is nice.
I thought the case it came with was fine personally, but I've only traveled with it a little bit.
If you’re a tinkerer / interested in emulation a nice Samsung or name brand USBC thumb drive for moving files. I found this to be the accessory I needed the most and which saved me the most headache once acquired.
I almost always play in handheld mode. I did ultimately buy a cheap USBC dock so I could watch movies / have on the hotel tv while traveling.
I got one of those mounts which latches onto the deck. It sits on the wall now beside my couch. I like that, personally.
I think the only thing you need to consider with Steam Deck is little things like installing Proton-GE for greater game compatibility. SteamGridDB Decky plugin for non-steam games so they have all the nice artwork etc.
I will say though, I upgraded my 64GB eMMC Steam Deck to a 1TB SSD a few months ago and this OLED Steam Deck is super goddamn tempting.
I would look at it as "maybe consider later", but the limited edition look is sexy. I'm not going to actually do it (I basically locked that in by buying a PS5 today) any time soon, even though I didn't regret the upgrade with the switch at all, but it's definitely a tempting upgrade.
God damn is the controller an even bigger upgrade than I expected, though. The precision vibration is way better than the switch and the triggers are legit as hell stacked with it. Astro's playroom shows it off really well.
To get lower input latency ensure your PS5 is connected via a network cable, then the only wireless hop is via the Steamdeck. Gets to be pretty reasonable input latency then, best with 60fps games.
PS5 remote play is actually the primary reason I started looking at larger handhelds. I have been using a Retroid Pocket 3+, but the tiny 720p screen is starting to hurt my eyes at night. I had looked at the steam deck already, but I wanted something with a more ideal screen. The timing of the OLED couldn’t have been more perfect for me.
A heads up- I am a script kiddie at best. This works for me, so it should work for you. If it doesn’t, I’m probably not going to be able to troubleshoot this further, but I can try.
I got my Deck very specifically so I could sit next to my wife in bed and play games while she watched TV or played on the Switch. I just wear earbuds… or she does, depends.
As for playing with the TV in the background, not really a big TV guy but sometimes I play while distracted. Depending on the game I might not need sound.
I would love a display upgrade to mostly just get better colors, but otherwise I’m pretty happy with my Steam Deck, yeah. I can’t blame them, much a smaller form factor or better display, or longer battery life or more power… It really is in a pretty sweet spot for most of that.
Just get a decent 1-2GB SD card for the 64 GB deck. Uninvasive, convenient, cheap storage upgrade with no human-noticeable performance difference between the more expensive decks.
I’ve owned both the 512 GB and 64 GB deck + big SD card and I can’t tell the difference between them without precise performance benchmarks. The only difference is the 512 GB has an anti glare screen.
afaik, they're identical except for the SSD and an anti-glare coating on the 512gb one.
If you're comfortable opening them up, you can upgrade the SSD yourself. it's a standard m.2. I think there's a lot of online videos and docs on how to do it. THe benchmarks i saw found many m.2 ssds run faster (and slightly warmer) than the steam one.
If that's the case, you can probably swing the 64gb and call it a day. it's a pretty great deal for that.
If you're not into that, it depends on how many games you want installed at the same time and what type of games you want to play.
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