Is there a #SteamDeck alternative? I seem to recall someone mentioning one to me like it was a less expensive no-brainer because it would also run some Windows software.
@punkscience_ns The main Steam Deck alternative out there is the ROG Ally. You can find used ones out there for pretty cheap right now, especially since they just announced a successor a few days ago, but generally speaking, not cheaper than a Steam Deck. It's essentially a Windows laptop in a different form factor. ASUS has its flaws (as does the Ally itself) but it's put a lot of support into the Ally, far better than the other competitors out there so far.
There's also the Lenovo Legion Go, the MSI Claw and a few other Chinese Windows machines, but all are either nowhere near as supported, nowhere near as cheap or just plain hard to get without signing up for an Indiegogo and waiting months.
As far as running some Windows software is concerned, most of these Windows based machines can be used as a full on desktop replacement when docked with keyboard and mouse if you wanted to do that (and I have done so for 6 months or so).
Hope this helps. If you have any questions, feel free to ask away.
Decided to start a replay of Tomb Raider. Crazy to think the rebooted version is already 11 years old.
When I played this the first time around, I thought this scene looked incredible! And although some of the graphics in this game still stand up well today, it’s definitely showing its age!
Now that I've got some playtime in, a #ROGAlly update:
Still shocked at how light it is. After using a Steam Deck and Ayaneo Next, this feels like a DS.
-The screen and 120Hz refresh look so goooood. Did some Minecraft with Gamer Kid yesterday, and my jaw dropped.
I wished I loved anything as much as the Ally loves updates.
Running into some weird hardware cruft based on game channel. Tried three games via itch, and they all had controls issues. Portal: Revolution from Steam plays ~okay.
The #SteamDeck's existence has prompted other big brands to also churn out their Deck competitors like #ASUS' #ROGAlly, #MSI's #MSIClaw, #Lenovo's #LegionGo, etc. which is great bcos competition is always nice.
... but unfortunately, to my eyes and only my own, there really isn't any competitor to my Deck and it's not bcos of #Linux/#SteamOS which yes, I do absolutely require out of a #gaming handheld (definitely not #Windows, no), but it's all about the design. Blows my mind how the Steam Deck is still the ONLY gaming handheld that doesn't scream (not as loud at least) "I'm a boy" or "I'm a gamer".
The obnoxious logos and branding (MSI's even has "TRUE GAMER" etched on their handheld lmao), the RGB vomit everywhere on the handheld wasting the already very precious battery life and weight of the device, the "rough" edges and curves (or lack thereof) of the device that screams "gamery"... and more. The design of the Steam Deck is still not only the most ergonomic imo, but most importantly the stealthiest of them all. I despise obnoxious designs and I appreciate #Valve's decision not to participate in that mess. I just wish and hope that future Decks would come in more colourways.
After going around the block and back in the world of #headphones and #iem I've found that one thing I NEED to keep is the FIIO btr15.
Being able to test a pair of cans or buds with full (snake oil) MQA, 384k PCM plus every conceivable bluetooth CODEC and see on the device exactly what it's doing has been so helpful. Ten IEMs tested from $20 to $800 ranges five sets of truly wireless buds and four headsets.
End of the day I'm keeping a set of Blessing3s, some HE400SE cans and some Momentum 4 True Wireless buds for the gym.
Value for sound nothing I tried beat the Blessings even at double the price. I can't understand NOT keeping the hifi man planars, they're basically free, and the MTW4s are the only top tier buds that I found, at any price, that have the CODECs I want for use on my laptop and #rogally.
I need a new hobby. Abusing the Amazon return policy is fun, but feels kinda sleezy. 😅
i wanna get an emulation handheld, thisll be my first. i was thinking of the retroid pocket 4 pro
my budger is about 200 usd and i was gonna get a uconsole but i cant deal with 90 buisness days to dispatch. i heard of the odin lite but the retroid seems better value for monies
how can i go about degoogling one of those? i want a gaming toy but i dont want it to be a privacy wreck. anyone can help?
@sleepybisexual The pocket 4 is good, but in my mind the screen is too small. I'd still be rocking an Odin lite if I didn't go to the #rogally for the amazing screen.
In your price range I'd do the Odin lite if you just can't wait. The power difference between it and the pocket 4 in cpu/GPU power is HUGE tho. The d1100 is ~2.5x more powerful than the d900
If you go Odin lite you flat won't be able to do some PSP stuff, if you wait and go pocket 4 (or buy the Odin planning to sell it on)