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.
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.
Some preview videos on the MSI Claw came out since it’s CES. It's just an improved ROG Ally as it has a bigger battery, Thunderbolt 4 (not some proprietary stuff for eGPU), hall sensor sticks, and slightly bigger grips. The pricing is the same starting at $699 and goes up to $799, but no 32 GB option sadly.
The only thing going for it is that it uses a Meteor Lake, which can be more powerful than the Z1 Extreme, but uses slightly more power. Not sure how well the Arc integrated GPU performs given how long it took for the drivers to improve.
Of course the Deck fanboys will go and bash it as usual (No, the Deck isn't better once you ignore the OS, which you can get a similar experience by installing Nobara Linux on an ROG Ally or Legion Go with some work and it's pretty good.) I had a Steam Deck, but I sold it two months later since it's too bulky and hurts my hands.
It’s a good thing there is more options like the ROG Ally, Legion Go and now the MSI Claw if you want something more powerful than a Steam Deck or don't like the controller layout/size. No need to go and buy those expensive Ayaneos, GPD, and OneXPlayers besides the fact they go on to the next big thing instead of supporting their existing products.
I don't plan to get one since I have so many handheld gaming PCs to play around with, but it’s nice to have a few to play around with. Maybe if there an open box I might consider, but not likely.