Which Handheld Would you get?

[Kapone33]

Interesting, that is an odd choice on Valve's end, especially since I think most people prefer the glass version and not matte. (based on youtube reviews I watched anyway) so if you were to keep one model you think it would be the 64gb one since that is the only glass.

The Steam Deck 64G was $373 Canadian a while back (During the launch of Space Marine 2) I am thinking I might have missed the mark but I think I Might hold out for the next generation of APUs before I jump in again.

 

[AusWolf]

are you on a clean install of windows or fresh install of steam before you ordered it? sometimes steam holds orders for 14 days

I can't order it - it's only "reserved", and Steam will notify me when it's available to order.

I don't know what a fresh Windows installation has to do with it, but to be honest, I haven't had one since at least 3 complete system upgrades.

 

[lexluthermiester]

I think most people prefer the glass version and not matte.

Not me. Matte/Non-glare screen finish please. I loath glossy screens and avoid them where-ever possible.

While watching Nascar with a standings bar and a TV logo? Very often! I don't only want to game on it. I want it as a kind of laptop / entertainment device replacement for holidays.

Me too, which is why I want a Windows based model. Windows will run all of the things I want to run in that capacity.

Funnily enough where I live the Claw is $100 more than the Ally.

So were one lives in the world effects the value-for-money side if things..

 

[AusWolf]

Not me. Matte/Non-glare screen finish please. I loath glossy screens and avoid them where-ever possible.

Interesting. I don't have a preference on this, to be honest. Matte screens are better against glare, but shiny ones tend to produce slightly better colours and/or contrast.

Me too, which is why I want a Windows based model. Windows will run all of the things I want to run in that capacity.

Can't every handheld do that, though? I mean, it's not a problem even for my PSP, provided you convert your stuff to the proper format first.

By the way, the Deck LCD is back in stock, and it's mine if I order it before tomorrow. And the missus said she wants to get it for me for Christmas, which is even better!
It only begs the question: won't it hurt the battery if she orders it for me now, and it sits unused for the next 2.5 months? (we take Christmas kind of seriously here)

 

[lexluthermiester]

Can't every handheld do that, though? I mean, it's not a problem even for my PSP, provided you convert your stuff to the proper format first.

That is where my personal brand of persnickity preferences come in. I have a very particular way I want to do things entertainment related and Linux does not serve those requirements. I can make it work well enough on Android, which is one of the many reasons I love AndroidX86, but Mac, Linux and the SteamDeck don't cut it for me. Fully aware this is a very personal-preference thing.

By the way, the Deck LCD is back in stock, and it's mine if I order it before tomorrow. And the missus said she wants to get it for me for Christmas, which is even better!

Very nice! And that model has the NVMe slot so upgrading to a 512GB, 1TB or even 2TB drive in future is very doable! Your missus loves you!

 

[Space Lynx]

Not me. Matte/Non-glare screen finish please. I loath glossy screens and avoid them where-ever possible.


Me too, which is why I want a Windows based model. Windows will run all of the things I want to run in that capacity.


So were one lives in the world effects the value-for-money side if things..

this is because you have not seen the latest tech of Corning Glass screens in person I expect, they have less glare than matte screens do. matte still scatters the light very badly if you look at them side by side, where as the corning glass isolates it so there is no scatter (yet still dims it)

I hope someday Deck 2 uses this Corning Glass

 

[AusWolf]

That is where my personal brand of persnickity preferences come in. I have a very particular way I want to do things entertainment related and Linux does not serve those requirements. I can make it work well enough on Android, which is one of the many reasons I love AndroidX86, but Mac, Linux and the SteamDeck don't cut it for me. Fully aware this is a very personal-preference thing.

Fair enough. As for me, I just do everything media in VLC, which doesn't only come for Linux, too, but it's also integrated into many (if not most) distros. I bet the Steam Deck has no problem with it, either.

Very nice! And that model has the NVMe slot so upgrading to a 512GB, 1TB or even 2TB drive in future is very doable! Your missus loves you!

Oh yes she does!

But I'm really wondering what sitting on a shelf for 2 months will do to the battery. I guess some of them spend way more than that in a warehouse without problem, but still...

 

[Kyan]

But I'm really wondering what sitting on a shelf for 2 months will do to the battery. I guess some of them spend way more than that in a warehouse without problem, but still...

I think it will not cause major problem, if you want to be sure, do some research. That's what I will do if I where you.

 

[Vayra86]

Not me. Matte/Non-glare screen finish please. I loath glossy screens and avoid them where-ever possible.

I'll take glass and then apply a matte screen protector instead

 

[FoulOnWhite]

The switch 2. Not that fussed about a steam deck or any of the lookie likes. The Switch 2 will imo sell as fast as they can make 'em.

 

[Space Lynx]

The switch 2. Not that fussed about a steam deck or any of the lookie likes. The Switch 2 will imo sell as fast as they can make 'em.

my local library offers hundreds of switch games for free week long rentals. so I plan to get a Switch 2 as well, simply because it costs me no money to play any game i want, its amazing i am certain they will add to the switch 2 library as well when those games start coming out.

 

[Hyderz]

my local library offers hundreds of switch games for free week long rentals. so I plan to get a Switch 2 as well, simply because it costs me no money to play any game i want, its amazing i am certain they will add to the switch 2 library as well when those games start coming out.

is your local library called blockbuster? hehehe thats amazing

 

[Space Lynx]

is your local library called blockbuster? hehehe thats amazing

they rent movies too, i rented 4k blu ray john wick over the summer, free, they only let you keep movies 3 days though. but yeah when the big rental stores went out of business, the public library here wanted to bring back people to the library and so they offer this service now, but for free (you have to have a proof you live in the town) they don't just rent to anyone, so it is specifically a community thing. but yeah I am very lucky

 

[lexluthermiester]

I bet the Steam Deck has no problem with it, either.

Very likely, switch to desktop mode and it should work perfectly as intended.

But I'm really wondering what sitting on a shelf for 2 months will do to the battery.

Nothing. It might bleed off a bit of charge, which is normal, but otherwise, plug it in, charge it up, play!

I'll take glass and then apply a matte screen protector instead

That is a good idea and I've done that a few times.

 

[TechBuyingHavoc]

The switch 2. Not that fussed about a steam deck or any of the lookie likes. The Switch 2 will imo sell as fast as they can make 'em.

Are you expecting Nintendo to announce the Switch 2 before the end of this year? It seems like there is not a lot of time left for product to move this year.

 

[AusWolf]

Are you expecting Nintendo to announce the Switch 2 before the end of this year? It seems like there is not a lot of time left for product to move this year.

I wouldn't. The new Legend of Zelda game is out, and Nintendo just released a themed version of the Switch with it. I mean, why would they do that if the Switch 2 was just around the corner? They would want to clear inventory instead of spending R&D on a new design of an existing product, I assume.

 

[TechBuyingHavoc]

I wouldn't. The new Legend of Zelda game is out, and Nintendo just released a themed version of the Switch with it. I mean, why would they do that if the Switch 2 was just around the corner? They would want to clear inventory instead of spending R&D on a new design of an existing product, I assume.

I was just thinking in terms of the timeline here. There is no marketing of the Switch 2, no technical overview or press presentation. Ideally, you want the hype to build and build for a couple of months before you release it. The best release date would be sometime in August or September, you soak up all the early adopters and Nintendo fanboys and build supply for the rest of the market around Black Friday sales all the way to Christmas.

I assume you want at least a month of pre-release hype so if they announce next week, that would be just in time for Black Friday sales. It's cutting it real close, that's all I am saying, that's why I don't actually think it is releasing anytime in November.

Maybe a Christmas release but it is just as likely that it is released in Q1 2025 (as many analysts are suggesting).

 

[Space Lynx]

I am considering buying the Retroid Pocket 5 handheld, it just recently came out and the screen on it is gorgeous based on all reviews. $220 and can emulate almost anything, can even install Linux on it... I haven't decided just yet, but honestly this checks a lot of boxes for me. I love my Deck, but it's not really portable and this is.

 

[Kapone33]

I am considering buying the Retroid Pocket 5 handheld, it just recently came out and the screen on it is gorgeous based on all reviews. $220 and can emulate almost anything, can even install Linux on it... I haven't decided just yet, but honestly this checks a lot of boxes for me. I love my Deck, but it's not really portable and this is.

I have to admit something. Playing Furi (while in the office) made me understand what the potential of handhelds are. I have one of those retro drives and I cloned it my Ally (which I ended up keeping) and now I understand as playing SNES, Dreamcast or PS2 Games are great but the age of sprites looks killer on these modern desktops. I have seen those emulation drives too and that one does pique my interest as well.

 

[lilhasselhoffer]

The "none" option is not responding to this thread. lol

Yes, it is. Which would you purchase, none of the above. It's the same answer I offer.

For the money you can probably get an entry level laptop with a much newer APU...so Steam's offerings are out the window. The other semi-consoles have problems as well...and with none of them offering anything more compelling than size...I'd still want to purchase the laptop. The reason I loved Nintendo's offerings were always software, and not power. I don't want to play my games at 7"...I'd prefer the same resolution but a larger screen simply to make sure that the thing doesn't become e-waste in three years whenever a new version comes out and relegates my current handheld to the wayside.

If you want an example read this thread. Identify the people who bought the original steam deck, and now have it hooked to a TV instead of running something in handheld mode. They would have been better served with a more powerful laptop...and I only say better because anyone with a brain just looked at me and said "but it'd be underpowered too" as the easiest and most accurate retort. Meanwhile, I can crack out an old DS and have it running the same awesome games in under 30 seconds. There's something to be said about standardized hardware.

 

[jak_2456]

I am considering buying the Retroid Pocket 5 handheld, it just recently came out and the screen on it is gorgeous based on all reviews. $220 and can emulate almost anything, can even install Linux on it... I haven't decided just yet, but honestly this checks a lot of boxes for me. I love my Deck, but it's not really portable and this is.

A lower-cost alternative to this would be to buy a Backbone or Razer Kishi or something of the sort that you attach to your phone. Since this device runs Android anyway, that would be the solution I'd choose since I think it's unnecessary to have two devices when you can buy a controller that turns your phone into the other thing. That is the argument I'd use on anyone interested in buying a streaming-only handheld, too.

 

[Space Lynx]

A lower-cost alternative to this would be to buy a Backbone or Razer Kishi or something of the sort that you attach to your phone. Since this device runs Android anyway, that would be the solution I'd choose since I think it's unnecessary to have two devices when you can buy a controller that turns your phone into the other thing. That is the argument I'd use on anyone interested in buying a streaming-only handheld, too.

well I was going to try to install bazzite linux on it or chimeraOS linux. and then run emudeck. again i haven't decided yet, i feel like it might be more trouble than it's worth... we will see.

 

[jak_2456]

well I was going to try to install bazzite linux on it or chimeraOS linux.

Is this device x86 or ARM? It comes with Android, so I'm not sure how you'd install those distros since they're x86 last I checked.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Is this device x86 or ARM? It comes with Android, so I'm not sure how you'd install those distros since they're x86 last I checked.

ARM. As shown in the screenshot, it's got a Qualcomm SnapDragon. The default OS is Android 13.

EDIT: I'm quite happy with that OS selection. I have 4 Android 13 devices and it's been a great version of Android so far.

 

[Apocalypsee]

None of the above, it still a first gen stuff I wait for it to grow a bit first if I ever going to buy one. If I wanted to buy Windows based handheld right now, I would buy Anbernic Win600, just to play old PS1/PS2/PSP or any old consoles emulator. I don't typically play PC games using controller because for me it feels odd and jarring. Except for few games like Ace Combat 7.