The Steam Deck Dilemma: Why You Shouldn’t Overpay for It
The Steam Deck has been MIA for a few months now, leaving fans eagerly waiting and wondering if Valve plans to restock anytime soon. While there’s a chance that some shipments could include the beloved handheld, it seems like Valve might be biding its time for the highly anticipated Steam Deck 2. The Steam Machine is also on the horizon, which adds to the uncertainty.
No doubt, even after four years since its debut, the Steam Deck remains one of the top contenders in the handheld gaming PC arena. Many gamers associate the term ‘handheld PC’ directly with the Steam Deck, making it a sought-after device. However, with its consistent absence from shelves, prices have skyrocketed. Right now, if you’re looking to grab a new Steam Deck on Amazon, be prepared to fork out around $1,110 for the 512GB OLED model—exactly double its original price!
It’s hard to justify spending that much on a Steam Deck when there are alternative options available that won’t break the bank. For about the same price, you could snag a Lenovo Legion Go S or an Xbox Ally X. These alternatives not only feature better performance but also boast higher resolution displays and double the storage!
If you’re in the market for something similar to the Steam Deck, the Xbox Ally offers comparable performance with a more comfortable grip. Just be ready to navigate Windows 11, although the Xbox Full Screen Experience has made things a bit smoother. Ironically, when the Xbox Ally first launched, it was often compared unfavorably to the Steam Deck, which at that time offered better value. This just goes to show how quickly things can change in the gaming world due to product shortages.
If you’re still determined to get your hands on a Steam Deck, browsing through used listings on eBay might be your best bet for a more reasonable price. But keep in mind, you’ll likely end up paying close to, or even more than, the original price for a second-hand device without any guarantees that it’ll even function properly.
It’s truly disheartening to see the Steam Deck facing these inflated prices. It was my gateway into the world of handheld PCs, and just a few months ago, I was raving about it being the most affordable entry point into PC gaming. Here’s hoping that when the Steam Deck 2 finally arrives, it can reclaim that title. But for now, save your money and explore other handheld options instead of falling for these outrageous markups!