Don’t understand the general dislike for Windows PC handhelds. They are leagues above the Deck.

RhyDin said:
Can you really tell the difference on that small of a screen? Interesting.
Click to expand...

It's not a very uncommon take for people to say the HDR on the Deck looks better than on their LG/expensive HDTV.

So maybe not so much a dislike for Windows PC handhelds, but more a monopoly of OLED+HDR on the Deck so far. I'm pretty sure I'd insta-buy any good OLED+HDR windows handheld.
 
Last edited:
justiceiro said:
I daily drive Linux and can't fucking believe people saying it requires less tinkering using Linux vs windows with a straight face.
Click to expand...

I have no experience with Linux and use Windows nearly every day for 40+ years (well I guess you'd need to count MS-DOS in there too), but basically I grew up on PCs). The Deck is simpler for me than Windows and provides more features. No lies.
 
Last edited:
It's blind loyalty to Steam. I can recognize how good the Steam Deck is AND appreciate the benefits of a ROG Ally/Legion etc.

Fanboys can't do that. There is one in this very thread who claims people don't care about COD or a subscription service that has 20+ million users at least 🤣🤣
 
Your main argument is the performance difference, which is completely negated below 15w, which is exactly where you want to be if you want decent battery life on a handheld.

If you live with this thing plugged in all the time you would be better off buying a laptop and hooking up a controller.

Windows handhelds as they currently stand are just smaller laptops with a gamepad instead of a keyboard, Microsoft needs a handheld mode to massive improve the experience for the smaller screens and gamepad navigation.
 
RhyDin said:
Can you really tell the difference on that small of a screen? Interesting.
Click to expand...

Yes, because it's close up to your face and must hold up at tighter scrutiny. Sometimes people forget that first "Ah, this is pretty" feeling of seeing the various stages of their phone screens improving with every gen, but pick up an old device and you'll be reminded how resolution and saturation wasn't what it is now. (And given that your phone is the screen most of us spend our lives with more than our TVs or even laptop screens, that's the screen which sets the baseline of expectations.)
 
The great thing about the deck is the blessed and beloved ADHD-ridden community members that spend time making good controller layouts for older games so I don't have to. I tried an Ally and I returned it because someone else hadn't made it great for me.
 
Last edited:
RhyDin said:
It's only $300 open box..can you run Windows on this? Will it play online games with anti-cheat? Steam cloud saves?
Click to expand...
Just be careful because there are two different versions of the Ally, with a Z1 chip and a Z1 Extreme chip.

The basic Z1 is just not worth it. Check the Z1 Extreme chip for it to have a comparable performance to the latest handhelds.
 
Clintizzle said:
It's blind loyalty to Steam. I can recognize how good the Steam Deck is AND appreciate the benefits of a ROG Ally/Legion etc.

Fanboys can't do that. There is one in this very thread who claims people don't care about COD or a subscription service that has 20+ million users at least 🤣🤣
Click to expand...

From what I understand you can stream to the Deck fairly well at least, without installing Windows from the Xbox. But I don't own a MS console, just PS5/Switch.

But streaming on a good network can feel native - I've used Steam Link with games as frame-sensitive as pinball or FPS like Doom from my PC running ray-tracing/max/ultra settings, and the visuals/quality on the Deck looks perfect. So at least that's an option, better than nothing. But obviously if I cared about Xbox/Gamepass I'd have a harder choice or just more likely multiple PC handhelds, because why not both.

As it stands, I'm interested in almost all games, so there's no shortage of perfect experiences to enjoy on the Deck (like thousands).
 
Silver Wattle said:
Microsoft needs a handheld mode to massive improve the experience for the smaller screens and gamepad navigation.
Click to expand...

I also think MS could do with a "Partner Device" mode where a secondary Windows device isn't treated with all the security and complexity of a workstation. I just want to turn on and game for a little bit, back off with the third-degree login and patches and whatnot.

If Windows had mode where a device was easier to get in and out of but still protected your services when needed through the master device and some rule-setting for when it is and is not at full-access capacity, that could be a way into the "Handheld Mode" concept. The portable doesn't need to be "real" Windows (although stripping it down can be hard since who knows what might be needed,) it just needs to be an interface and infrastructure foundation to get me into my apps
 
Last edited:
I'll say this: the Deck is MUCH better as an actual handheld (especially the OLED), but the Windows ones are much better at being desktop replacements due to having full Windows capabilities and also a much stronger APU that gets taken advantage of when plugged in and not worrying about battery.
 
The Steam deck, to me is a great representation of the hypocrisy amongst your typical PC gamer. The one stand-out thing about the Steam deck is its custom OS and accessibility. Just makes gaming on it easy. Its the same thing with consoles, the custom OS of a console and its accessibility is what makes them have mass market appeal.

So you can imagine how funny I find it when people are more accepting of a steam deck than they are of a console or even worse, of a Windows handheld.
 
Mythoclast said:
And yes, IMO Windows is much better than Linux on these handhelds
Click to expand...
And there's your bias. Optimization plays a big role regarding portables. Yes, a lot of the players sold right now have better specs than Deck, but windows itself eats a lot of resources available. Also, windows is very different (and difficult) to use in such devices.
 
Assaulty said:
If you own a capable gaming pc there is 0 reason not to go with the deck and just stream triple a games you want to play. Is going to run, play and feel loads better streaming through Moonlight than playing it native on the windows pc with the added benefit of that gorgeous Oled stream
Click to expand...
Doc Brown GIF by Back to the Future Trilogy
 
My thing with the performance gap; most of the games I'd be playing on a Deck are going to run at 500fps. It's an emulator, shmup and metroidvania machine. (I'm gonna talk myself into buying one shit). The ergonomic benefits, physical and virtual, outweigh that extra perf for me. Not to mention the screen quality. (fuck I need to get one)

I mean the killer app for the whole system is the Saturn version of Castlevania Symphony of the Night (w/patch) (fuck I'm gonna do it). Frankly I don't think any console on the market will release a better game this year.
 
All this post tells me is that you decided against the oled steam deck but haven't tried one. Buy one and report back if you say the same......
 
Minsc said:
Turns on handheld - game left suspended full screen from directly in the game (good luck with that too) to instantly resume is gone, system is restarted without permission (for mandatory monthly updates, cannot postpone indefinitely). You are staring at a login screen against your will.

That's definitely number 1 for me.
Click to expand...
i usually quit a game on pc when I leave it? Also I haven't had a windows forcibly update on me in years.

These seem like very minor gripes
 
Hero of Spielberg said:
i usually quit a game on pc when I leave it? Also I haven't had a windows forcibly update on me in years.

These seem like very minor gripes
Click to expand...

I do the same on PC. But on handhelds, I've had my 3DS running Theatryhtm for over a year now. And my Switch has been running a Picross game for a few months. I play both nearly daily still.

Windows forcibly updates all the time (if you don't do it yourself). My work PCs constantly reboot and programs need to be authorized, and same for my home PCs (rebooting and the next day I'm at the log in screen). All the time being monthly, but when you're talking about a half dozen PCs it adds up. And if you add even more in via handheld PCs then I could be managing a dozen PCs before long with all those friggen updates.
 
Minsc said:
I do the same on PC. But on handhelds, I've had my 3DS running Theatryhtm for over a year now. And my Switch has been running a Picross game for a few months. I play both nearly daily still.

Windows forcibly updates all the time (if you don't do it yourself). My work PCs constantly reboot and programs need to be authorized, and same for my home PCs (rebooting and the next day I'm at the log in screen). All the time being monthly, but when you're talking about a half dozen PCs it adds up. And if you add even more in via handheld PCs then I could be managing a dozen PCs before long with all those friggen updates.
Click to expand...
Fair enough. I probably don't use suspend all that much with games.

I guess I usually update my pc after I've finished working / playing a game when I shutdown so it hasn't affected me.
 
Hero of Spielberg said:
Fair enough. I probably don't use suspend all that much with games.

I guess I usually update my pc after I've finished working / playing a game when I shutdown so it hasn't affected me.
Click to expand...

I'm also not against a Windows PC handheld - in fact I think there's some great features they have over the Deck. But I kinda need a starting point above an HDR OLED now, which basically no one provides, or like a strong desire to natively play (because I could just stream in HDR) a game at ~2x the FPS the deck gives or a game that simply doesn't run (which again I could just stream).

But I'm sure eventually a PC handheld will release I buy. It'll happen sooner if they build a better UI around it and also add in suspending/resuming like on Xbox.
 
Last edited:
Meh.....preferences. I owned both Rog Ally and Steam Deck. I prefer Steam Deck. The OLED makes a huge difference. As does the vastly superior battery life. Beyond that, is the support for plugins for apps such as Decky Loader that allow you to extend the functionality of the SD software.

So on the Asus/Lenovo your advantage is superior processing power. That's fine if you don't mind playing plugged in. I could literally watch my Rog Ally's battery life count down while I played. That's no way to play on handheld.

But the problem I have with Windows handhelds primarily is the fact that each manufacturer has to create their own software dashboard. Rog Ally's Armoury Crate was good, but simply not as good as Steam Deck's interface. I've seen Lenovo demoed on youtube and I was not impressed.

So while it is great that you enjoy your Legion Go, but it isn't necessarily "better". Neither is Windows. But I would say that if someone is playing Game Pass and non-Steam games primarily then yeah, Windows handhelds are a strong option. Fact is, however, that Steam is by far the most preferred platform on PC and Steam Deck obviously is the best integrated there which makes Steam Deck a very compelling choice as well.
 
Last edited:
Mr.Phoenix said:
The Steam deck, to me is a great representation of the hypocrisy amongst your typical PC gamer. The one stand-out thing about the Steam deck is its custom OS and accessibility. Just makes gaming on it easy. Its the same thing with consoles, the custom OS of a console and its accessibility is what makes them have mass market appeal.

So you can imagine how funny I find it when people are more accepting of a steam deck than they are of a console or even worse, of a Windows handheld.
Click to expand...

I'm not getting how any of that represents hypocrisy of "your typical PC gamer". Typical PC gamers don't game on handhelds at all.

Steam Deck is a custom OS, but it is still fully open.
 
Last edited:
Dont see the point of not bundling a dock with windows handheld systems. Will solve most issues people have with them.

Do everything in desktop mode, including demanding, newer games. Pick it up when you wanna play less demanding games.
 
Mr.Phoenix said:
The Steam deck, to me is a great representation of the hypocrisy amongst your typical PC gamer. The one stand-out thing about the Steam deck is its custom OS and accessibility. Just makes gaming on it easy. Its the same thing with consoles, the custom OS of a console and its accessibility is what makes them have mass market appeal.

So you can imagine how funny I find it when people are more accepting of a steam deck than they are of a console or even worse, of a Windows handheld.
Click to expand...

It's a nice and sleek looking console like UI without all the restrictions and bullshit of a console. Free online. Mods. Emulation. Cheap games. Free cloud saves, etc. It's the best of both worlds and it's a handheld. If consoles were wide open to fuck around with as you please like a Steam Deck I would like them way more.
 
Those don't have track pads. And if any did they wouldn't have a way to resign controls. Steamdeck has steam controller custom controls. You can save multiple layouts per game, make them public and download others in mere seconds while playing a game. Plus there is motion and hot key and radial menus you can add, tweak and even make them show on the screen with icons.
 
CamHostage said:
I also think MS could do with a "Partner Device" mode where a secondary Windows device isn't treated with all the security and complexity of a workstation. I just want to turn on and game for a little bit, back off with the third-degree login and patches and whatnot.

If Windows had mode where a device was easier to get in and out of but still protected your services when needed through the master device and some rule-setting for when it is and is not at full-access capacity, that could be a way into the "Handheld Mode" concept. The portable doesn't need to be "real" Windows (although stripping it down can be hard since who knows what might be needed,) it just needs to be an interface and infrastructure foundation to get me into my apps
Click to expand...

They do seem to be trying to support these devices. Maybe we'll get some kind of gaming focused UI at some point.
 
justiceiro said:
I daily drive Linux and can't fucking believe people saying it requires less tinkering using Linux vs windows with a straight face.
Click to expand...

Depends what you're doing with it. About the only native app I start on my computer is steam. I guess open office, sometimes. I've used OBS two or three times. Basic stuff. Everything else is done through a browser. Couldn't be much easier or less tinkering, really. If my wife buys a computer she'll have me delete Windows and install Linux and all she cares about is easy.

Strangely, the way Linux shuts down so fast seems to be a big deal to her. She hates how windows spins a little circle while it's shutting down. I'm like dude just walk away... She asks for mint every time and likes that new versions don't seem that new.
 
Clintizzle said:
It's blind loyalty to Steam. I can recognize how good the Steam Deck is AND appreciate the benefits of a ROG Ally/Legion etc.

Fanboys can't do that. There is one in this very thread who claims people don't care about COD or a subscription service that has 20+ million users at least 🤣🤣
Click to expand...

Eh....blind loyalty to Windows has been a thing for quite a while as well. Not sure what point that makes either way. I seriously doubt most people buy handhelds for competitive shooters like COD. But yeah, if Game Pass is really someone's focus then a Windows handheld is probably the better choice.
 
Complistic said:
I'll install windows on my deck if I suddenly care about that.
Click to expand...

I'm looking forward to when Valve releases their OS for other handhelds and gamers will (hopefully) be able to choose which OS their handheld is preinstalled with.
 
Last edited:
If you're a GamePass Ultimate subscriber it's a no-brainer. Then again my ROG Ally is my gaming PC, it spends 90% of its time plugged into a dock with a 1080p monitor. If I need to take it portable I set the CPU to 15 watts, and get the same battery performance as a Deck.
 
Windows on a handheld with very little support from Microsoft, like hell no, steam os on deck is not perfect, but dam it miles better then messing around with windows.
 
Lots of opinions here from folks who have never even touched a W11 handheld. The people who have used both come with way more nuanced opinions than WINDOWS POOPOO.

The best thing I did was getting a PC handheld with a 65Wh battery life. Great performance, great battery life, amazing game support, nice big display. You just won't get that with a Deck. It's inferior. People who haven't tried both will go to far extremes to defend their purchases. I agree with OP that there is this narrative that SteamOS just trumps W11 every way. Which is just wrong. SteamOS is great for SP Steam games. Outside that, it becomes limiting and a hassle.
 
Klosshufvud said:
Lots of opinions here from folks who have never even touched a W11 handheld. The people who have used both come with way more nuanced opinions than WINDOWS POOPOO.

The best thing I did was getting a PC handheld with a 65Wh battery life. Great performance, great battery life, amazing game support, nice big display. You just won't get that with a Deck. It's inferior. People who haven't tried both will go to far extremes to defend their purchases. I agree with OP that there is this narrative that SteamOS just trumps W11 every way. Which is just wrong. SteamOS is great for SP Steam games. Outside that, it becomes limiting and a hassle.
Click to expand...

65 whr battery life? Steam Deck OLED has 50 whr. Rog Ally has 40. Lenovo Legion Go has 49.2. Are you sure you are not referring to 65 watt fast charging?

Steam Deck is "inferior" in performance and game compatibility. Steam Deck OLED is superior in screen quality and battery life. Legion Go has superior screen size to SD while the OLED is larger than Rog Ally. All these handhelds have pros and cons.
 
Last edited:
Steam Deck is the best PC related gaming device I've ever had. I don't care about the things the other handhelds does better, the differences aren't big enough. SteamOS is perfection. And when docked the Deck feels 100% like a console. I already have two and if they ever do an upgrade I'll get that too day 1. Zero hesitation.
 
Klosshufvud said:
Lots of opinions here from folks who have never even touched a W11 handheld. The people who have used both come with way more nuanced opinions than WINDOWS POOPOO.

The best thing I did was getting a PC handheld with a 65Wh battery life. Great performance, great battery life, amazing game support, nice big display. You just won't get that with a Deck. It's inferior. People who haven't tried both will go to far extremes to defend their purchases. I agree with OP that there is this narrative that SteamOS just trumps W11 every way. Which is just wrong. SteamOS is great for SP Steam games. Outside that, it becomes limiting and a hassle.
Click to expand...

You'd buy a HDTV without HDR these days? No? So why buy a handheld without HDR. And if you can have an OLED screen with HDR to boot.

What's the point of having the world's fastest handheld if it's not even HDR. All new games use HDR and for good reason, so why wouldn't you want your handheld to have the same great colors that you get playing off a PS5 etc?

Steam OS is great for SP Steam games (there's thousands and thousands), emulation (thousands and thousands again), and both PC and PS5 streaming in HDR (again thousands and thousands of games).
 
Fredrik said:
Steam Deck is the best PC related gaming device I've ever had. I don't care about the things the other handhelds does better, the differences aren't big enough. SteamOS is perfection. And when docked the Deck feels 100% like a console. I already have two and if they ever do an upgrade I'll get that too day 1. Zero hesitation.
Click to expand...
I think a lot of these "Windows handhelds have MOAR POWARRRR therefore they are better" people lost the plot a long time ago.

No one apparently remembers that the Steam Deck exists because of the Nintendo Switch. Everyone knows how powerful the hardware is on the Switch. And yet the Switch is now the 3rd best selling game console of all time. So hardware power means fuck all when it comes to portable gaming systems, what matter is convenience and QoL and the Switch nails that and the Steam Deck nails that.

I personally hate Windows even on desktop and laptop PC's, because it's just a giant mass of spaghetti code dating back 40 years to maintain compatibility with legacy desktop and corporate applications and the whole thing is kludges built on top of kludges to make sure your obscure corporate accounting application still works. Why the fuck would I want to run Windows on a handheld? Steam OS is a nice clean slate, built on top of a basic Linux kernel and then optimized just for playing games. The Horizon OS on Switch is simpler still, it's actually built from the 3DS system software and it does exactly one thing and does it well, play games.

The Switch is also amazing because I just drop the thing onto the dock and instantly I'm playing on my TV, there is nothing I need to do. Games adapt immediately and provide improved resolution where available, It Just Works™. I don't know how plugging the Steam Deck or the Windows handhelds compares to that, but the Switch is designed from the ground up with the hybrid use in mind, you never have to do anything besides put it on the dock. That's something only Nintendo can do because they control the entire hardware design and software stack, and it's something all the other handhelds should aspire to.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

My case for & against PC handhelds & why I just sold my Deck Oled
Opinion Cringe  2
73
4K
DanielG165 replied
New sales estimates - Three years later, the Steam Deck has dominated handheld PC gaming
2 3 4
180
8K
dgrdsv replied
Digital Foundry: 'Too Big' For Steam Deck: AAA Games Are Struggling On Valve's Handheld
2 3
109
5K
Zathalus replied
Working on a Dreamcast Themed Custom UI (potentially for steam deck and other portable handhelds)
|OT| 
2
382
Parazels replied
[Verge] Microsoft is combining ‘the best of Xbox and Windows together’ for handhelds
2 3 4
152
10K
Kazekage1981 replied
Top Bottom