Skip the Pricey Steam Deck: Cheaper Options Are Here
▼ Summary
– The Steam Deck has been sold out for months, and Valve may not restock until a potential Steam Deck 2.
– Despite being four years old, the Steam Deck remains one of the best handheld gaming PCs on the market.
– Due to the shortage, new Steam Deck prices on Amazon have doubled to around $1,110 for the 512GB OLED model.
– At that price, alternatives like the Lenovo Legion Go S or Xbox Ally X offer better specs for similar cost.
– The shortage has reversed the Steam Deck’s initial value advantage, as the Xbox Ally now provides comparable performance at a more reasonable price.
The Steam Deck has been out of stock for months, and there’s no clear timeline on when Valve will replenish its supply. While some of the company’s recent shipments might include handhelds, it’s equally possible Valve is holding out for a Steam Deck 2 or shifting focus to the rumored Steam Machine instead.
That doesn’t diminish the fact that, even four years after its debut, the Steam Deck remains one of the best handheld gaming PCs on the market. It’s understandable why many still want one, especially since the name has become almost interchangeable with handheld PC gaming.
But with dwindling stock comes inflated prices. Right now, a new 512GB OLED Steam Deck on Amazon costs around $1,110 , exactly double its original retail price. That’s simply not a smart buy. If you’re willing to spend that much on a handheld, you’re better off looking at the Lenovo Legion Go S or the Asus ROG Ally X. Both offer similar or better performance, higher-resolution displays, and double the storage for roughly the same price.
Even if you’re just looking for a Steam Deck alternative at a more reasonable price point, the Asus ROG Ally delivers comparable performance with a more comfortable grip. The trade-off is you’ll have to use Windows 11, but that’s become much more tolerable thanks to the improved Xbox Full Screen Experience. It’s ironic: when the ROG Ally first launched, it was often compared unfavorably to the Steam Deck because Valve’s handheld simply offered better value. That perception has flipped entirely, showing just how much a product shortage can reshape the market.
(Source: IGN)
