3 Reasons Not to Buy a Steam Deck

Valve has been slashing the price of the Steam Deck recently, with the 64GB model listed for under $300. And while the Steam Deck is certainly an incredible piece of hardware (especially at this new low price), many people don’t think it’s a smart addition to their gaming portfolio.

Here's why many people will never buy a Steam Deck, even though it's one of the greatest gaming gadgets of our time.

People still prefer Nintendo Switch

The Steam library is packed with hundreds of games, and having them in a handheld format is appealing. However, people still appreciate the old Nintendo Switch. Not only is it slimmer and easier to throw in a backpack or suitcase when traveling, but it also gives you access to exclusive games like Super Mario Bros. Wonder, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and Splatoon 3.

None of these titles are on Steam, and they work incredibly well in handheld mode. Playing classic games on the Switch is also easy thanks to Nintendo Switch Online .

In fact, the Steam Deck is much bulkier than the Switch. Regardless of how much power the Steam Deck packs, its compact size and Nintendo-exclusive games make it hard for many people to ditch the Switch.

More powerful gaming laptops

The Steam Deck is a cut above the Switch in terms of processing power. However, compared to gaming laptops , it is far behind. Equipped with the latest GPUs, high-end CPUs, and plenty of RAM, laptops can play just about anything you throw at them.

Gaming laptops give you access to your Steam library in a portable format, while also making it easy to stream Netflix, respond to work emails, or browse social media. Simply put, the benefits of a gaming laptop outweigh the benefits of a Steam Deck.

Laptops may not have the compact form factor of the Steam Deck, making them less appealing for on-the-go gaming, but few people enjoy gaming on planes or while traveling around town on public transport. If you’re gaming away from home, you’ll often find yourself in the comfort of a hotel, which can take away from the handheld form factor.

Playing games with handheld devices is not the preferred way for many people to play.

Playing games on a handheld device is not a favorite way for many people. People prefer to play games on a large 4K screen with a lightweight controller that fits comfortably in their hands. At home, a dedicated gaming setup will provide a much more immersive experience than anything you can find on a 7-inch LCD screen. Some people choose to hook up their laptop to their TV and use it as a traditional console.

Gaming with a handheld is great if you have to share your TV with some other family members or roommates, as it gives you the flexibility to continue gaming even when you can't use the big screen.

The Steam Deck is one of the best gaming gadgets around. For anyone interested in handheld gaming, it’s the best option on the market. But for someone who carries a gaming laptop and a Nintendo Switch around, it’s hard to justify spending over $300 on a device that you’ll only use a handful of times.