This was already true for x86 handhelds, companies like Ayaneo and GPD have been around for quite some time. However, removing Windows from the equation and the huge resource overhead it causes, and making Linux a viable alternative with their work on Proton, has absolutely shaken the industry up. It looks like Microsoft is going to try and release a hybrid Windows/Xbox OS for OEMs. I did try out Win11 on my Lenovo Legion Go for an hour or so and it was just awful compared to Bazzite (that uses the Steam Deck UI). So all up it’s a pretty exciting time for handheld and low power gaming!
After the Switch 2 reveal I saw the writing on the wall that console gaming was going to be too expensive for me, but I still wanted a way to easily play on the TV with a controller. The Steam Deck has been awesome for that. I’m fine with playing older games on it and reserving the rare new demanding games I actually want to play for the PS5. Next gen I might just move to PC for demanding games the way things are going.
Oh, I know everything will be affected by the coming price increases. But the thing is, on PC you have a lot of options as far as getting games to play compared to consoles where you’re locked into their ecosystem and have to pay whatever price they want you to. So it’s a higher up front cost for less cost later. And you can choose to pay less for tech that’s older and will run things at lower settings. With consoles you have no choice.
It’s pretty awesome that the steamdeck is now basically a viable and far less limited alternative to consoles for around the same price as one.
This was already true for x86 handhelds, companies like Ayaneo and GPD have been around for quite some time. However, removing Windows from the equation and the huge resource overhead it causes, and making Linux a viable alternative with their work on Proton, has absolutely shaken the industry up. It looks like Microsoft is going to try and release a hybrid Windows/Xbox OS for OEMs. I did try out Win11 on my Lenovo Legion Go for an hour or so and it was just awful compared to Bazzite (that uses the Steam Deck UI). So all up it’s a pretty exciting time for handheld and low power gaming!
After the Switch 2 reveal I saw the writing on the wall that console gaming was going to be too expensive for me, but I still wanted a way to easily play on the TV with a controller. The Steam Deck has been awesome for that. I’m fine with playing older games on it and reserving the rare new demanding games I actually want to play for the PS5. Next gen I might just move to PC for demanding games the way things are going.
Hoo boy. If you think consoles are getting too expensive, it might not be the best time to consider PC gaming.
Oh, I know everything will be affected by the coming price increases. But the thing is, on PC you have a lot of options as far as getting games to play compared to consoles where you’re locked into their ecosystem and have to pay whatever price they want you to. So it’s a higher up front cost for less cost later. And you can choose to pay less for tech that’s older and will run things at lower settings. With consoles you have no choice.
It’s about the only affordable gaming PC right now.
As an added bonus, maybe devs will keep targeting lower end hardware because of it.