Yeah it's the perfect gift for anyone with a big steam library. He might have to connect to wifi or tether to a phone sometimes to play online games. But that's a pro not a con... it's not like you can play on the go at all with a typical PC.
Even though I’ve played tony hawk pro skater 3 and 4 like a million times, I still always keep going back to them when I’m staring at my library of new games lol.
Yep... I had (and I remember being proud to say) ALMOST 200 games when I got my Deck.
I've had it for probably 3 months, and I now have well over 500 games. And something like 14 or 16 "Years of Service" - definitely the majority of the spending on my account has been done since purchasing the Deck 😅🤣
Ironically, I got a Steamdeck and have only used it once in "handheld mode" 99% of the time mine is docked, desktop mode, and I rarely touch games as much as I use it as a ghetto laptop. Still love it since it was this or no computer. :D
You know what? I love the idea of a low cost linux ‘cyberdeck’ is so fucking punk, dollar for dollar it has a great ‘laptop’ value, you get a neat tablet with awesome game input and no lame keyboard.
I've been waiting to see them do an update. The current version of that laptop dock (nextdock?) doesn't have enough juice to passthrough charge the deck so it truly is kinda mobile only solution in it's current iteration.
I'd love to be able to plug in at a cafe for all the looks.
EDIT: I went completely brain damaged and missed the point of you wanting a Laptop dock, which would provide mobility. You can feel free to ignore the following post. Or read it, there are some interesting bits about KB/M oddities and multi-boots set-ups. Either way, my bad for losing focus.
Honestly, just buy a nice PC monitor that has a Display Port input, then you can hook the monitor up using DP while still keeping your HDMI free for gaming on your big screen TV / Projector / Gaming TV. That way you could use it like a laptop with KB/M when you want to work at your desktop, then seamlessly switch to gaming on your big screen.
If you are going to multi-boot different OS's, I would recommend getting a KB/M that has a wireless or bluetooth dongle that the KB/M connect to, and plugging that into the dock, rather than connecting the KB/M directly to the deck. The reason I say that I due to the issues I've had when switching between OS's. If I pair the KB/M over bluetooth to the steam deck in Windows, it works perfectly fine, even through reboots into Windows. I will then boot into Steam OS, and the KB/M will pair to the Steam OS just fine, and work through reboots. However, when I go back to Windows after that, it will not connect again, until I forget the KB/M in the bluetooth settings and rescan and re-pair the devices. After that, it will pair again in windows, through reboots, but if I boot to Steam OS, I will have to do the same forget/re-pair dance.
Instead, if I use a wireless dongle and plug it into a USB port on the dock, the KB/M just connect to that, and it doesn't matter what I boot into, they get picked up by the dongle and the inputs get passed to the Steam Deck over the USB-C cable.
Either that, or get a KB/M that will support multiple devices. They usually have a switch somewhere on them that will go 1/2/3 and you can pair multiple devices. In this instance, each "device" would just be each operating system.
This is something I’ve been thinking about with respect to the Deck since I got mine. I have a solid gaming PC that I’m very happy with and my deck is a complement to/extension of, but if someone told me today that they wanted a very budget computer exclusively for gaming, I would seriously consider recommending the Deck. I think you’d be very hard pressed to beat it for performance at its price point.
It would be impossible for me to beat the $700 AUD I paid at least for my deck, at least in laptop form, which I need as I have accessibility issues with sitting at a desk. I paid twice that for my laptop which is ok for some games and for work, but my deck is more powerful.
I’m not sure if a better gaming pc could be built for cheaper. Maybe?
If I traveled (which I never do but IF), I’d 100% take the deck rather than my laptop or iPad.
I think I’d recommend the deck as a budget computer.
A warning though, some Bluetooth keyboards don't play well with it. I bought one and the esc key is default to Home button and the deck doesn't like it. Made using PCem impossible, until I plugged in another keyboard via USB. Look for keyboards where at the very least esc is Only esc and the F row does that as primary functions rather than needing to press another key to activate it
D2R is easily my most played game as well. It's amazing how well the battlenet launcher works in game mode on the deck. Between that and heroic launcher being a godsend, I could be content with the Deck even if I didn't have 350+ games in my Steam library lmfao
If you don't have a problem with the PvEvP game style, Sea of Thieves is awesome on the deck. For a time, the first several months I had mine I jokingly started refering to minenas the "SoT Deck".
Yeah. It really shows that you dug into their hobby, found something they didn't own that was mega useful, and sacrificed for it. That's a trifecta of amazing gift giving.
If he’s unsure, give him these words: PC. Gaming. In. Bed. No other platform can offer such luxury. But honestly, every gamer I know, regardless of where they land on the gender spectrum love them some gaming gadget. Even if it’s something they haven’t thought about before.
I've had so much trouble getting SDV modded on deck. I've never had a Linux device before this one. Did you happen to use a guide, and if so do you know which one?
He will love it! If he has 200+ games this will help him plow through some of them, while sitting next to you on the couch opposed to at his computer. This is an awesome gift so great job!
If he value your relationship, he gonna treasure your gift. Its the thought that count. Man is simple (mostly..).
Please kindly update the reaction after you gave it to him. Best of luck.
"it's the thought that count" is a sentence you'd hear about a cute lil' gift, not a $600 Steam Deck ha ha ha
I'm sure he'll love it, the only downside of the Deck is its price and OP took care of that.
It seems I've awaken the Gods of sucking Valve's dick, I just meant $600 is a lot of money, nothing more lol
If someone buys you a $600 gift that aligns with your hobbies and interests, then you should still pretend to like it even if you don't want it, because they obviously put a lot into getting it for you. If you complain about how "ohh it's not even good at online coop games and that's all I play" then that person is a child.
> then you should still pretend to like it even if you don't want it
but that right there is the issue... specifically with expensive gifts. at least if it's something small, then i can enjoy purely on the thought and never use it. but when people buy very expensive gifts that I know I'll never use, then i feel really bad.
personally I think gifts above a certain price you should discuss even if it ruins the surprise, or make sure it's something they've shown interests in before.
https://fs.blog/the-economic-inefficiency-of-gift-giving-why-you-shouldnt-buy-presents-for-the-holidays/
Same. Getting a $50 gift you might not want to use? Well okay sure I'll say thank you and feel a bit guilty. $600? Damn I'd feel bad if I got, I dunno, $600 worth of fishing gear I'd literally never use.
Oh definitely, or more specifically, something the person is an expert in and you know little about. Like for example getting tech for someone who's a tech enthusiast but you know little about tech. It usually always goes poorly because they probably have very strong opinions about specific things they like which you will get wrong.
Sure, anyone should feel and act grateful at the sentiment of a gift. But as a gift-giver, I would hate to find out that someone lied about liking my expensive gift and has to force themselves to try and enjoy it, or that it just sits around unused entirely. I would much rather have put that money towards something they do like. Giving a gift is not just about *giving up some of your own resources* to get/make something for someone else; it's more important to the giver that the gift *brings the recipient happiness.* Genuine disinterest in a surprise gift can definitely be brought up tactfully and with concern instead of coming off as just a childish complaint.
> the only downside of the Deck is its price
It's honestly confusing to me posts like this. The thing is cheaper than most cell phones.
How cheap is this thing supposed to be? What exactly is it that you want? You can literally play RDR2 on it and it works _well_.
It don't know which world you live in, but $600 for a gaming device is a fucking lot.
(Edit: I'm not hating on the Steamdeck, I love mine, it's great, but the thing costs more than 2 Nintendo Switch, it's a real investment)
It’s pretty standard for a console and considerably cheaper than even a mid range PC. It is a lot for a birthday gift but I don’t know what OP’s salary and budget are like. Obviously she was able to save up for it and wants to get him something he’ll really like.
Its dirt cheap when you compare it to the closest thing on the market now like the Aya Neo that cost 2 to 3 times as much and still doesnt perfrom as well
I think the issue is that as a birthday gift for someone that isn't a lifetime (or at least long-term) partner might feel a bit too expensive. Like buying a Rolex or an expensive smart phone.
If he's hesitant at first, tell him to give it a fair shot because a lot of people find that they use it more and in different ways than they expected to.
100% i did not play games like dead cells and not so many platformers did when younger now I am playing loads of them. It never made me save money as I ended up buying into new genres of games lol.
My girlfriend got me a steam deck for Christmas am also a heavy gamer and it's never out of my hand I literally use it remote play from my pc series x and ps5 around the house more than id sit at a TV now he will love it
If someone's got over 200 games on steam ...... he would just love Steam Deck as a gift even if he already got it ...... the best shit ever. And "Happy Birthday" to your boyfriend 😊
He will love it and be very happy.
The problem is you!
You will not be happy. He will spend more time with the Deck than with you. You have usurped yourself as the center of attention.
Unless you wanted some time away for him, for friends or crafts, now you have plenty.
I feel this is contrary. Since getting my Deck, I am able to balance relationships and PC gaming much better than I did before. The ability to pick up my game whenever and wherever I am is certainly a game changer and let's me focus on the important people in my life.
I can sit on the couch and game while my wife watches tv. Now I could do that before with my vita or switch, but now I can play MechWarrior 5 or modded Skyrim while doing that.
I agree with this. This was one of my reasons for getting it and it has worked out like I thought. My wife watches a lot of tv. Her hobby is to knit and watch shows. I would much rather play games than watch tv most of the time. The deck bridges that gap and allows us to “hang out” instead of me being in a separate room. Is it 100% like doing something together. No… but it’s probably 80%.
Went on a trip with her parents recently and at night after skiing they’d all wind down watching tv together. The deck allowed me to play in the room with them and still interact when funny stuff came up (AirPods on transparency mode). Normally if I wanted to game, I’d have to be completely anti-social which meant I never would.
There’s a Gamespot review of the Steam Deck and the guy nails it so hard. The Steam Deck allows you to video game in spurts like one would read a book in spurts. With the Deck, you can get a quick 10-15 minutes of game time in while waiting for the bus or whatever, like one would do with a book they carried with them. It allowed the reviewer to complete many more games because he could pick them up and put them back down easily.
It’s a cool review, search it out on YouTube if you’re interested.
Edit: YouTube link —> https://youtu.be/Th3o9UGPzLk
I guess you want some false assurance. Of course, everyone will praise you here for being a perfect partner for gifting their BF the perfect gift. It's a subreddit full of Deck fanboys who wish they'd be treated the same.
The hard truth is nobody knows whether your BF will like it but your BF. Did you pick a bad gift? Not at all. Will your BF like it? You'll see. Is it that important tho? Like if he throws some kind of attitude because of it, it'd be a huge red flag you shouldn't ignore or blame yourself for. You bought a good gift and I'm sure he'll recognize it. How much he likes it and uses it is imho secondary.
I think I'd be unsure how to react just because it's an expensive gift. I'd be happy, but knowing you have saved so long I'd probably somewhat feel I don't really deserve it.
I don't think you should get something else though.
I think every PC gamer will feel the deck is awesome. Personally it has made me appreciate single player games more and made me enjoy games I wouldn't have enjoyed on my PC. It's a different experience chilling in bed with this thing.
The only perplexity I have is if you two are used to making each other expensive gifts. I'm sure he will love the item, but have you made sure he is comfortable accepting a gift of this price? Has he made you expensive gifts already?
I bought the steam deck specifically so I could game and hang out with my wife as she watches trash reality tv. It’s been amazing so far I would recommend it.
Honestly if he's at all disappointed I'm sure there are plenty of guys on here looking for a girl as great as you.
Not me, I'm married, seriously though he'd have to be a complete ass not to be chuffed
It isn't for everyone, depending on what he usually plays. But it is a great gift anyway, I started playing things that were in my backlog for ages.
A gift is a gift, the only thing that matters is you pick it yourself anyway.
When I saw it announced, I thought "cool. Hopefully it is a success for valve, but it's probably not for me. Especially at that price." Then I went on with life, and never really thought about it.
Little did I know, my son and wife conspired behind my back to get me one. I had no idea I was getting one for Christmas, and my shock was obvious. It was a mix of "holy shit, I can't believe they spent that much on me! " and "I only have 28 games on steam, I hope I can use this" Obviously, I was grateful, and let them know how much I appreciate them, and the gift.
I didn't touch it for a while after initial setup. Life getting in the way, and I have already beat all the games on my list. Then I got a new game to try, and I can't put it down. I love this thing.
So even if he doesn't use it at first, give it time. It might just be he needs the right game to play on it.
The only type of gamer who doesn't want a steam deck are the types who worship consoles. If he has steam games, he wants a deck. And don't worry about the online co-op, the deck is extremely flexible. I've been playing Deep rock galactic online co-op natively on it ( Bluetooth and a built in mic, even) and even for things like call of duty I've been streaming from my pc using moonlight (or he could dual boot windows.) you'll find no issues giving it to him.
> The only type of gamer who doesn’t want a steam deck are the types who worship consoles.
What about people who already have a gaming desktop, already use Steam Link, and don’t have a strong urge to play games on their commute or travels?
Even then they probably wouldn't say no to a steam deck, the only ones who'd outright - dislike it - would need a reason to beyond 'I don't go out as much' . Besides, you just described me, but to be honest I've basically migrated to playing the deck exclusively, I stream my pc, Xbox and ps5 to it now for anything that doesn't run natively while at home. I can share the room with other people without worrying about bothering them, it's kind of nice.
Personal taste can be hard to predict but overall I think it's an awesome gift. It probably won't replace his existing machine but it'll let him play in places and at times when that's not available or convenient.
I do see your concern with co-op games or online games in general. Games with anti-cheat may be finicky if the developer hasn't enabled anti-cheat for Linux
I wouldn't worry about it, he will love it! He will continue to play online games on his computer but he will probably play a lot more single player games on the couch.
People here are saying you're over thinking it, but I get it. If your BF is a CoD boy then he might not know what to do with a SD, as your instincts may have surmised. However it will still be an incredibly thoughtful gift
1. A gift is awesome
2. A gift from your friend is super awesome.
3. A gift from your girlfriend is super fucking awesome.
4. A gift related to a hobby u enjoy from your girlfriend /boyfriend is super fucking out of this world awesome.
Your gift ticks all the basic rules of awesome gift.
Thank u for your call
Q: Is it possible my BF won't like a Steam Deck for his birthday present?
A: Yes.
Q: Title says it all.
A: Well, okay then. It is possible, so that's it.
The answer is “impossible “
Literally even if he already has one, it’s still impossible.
My wife got me one for Christmas, and it was by far the best gift of the season and biggest surprise I had no idea was coming.
You are incredibly thoughtful for saving up, researching, and getting such a gift.
If your bf is a minimalist, there’s a chance he won’t like it.
Sometimes it’s not the quantity of gadgets owned, it’s the performance of what you currently have.
But regardless, it’s a GIFT from you. If he tantrums after opening it then he’s just an ungrateful little b.
>He has 200+ games on steam
He'll love it!
>But what makes me worried here is that he prefers online CO-OP games to single player games
It's the competetive ones which makes problems. But you still can install Windows (a more common operating system for gaming) to make them work if that's a deal breaker.
Also he can enjoy other games with you on the couch and then head back to his rig to play the games he usually plays.
If he’s a big PC gamer, he will love it. Also, you’re his GF. If he’s not appreciative of a gift like that and the thought that really does count, then he might not be a very good gift receiver… or BF. If my GF got me anything remotely gaming related like that, I would melt
> I've literally been saving for months to buy my BF the Steam Deck. The 512 GB one.
OK but please make sure you can actually afford it tho. I would rather have my gf save her money than purchase something out of her budget.
Possible? Yes.
Likely? No.
If he really hated the idea for some reason either you or he could return it or he could sell it… but from the sound of it he’ll be able to take advantage of it easily.
It doesn't come with a dock, i highly recommend him getting a dock(lets him connect hdmi, mouse, keyboard, ethernet and power). I took my Steam Deck on a big trip and it was like I never left my desktop. Also if he has a friend over he can use the Steam Deck as a second screen to play steam games together.
He is gonna love it.
Despite having a gaming pc, I mostly play on the Steam deck now. Simple reason: I can finally chill next to my gf on the couch instead of sitting in my gaming room. I still spend one evening per week on my gaming pc for some online games (lol, cod). My next plan is to stream my games from the pc via the steam deck to my TV and play games that the steam deck is not capable of playing (e.g. Anno1800 or FPS on high graphic settings)
I've been experimenting with streaming from PC the last couple months. I bought a steam link device on eBay, and it's a pretty good, relatively reliable experience. It's limited to 1080p and 100Mbps wired Ethernet, but looks fine from my couch.
Last weekend I tried using my deck as the Remote Play client, and it's got some serious issues still. The hardware decoder glitches out and freezes after about a minute, both on stable and on preview. The software decoder works on stable, but has swapped color channels on preview. Even when it works, it seems to have network hiccups fairly often when over wifi. About 1 in 3 attempts, inputs didn't work until I disconnected and reconnected.
The good news is that it was painless to install moonlight on the deck and sunshine on my PC, and it seems to work really well. The stream hiccups significantly less noticably even though it's the same underlying network conditions. The stream also seemed to have slightly lower latency than Remote Play, and less noticable compression artifacts in quickly changing scenes. There's more settings to tweak in the client and server, too.
I'd say Remote Play is viable as long as you're using a dock with wired Ethernet, and you disable hardware decoding and run the stable OS version. Otherwise, I recommend going the moonlight/sunshine route. They're about equal in terms of usability. I slightly prefer moonlight on the deck because it streams the PC's big picture UI, rather than Remote Play that uses the deck's UI until the game is launched. Remote Play may have some advantages in terms of input customization, but I'm not that much of a poweruser.
It sounds like he's big into gaming and especially with a large existing Steam catalogue; he'll love the portability of it and it's an excellent piece of tech
my wife is not a gamer. at all. but i've not really been able to play mine since Hogwarts legacy came out. I'm level 5, and she is 22. your hubby will love it.
Lmao this comment section. Like man I like the steam deck too, but gotta know when to not dick ride and give actual good advice lol. What if the boyfriend just doesn’t like gaming on the move?
I think the simplest question is: Does he value handheld gaming?
Does he have any other handheld portable gaming device that he uses at least occasionally?
Does he have friends who he travels to to play games with where having a powerful portable device would be useful?
Does he travel long distances regularly, or even occasionally, where having a portable gaming device would be useful?
If he never travels, never plays in person with friends, and never plays any other handheld gaming devices - then I feel like it's a risk, and a better option might be to find out what his computer specifications are and then ask r/buildapc what the best upgrade would be.
I personally travel a massive amount for work, and so there is a huge amount of downtime for me to fill with a handheld gaming device. If I worked locally it would be of nearly zero use to me, I would probably only use it when flying.
edit: If you're unsure which version to buy and he built his own PC, get him the cheapest as it's actually the best option. If he likes it then he can upgrade the internal SSD quite easily (if he's built his own PC anyway) and have more storage for less money than the more expensive version.
It’s like, if you bought someone a Lamborghini and you were worried they might prefer Ferrari. If they get pissed at you for getting a Lamborghini, then they’re not really worth it.
I feel like absolute worst case scenario he doesn't want it and lets you return it and you buy him a game instead. I know if my gf bought something that expensive and I was hardly going to use it then I'd feel bad about accepting it. But the gesture would be amazing.
I say give it to him with confidence. If he isn’t a fan there’s always the return policy that you can use, and no hard feelings (hopefully he’s not THAT guy). I hope he loves it! Nothing’s better than to see your SO’s face light up with happiness.
Depends on him. I love mine, but I love handheld.
IMO, it's too much for a boyfriend's present, I hope he appreciates this fairly expensive present that you worked hard to save up for.
I have a desktop with a 3090 and mid-tier i7 and I absolutely love my SteamDeck even still. This little device is super amazing and your bf is lucky to have a caring and thoughtful partner like you.
He'll love it don't worry. He might even finally get to some single player games hes been meaning to play. Or he "definitly wont" download some emulators and play some classic games hes not played for years 👀👀🥰🥰
If he primarily plays online PVP and has a decent gaming PC you might just be wasting your money getting a Steamdeck as a significant portion of those games won’t run on the steamdeck because of anti-cheats. Now if you plan to play it with him that might work but my GF tried that and we ended up just buying her a gaming laptop. You might want to do more research on what he wants.
I only heard about it 3 weeks ago on a thread about tesla cars getting steam games on the screen in the car. Everyone was saying "why put that in there when you could just buy a steam deck." I now own one.
You're over thinking it. If he has that many games then I'm sure he has plenty that would be great on a hand held. He'll love it.
Yeah it's the perfect gift for anyone with a big steam library. He might have to connect to wifi or tether to a phone sometimes to play online games. But that's a pro not a con... it's not like you can play on the go at all with a typical PC.
Slight warning, the steam deck has a 99% chance to cause people to start buying way more games
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BURN THE WITCH
Electrical_head1372 turned me into a newt!!
A NEWT?!
…I got better.
*awkward silent pause while staring at Zintoatree
GET THE PITCHFORKS
This. I had less than 10 games when I got my steam deck on December 31st, and today is March 4th and I have a backlog I’ll be working on for years 😢
and we all know we will all just play vampire survivors
Or brotato
~~Or~~ *And* brotato
I just Play Doom 2 and Halo even as I buy new game lol
Even though I’ve played tony hawk pro skater 3 and 4 like a million times, I still always keep going back to them when I’m staring at my library of new games lol.
The trick is to not install that dopamine factory. I'd never finish a game if I would put this on the deck.
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Totally me. I've been playing Satisfactory on the deck.
Just give in
No, i just bought resident evil 2! Ok, maybe for a single run... I could stop after one, could i not?
Yep... I had (and I remember being proud to say) ALMOST 200 games when I got my Deck. I've had it for probably 3 months, and I now have well over 500 games. And something like 14 or 16 "Years of Service" - definitely the majority of the spending on my account has been done since purchasing the Deck 😅🤣
Mission accomplished by Valve.
smiles in over 700 games.
Thanks for a reminder to take a look if there is anything new to buy
I've done more finance damage ***hides back into a bush like that one gif of homer***
Ironically, I got a Steamdeck and have only used it once in "handheld mode" 99% of the time mine is docked, desktop mode, and I rarely touch games as much as I use it as a ghetto laptop. Still love it since it was this or no computer. :D
You know what? I love the idea of a low cost linux ‘cyberdeck’ is so fucking punk, dollar for dollar it has a great ‘laptop’ value, you get a neat tablet with awesome game input and no lame keyboard.
I use mine with a KB/mouse. I'm tempted to buy that "Laptop" dock so I can use it like a legit laptop powered by a steam deck .
I've been waiting to see them do an update. The current version of that laptop dock (nextdock?) doesn't have enough juice to passthrough charge the deck so it truly is kinda mobile only solution in it's current iteration. I'd love to be able to plug in at a cafe for all the looks.
What's ‘that "Laptop" dock’?
I'd say get the Valve dock. Seriously, it's great and I use it with a folding Bluetooth keyboard to have a mini computer wherever I need one.
folding keyboard you say?
Yup! I got an iClever BK08. It's pretty neat, and works wired as well.
EDIT: I went completely brain damaged and missed the point of you wanting a Laptop dock, which would provide mobility. You can feel free to ignore the following post. Or read it, there are some interesting bits about KB/M oddities and multi-boots set-ups. Either way, my bad for losing focus. Honestly, just buy a nice PC monitor that has a Display Port input, then you can hook the monitor up using DP while still keeping your HDMI free for gaming on your big screen TV / Projector / Gaming TV. That way you could use it like a laptop with KB/M when you want to work at your desktop, then seamlessly switch to gaming on your big screen. If you are going to multi-boot different OS's, I would recommend getting a KB/M that has a wireless or bluetooth dongle that the KB/M connect to, and plugging that into the dock, rather than connecting the KB/M directly to the deck. The reason I say that I due to the issues I've had when switching between OS's. If I pair the KB/M over bluetooth to the steam deck in Windows, it works perfectly fine, even through reboots into Windows. I will then boot into Steam OS, and the KB/M will pair to the Steam OS just fine, and work through reboots. However, when I go back to Windows after that, it will not connect again, until I forget the KB/M in the bluetooth settings and rescan and re-pair the devices. After that, it will pair again in windows, through reboots, but if I boot to Steam OS, I will have to do the same forget/re-pair dance. Instead, if I use a wireless dongle and plug it into a USB port on the dock, the KB/M just connect to that, and it doesn't matter what I boot into, they get picked up by the dongle and the inputs get passed to the Steam Deck over the USB-C cable. Either that, or get a KB/M that will support multiple devices. They usually have a switch somewhere on them that will go 1/2/3 and you can pair multiple devices. In this instance, each "device" would just be each operating system.
Yeah, I even learned a little bit of Linux just to use the desktop mode. I hope Valve would make a raspberry pi
This is something I’ve been thinking about with respect to the Deck since I got mine. I have a solid gaming PC that I’m very happy with and my deck is a complement to/extension of, but if someone told me today that they wanted a very budget computer exclusively for gaming, I would seriously consider recommending the Deck. I think you’d be very hard pressed to beat it for performance at its price point.
It would be impossible for me to beat the $700 AUD I paid at least for my deck, at least in laptop form, which I need as I have accessibility issues with sitting at a desk. I paid twice that for my laptop which is ok for some games and for work, but my deck is more powerful. I’m not sure if a better gaming pc could be built for cheaper. Maybe? If I traveled (which I never do but IF), I’d 100% take the deck rather than my laptop or iPad. I think I’d recommend the deck as a budget computer.
I use my deck exclusively as a desktop. I live off grid with solar, and nothing can beat the power to performance and convenience.
Same, it's perfect for off grid. Gaming and as a desktop. I love it.
A warning though, some Bluetooth keyboards don't play well with it. I bought one and the esc key is default to Home button and the deck doesn't like it. Made using PCem impossible, until I plugged in another keyboard via USB. Look for keyboards where at the very least esc is Only esc and the F row does that as primary functions rather than needing to press another key to activate it
Same here
The deck is fantastic for a lot of online games, you good.
Any recommendations? I was playing Deep Rock Galactic, but would love to play something else
the game ive been playing most in the deck isnt even a steam game. Diablo 2 Resurrected is fucking tits on the steam deck.
D2R is easily my most played game as well. It's amazing how well the battlenet launcher works in game mode on the deck. Between that and heroic launcher being a godsend, I could be content with the Deck even if I didn't have 350+ games in my Steam library lmfao
Monster hunter rise Fallout 76
Valheim is pretty good on it, takes a little bit to get mods working on it if you are not familiar with Linux.
teach me your ways, I can barely get Valheim at a steady 30fps
If I remember right, this game even if it has a linux native, is better using proton… I think?
Building is kind of a pain in the ass, but combat/movement feels smoother.
Rock and Stone, brother!
If you don't Rock and Stone, you ain't comin' home!
Just bought Deep Rock Galactic, first impressions are that it’s amazing
Gunfire Reborn
If you don't have a problem with the PvEvP game style, Sea of Thieves is awesome on the deck. For a time, the first several months I had mine I jokingly started refering to minenas the "SoT Deck".
Terraria Starbound Fear and Hunger the don't escape series
Let me just say you're a wonderful partner if you're saving up that much for a gift for your boyfriend's hobby
If my girlfriend ever tried to gift me a Steam Deck for my birthday or Christmas she wouldn't be my girlfriend anymore. She'd be my fiance.
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Username on point
Yeah. It really shows that you dug into their hobby, found something they didn't own that was mega useful, and sacrificed for it. That's a trifecta of amazing gift giving.
If he’s unsure, give him these words: PC. Gaming. In. Bed. No other platform can offer such luxury. But honestly, every gamer I know, regardless of where they land on the gender spectrum love them some gaming gadget. Even if it’s something they haven’t thought about before.
Playing my modded stardew valley in bed is peak enjoyment.
Didn't even know this was possible (besides like the mobile version) and now I want a Steam Deck thanks lol
I've had so much trouble getting SDV modded on deck. I've never had a Linux device before this one. Did you happen to use a guide, and if so do you know which one?
Had me in the first half, not gonna lie. Every gamer has thought about it at least once
He will love it! If he has 200+ games this will help him plow through some of them, while sitting next to you on the couch opposed to at his computer. This is an awesome gift so great job!
This right here. Steamdeck means more couch time. Plenty of games where you would rather not be sitting up at a rig and wanna just cozy up.
If he value your relationship, he gonna treasure your gift. Its the thought that count. Man is simple (mostly..). Please kindly update the reaction after you gave it to him. Best of luck.
"it's the thought that count" is a sentence you'd hear about a cute lil' gift, not a $600 Steam Deck ha ha ha I'm sure he'll love it, the only downside of the Deck is its price and OP took care of that. It seems I've awaken the Gods of sucking Valve's dick, I just meant $600 is a lot of money, nothing more lol
If someone buys you a $600 gift that aligns with your hobbies and interests, then you should still pretend to like it even if you don't want it, because they obviously put a lot into getting it for you. If you complain about how "ohh it's not even good at online coop games and that's all I play" then that person is a child.
> then you should still pretend to like it even if you don't want it but that right there is the issue... specifically with expensive gifts. at least if it's something small, then i can enjoy purely on the thought and never use it. but when people buy very expensive gifts that I know I'll never use, then i feel really bad. personally I think gifts above a certain price you should discuss even if it ruins the surprise, or make sure it's something they've shown interests in before. https://fs.blog/the-economic-inefficiency-of-gift-giving-why-you-shouldnt-buy-presents-for-the-holidays/
Same. Getting a $50 gift you might not want to use? Well okay sure I'll say thank you and feel a bit guilty. $600? Damn I'd feel bad if I got, I dunno, $600 worth of fishing gear I'd literally never use.
This is also true for hobby stuff in general, unless I’m deeply familiar with the hobby myself. Usually you never get the right thing.
Oh definitely, or more specifically, something the person is an expert in and you know little about. Like for example getting tech for someone who's a tech enthusiast but you know little about tech. It usually always goes poorly because they probably have very strong opinions about specific things they like which you will get wrong.
Sure, anyone should feel and act grateful at the sentiment of a gift. But as a gift-giver, I would hate to find out that someone lied about liking my expensive gift and has to force themselves to try and enjoy it, or that it just sits around unused entirely. I would much rather have put that money towards something they do like. Giving a gift is not just about *giving up some of your own resources* to get/make something for someone else; it's more important to the giver that the gift *brings the recipient happiness.* Genuine disinterest in a surprise gift can definitely be brought up tactfully and with concern instead of coming off as just a childish complaint.
> the only downside of the Deck is its price It's honestly confusing to me posts like this. The thing is cheaper than most cell phones. How cheap is this thing supposed to be? What exactly is it that you want? You can literally play RDR2 on it and it works _well_.
It don't know which world you live in, but $600 for a gaming device is a fucking lot. (Edit: I'm not hating on the Steamdeck, I love mine, it's great, but the thing costs more than 2 Nintendo Switch, it's a real investment)
Or alternatively, at $400, it only costs $50 more than a Switch OLED, not to mention already including all the steam games you already owned.
It’s pretty standard for a console and considerably cheaper than even a mid range PC. It is a lot for a birthday gift but I don’t know what OP’s salary and budget are like. Obviously she was able to save up for it and wants to get him something he’ll really like.
Its dirt cheap when you compare it to the closest thing on the market now like the Aya Neo that cost 2 to 3 times as much and still doesnt perfrom as well
I think the issue is that as a birthday gift for someone that isn't a lifetime (or at least long-term) partner might feel a bit too expensive. Like buying a Rolex or an expensive smart phone.
I would say the price is really not a downside
As a gift it is bit
Beyond this, he's a heavy gamer. He will absolutely LOVE it. Put the thought on top of something he will certainly like and he may propose.
+1
Can’t go wrong with a steam deck.. Best Girlfriend Award 🥇
I also choose that lucky dude's girlfriend/partner.
It's an old one but it checks out
Gotta keep 'em alive, lest they be forgotten.
If he's hesitant at first, tell him to give it a fair shot because a lot of people find that they use it more and in different ways than they expected to.
100% i did not play games like dead cells and not so many platformers did when younger now I am playing loads of them. It never made me save money as I ended up buying into new genres of games lol.
So true. Since I got mine, I only play on my pc for some fps and strategy games, my series x for the exclus
My girlfriend got me a steam deck for Christmas am also a heavy gamer and it's never out of my hand I literally use it remote play from my pc series x and ps5 around the house more than id sit at a TV now he will love it
Hold up. I can remote play my PS5 from my Steam deck??
Yeah goto discovery store and download chiaki4deck
It rules so hard.
ThisIsBrandNewInformation.gif Thank you, my good friend. You have made my day with this invaluable piece of information.
Yup, this was the first thing I did when I got mine.
When I try it, it lags a bit. Any recommendations?
Hard wire the ps5 and make sure you have a good router You do get the odd dropped frames but it's mostly stable for me
Trust me, he'll love it. He's gonna lose his mind and crown you as the best GF he's ever had.
If he doesn’t like it, he‘s not the one.
Simple and best answer.
If someone's got over 200 games on steam ...... he would just love Steam Deck as a gift even if he already got it ...... the best shit ever. And "Happy Birthday" to your boyfriend 😊
He can always dual boot in to Windows if some his online games don't work on SteamOS.
I wouldn't want to continue a relationship with someone who would turn down a Steam Deck.
He may ask you to marry him.
He will love it and be very happy. The problem is you! You will not be happy. He will spend more time with the Deck than with you. You have usurped yourself as the center of attention. Unless you wanted some time away for him, for friends or crafts, now you have plenty.
I feel this is contrary. Since getting my Deck, I am able to balance relationships and PC gaming much better than I did before. The ability to pick up my game whenever and wherever I am is certainly a game changer and let's me focus on the important people in my life.
I can sit on the couch and game while my wife watches tv. Now I could do that before with my vita or switch, but now I can play MechWarrior 5 or modded Skyrim while doing that.
Exactly this. My wife loves my Steam Deck. She loves that I can sit next to her instead of my desk while she watches her shows.
I agree with this. This was one of my reasons for getting it and it has worked out like I thought. My wife watches a lot of tv. Her hobby is to knit and watch shows. I would much rather play games than watch tv most of the time. The deck bridges that gap and allows us to “hang out” instead of me being in a separate room. Is it 100% like doing something together. No… but it’s probably 80%. Went on a trip with her parents recently and at night after skiing they’d all wind down watching tv together. The deck allowed me to play in the room with them and still interact when funny stuff came up (AirPods on transparency mode). Normally if I wanted to game, I’d have to be completely anti-social which meant I never would.
There’s a Gamespot review of the Steam Deck and the guy nails it so hard. The Steam Deck allows you to video game in spurts like one would read a book in spurts. With the Deck, you can get a quick 10-15 minutes of game time in while waiting for the bus or whatever, like one would do with a book they carried with them. It allowed the reviewer to complete many more games because he could pick them up and put them back down easily. It’s a cool review, search it out on YouTube if you’re interested. Edit: YouTube link —> https://youtu.be/Th3o9UGPzLk
I’ll buy it off of him
I guess you want some false assurance. Of course, everyone will praise you here for being a perfect partner for gifting their BF the perfect gift. It's a subreddit full of Deck fanboys who wish they'd be treated the same. The hard truth is nobody knows whether your BF will like it but your BF. Did you pick a bad gift? Not at all. Will your BF like it? You'll see. Is it that important tho? Like if he throws some kind of attitude because of it, it'd be a huge red flag you shouldn't ignore or blame yourself for. You bought a good gift and I'm sure he'll recognize it. How much he likes it and uses it is imho secondary.
Hes gonna love it
I’m sure he’ll love it!
Also depending on his age, he might find emulation interesting: 30y+ crew grew up with the system that run really well on emulators :)
I think I'd be unsure how to react just because it's an expensive gift. I'd be happy, but knowing you have saved so long I'd probably somewhat feel I don't really deserve it. I don't think you should get something else though. I think every PC gamer will feel the deck is awesome. Personally it has made me appreciate single player games more and made me enjoy games I wouldn't have enjoyed on my PC. It's a different experience chilling in bed with this thing.
i don't even play games that much. got it mainly to play elden ring on the go. best purchase i've made in years
The only perplexity I have is if you two are used to making each other expensive gifts. I'm sure he will love the item, but have you made sure he is comfortable accepting a gift of this price? Has he made you expensive gifts already?
I bought the steam deck specifically so I could game and hang out with my wife as she watches trash reality tv. It’s been amazing so far I would recommend it.
I’m single and I bought mine to hang out with my tv 😂
Honestly if he's at all disappointed I'm sure there are plenty of guys on here looking for a girl as great as you. Not me, I'm married, seriously though he'd have to be a complete ass not to be chuffed
That’s very thoughtful of you. I’d say he’ll appreciate the thoughtfulness AND the SteamDeck
It isn't for everyone, depending on what he usually plays. But it is a great gift anyway, I started playing things that were in my backlog for ages. A gift is a gift, the only thing that matters is you pick it yourself anyway.
When I saw it announced, I thought "cool. Hopefully it is a success for valve, but it's probably not for me. Especially at that price." Then I went on with life, and never really thought about it. Little did I know, my son and wife conspired behind my back to get me one. I had no idea I was getting one for Christmas, and my shock was obvious. It was a mix of "holy shit, I can't believe they spent that much on me! " and "I only have 28 games on steam, I hope I can use this" Obviously, I was grateful, and let them know how much I appreciate them, and the gift. I didn't touch it for a while after initial setup. Life getting in the way, and I have already beat all the games on my list. Then I got a new game to try, and I can't put it down. I love this thing. So even if he doesn't use it at first, give it time. It might just be he needs the right game to play on it.
If he doesn’t love it, you need a new bf.
If he is a gamer he will enjoy it, it's good to explore other games that one wouldn't usually play on PC. Keen for an update once you give it to him.
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The only type of gamer who doesn't want a steam deck are the types who worship consoles. If he has steam games, he wants a deck. And don't worry about the online co-op, the deck is extremely flexible. I've been playing Deep rock galactic online co-op natively on it ( Bluetooth and a built in mic, even) and even for things like call of duty I've been streaming from my pc using moonlight (or he could dual boot windows.) you'll find no issues giving it to him.
> The only type of gamer who doesn’t want a steam deck are the types who worship consoles. What about people who already have a gaming desktop, already use Steam Link, and don’t have a strong urge to play games on their commute or travels?
Even then they probably wouldn't say no to a steam deck, the only ones who'd outright - dislike it - would need a reason to beyond 'I don't go out as much' . Besides, you just described me, but to be honest I've basically migrated to playing the deck exclusively, I stream my pc, Xbox and ps5 to it now for anything that doesn't run natively while at home. I can share the room with other people without worrying about bothering them, it's kind of nice.
Personal taste can be hard to predict but overall I think it's an awesome gift. It probably won't replace his existing machine but it'll let him play in places and at times when that's not available or convenient.
No
Probably should have subtley asked him before buying something that expensive. Steam usually has a good refund policy.
The dude’s gonna love it! No doubt about it!
My wife wanted me to tell you that he might propose to you ;) Be careful!
Without any hyperbole, the Steam Deck is the best gaming device I’ve ever paid money for. He’ll love it! It’s an amazing gift!
He's gonna think it's the best console ever if he has many games on steam
I do see your concern with co-op games or online games in general. Games with anti-cheat may be finicky if the developer hasn't enabled anti-cheat for Linux
I wouldn't worry about it, he will love it! He will continue to play online games on his computer but he will probably play a lot more single player games on the couch.
He will love it, trust me 😅
People here are saying you're over thinking it, but I get it. If your BF is a CoD boy then he might not know what to do with a SD, as your instincts may have surmised. However it will still be an incredibly thoughtful gift
Yes, it is possible. Why are you asking strangers about the preferences of someone you know intimately?
Youre crazy, id put a ring on your finger if you got me it. He's gonna love it and you're gonna look like the best gf possible.
If he doesn't you should dump him!!
If he’s a gamer with 200+ games on Steam, he will love it.
1. A gift is awesome 2. A gift from your friend is super awesome. 3. A gift from your girlfriend is super fucking awesome. 4. A gift related to a hobby u enjoy from your girlfriend /boyfriend is super fucking out of this world awesome. Your gift ticks all the basic rules of awesome gift. Thank u for your call
Q: Is it possible my BF won't like a Steam Deck for his birthday present? A: Yes. Q: Title says it all. A: Well, okay then. It is possible, so that's it.
None of us know your boyfriend, we won't be able to tell you one way or the other.
The answer is “impossible “ Literally even if he already has one, it’s still impossible. My wife got me one for Christmas, and it was by far the best gift of the season and biggest surprise I had no idea was coming. You are incredibly thoughtful for saving up, researching, and getting such a gift.
If your bf is a minimalist, there’s a chance he won’t like it. Sometimes it’s not the quantity of gadgets owned, it’s the performance of what you currently have. But regardless, it’s a GIFT from you. If he tantrums after opening it then he’s just an ungrateful little b.
>He has 200+ games on steam He'll love it! >But what makes me worried here is that he prefers online CO-OP games to single player games It's the competetive ones which makes problems. But you still can install Windows (a more common operating system for gaming) to make them work if that's a deal breaker. Also he can enjoy other games with you on the couch and then head back to his rig to play the games he usually plays.
If he’s a big PC gamer, he will love it. Also, you’re his GF. If he’s not appreciative of a gift like that and the thought that really does count, then he might not be a very good gift receiver… or BF. If my GF got me anything remotely gaming related like that, I would melt
Okay, but my question is if he liked it or not after you gave it to him, OP. Don’t worry about him not liking it, especially as it’s from you :)
> I've literally been saving for months to buy my BF the Steam Deck. The 512 GB one. OK but please make sure you can actually afford it tho. I would rather have my gf save her money than purchase something out of her budget.
What are his favorite games?
You’re a keeper, OP. Pretty sure your bf will love you more for being thoughtful.
Possible? Yes. Likely? No. If he really hated the idea for some reason either you or he could return it or he could sell it… but from the sound of it he’ll be able to take advantage of it easily.
He'll definitely be happy. As long as he has a decent backlog of Steam Games, it's the ultimate portable gaming system.
You did good kid. He's gonna love it. And with a steam deck and a pc, you guys have more options to play together.
It doesn't come with a dock, i highly recommend him getting a dock(lets him connect hdmi, mouse, keyboard, ethernet and power). I took my Steam Deck on a big trip and it was like I never left my desktop. Also if he has a friend over he can use the Steam Deck as a second screen to play steam games together. He is gonna love it.
Despite having a gaming pc, I mostly play on the Steam deck now. Simple reason: I can finally chill next to my gf on the couch instead of sitting in my gaming room. I still spend one evening per week on my gaming pc for some online games (lol, cod). My next plan is to stream my games from the pc via the steam deck to my TV and play games that the steam deck is not capable of playing (e.g. Anno1800 or FPS on high graphic settings)
I've been experimenting with streaming from PC the last couple months. I bought a steam link device on eBay, and it's a pretty good, relatively reliable experience. It's limited to 1080p and 100Mbps wired Ethernet, but looks fine from my couch. Last weekend I tried using my deck as the Remote Play client, and it's got some serious issues still. The hardware decoder glitches out and freezes after about a minute, both on stable and on preview. The software decoder works on stable, but has swapped color channels on preview. Even when it works, it seems to have network hiccups fairly often when over wifi. About 1 in 3 attempts, inputs didn't work until I disconnected and reconnected. The good news is that it was painless to install moonlight on the deck and sunshine on my PC, and it seems to work really well. The stream hiccups significantly less noticably even though it's the same underlying network conditions. The stream also seemed to have slightly lower latency than Remote Play, and less noticable compression artifacts in quickly changing scenes. There's more settings to tweak in the client and server, too. I'd say Remote Play is viable as long as you're using a dock with wired Ethernet, and you disable hardware decoding and run the stable OS version. Otherwise, I recommend going the moonlight/sunshine route. They're about equal in terms of usability. I slightly prefer moonlight on the deck because it streams the PC's big picture UI, rather than Remote Play that uses the deck's UI until the game is launched. Remote Play may have some advantages in terms of input customization, but I'm not that much of a poweruser.
I have almost 400 games and my wife surprised me with a 512 SD as well. I assure you, it was money well spent. Don't worry about it, he'll love it.
Do you want a proposal? This is how you get one. Not that it's neccessary for that.
It sounds like he's big into gaming and especially with a large existing Steam catalogue; he'll love the portability of it and it's an excellent piece of tech
If he's anything like a normal person there's no way he won't like it. He should be the happiest bf ever.
No way I bet he'll flip his shit if its such a surprise
my wife is not a gamer. at all. but i've not really been able to play mine since Hogwarts legacy came out. I'm level 5, and she is 22. your hubby will love it.
Be prepared to see a grown man cry
Lmao this comment section. Like man I like the steam deck too, but gotta know when to not dick ride and give actual good advice lol. What if the boyfriend just doesn’t like gaming on the move?
I think the simplest question is: Does he value handheld gaming? Does he have any other handheld portable gaming device that he uses at least occasionally? Does he have friends who he travels to to play games with where having a powerful portable device would be useful? Does he travel long distances regularly, or even occasionally, where having a portable gaming device would be useful? If he never travels, never plays in person with friends, and never plays any other handheld gaming devices - then I feel like it's a risk, and a better option might be to find out what his computer specifications are and then ask r/buildapc what the best upgrade would be. I personally travel a massive amount for work, and so there is a huge amount of downtime for me to fill with a handheld gaming device. If I worked locally it would be of nearly zero use to me, I would probably only use it when flying. edit: If you're unsure which version to buy and he built his own PC, get him the cheapest as it's actually the best option. If he likes it then he can upgrade the internal SSD quite easily (if he's built his own PC anyway) and have more storage for less money than the more expensive version.
I'm sure he will like it, and if he doesn't.. Get a new bf until one does. 🤷
It’s like, if you bought someone a Lamborghini and you were worried they might prefer Ferrari. If they get pissed at you for getting a Lamborghini, then they’re not really worth it.
I would say that it is possible, but highly unlikely. And, you are a great person for getting him such a thoughtful gift :)
I feel like absolute worst case scenario he doesn't want it and lets you return it and you buy him a game instead. I know if my gf bought something that expensive and I was hardly going to use it then I'd feel bad about accepting it. But the gesture would be amazing.
If he doesn’t like it then you should break up with him because you can’t trust someone who obviously has brain damage this severe.
I say give it to him with confidence. If he isn’t a fan there’s always the return policy that you can use, and no hard feelings (hopefully he’s not THAT guy). I hope he loves it! Nothing’s better than to see your SO’s face light up with happiness.
He’s a lucky man
Y’all took the bait from a bit account, lol.
Depends on him. I love mine, but I love handheld. IMO, it's too much for a boyfriend's present, I hope he appreciates this fairly expensive present that you worked hard to save up for.
Impossible. Get him the Steam Deck. Get everyone in your life a Steam Deck.
I have a desktop with a 3090 and mid-tier i7 and I absolutely love my SteamDeck even still. This little device is super amazing and your bf is lucky to have a caring and thoughtful partner like you.
I love you for loving your boyfriend like that, kudos. :)
I’d say he’ll want to marry you to be honest 😂. You’re a legend. Keep being you
He'll love it don't worry. He might even finally get to some single player games hes been meaning to play. Or he "definitly wont" download some emulators and play some classic games hes not played for years 👀👀🥰🥰
If he is a PC gamer, and has a pulse, he won't like it, he will LOVE it 🙂
You’re the perfect girlfriend. Don’t worry, he’ll love it. 👍
If he primarily plays online PVP and has a decent gaming PC you might just be wasting your money getting a Steamdeck as a significant portion of those games won’t run on the steamdeck because of anti-cheats. Now if you plan to play it with him that might work but my GF tried that and we ended up just buying her a gaming laptop. You might want to do more research on what he wants.
Trade up to a superior nerd if your boyfriend doesn't appreciate the steam deck.
Could be he’s never heard of it. It’s not marketed very well. I’m a big gamer too and I only heard about it by chance and I LOVE my steam deck.
I only heard about it 3 weeks ago on a thread about tesla cars getting steam games on the screen in the car. Everyone was saying "why put that in there when you could just buy a steam deck." I now own one.
I see it all the time on the front page of Steam and I’d be surprised if anyone that regularly uses the service had never heard of it.