Could the Steam Deck Replace Your Gaming Tech?

Valve is positioning the Steam Deck as a catch-all gaming device. Here's why it just might (or might not) be.

There is currently a lot of hype surrounding the Steam Deck, Valve’s new handheld gaming device. With the first pre orders set to be shipped from December 2021, the Nintendo Switch competitor is gaining some deserved attention.

For all the excitement generated around the Steam Deck, however, there are still some additional advantages people aren’t talking about. Like, what if the Steam Deck could replace your laptop or computer?

Read on to find out if the Steam Deck could stand up as an all-in-one unified device for both gaming and work, and even replace some of your mainstay technology.

What Is the Steam Deck?

The Steam Deck is the much anticipated handheld device from Valve. Positioned as Nintendo Switch's chief competitor, the Deck is being marketed as a PC as well as a handheld gaming device.

You can play any game from the Steam store on your Steam Deck, but there is much more to it, including the potential to replace several of your favorite devices.

Related: What Is Valve's Steam Deck? Everything You Need to Know

Could the Steam Deck Replace Your Desktop PC?

Plug the Steam Deck into a desktop monitor, add keyboard, mouse, and speakers, and you’ll have a desktop set up ready to go.

The Steam Deck will have its own pre-installed operating system, SteamOS, which is based on Linux. This means that anything you can do on a Linux PC, you will be able to do on the Steam Deck. What’s more, Valve has officially confirmed (via a Steam Deck FAQ that Steam Deck owners will be able to install whatever they like, including other operating systems.

With this ability, you could, say, install Windows OS onto your Deck. You could then run not only Windows desktop, files, and programs, but also competitor game libraries. With storage capacity options of up to 512GB—and the ability to expand further with an SD card—the Steam Deck has the potential to store a lot of software and games.

Equipped with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless connections, plus USB-C DisplayPort 1.4, the Steam Deck could easily run as a desktop computer.

What About Your Laptop?

In a similar vein to replacing your desktop computer, the Steam Deck could remove the need to own a laptop.

If you own a lapdock, you could potentially transform your Steam Deck into a laptop. It would be an easy process.

A lapdock is a device which looks like a laptop, with a screen, keyboard, and battery, but without any computing components. Connecting a Steam Deck would provide the lapdock with its missing processor, memory, and storage, creating an ideal all-in-one set up.

If you don't have a lapdock (there are only a few currently on the market, such as Nexdock), you could connect the Deck to a portable monitor and slim keyboard for a simple and portable laptop alternative.

Would You Still Need Your Games Console?

With the versatility of the Steam Deck, your old games console might be up for retirement.

Plug the Steam Deck into a TV and pair with a bluetooth controller, and you’ve got yourself a traditional games console set up.

Because of the ability to mod the OS, you won’t just be playing Steam games, either. You’ll be able to access third-party libraries, such as Epic Games or EA Origin—widening your own library with the added benefit of all your games being saved on one single device.

To add to this, with the option of installing Windows, you might even be able to use the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription—transforming the Steam Deck into an Xbox console.

Could the Steam Deck Replace Your Nintendo Switch?

With the added benefit of being able to play all the games you already own on Steam (if you are already a user), the Steam Deck is now the main competitor of the Nintendo Switch.

Of course, if you are a Nintendo fan, you may want to stick with the Switch. But, if you’re looking for an ever expanding games library that isn’t limited to just one system, then the Steam Deck may be just what you need.

Could the Steam Deck Become Your Retro Gaming Device?

The ability to install Windows once again reigns champion: You could use the Steam Deck as an emulator for your old games.

Revive your favorite games from SNES, N64, or PSOne, by downloading a Windows game emulator.

If you don't want Windows on your Deck, you could use Retroarch—an emulator which already works on Steam. It's highly likely that you will be able to play retro games from a variety of consoles via Retroarch on the Deck, even without Windows OS.

Related: The Best Android Emulators for Retro Gaming

Could the Steam Deck Replace Your Existing Gaming Tech?

The fact that you can save all of your games for handheld, laptop, and desktop devices in one place really lends itself to the Steam Deck being a truly unified device.

Valve itself is promoting the Deck as a desktop PC. With the added benefit of potentially being able to download different operating systems, the Deck could easily replace your desktop computer or laptop.

All firmware and updates will be managed by one company too, which again simplifies the whole user experience.

A highly convinient device with a lot of potential, if you manage to get your hands on a Steam Deck you may be able to slim down the rest of your gaming gear.

About The Author