The Steam Deck has consistently demonstrated exceptional value in the gaming handheld market, and Valve has now elevated this offering with an enticing 20% discount for the Black Friday weekend. The 256GB Steam Deck LCD is currently available for just 9.20, marking its lowest price ever.
Comparative Value in the Gaming Handheld Market
While the Steam Deck OLED has recently claimed the title of the best gaming handheld overall, the differences between it and the original Steam Deck—now referred to as the Steam Deck LCD—are relatively minor. The performance remains nearly identical, yet the entry-level Steam Deck LCD is priced significantly lower, with the cheapest Steam Deck OLED retailing for 0 more than the current discounted price of the LCD model. This disparity highlights the immense value the Steam Deck LCD offers.
This discount not only enhances the appeal of the Steam Deck LCD compared to its OLED counterpart but also positions it as a formidable competitor against other gaming handhelds. Consider the pricing landscape: devices like the Lenovo Legion Go S and ROG Xbox Ally hover around 0, while the ROG Xbox Ally X and Lenovo Legion Go 2 soar to approximately ,000. At the high end, options like the Ayaneo Next 2 and GPD Win 5 exceed ,000. In this context, the Steam Deck LCD stands out as an exceptional choice.
Although the Deck’s 7-inch LCD display, with a resolution of 1,280 x 800, may seem modest, it is perfectly adequate for casual gaming. The custom AMD APU powering the device, while not the most powerful on the market, still provides a satisfying gaming experience across a wide array of titles available on Steam.
Moreover, the Steam Deck’s ability to run SteamOS remains a significant advantage. Despite recent enhancements to Windows, SteamOS continues to deliver a superior experience for handheld gaming. The Lenovo Legion Go S is the only other handheld officially supporting SteamOS, and it comes at a considerably higher price point.
In summary, the Steam Deck remains a standout option in the gaming handheld arena, especially at this unprecedented price. For those interested, now is the perfect time to make a purchase through Valve’s store page before this opportunity slips away.