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I like it. I use it fairly frequently too. The killer feature: instant on/off AKA 'Pause'. I've had a single-player game of CIV5 going for MONTHS now. The S

I like it. I use it fairly frequently too. The killer feature: instant on/off AKA 'Pause'. I've had a single-player game of CIV5 going for MONTHS now. The Steam Deck is PERFECT for pick it up, play for 5 minutes (or a couple of hours), pause it, and resume later. I have 2 main use-cases: -couch-playing. When the Wife-unit is watching her shows, or I get bored but still want to be in the same area as her; I can play this on the couch without it being intrusive. -kids playground. When the kids are at a playground I'll start playing as a way to pass my time until it's time to leave and/or I need to play with the kids too. Both situations can have frequent interruptions, IMHO the Steam Decks' ability to suspend the game and then let me resume without a problem is incredibly helpful. I also LOVE that because it's a "real PC", I don't need to fight with config oddities with linux on a laptop. Plug in an external monitor/keyboard/mouse and you have everything you need.

thih9 3y ago
CIV 5 is also on Switch, that handheld also got praise for good on/off UX. Curious, does anyone own both devices? Is there any noticeable difference in device sleep support between Steam Deck and Switch?
- robrtsql 3y ago
  Switch's sleep is probably a little better. I think waking up is slightly faster, and it discharges less battery while it's asleep.
- IggleSniggle 3y ago
  The main feature I notice to be lacking on Deck in this regard is that you can't download updates while the device is "off." This doesn't really affect me personally because I can do background downloads with the kind of games I play without issue, but if I played AAA FPS type games I would probably find this quite annoying, since those games generally have large downloads and also require as much disk performance as you can muster.
metamet 3y ago
I've been on the fence about getting one. The one thing that's slowing down my decision making is whether or not the matte anti-glare screen is worth the premium price, or if the regular screen glare is fine enough inside. Also seen some people say a screen protector works, but can bubble with the heat. Happen to have any insight on this? $360 vs $540 on sale right now is tempting. Upgrading the storage to a larger NVMe is likely to happen either way, so the premium price would just be for the screen.
- ranger207 3y ago
  The screen on the 512GB model is glossy, not matte, but I haven't had any issues with glare on it. IDK about the 64GB and 256GB screens though
  - mtsr 3y ago
    The 512GB comes with a “micro-etched” screen for glare reduction. It should definitely not be a regular glossy screen.
- UI_at_80x24 3y ago
  I'm about to disagree with another user. The 512GB version (The one I own) is best described as 'semi-matte'. You can use it inside and not worry about 90% of potential glare. Outside use: depends/sometimes able to use. Based on videos I have seen online, the 'glossy' version is almost mirror-like. So ANYTHING would be an improvement over that.
  - mtsr 3y ago
    I’ve had a good experience with an anti-glare screen protector so far. And there’s also the possibility of swapping the screen later, as it’s only something like $100. Although changing the screen is a bit of work, I think.
- NikolaNovak 3y ago
  I have the 256GB version which has regular screen. Glare hasn't bothered me inside at all in the year and a half I've owned it. However, I have not played it outside - in the shade / twilight it may be OK depending on your personal threshold. In sunlight, forget about it :) FWIW I've added a microSD card and it's fine. Updating the internal nVME is not on my radar, because the whole point of SteamDeck, for me and my personal use, is for it to be "play and forget", as opposed to a hobby in and of itself :). YMMV :-)

thih9 3y ago

CIV 5 is also on Switch, that handheld also got praise for good on/off UX. Curious, does anyone own both devices? Is there any noticeable difference in device sleep support between Steam Deck and Switch?

robrtsql 3y ago
Switch's sleep is probably a little better. I think waking up is slightly faster, and it discharges less battery while it's asleep.
IggleSniggle 3y ago
The main feature I notice to be lacking on Deck in this regard is that you can't download updates while the device is "off." This doesn't really affect me personally because I can do background downloads with the kind of games I play without issue, but if I played AAA FPS type games I would probably find this quite annoying, since those games generally have large downloads and also require as much disk performance as you can muster.

metamet 3y ago

I've been on the fence about getting one. The one thing that's slowing down my decision making is whether or not the matte anti-glare screen is worth the premium price, or if the regular screen glare is fine enough inside. Also seen some people say a screen protector works, but can bubble with the heat. Happen to have any insight on this? $360 vs $540 on sale right now is tempting. Upgrading the storage to a larger NVMe is likely to happen either way, so the premium price would just be for the screen.

ranger207 3y ago
The screen on the 512GB model is glossy, not matte, but I haven't had any issues with glare on it. IDK about the 64GB and 256GB screens though
- mtsr 3y ago
  The 512GB comes with a “micro-etched” screen for glare reduction. It should definitely not be a regular glossy screen.
UI_at_80x24 3y ago
I'm about to disagree with another user. The 512GB version (The one I own) is best described as 'semi-matte'. You can use it inside and not worry about 90% of potential glare. Outside use: depends/sometimes able to use. Based on videos I have seen online, the 'glossy' version is almost mirror-like. So ANYTHING would be an improvement over that.
- mtsr 3y ago
  I’ve had a good experience with an anti-glare screen protector so far. And there’s also the possibility of swapping the screen later, as it’s only something like $100. Although changing the screen is a bit of work, I think.
NikolaNovak 3y ago
I have the 256GB version which has regular screen. Glare hasn't bothered me inside at all in the year and a half I've owned it. However, I have not played it outside - in the shade / twilight it may be OK depending on your personal threshold. In sunlight, forget about it :) FWIW I've added a microSD card and it's fine. Updating the internal nVME is not on my radar, because the whole point of SteamDeck, for me and my personal use, is for it to be "play and forget", as opposed to a hobby in and of itself :). YMMV :-)