Valve's new handheld Steam Deck has just launched Windows support, but it looks like installing the OS severely impacts the device's performance. The console released last month and while Steam Deck has seen impressive reviews, the hardware isn't without its issues.
As far as handheld consoles go, Steam Deck is shaping up to be one of, if not the most, powerful. The open-source device sports a design similar to handhelds like the Nintendo Switch, with a large screen taking up most of its face, and two controller-like control pads on either side of it. Unlike the Nintendo Switch, however, the Steam Deck is packed with hardware that can compete with certain PC builds; the console comes with a respectable 16GB of memory and can run several games at 60FPS and 4K (provided the user connects the device to a 4K-enabled monitor). The higher-priced model also boasts an SSD. All forms of the device offer modern features like a touchscreen and haptic feedback. The compact design and relatively powerful tech make the Steam Deck perfect for emulation, as well as for use as a portable Linux computer.
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Steam Deck is also compatible with Windows, but it might not be the ideal way for gamers to configure their own models. According to YouTube channel Linus Tech Tips (via Game Rant), running Windows on a Steam Deck, while offering some unique features, can have major adverse effects on how games perform. Linus tests both Doom Eternaland Elden Ring on a Windows-enabled Steam Deck, and the framerate appears to take a major hit. Input lag is another concern raised in this tech analysis, along with other instances of poor optimization or glitchiness, with Elden Ring, in
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