Why I Stopped Recommending the Steam Deck

The era of the handheld gaming PC began with the debut of the Steam Deck in 2022, promising a powerful, portable gateway to the world of PC gaming. It was relatively affordable at the time, offering serious performance in a compact package—a true revolution for mobile entertainment. However, as the market matures and economic pressures mount, that initial affordability has become a source of frustration for many consumers.

Today, finding a Deck, even a refurbished one from Valve, can be a gamble. Prices have climbed significantly, with a new OLED model starting at $789 and storage options pushing prices further. For those looking to navigate the used market, finding reliable, working units remains challenging, often forcing buyers into expensive secondary markets where quality cannot be guaranteed.

This hardware fluctuation isn’t isolated to handheld gaming; it reflects a broader crunch across the entire PC component industry. The current climate, driven by massive investments in AI datacenters and continued global economic pressures, has sent inflationary waves through nearly every major console and PC product, from the PS5 to the Steam Machine.

Yet, amidst this general price spiral, one brand appears to have managed its pricing strategy with surprising resilience: Asus. Their Xbox Ally handhelds seem to have successfully insulated themselves from some of the steepest increases seen elsewhere.

The basic Xbox Ally remains accessible at $599, and the more potent Xbox Ally X is available for $999. While the Steam Deck continues its upward trajectory, the Ally lineup presents a compelling alternative for budget-conscious gamers who want high performance without navigating the volatile used market.

Performance comparisons reveal that this choice is backed up by solid metrics. The more powerful Xbox Ally X offers performance levels comparable to the Steam Deck in benchmarks like Time Spy. This means that consumers can often achieve a similar level of graphical fidelity and gaming experience with the Xbox handheld for less money than the market leaders currently demand.

For gamers seeking an entry point into high-performance handheld gaming—especially those who want to avoid the uncertainty of the used market—the Xbox Ally is arguably the smart move right now. It offers a viable, powerful, and more affordable path forward in the portable gaming landscape.