Steam Deck: Is it time to MOVE ON?

After two years of daily use — ignoring it, adoring it, and everything in between — here’s my honest take.

Handheld PCs have exploded. The Legion Go 2, the ROG Ally X, MSI’s Claw, and a handful of others have pushed performance way up. But power isn’t the whole story. Let's break down what the Deck still gets right, where it stumbles, and why it remains a "flawed favorite."

If you’re thinking about buying one in 2026, this should give you a pretty clear picture.

🎮 This video is sponsored by my excellent friends at Mechanism. Check out their INCREDIBLE ecosystem here: http://bit.ly/4r6vLIl

Also, special shoutout to ‪@spectertech‬ for sending me all the beautiful footage of the other handhelds featured in this video. You're a real one!

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⏰ Timestamps:
0:00: Intro
00:54: My history with the Steam Deck
01:31: Act One (The Bad Stuff)
02:48: Sponsor Integration (Mechanism)
03:48: Act Two (The Competition)
04:42: Act Three (The Good/The Verdict)
05:52: Final Act (The Flawed Favorite)


#steamdeck #valve #handheldgaming #steamdeckoled #gamingcommunity #poladr0id #steammachine #steamcontroller #steamframe #allyx #rogallyx #legiongo2 #lenovo #asus #msi #msiclaw
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➡️ The accessories that changed how I use the Deck:
   • These Steam Deck Accessories Changed EVERY...  

➡️ 15 Games that JUST WORK on the Steam Deck:
   • 15 Games That JUST WORK on the Steam Deck  

➡️ Comparing the Steam Deck OLED and the Switch 2:
   • Steam Deck OLED vs Switch 2 — I Own Both, ...  

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🎬 About This Channel:
Hey! I’m Chris — a filmmaker, photographer, and gamer. I post cinematic reviews, chats, and stories about the tech and games I actually live with. If you're into tech with soul and style, and a lot of humor, humility, and humanity, you're in the right place.

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🕹️ What I do here:
• Handheld gaming
• Gaming and gaming tech with soul
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🎵 Music licensed via Epidemic Sound