Portable gaming used to mean overcooked-spinach green LCD screens and spending a month’s allowance on AA batteries. And glorious as lo-fi adventures like Pokémon Red and The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening are, gamers like Playboy Creator Rolyat have graduated to powerful processors and graphics cards that devices like the Steam Deck provide.
Steam Deck
- Released: February 25, 2022
- Developer: Valve
- System: Semi-custom AMD APU
- CPU: AMD Zen 2 w/ 4-cores/8-threads, variable frequency at 2.4 – 3.5 GHz
- Memory: 16 GB LPDDR5-5500
- Display: 7-inch, 1280 × 800 Touchscreen IPS LCD at 60 Hz 400 nits
- Graphics: AMD RDNA 2
- Dimensions: 11.7 L x 4.6 W x 1.9 inches H
- Weight: 1.475 lb
- Price: From $399 on Steam
Why Rolyat is obsessed with Steam Deck
“In the past year, the way I enjoy video games has been transformed by the Steam Deck,” Rolyat told Playboy. “This device has completely changed how I view gaming and how I dedicate time to it…The convenience of playing anywhere without being tethered to a stationary setup is a game-changer. The user interface and operating system are intuitive and user-friendly, giving a nostalgic feel of playing a Game Boy but with the power of a PC. This means access to a larger library of games that I genuinely WANT to play.”
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The Steam Deck is a portable gaming PC that, if you squint, looks like a souped-up Nintendo Switch. Aside from the usual 16 button control pad, the Steam Deck also has two trackpads, which allow gamers to point and click.
Valve revealed the Steam Deck back in July of 2021, and it was an instant hit before a single console shipped.
“As a gamer, this is a product I’ve always wanted,” said Valve CEO Gabe Newell. “And as a game developer, it’s the mobile device I’ve always wanted for our partners.”
Taylor was enticed into buying a Steam Deck after her friend raved endlessly about it.
“Recently, I’ve been playing games like Dave the Diver, Tribes of Midgard, Cult of the Lamb, 7 Days to Die, and Detroit: Become Human,” Rolyat said. “There are many more games that I haven’t had the time to explore yet, but now, with the Steam Deck, I might finally get the chance.”
What makes Steam Deck stand apart?
For Taylor, Steam Deck provides something that traditional PC gaming lacks: freedom. Her new favorite device makes jumping in and out of a game easier than ever.
“Handheld gaming is way more comfortable, allowing me to play while lying down, whether in bed or on a plane. It’s perfect for traveling or moments when I’d otherwise be on my phone. I enjoy both solo gaming and playing with friends,” Rolyat said.
At this point, Rolyat is pretty much a Steam Deck evangelist, and she keeps her ear to the ground for similar powerful handhelds like ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and other devices that cater to busy schedules and active lifestyles. For Rolyat, consoles like Steam Deck are definitely the future.
“I believe more people from our generation and younger ones will switch to handheld gaming because it’s not only more convenient but also more affordable,” Rolyat said. “I think the handheld market share will grow as long as companies continue to develop better hardware with more advanced specs.”
Steam Deck systems start at $399, with both LCD and OLED screen offerings, among other upgrades. Pick one up for yourself on Amazon, and see what all the portable gaming fuss is about.
Rolyat is on The Playboy Club. Talk to her now.
