Ive looked up tons of reviews on preferences and game compatibility. But i want to know how it actually works in day to day life. Was it a device that will be put to the side in a couple weeks?

  •  Don't ask my name   ( @Peeko@beehaw.org ) 
    29•1 year ago

    The hardware on the ally is better but the software is weaker in some key areas (while being stronger in others!). Ally has a much more powerful chip (yes 10w exists, these devices all have 2 hour batter lives in games that need power anyways), it has quiter fans, a better screen, and is available potentially at your local best buy.

    For software, anti cheat is still a massive hurdle for Linux so if you play any games that have issues on Linux, tough luck. General game compatibility can also still be a problem with Linux, coming from someone who’s been using Linux on their main system for 5 years now. Proton updates can break some games, some games work better with certain versions, need extra fixes, or some won’t work at all. New games will also tend to have extra issues, as can game launchers other then steam.

    The deck makes up for that by being streamlined in plenty of other ways, so if you want the most console like experience then the steam deck is your option. It has resume on wake, it has a very streamlined ui, gamescope and mangohud built in, etc. If you want the best hardware and want all your games to work even if the interface is worse, then just get an ally.

    And yes you can install Linux on the ally or Windows on the deck, I wouldn’t bother with that though. Just get the device that best suites your needs.

    •  Rho   ( @freakrho@programming.dev ) 
      4•1 year ago

      the comparisons i’ve seen is that the ally performs better on higher settings but the deck is better at lower settings, if you priorize battery life and don’t mind playing on lower settings, the deck is for you

      compatibility-wise windows is better with new games and linux is better with old games, so if you are a retro games fans the deck is usually better

      also I will add that you can always pick the proton version, so if a new version breaks the game you can just rollback

    •  ninjan   ( @ninjan@lemmy.mildgrim.com ) 
      2•1 year ago

      To build on your excellent rundown I’d like to add that changing the OS isn’t just a bother, it also removes the upsides of respective system. The deck is great for longer sessions of simple games, Valve has done wizardry with the power consumption on its low power mode. But it all goes out the window on Windows.

      For ROG a massive draw is Game Pass which of course is a non starter on Linux. Couple that with how the Deck UI isn’t really available to the Ally (yet, might change soon) what already isn’t great on the Ally gets worse on Linux.

      From my limited hands-on experience with both the main issue I have is how much clunkier they are than a Switch. If I had to buy one today I’d go with the Ally though, the extra power means it is actually usable docked making it a very portable LAN device but I’d really like like 30-50% more such that 1080p works for more titles. Then it gets really interesting to me as something that can be used as the kids computer. Because the oldest has issues with the Switch not really having the juice needed for many Minecraft mods and wants to move into PC, but most switch time today is when we’re in transit and away. And we’re not going to lug a gaming PC around. A laptop would work but they’re a lot more expensive and bulkier such that they can’t be used in the backseat. So the Ally is pretty optimal, just slightly lacking juice the juice to drive a 1080p screen well in some games.

    •  S_H_K   ( @S_H_K@lemmy.fmhy.ml ) 
      1•1 year ago

      Another factor is the price point the Ally is the best for its price but steam deck wins hard in quality price ratio. They blow out the water anything GPD or Aya on that regard wich is sad since they are so interesting in their own right.