Weekly poll: Nintendo Switch OLED vs. Valve Steam Deck

18 July 2021
Two portable gaming consoles released within a week from each other - though the similarities may end here.

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  • ?
  • Anonymous
  • PZa
  • 19 Jul 2021

Nintendo locks down the Switch but Valve will allow alternative operating systems on the Steam deck. Steam deck seems far more versatile and easier to tinker with. I haven't bought a Switch yet but I'm seriously considering the Steam deck.

    • K
    • Kaihaku
    • qHB
    • 19 Jul 2021

    The Steam Deck demonstrates the potential of a 'serious' take on the Switch... But I don't think Valve nailed the implementation.

    The weight (about twice that of the Switch), battery life, and button layout are not great for a handheld. I'll keep to my laptop until someone delivers a take on this that actually functions as a handheld.

      • S
      • Sir Lys
      • mtS
      • 19 Jul 2021

      All of em, console, pc, phone, Steamdeck, switch, ....

        • ?
        • Anonymous
        • sUS
        • 19 Jul 2021

        Kingslayer, 18 Jul 2021I would go Steam Deck because it's only $50 more and i... moreSteam Link exists and works even on older androids so there's no room for most of us to add another underpowered and soon to be abandoned umpc in our list.

          • ?
          • Anonymous
          • sUS
          • 19 Jul 2021

          Mediatek sux, 18 Jul 2021Cant wait for 480p botw2 at 20 fps, in oled goodness.Lmao. Would you like to be reminded how this site's audience is a niche compared to the mass consumer market?

          If you're one of those who called removable batt fans a minority in the market, then the same applies to you pc master race crowd.

            Switch. At this point we know it's capabilities and limitations. We don't know how the steam deck will perform. Also keep in mind every time valve did something hardware related it either didn't do great or eventually abandoned. The steam boxes, steam controller, etc. I'd play the wait and see game when it comes to the steam deck. And before you call me a fanboy, this is a objective review from a pc/ps5/Xbox owner.

              • O
              • OmNom
              • Q5T
              • 18 Jul 2021

              Switch RIP, 18 Jul 2021Do we really need to compare? Steam Deck wins. Only switch ... moreHonestly switch n Nintendo support a few different n unique IPs so I don’t understand the comparison honestly… I run a full desktop 4 of games + switch 4 those IPs… I imagine a lot of folks do the same

                Kingslayer, 18 Jul 2021I would go Steam Deck because it's only $50 more and i... moreStock tegra x1 has only 512 gflops fp32. And the switch is underclocked even in docked mode.

                  Cant wait for 480p botw2 at 20 fps, in oled goodness.

                    • ?
                    • Anonymous
                    • 4tN
                    • 18 Jul 2021

                    Anonymous, 18 Jul 2021PS4 Pro has 4,2TF and this barely gives 1,6TF so how can it... more720p

                      • a
                      • ae86
                      • vaS
                      • 18 Jul 2021

                      Handheld games is meant for the nintendo. If I'm going to play PC games then PC is the best choice.

                      I believe a lot of handheld games on steam is also available on the switch so...

                        The only problem with the switch is, that thing runs on 5 y/o mobile hardware. Doesn't matter how good the exclusive or the dev to optimize their game on it, it will run outdated sooner than later
                        If you don't wanna buy steam deck, better just wait for nintendo to release its proper successor

                          You sure switch can reach 1 TF mate?
                          From wikipedia it says around 660ish Gflops for 32bit

                            • C
                            • Carl
                            • xGs
                            • 18 Jul 2021

                            Anonymous, 18 Jul 2021PS4 Pro has 4,2TF and this barely gives 1,6TF so how can it... more"if it's not as powerful as the PS4 pro, how is it more powerful than the PS4 (non-pro)"

                            PS4 makes 1.8 teraflops, the steam deck puts out 2 teraflops with the CPU and GPU combined, therefore it is more powerful than the PS4, just not the PS4 Pro

                              • s
                              • shobhit
                              • vGc
                              • 18 Jul 2021

                              Anonymous, 18 Jul 2021PS4 Pro has 4,2TF and this barely gives 1,6TF so how can it... moreamd radeon 5700 xt at 7.9 Tflops is around 50% faster then vega 64 at 12.6 Tflops.. ps4 is based on old gcn version 1.0 and ps4 pro on newer 2.0 but rdna2 artitecture is around 80% more effiecient even with less tflops. So you can expect 1.6Tflops x 1.8 around 2.9 Tflops of performance out of 8 cu rdna 2 vs ps4 gcn 1.0 version gpu.

                                • S
                                • Sb360
                                • 4g2
                                • 18 Jul 2021

                                I think the main feature that should be focused on is the digital only vs the cartridge gaming. I generally love being able to put a game in and play without ridiculous download times. I also dislike having to delete or go buy extra storage in order to play games. I feel like if you don't currently have a steam library, I would rather go switch. I will always support buying the physical game copy over the digital. If you ever plan on selling the system The Switch will increase in value or at least retain it's value, while The Steam Deck will be basically worthless without the steam account it's attached to.

                                  I would go Steam Deck because it's only $50 more and it's ways more powerful. As powerful as an original PlayStation 4. The Switch OLED is a cash grab.

                                  TFLOP
                                  Switch: 1
                                  Xbox One S: 1.4
                                  PS4: 1.843
                                  Steam Deck: 2?

                                  Switch only has a half of what the Deck has. Deck has more potential in emulation. The best emulation handheld for only $400.

                                  https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/console-gpu-power-compared-ranking-systems-by-flop/2900-1334/#11

                                    Neither.

                                    PS Vita slim that I got second-hand for $100 back in 2017. Very comfortable to use and I've owned the Vita phat. I have 76 games on it but most come from that Sega Genesis compilation. Without it, it's around 45 or so. Didn't hack it. All my games were digitally bought via PlayStation Store. Except Ultimate Capcom vs. Marvel 3. Can only get that as a physical copy. Paid the $120 for the 64 GB card.

                                      • ?
                                      • Anonymous
                                      • t7B
                                      • 18 Jul 2021

                                      Hemedans, 18 Jul 2021this thing is cheaper than any laptop/desktop/tablet at sam... moreValve doesn't need to make money off the base version. They can sell it at cost or slight loss. It makes you buy more Steam games. The higher end models are also a higher profit margin. Gabe said that this price hurts but it needed to be done.

                                        • T
                                        • Trooper
                                        • 39y
                                        • 18 Jul 2021

                                        Anonymous, 18 Jul 2021PS4 Pro has 4,2TF and this barely gives 1,6TF so how can it... moreIt wasn't my argument, it was someone else's. You obviously quoted the wrong person...