The valve has great savings on the entry level (LCD) Steam Deck. You can take 25 percent off the 512GB model or 15 percent off the 64GB one, bringing their prices down to $336.75 and $296.65, respectively. The sale will end on September 26 and the goods are available for these two released models.
The 512GB (NVMe SSD) LCD Steam Deck was originally priced at $449, so the sale shaves over $112 off its MSRP. For perspective, the OLED version with the same storage costs $549. This (low-end but still high-end) LCD variant deal is an excellent entry-level gaming laptop.
Valve
The LCD Steam Deck has a seven-inch (1200 x 800) display with 60Hz refresh rates and 400 nits brightness. The 512GB model adds anti-glare tempered glass to the 64GB, so – if both fit into your budget – the former is a more reasonable upgrade for just $40.
Both variants have 40Wh batteries with an estimated eight hours of run time, but our tests found them to average 4.5 hours with regular use. (If needed, you can squeeze in more by lowering brightness and refresh rates.) Each model includes a standard carrying case.
In Engadget’s review of the 2023 LCD Steam Deck, Jessica Conditt concluded that the entry-level model offers “good return on investment,” even when compared to its premium OLED counterparts. Most mainstream games launched today are classified as Certified or Playable on the Steam Deck, and many gamepad-friendly games will run just fine with a handheld.
Bottom line: While the OLED model is worth the upgrade if it fits your budget, this LCD model – especially if it’s cut by up to 25 percent – is still a high-end handheld gaming device that only offers a slightly duller experience compared to the (more expensive) high-end ones.
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