What is a Steam Deck?

A Steam Deck is a handheld gaming PC made by Valve, the company behind Steam. It looks like a chunky controller with a screen in the middle, and it runs a Linux-based operating system called SteamOS that boots straight into your Steam library. In plain terms, it is a portable computer built to play your existing PC games on the go, without a big desktop or a TV. There are two model families, the original LCD and the newer OLED, and understanding the difference is the main thing most buyers want. If you are weighing a purchase, our companion guides on whether the Steam Deck is worth it and how much a Steam Deck costs go deeper on value and pricing.

A handheld PC, not a console

The key thing to understand is that the Steam Deck is a real PC, not a closed console. It uses a custom AMD chip that combines the processor and graphics on one piece of silicon, similar in spirit to what powers modern game consoles, but it runs an open operating system you can tinker with.

• It runs SteamOS (Linux). The default experience is a controller-friendly interface that launches into Steam. Under the hood it is Linux, which handles Windows games through a compatibility layer called Proton.
• It plays your Steam library. Games you already own on Steam are, in most cases, playable on the Deck at no extra cost. You are not rebuying anything.
• You can install other things. Because it is a PC, you can add non-Steam launchers, emulators, or even wipe SteamOS and install Windows. Most people never need to, but the option exists.
• It docks like a mini PC. Plug it into a monitor, keyboard, and mouse and it behaves like a small desktop.

That openness is the Deck's whole identity. A console locks you into its store and rules. The Deck hands you a portable computer and lets you decide how far to push it.

LCD versus OLED models

Valve sells the Deck in two hardware generations. They play the same games and use the same software, so the differences are about the screen and the polish.

• Steam Deck LCD. The original model. A 7-inch LCD screen at 1280x800, 60Hz. It is the more affordable option and remains a perfectly capable machine.
• Steam Deck OLED. The refresh. A slightly larger 7.4-inch OLED screen with HDR, deeper blacks, higher peak brightness, and a smoother 90Hz refresh rate. It also brings a bigger battery, faster storage, lighter weight, and better Wi-Fi.

The OLED is not a huge leap in raw gaming performance. Both models target the same frame rates. What the OLED improves is everything around the game: the screen looks noticeably better, the battery lasts longer, and it runs a touch cooler and quieter. If your budget stretches to it, the OLED is the nicer device. If it does not, the LCD still runs the same library.

The specs at a high level

You do not need to memorize part numbers, but a few figures give you the shape of the machine:

• Chip. A custom AMD APU with Zen 2 processor cores and RDNA 2 graphics, tuned for handheld power limits.
• Memory. 16GB of RAM, shared between the system and graphics.
• Display. 7-inch 60Hz LCD on the original, or 7.4-inch 90Hz HDR OLED on the newer model, both around 1280x800.
• Storage. Sold in several sizes, and every model has a microSD slot so you can expand cheaply.
• Controls. Full gamepad controls plus two trackpads and gyro aiming, which matter for strategy games, shooters, and anything designed for a mouse.

The 1280x800 resolution is deliberate. It is easy for the hardware to drive, so games run smoothly on a small screen without demanding desktop-class power. Battery life varies a lot depending on the game, from a couple of hours in a demanding title to many hours in a lighter one.

What a Steam Deck can play

Most of a modern Steam library runs on the Deck, but not everything, so it helps to know the categories:

• Verified. Valve tested the game and confirmed it works well on the Deck out of the box, including controls and readable text. These are the safest picks.
• Playable. The game runs but may need a tweak, like a manual control setup or a click through a launcher.
• Unsupported. The game does not currently work well, often because of an anti-cheat system that does not support Linux. A handful of popular competitive shooters fall here.
• Unknown. Not yet tested by Valve, which does not mean it fails, just that you are on your own to check.

Beyond your Steam games, the Deck runs indies beautifully, handles a large catalog of AAA titles at handheld settings, and is a popular platform for emulation and older games. For a curated starting point, our roundup of the best Steam Deck games picks out titles that shine on the hardware. The main thing to check before buying for a specific game is its compatibility rating, especially for online competitive titles with strict anti-cheat.

FAQ

Is the Steam Deck a console or a PC? It is a PC in a handheld shape. It runs a Linux-based operating system called SteamOS, plays your existing Steam library, and can be opened up to run other software, unlike a locked console.

Does the Steam Deck run Windows games? Yes, most of them. SteamOS uses a compatibility layer called Proton to run Windows games on Linux. A majority of the Steam catalog works, though some titles with certain anti-cheat systems do not.

What is the difference between the LCD and OLED Steam Deck? Both play the same games at similar performance. The OLED has a better screen with HDR, a 90Hz refresh rate, longer battery life, and lighter weight. The LCD is the more affordable original model.

Can I play my existing Steam games on it for free? In most cases, yes. Games you already own on Steam are playable on the Deck at no extra charge, as long as they are compatible. Check each game's Deck compatibility rating to be sure.

Do I need to know Linux to use a Steam Deck? No. Out of the box it boots into a simple, controller-friendly Steam interface, and you can use it for years without ever touching the Linux desktop underneath.