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Nobody ever seems to point out the various features like trackpads, back buttons and all the software goodness that you don't get with the competition. That's the main selling point of the Deck for me.
The back buttons were a genius way to make some PC games with no gamepad support playable. Really the whole customizability of the controller mapping is awesome
The inputs plus what you can do with Steam Input is the real kicker for me. Means you can play any game even if it only works with a keyboard. Not saying the experience will be as good as with a keyboard and mouse but you can get really creative and play a lot of games unexpectedly well.
Now that I've used it, I don't think I could move to any device that didn't have literally all the inputs that the steam deck has including gyro, double touch pads and back buttons. You can just do so much with it.
It's basically a beefed up steam controller and while that one had its problems, it's still the only controller im willing to use because of it's many features.
Author can't seem to understand that Valve's the only company that can properly do the console-style "subsidize hardware cost based on the cut you'll get from selling the games" method in the PC space. Asus, Lenovo, Ayaneo - they don't have the luxury of maybe taking a bit of a haircut on the hardware and then more than making it up on the back end via software sales. They only get paid for the initial sale and then they're done, so their devices are going to have to be more expensive.
If they were to cooperate with valve and/or epic they could pull it off to some degree. Basically a fixed return from valve/epic per unit sold.
The big question with that plan, though, is what's in it for Valve/Epic? Valve has no incentive to let anyone else in on their cut, and Epic's is so low already there wouldn't be any room to let anyone else in on it with them.
I suppose Epic could try to get a deal in place where EGS is installed as the default store on the Ally or Legion, but it's not like anyone's going to just stick with the default - first thing anyone will do is just install Steam, and everyone knows it. I don't see a way for a deal like that to make sense for Epic to even bother with.
What's in it for valve? More games sold. They don't seem to mind steam keys being sold on aggressive sales through other platforms. Partnering with another hardware manufacturer for a revenue share doesn't seem like an extreme stretch. Unlikely? Sure. Impossible? No.
Author can't seem to understand that Valve's the only company that can properly do the console-style "subsidize hardware cost based on the cut you'll get from selling the games"
I disagree on Valve being the only company. I don't think your traditional PC hardware companies could pull it off, however I think a company that has an successful enough online store could do it. Microsoft could do it If they wanted to. They might already be in that path as the Xbox becomes more PC like. It wouldn't surprise me if there was an option to buy Windows for the Xbox.
Also depending on your definition of PC, love them or hate them but Apple potentially could do something like that. However I would be very surprised as Apple isn't in the business if subsided cost on hardware lol.
Epic or Amazon also come to mind.
Fair points, yes, but I was speaking within the context of companies that are actually producing handheld PCs. None of the other potentially capable companies you've mentioned have shown any indication that they care to enter the space.
My gamer laptop died, and I tend to spend a good amount of time out the house. Getting a steamdeck for like 350$ (sale) and packing one of my 15 thinkpads made more sense to me. Overall, spending about 450$ on everything instead of 1200$ for another computer that requires me to basically set up a full desktop to use it. It's great being able to just pull out the deck and get at it. It's not the best way to play games, but it's pretty nice for when I'm not home.
I’ve bought so many more steam games since getting the deck. They know what they’re doing.