If you want to buy a Steam Deck, you’ve got a few options to choose from.
It can be a bit tricky to decide which one to go for though. This is because the more advanced models are expensive, but they do offer more features and great value for your money.
In this post, we’ll take a closer look at the top-tier model with 512GB of storage and review the special carrying case that comes with it as well. We’ll also compare it to the other two models of the Steam Deck.
Steam Deck 512 GB Model
The top-tier Steam Deck model offers 512GB of high-speed storage and a more durable screen. This makes it the perfect choice for users who plan to install large-scale AAA games. We loved the anti-glare feature on the screen as it’s an added bonus for easy outdoor gaming.
Alternate #1
Steam Deck 64 GB Model
The lower-end version of the Steam Deck has less storage (64 GB) and slower performance compared to the other two models However, it is more budget-friendly and still performs well. If you plan to use it primarily for gaming, we recommend you get a microSD card.
Alternate #2
Steam Deck 256 GB Model
The mid-level model has a storage capacity of 256GB. This makes it portable and it can function as a PC as well. You can easily fit it in most medium-sized backpacks and during testing, we hardly noticed it in our bags. Compared to the lower-end model, it offers four times more storage space.
Quick Summary of the Main Product
The top-tier model of the Steam Deck is a great option if you want a high-performance device with a large amount of storage. You get a whopping 512GB of high-speed built-in storage. This is double the storage of the mid-tier model which only has 256 GB of internal storage.
Features and Benefits
Large Built-In Storage
This model has the largest amount of internal storage (512 GB) out of all the models currently available for the Steam Deck.
The large internal storage is great since you have enough space for system apps, useful software, as well as a few AAA games that you regularly play.
The games that you have inside the internal storage of the Steam Deck are the ones that will run more efficiently. Hence, always try to add the games that you play regularly to the internal storage.
Faster Loading Times
The premium model (as well as the mid-range model) of the Steam Deck has an NVME SSD drive as its internal storage. This drive is much faster than the eMMC drive that is present in the lower-end model.
Hence, you’ll experience much faster loading times when running games on the premium model compared to the lower-end model.
As we briefly mentioned above, you should try to add the games that you play regularly onto the NVME SSD rather than on some type of external storage. This will ensure that you can take advantage of the Steam Deck’s SSD and its faster load times.
Premium Anti-Glare Screen
The high-end model comes with a screen that is designed to reduce glare. This makes it suitable for use in various lighting conditions, including bright sunlight.
Hence, if you’re someone that’s outside a lot and wants to get their gaming fix on the go, then the premium model of the Steam Deck is definitely worth considering.
Exclusive Carrying Case
You get an exclusive carrying case that has a unique logo, zipper pulls, and premium interior fabric when you buy the premium model of the Steam Deck.
Additionally, the carrying case includes a small bag for storing the power cord and a microfiber cleaning cloth.
All of these extra accessories make it a lot more convenient for you to not only carry around your Steam Deck but also keep it clean.
Virtual Keyboard Theme
As an exclusive add-on, you get a virtual keyboard theme for your Steam Deck when you buy the premium model.
It’s just an extra feature and not really something that should affect your purchasing decision. However, it’s still a neat little addition to have for your Steam Deck.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy the Steam Deck 512 GB Model
Price
The premium model is more expensive than the mid-range and low-end models, but in our opinion, it is worth the extra cost.
It comes with several additional features such as:
- Higher internal storage
- Durable anti-glare screen
- Exclusive carrying case with tons of extra accessories
- Virtual keyboard theme
If you have the cash for it, we suggest that you choose the premium model. Otherwise, the mid-range or low-end model might be more suitable for you.
Build Quality and Design
The Steam Deck is fairly large for a handheld device. It measures almost a foot wide and weighs almost one and a half pounds.
You might think this would make it difficult to carry around but the carrying case makes it very easy to travel with. Furthermore, it can fit easily in most medium-to-large-sized backpacks.
The majority of the Steam Deck’s frame is taken up by control surfaces and grips. They cannot be removed like other handheld devices which is why the carrying case is a must-have if you want to travel with it conveniently.
Other than that, the Steam Deck has:
- Standard dual analog sticks
- Four menu buttons
- A direction pad
- Four face buttons
The top of the device features:
- Standard L1/R1 bumpers
- L2/R2 triggers
- Power and volume buttons
- A 3.5mm headset jack
- A USB-C port for charging
The bottom edge has a microSD card slot, which can be used to expand the storage.
User-Friendliness
All models of the Steam Deck are very easy to use and we were pleased to discover this during our testing.
Its design ensures that its small size does not compromise its functionality. All of the controls are placed in such a way that accidental presses are unlikely to occur while gaming.
We expected ourselves to take at least a week to get acclimated to the controls but it only took us a day or two.
Storage Space
As we mentioned above, this model has the highest internal storage out of all three models.
Hence, if large internal storage is a priority for you, then you should definitely save up some cash to buy it. You’ll be able to install at least 3 – 4 AAA games with ease that you can play regularly on your Steam Deck.
On the other hand, if you play smaller-sized games or if you don’t play games at all, then you might not even need the extra storage.
In this case, you can consider opting for the mid-range or low-end model. They have much lower internal storage and as a result, they are a lot cheaper than the premium model.
Extra Accessories
You get a variety of extra accessories when you buy the premium model of the Steam Deck.
For starters, you get an exclusive carrying case instead of the standard carrying case that is being shipped with the other two models.
The exclusive carrying case has a unique logo, zipper pulls, and soft interior fabric.
Additionally, it also includes a small bag to store the power cord and a microfiber cleaning cloth to keep your Steam Deck clean.
Pros and Cons
- Highly customizable
- Faster loading and do not crash as often as other models
- Comes with a premium carrying case
- Sturdy anti-glare screen
- High built-in storage space
- Expensive
Social Proof
While our experiences with the premium model of the Steam Deck have been great. We were wondering if these are the same types of experiences that other users are having as well.
That’s why we went online to look up some reviews of the Steam Deck from users worldwide. Here’s what we found:
Similar to the Steam Deck 512 GB Model (Recommendations)
#1: Best Budget-Friendly Alternative - Steam Deck 64 GB Model Review
The lower-end model of Steam Deck comes at a much more affordable price point. That being said, there are some notable compromises made to achieve this.
While the majority of the components are consistent across all three models of the Steam Deck, this model has a much weaker storage solution. Firstly, you only get 64 GB of internal storage.
Another difference is the type of storage drive used. With this model, you get an eMMC drive instead of the NVMe SSD found on the other two models. This has a major impact on the performance and loading times of the device.
The eMMC drive reads at about 500 MB per second, which is significantly slower than the NVMe SSD which reads at around 4GB per second.
This means that you will experience longer load times in games on this model as compared to the other two higher-end models. This is the trade-off you’ll have to make if you want to save some cash.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy Steam Deck 64 GB Model
Price: This is the lowest-priced model of the Steam Deck. If you don’t have a ton of money to spend but still want a Steam Deck, then this is the model worth considering.
Build quality and Design: When it comes to building quality and design, all three models are largely the same. The only difference is that this model has a lower-quality screen compared to the most expensive premium model.
Storage space: This model has the lowest amount of internal storage compared to the other two models. Hence, you’ll only be able to install some smaller games, if that. For everything else, you’ll have to buy an external solution such as a microSD card or external hard drive.
- Great battery life
- Excellent customization options
- User-friendly controls
- Sleek design
- Affordable
- Low storage space
- Slower storage drive
Best Budget-Friendly Alternative
The best budget-friendly alternative is the Steam Deck 64 GB model thanks to its cheap price, sleek design, and user-friendliness.
#2: Best Mid-Range Alternative - Steam Deck 256 GB Model Review
The mid-range model of the Steam Deck is an excellent choice if you prioritize portability, high internal storage, and performance.
It has 256 GB of storage and provides a significant upgrade over the lower-end model’s 64GB. However, the storage is still half that of the premium model.
One similarity that it has with the premium model is the fact that its storage device is an NVME SSD. This means that in terms of performance and loading times, it performs similarly to the premium model rather than the low-end model.
Additionally, it’s also equipped with a powerful processor and a high-performance battery that can keep it charged for a long time.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy Steam Deck 256 GB Model
Price: While it’s fairly more expensive than the low-end model, it’s much cheaper than the premium model. Hence, if you’d like to save some cash but also have some internal storage to keep your games in, you can opt for the mid-range model.
Build quality and design: The mid-range model has the same design and physical features as the lower-end model. Sadly, you don’t get the anti-glare screen with this model as you do with the premium model.
Storage space: The internal storage space is 256 GB with this model which is a decent amount. You can have at least a couple of large-sized AAA games installed inside it at any given time.
- Clever and responsive design
- Long battery life
- Sleek look
- Sturdy
- Decent internal storage space
- Does not have a durable anti-glare screen
Best Mid-Range Alternative
The best mid-range alternative is the Steam Deck 256 GB model thanks to its decent pricing, fair internal storage, and great performance during gaming.
Want to stay up-to-date with the latest rumors and leaks about the Steam Deck? Our articles track the latest news and speculation.
Buyer’s Guide
Price
When it comes to the Steam Deck, it’s important to think about what you plan to use it for and what features are most important to you. If you intend to primarily use it for its portability, a 64 GB model may be sufficient.
In this case, you’d be able to save some cash if you opt for the 64 GB model.
However, if you plan to use it as a primary gaming device, or if you want to store a lot of files on it, you’ll be better off with the 256 GB or 512 GB model.
In the long run, if you spend more money on the expensive Steam Deck model, it may be more cost-effective. It is also less likely that you’ll need to purchase additional storage devices like SD cards or external hard drives.
Build Quality & Design
All models of the Steam Deck feature a similar design with certain differences in specifications.
They are all equipped with an IPS LCD panel that is optically bonded. We experienced during testing that the display for all models was crisp and clear with vibrant colors.
Wrapping Things Up
The premium model of the Steam Deck does not hold back when it comes to its features.
The powerful NVME SSD drive with 512 GB of storage really makes it a powerful handheld device that you can use as a home PC as well. If you’re able to afford it, it’s definitely a great buy.
However, if you don’t have that much money to spend, opting for the 256 GB model can be just as good with the help of some cheap microSD cards.
Which model of the Steam Deck are you considering? Tell us in the comments section below.
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