Since the announcement of Valve’s Steam Deck there have been several competitors providing more expensive alternatives for high-end portables that play PC games, but a new wave of cheaper Steam Deck alternatives might provide better value. Windows-based portable consoles like Aya Neo have models priced roughly between $1,000 and $1,500 USD, which could cost two to three times as much as a Steam Deck. Anbernic and Ayn, companies that have both developed positive reputations from prior portable emulation and Android devices, are entering this space with their own Windows-based portables. The Anbernic Win 600 retails at $325 USD, and the Ayn Loki Zero costs as little as $200. With Steam Decks retailing for $400 to $650, these cheaper, smaller form factor alternatives could serve as better entry level models, or as a legitimately portable option for those who do not want to take a bulky $650 Steam Deck on the go.
The Steam Deck runs PS4 games better than PS4 consoles, in many cases, and the lower priced alternatives from Ayn and Anbernic are unlikely to match this feat. There are pros and cons to weigh, as the Steam Deck natively supports a large list of Steam games, but its Linux-based architecture means fans hoping to access games from storefronts like Epic or GOG will require workarounds. In terms of hardware value, the Steam Deck is hard to beat. Benchmark comparisons show the Steam Deck matching or exceeding the higher priced Aya Neo in many cases. Its convenient form factor that packs impressive power has kept Valve hard at work meeting demand. Like Aya Neo, the Win 600 and Loki Zero are loaded with Windows out of the box, providing an edge for those who want to access a wider variety of PC games without the hassle of modding their Steam Deck.
Despite its limitations, the speedy Linux OS has its advantages, as tests show Steam Deck performance suffers with Windows installed. Between the more bloated architecture of Windows, and the lower specs, those buying the cheaper Steam Deck alternatives should have realistic expectations. Anbernic’s Win 600 sports either an AMD Athlon Silver 3020e, or a 3050e, depending on the model, and Ayn’s Loki Zero uses the 3050e. Both leverage AMD Radeon GPUs, but the somewhat pricier option from Anbernic offers a larger onboard SSD and more RAM. These competitors certainly do not aim to beat the Steam Deck in raw performance. Still, many of the games best suited to the Steam Deck’s portable format are not the most demanding, so consumers might get just as much use out of the cheaper, lighter alternatives.
Ayn Loki Zero & Win 600 Offer Quality Value Steam Deck Alternatives
Anbernic and Ayn are not the biggest names to mainstream gaming fans, but both have established fanbases in the emulation community. Anbernic has produced a series of beloved emulation-focused handhelds, and Ayn’s Odin was among the most powerful portable emulation devices at the time of its launch. The Steam Deck is actually a great emulator for older consoles, and even has enough power to emulate more recent console generations. Gamers solely looking for a portable that allows console emulation have a plethora of low-cost options with quality builds, including the older products from Anbernic, and Ayn’s Odin, which runs on Android. The biggest advantage of any Windows-based device is its versatility, as it allows for PC gaming, emulation, or accessing any video streaming service via the web.
With most of these activities a Win 600 or Loki Zero would likely serve as well as a Steam Deck. For those who want to play recent hits like Cyberpunk 2077 or Yakuza: Like A Dragon on a portable, a budget-friendly device might not cut it. The unique controller of the Steam Deck also offers more options for those willing to take the time to tweak control configurations for specific games. There are currently more than 1,000 Steam Deck “verified” games, and the number is growing, but whether a particular game’s controls are ideally suited to a portable is a more complex question. The Win 600 and Loki Zero feature the standard facets of modern console controllers, or a Nintendo Switch Lite, with two analog sticks, a d-pad, four face buttons and four shoulder buttons. The Steam Deck features similar familiar controls as well as dual touchpads.
Of the budget-priced competitors, the Ayn Loki Zero appears to be the best value, as it can be pre-ordered for only $200. Upgrading the onboard SSD and RAM will push the price closer to $240, however, and notably the Loki Zero is still in production. The Anbernic Win 600 is available now, but it costs about $100 more and has similar specs. This puts both competitors in a somewhat awkward position. Consumers can suffer long wait times for a Loki Zero, or hold out for a Steam Deck. They could buy a Win 600 now, or pay $75 more for a base model Steam Deck. Pre-reservations for Steam Deck sold on Ebay for ridiculous prices last year, and Steam Decks are sold at similar markups on the secondary market today. This establishes that portable PC gaming is in demand, and having more options is a boon for the consumer. Whether a Win 600 or Loki Zero is a worthwhile Steam Deck substitute remains more of a judgment call.
Steam Deck Remains Best Overall, But Cheaper Options Win For Travel
Viewed as a whole, the Steam Deck certainly justifies its price point and is likely still the best overall value proposition in the portable PC gaming space. This value comes with several caveats, however. Consumers who do not care to tinker or modify their devices will be limited to the Linux OS and the Steam library of games. Those who want the wider options Windows provides can enjoy that out of the box with Win 600 or Loki Zero, but weaker specs could require more settings tweaks with individual games to achieve optimal performance. The Steam Deck drift issue was promptly addressed by Valve, and with a major company backing it, the Steam Deck is likely to receive more ongoing developer support. While Anbernic and Ayn are known for quality product builds, there is still more uncertainty associated with such devices than a mainstream company like Valve.
The price point and smaller form factors of the entry level Steam Deck competitors does make them arguably more "legitimately" portable. A Loki Zero that weighs half as much, and costs less than half of the price of most Steam Deck models, is certainly easier for most fans to risk with gaming on the go. The Steam Deck may be the new king of couch PC gaming, but a Loki Zero is a safer bet for a bus ride. The existence of devices like this is a wonderful thing for consumers. Having alternatives ensures that more people can find a portable with the right features and price point for their needs.
Steam Deck thefts led to discreet packaging, and Valve’s portable remains the current hot item in gaming, even more than the perpetually scarce PS5 consoles. The cheaper devices may lack the unique appeal of playing some of the most recent PC hits with good performance on a portable, but they are not without merit. The Steam Deck is a fantastic device; having higher end options like Aya Neo alongside the budget-friendly offerings from Anbernic and Ayn allows more people to enjoy the benefits of PC gaming in handheld form.