# Why I Don’t Recommend the Steam Deck Anymore

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/why-i-dont-recommend-the-steam-deck-anymore/
- Published: 2026-07-17T20:35:13+00:00
- Original publisher: IGN
- Original article: https://www.ign.com/articles/why-i-dont-recommend-the-steam-deck-anymore
- Topics: Entertainment, Gaming

## Key points

- Steam Deck's cost has risen dramatically to $789–$949 following global semiconductor shortages driven by AI infrastructure demand, leaving refurbished inventory depleted and used units scarce at $450–500
- Xbox Ally maintains affordability at $599 with comparable processing performance, shifting the value proposition in favour of Asus's device

## Summary

Valve's Steam Deck has become significantly less appealing to new buyers following major cost escalations. The 512GB OLED model now retails for $789, whilst the 1TB variant reaches $949. The price climb stems from semiconductor supply constraints driven by companies building artificial intelligence computing infrastructure, an issue impacting most gaming devices released this year. Consumers seeking discounts through refurbished channels face empty shelves, whilst secondary markets present unreliable options at $450–500 for used units.

Asus's Xbox Ally has managed to avoid similar escalation, maintaining its $599 entry price despite market pressures. Technical benchmarks reveal the two devices deliver functionally equivalent gaming performance, eliminating the historical advantage Valve held in processing capability. With this parity now established, the lower-priced Xbox Ally emerges as the more sensible choice for budget-conscious gamers, though sustained pricing stability across the sector remains uncertain.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.