I love my deck because

  • it can play Steam games fairly well
  • it can play emulated game really well
  • but most importantly it’s a linux computer, I can browse the web, watch a movie, even be productive on it, and I sometimes don’t even need to plug in a mouse and keyboard or an external screen !

But I was wondering what kind of uses other people have with it, as a non gaming machine?

  • BlackEco@lemmy.blackeco.comEnglish
    0·
    6 months ago

    I use it as a tablet to watch F1 on my couch / armchair. It has better sound, screen and battery life than my laptop, while not burning my lab.

    Other than that I mostly play games on my Deck.

  • kadu@lemmy.world
    0·
    6 months ago

    I’ve used it for work during a trip (I do not own a laptop). I’ve also used it to help a few students doing a bioinformatics class, as most of the tools we use are Linux programs accessed via SSH into a cluster server.

  • ShadowRam@fedia.io
    0·
    6 months ago

    I’ve been meaning to install ROS (Robot Operating System) on it, but haven’t gotten around to it yet.

  • ediculous@feddit.nl
    0·
    6 months ago

    It’s amazing for traveling with. I’ve found that streaming devices like a Chromecast or Roku are hit or miss at most hotels/motels, but the Steam Deck in desktop mode with a USB hub and HDMI cable works basically anywhere.

    I also keep some movies and shows downloaded just in case the Wi-Fi particularly sucks wherever I am.

  • Diplomjodler@feddit.de
    0·
    6 months ago

    I once saw a video of soldiers in Ukraine using it to control some drones. Truly a versatile machine.

  • keyez@lemmy.world
    0·
    6 months ago

    I have used it a couple times to use Plex and watch movies/TV. Weirdly though it seems it requires an internet connection. I went on a trip and was hoping to watch 2 episodes on a flight and they were downloaded, showed as downloaded and when I clicked play it just spun and failed to play. Later when I had WiFi I clicked play and it was showing small amounts of network activity. Would much rather watch movies on that compared to my phone

  • Fizz@lemmy.nz
    0·
    6 months ago

    To watch YouTube on my"smart tv" and to watch pirated TV shows and movies.

      • eco_game@discuss.tchncs.de
        0·
        6 months ago

        I use an app called FreeTube, I believe it uses Piped in some way and integrates SponsorBlock and DeArrow. You can install it through Discover and then add it to your Steam Library and use it in game mode (works best with the Web browser Steam Input config).

      • Fizz@lemmy.nz
        0·
        6 months ago

        Go into desktop mode and add Firefox as a non steam game. Then you can access it from gaming mode.

  • s12@sopuli.xyz
    0·
    6 months ago

    I recently started trying run stable diffusion on my deck CPU. It’s slow, but probably my fastest option as I’m very new to PC gaming and the deck is probably my most powerful computer for now.

    Check my recent post history lol.

  • averyminya@beehaw.org
    0·
    6 months ago

    I use my Steam Deck for producing audiobooks, set up a little closet space and soundtreated it, set up a mic with a Focusrite and I use Reaper on the Steam Deck.

    Works great, bit small but I’m not doing music production so I don’t need a larger screen for the moment.

    Best part is, it’s all via USB-C Anker Dock, so I just unplug it and the whole set up is perfectly in place still. Sans Deck :D

  • BananaTrifleViolin@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    6 months ago

    I have mine plugged into my TV, with a wireless controller and Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. I spend most of my time in the desktop mode

    I use it to:

    • play steam games on the deck directly
    • stream games at high settings form my PC to my TV via Steam link and Moonlight (I find Moonlight works better for me)
    • browse the Web via Firefox
    • stream video from my PC via jellyfin
    • watch YouTube via Freetube
    • watch streaming services via Web browser
    • unhook it to occasionally play games in bed on a lazy Sunday morning

    It works great as an all in one device. I don’t really use the smart features on my TV or my Fire stick anymore - I don’t need to see all the shitty advertising or use their compromised UIs that try to sell me shit.

    Honestly, the Steam Deck is one of the best devices I’ve bought in years.

    • desentizised@lemm.ee
      0·
      6 months ago

      Which makes it all the more sad that 4% is the current peak of Linux Desktop usage. Now with Proton we could all be living so much better digital lives. I recently set up Nobara and it’s an absolute marvel. I was never a Fedora guy, but I think I’ll come around to this out-of-the-box fully gaming-capable experience.

  • tasankovasara@sopuli.xyz
    0·
    6 months ago

    I have a needlessly complicated but high quality signal path (USB-C to A dongle -> some extension cable -> Edirol UA-1D -> looong Toslink optical cable -> active speakers) to play music off Spotify and MPD on the Deck to entertain the family and guests.

  • Nima@leminal.spaceEnglish
    0·
    6 months ago

    it’s my daily device. I watch youtube and anime in desktop mode. I even have some music on it.

  • radswid@feddit.de
    0·
    6 months ago

    I used it a while ago to record audio with a X32 mixing console in our rehearsal room.