Graphic by Dani Ramirez
Written by Jerry Chavez
The gaming market is heavily saturated as new contenders are constantly entering the fray. Gamers are inundated with options for purchase, from a traditional PC build, to the current generation of consoles, to the smorgasbord of portable gaming options. PCs can harbor optimal processing power and can employ mods. Traditional consoles offer minimal setup and plug and play capabilities. Portable options offer immediate gameplay on the go. In the endless sea of options, gamers are posed with the question, “What’s the point? Why should I buy any of this?”
Valve’s return to the console market has renewed debate among college gamers about whether traditional consoles still make sense in an era dominated by PCs and handheld devices. Valve first released its Steam Machine in 2015 but discontinued it three years later after weak sales. The company later introduced the Steam Deck in 2022. In October 2025, Microsoft entered the handheld market with the Xbox ROG Ally X. Two esports lounge representatives weighed in on the heated debate.
“What’s the point of a console when you can just get a PC?” says Nicholas Hernandez, communications major, junior.
“As for affordability,” says Hernandez, “the hardware for the Steam Deck and the specs you are getting are really not that great, just get a 3060 setup before Black Friday, because due to tariffs and price increases, PC gaming is cooked in 2026”.
“I like consoles because they’re simple and accessible,” said Tristan Escobar, art major, senior. “I don’t want to deal with constant PC maintenance. With the Steam Deck, I can access Steam’s library without the hassle.”
A Steam Deck user identified as “Captain Slow” wrote on SteamCommunity that the device’s small screen and limited battery life were drawbacks.
“Performance is good, but far from desktop level,” Captain Slow wrote.
On their Steampowered site, Valve offers three Steam Deck models ranging from $399 to $649, featuring LCD and OLED displays, storage options up to one terabyte, and battery life of up to 12 hours, depending on usage.
Aside from the Steam Deck, Asus released its own premier handheld PC gaming device known as the ROG Ally on June 13, 2023. As a direct answer to the Steam Deck, the ROG Ally boasted its use of the Windows 11 operating system and expanded compatibility with games that may not work with the Steam Deck. The Asus ROG Ally series has had a few revisions, including the Rog Ally X and the newly released Xbox ROG Ally X. Users should be aware that the price range of the console is between $599 and $999. According to rog.asus.com, the newly released Xbox ROG Ally X contains significant upgrades to the previous models at a similar price range. According to a review on purexbox.com, Fraser Gilbert attested that the Xbox ROG Ally X has “changed his gaming habits.”
“The big takeaway for me is that it’s still a really capable system with most games I throw at it,” says Gilbert. “I will admit that I think the screen is a bit too small though.” Users should be aware that the price range of the console is between $599 and $999. According to rog.asus.com, the newly released Xbox ROG Ally X contains significant upgrades to the previous models at a similar price range. Aside from these options, the Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X, and PlayStation 5 are also available. The Steam Deck and Xbox ROG Ally X are also available on their respective sites. There is no concrete release date for the new Steam Machine or specifications available at the time of this writing, but there are plenty of options for the average gamer who is willing to do their research based on their personal need.
