Embracing the Power of Steam Deck: Unlocking the Full Potential of Handheld Gaming

As a gamer on-the-go, I’ve always been fascinated by the concept of handheld gaming. The idea of carrying a powerful gaming console in my pocket, ready to play whenever and wherever I want, is incredibly appealing. And with the Steam Deck, Valve has taken handheld gaming to a whole new level.

But what makes the Steam Deck so special? Is it just a portable powerhouse, or is there more to it? In this article, we’ll delve into the world of Steam Deck’s desktop mode, exploring its capabilities, benefits, and how to make the most of it.

Unlocking Desktop Mode

To access desktop mode on your Steam Deck, simply hold the power button, click ‘Switch to Desktop’, and wait for it to load. Alternatively, you can press the Steam button, scroll down, and select Power, then choose Switch to Desktop. It’s a bit finicky to control, but Valve’s use of a Linux distribution alongside a DirectX translation layer gets it as close to Windows as possible.

Navigating Desktop Mode

Once you’re in desktop mode, you’ll notice that it’s a fully-fledged Linux-based PC. You can access a robust desktop that lets you do almost anything you can on Windows. But navigating it can be a bit tricky. Fear not, as we’ll guide you through the process.

Do I Need a Mouse and Keyboard?

While a dedicated mouse and keyboard can make things easier, it’s not a necessity. The handheld’s touchpads are fantastic for moving your cursor around accurately, and you can bring up an on-screen keyboard by pressing the Steam and X buttons together. To collapse the keyboard, just hit the key in the lower right corner.

The Best Steam Deck Desktop Apps

Steam Deck comes equipped with Mozilla Firefox as the default browser, but you might want to switch to Microsoft Edge for playing cloud games from Xbox Game Pass and Nvidia GeForce Now. GE-Proton is another essential tool that adds plugins unavailable by default, especially handy for games requiring incompatible anti-cheat systems. Lastly, Heroic Games Launcher is a robust addition that allows you to launch other stores’ games from the likes of Epic Games, GoG, etc.

Getting familiar with Steam Deck’s desktop mode

Returning to Gaming Mode

To get back to the handheld UI, simply double-click the Return to Gaming Mode icon that appears in the top left of your desktop shortcuts. You can use your touchscreen or navigate using the right touchpad.

Conclusion

The Steam Deck is more than just a portable powerhouse – it’s a fully-fledged gaming PC that offers a world of possibilities. By mastering desktop mode, you can unlock a new level of gaming freedom, accessing a wide range of apps, games, and features that take your handheld gaming experience to the next level.

Returning to gaming mode