TL;DR: Antec is going to be selling a Steam Deck competitive device, based on the Ayaneo Slide. The device has a slide up screen that reveals a keyboard, which is good because using desktop windows is much easier with a keyboard. However the device’s lowest estimated power draw at low/no load is 15w, meaning it will use comparable power to the deck running at max power. This means the battery life will probably be pretty rough when compared to the Deck. It will also likely have a much higher price point.
What a strange design. Why the keyboard instead of how the steam deck does it? I never even use the touch screen. I type by selecting the letters with the dpad. Its… strange. Also no trackpads. I mean some people could like it? It just looks a bit fucked. Like someone glued their kids tablet to a controller/keyboard abomination from aliexpress.
I’ve tried using a Bluetooth keyboard for my deck for gaming with really bad luck, I kinda think this design is cool but I won’t be ditching my deck to try it out
That’s a shame, my favorite way of gaming on the deck (outside of some console port games) is Bluetooth mouse and keyboard, I play 4x and grand strategy games, along with many games that are “have not been tested for the deck”. This new thing looks like it would be a huge pain because you’re either going to have to play it while looking down at it on a hard surface, or you’re going to be imparting motion on the device every time you try to use the keys (or the keys will be so soft that they’re prone to sticking/errant inputs).
My only trouble with Bluetooth m+kb on the deck is some games refuse to acknowledge you’re not using the controls, and will pop up the keyboard interface every time a text entry box is opened, that’s annoying but most games don’t force that.
I would say the biggest advantage is speed, but as someone who has use Xbox controllers for years and years, I can type pretty damn fast with a controller.