So you want to level up your gaming experience and play your favorite PC titles on the go. Well you now have some fantastic (and affordable) options like the AYANEO 2 and Steam Deck. But with both gaining popularity fast, how do potential buyers choose?
This comprehensive guide is designed specifically to help you decide based on your priorities and use cases. We‘ll compare everything from raw specs and software to real-world gaming performance and form factors.
Let‘s dive in!
A Quick History Lesson
Getting some context on each device before comparing them directly can be helpful. Let‘s start with a brief backgrounder.
AYANEO, founded in 2020, actually grew out of a previous handheld gaming PC company called GPD. The original AYANEO 2021 instantly stood out for its unique gamepad-centric design packed with premium components rarely seen in the niche market.
The company followed up in 2022 with the AYANEO 2 showcasing upgraded specs. Global sales expanded despite relatively high pricing ranging from $729 to over $1,300 depending on configuration. Reviews praised AYA‘s focus on portability, controls and cutting-edge silicon.
Valve Corporation of Steam fame revealed the Steam Deck in mid-2021. Pre-orders sold out almost instantly as gamers clamored for a Nintendo Switch-like device capable of playing AAA games. After launching this February, the company is still working hard to meet insane demand, recently shipping over 1 million units.
Battle of the Specs
Here‘s a comparison of core system specs:
| Specification | AYANEO 2 | Steam Deck |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | AMD Ryzen 7 6800U | Custom AMD APU |
| CPU Cores/Threads | 8 / 16 | 4 / 8 |
| CPU Max Boost | 4.7GHz | 3.5GHz |
| GPU | Radeon 680M iGPU | Custom RDNA 2 dGPU |
| GPU Power | Up to 2.4 TFLOPs | Up to 2.4 TFLOPs |
| RAM | 16GB LPDDR5-6400 | 16GB LPDDR5-5500 |
| Storage | 512GB / 1TB SSD | 64GB / 256GB / 512GB SSD |
| Display Resolution | 1280×800 | 1280×800 |
| Display Type | 7-inch IPS LCD | 7-inch IPS LCD |
| Battery Capacity | 28Wh | 40Wh |
| Weight | 580 grams | 669 grams |
On paper, the AYANEO 2 takes the processing power crown thanks to the cutting-edge Ryzen 7 6800U with extra CPU muscle. But the Steam Deck‘s customized AMD APU levels the playing field in graphics workloads.
Both ensure smooth 1080p gaming, especially in indie titles. The Steam Deck lasts substantially longer off the charger though. And at over $300 cheaper, it delivers better value. But keep reading for performance specifics.
Gaming Benchmarks: Frame Rates Compared
Let‘s move beyond specs to actual game testing results. Having higher frame rates (fps) means gameplay feels more fluid and responsive.
Here‘s a sample of average fps benchmarks from third-party testing across mainstream games at default medium settings:
| Game Titles | AYANEO 2 | Steam Deck |
|---|---|---|
| Elden Ring | 44 fps | 39 fps |
| God of War | 50 fps | 46 fps |
| Fornite | 57 fps | 59 fps |
| Apex Legends | 49 fps | 47 fps |
The Steam Deck produces higher peak fps thanks to its newer GPU architecture. But the delta isn‘t massive. And the AYANEO 2 sees noticeable gains in strategy games leveraging its CPU advantage.
Real-world gaming sessions feel excellent on both devices. Fan noise does ramp up minimizing some portability. Customizing settings and lowering resolutions bolsters frame rates further as needed.
Playing the Games You Love
An important consideration beyond speed metrics is software and system-level compatibility. SteamOS powers the Deck out of the box while AYA devices run Windows.
The Steam Deck verification program honors thousands of Steam games confirmed to play smoothly. Windows on the AYANEO 2 grants flexibility but driver quirks exist. Many players dual boot both operating systems as a workaround.
Valve intends to bring Deck-optimizations like frame rate control and quick sleep/resume to Windows eventually. But for now stick with SteamOS for the best experience.
The AYANEO 2 sees wider issues currently depending on software installed. Serious gamers should consider dual-booting Windows and SteamOS on either device.
Portability and Controls
While the Steam Deck resembles a classic gaming portable, the AYANEO 2 sticks closer to just a game controller thanks to more rounded edges. Many users strongly prefer one design over the other.
They share an equal 1280×800 resolution touchscreen. The Deck supplements its controls via large trackpads while the AYANEO 2 adds gyroscope and rumble features. Both work wonderfully after some adjustment time.
No objectively correct winner here, just personal preference on ergonomics and gameplay. The lighter 580 gram AYANEO 2 gets the edge for use strictly on the go. Both devices require compromises to actually wear or pocket.
Back buttons on the Steam Deck do offer extra flexibility though. And its docking port permits easy connections to TVs and peripherals at home.
Battery Life: Steam Deck Goes the Distance
One huge advantage for the Steam Deck rests in overall battery capacity and longevity:
- AYANEO 2 battery life: ~3 hours actual gaming
- Steam Deck battery life: 5-8 hours actual gaming
The Q2 2022 SteamOS update also introduced an efficient sleep mode yielding up to 14 hours of light usage. As for recharging times from empty?
- AYANEO 2 recharge time: ~90 minutes
- Steam Deck recharge time: ~2 hours
Plan ahead for full gaming sessions regardless. But the Steam Deck grants substantially higher mobility between charging thanks to optimized components and a 40Wh battery.
Cost: Steam Deck Delivers Unmatched Value
Let‘s address the elephant in the room now…pricing:
- AYANEO 2 starts at $729
- Steam Deck starts at $399
That‘s over an $300 difference even comparing baseline models with modest SSD storage. Performance metrics alone simply don‘t account for this gap.
The AYANEO 2 best suits buyers wanting a specialized portable gaming PC with premium materials, whereas bargain hunters flock to the Steam Deck. Yes the AYA options feature nicer screens and additional features.
But besides portability demands, for almost all gamers tight on budget, the Steam Deck easily supplies the most gaming value per dollar right now.
Which Should You Buy?
We‘ve covered a ton of ground comparing these two awesome devices. Let‘s wrap up with some quick guidance on which handheld you should actually purchase…
For Those Wanting Peak Portable Performance
- Must-have battery: AYANEO 2 (~3 hours)
- Ideal screen size: 7 inches
- Extra configurability
- Silent gaming potential
- Cooling challenges remain
For Budget-Focused Steam Players
- Excellent battery life: Steam Deck (5-8 hours)
- Huge native game library
- Seamless big-screen docked play
- Unmatched value
- Fewer customization options
There‘s really no universally "best" choice overall. Different buyers have unique needs and budgets. Both the AYANEO 2 and Steam Deck deliver loads of customizable fun.
Hopefully demystifying the key differences for you here allows confidently picking the right mobile gaming beast that aligns with your own priorities!
Any other questions? What options are you currently considering and why? Let me know in the comments!
