Portable gaming is all the rage, with handheld consoles that let you play AAA games on the go gaining tremendous popularity. Two devices leading this new wave of cloud-based and downloadable handheld gameplay are the Logitech G Cloud and Steam Deck.
These consoles may seem quite similar at first glance – after all, they both allow you to play high fidelity games untethered from your couch or desk. But once you take a closer look at everything they offer, distinct differences emerge.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare the Logitech G Cloud and Steam Deck across a range of key factors like game libraries, performance, pricing, comfort and recent/upcoming developments. Let’s dive in!
Logitech G Cloud vs Steam Deck: Specs Comparison
First, how do these devices stack up based on their core hardware specifications?
Display and Portability
The Logitech G Cloud sports a 7” touchscreen with Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution. It’s compact and lightweight at 10.11 x 4.61 x 1.30 inches and just over 1 pound. This makes it very easy to toss in your bag and game anywhere.
The Steam Deck also houses a 7” touch display, but it maxes out at 1280 x 800 resolution. And at 11.73 x 4.61 x 1.93 inches and 1.47 pounds, Valve‘s handheld is noticeably heftier. Still, quite portable.
Battery Life
Logitech cites up to 12 hours of battery life for the G Cloud. Independent testing confirms you can expect 8+ hours of sustained gameplay.
The Steam Deck is less consistent, with Valve claiming between 2-8 hours depending on the game and settings. So you’ll likely need to charge it more frequently.
Storage and Memory
The base Logitech G Cloud comes with 64GB of onboard storage. The Steam Deck starts at the same 64GB but also offers 256GB and 512GB configurations.
And while the G Cloud includes a respectable 4GB of RAM, the Steam Deck packs a much more powerful 16GB to handle more resource intensive gameplay.
The Steam Deck provides more flexibility if you need additional storage or memory headroom.
Game Libraries and Access Compared
Both gadgets provide unique gameplay experiences – the distinctions here run deep.
Logitech G Cloud
As a dedicated cloud gaming handheld, the G Cloud streams everything over WiFi from servers. You‘ll need to subscribe to services like Xbox Cloud Gaming or Nvidia GeForce NOW.
This means you are limited to supported cloud titles only. But new games are frequently added across Xbox, EA, Ubisoft and more. Just be prepared for occasional lag if streaming quality dips.
Steam Deck
With the Steam Deck, games run natively on the device itself exactly like a PC. You have access to thousands of Steam games out of the box, with more verified each day.
Performance varies, but offline gameplay means less stuttering. And with the Steam store’s massive catalog, the possibilities are endless – especially if you’re willing to tinker with unsupported games.
Performance and Hardware Differences
Under the hood, these consoles take vastly different approaches to powering gameplay.
Logitech G Cloud
As predominantly a cloud streaming device, Logitech appropriately outfits the G Cloud with moderately powerful mobile hardware:
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G processor
- Octa-core CPU up to 2.3GHz
- 4GB LPDDR4x memory
You won’t be running intensive AAA games locally, but the hardware nicely handles Android titles.
Steam Deck
Valve spares no expense making the Steam Deck a truly high performance portable:
- Custom AMD APU chip (4-core Zen 2 CPU + 8 RDNA 2 GPU cores)
- 16GB LPDDR5 RAM
- Choice of 64GB eMMC / 256GB NVMe SSD / 512GB high speed NVMe SSD storage
With this level of power, the Steam Deck effortlessly runs graphically demanding games at 30+ fps. It’s a miniature PC gaming rig!
Pricing and Value Comparison
How much are these mighty handhelds going to set you back?
Logitech G Cloud
Priced at MSRP $349 but frequently on sale for $299, the Logitech G Cloud comes in one fixed configuration. For the money you get:
- 64GB storage
- WiFi/BT connectivity
- 12+ hour battery
- 1080p touch display
- Cloud gaming access
If you primarily want to stream Xbox and GeForce Now games, it’s very reasonably priced and routinely discounted.
Steam Deck
The Steam Deck starts at $399 for the 64GB eMMC base model. Stepping up to the 256GB NVMe SSD version costs $529, while the 512GB top tier configuration runs $649. Each comes with:
- Carrying case
- 16GB RAM
- 7” touchscreen
- WiFi / BT
- microSD card slot
- 2-8 hours battery life
- Fully installed SteamOS 3.0
Given the unlocked Steam gaming environment and substantially more powerful hardware, the Steam Deck delivers excellent value even at higher prices for upgraded storage and memory.
Comfort and Portability
Let’s explore how traveling with these devices and playing for extended periods stacks up.
Logitech G Cloud
Weighing 1.02 pounds and modeled with curved, contoured edges, the G Cloud feels great to hold for hours on end. Reviewers praise the comfortable in-hand feel.
It conveniently slips into backpacks and bags too thanks to its lighter weight and compact 10” x 4.6” footprint. Plus the bright 1080p display looks sharp virtually anywhere.
Steam Deck
Despite being noticeably heavier at 1.47 pounds due to its densely packed hardware, the Steam Deck is still rated as reasonably comfortable to hold after longer gaming sessions. Just expect a little more hand and arm fatigue.
Portability takes a slight hit as well next to the G Cloud. But Valve‘s handheld still travels reasonably well thanks to its sturdy carry case. The lower 800p resolution screen holds up fine on the go too.
Recent Updates and Tech Developments
Both Logitech and Valve are continually improving performance and expanding capabilities across these platforms.
Logitech G Cloud
The G Cloud has received some notable updates since launch, including:
- Faster streaming with reduced latency
- Optimized WiFi antenna performance
- New power management options
- UI navigation and toolset improvements
Logitech is also planning to roll out an enhanced “Boost” subscription tier soon. It will provide premium 4K streaming quality and exclusive features.
Steam Deck
Valve has kept the Steam Deck updates coming at a rapid pace:
- Added 1,000+ newly verified games
- Bluetooth audio enhancements
- UI and system-level upgrades
- Improved game compatibility tools for devs
Ongoing work continues to fine tune performance, fix bugs reported by the community, and expand the playable Steam game catalog.
What Does the Future Hold?
Cloud gaming and powerful handheld consoles are just getting started. Here is a taste of potential innovations on the horizon for Logitech and Valve:
Logitech G Cloud
- New subscription tiers with enhanced streaming
- Hardware updates for faster WiFi performance
- Expanded game library and cloud provider partnerships
Steam Deck
- Alternative CPU/GPU hardware configurations
- Higher resolution displays
- Longer battery life from efficiency improvements
- Docking station accessories
- Billions more invested in SteamOS and Proton development
Both platforms are likely to tap advanced cloud infrastructure and video encoding techniques to remove latency and compression artifacts. This will make streaming and remote play feel flawless.
And community feedback will help drive innovation in unexpected ways. Valve’s Gabe Newell promises rapid Steam Deck iterations so things keep accelerating!
Game On: Logitech vs Steam Deck – Which Should You Buy?
When it comes to portable cloud gameplay, the Logitech G Cloud is a cost effective streaming-first device. It delivers a comfortable handheld form factor perfect for Xbox Game Pass and GeForce Now.
For a massively expandable library and true high fidelity PC gaming on the go, the Steam Deck can’t be beaten. Despite a higher price tag, it packs substantially more versatility, performance and long term value.
So choose the G Cloud if you prioritize mobility and affordable cloud access. But if uncompromised power and gaming freedom come first, the Steam Deck is your best bet!
Either way, it’s a great time to experience portable PC and console-quality gameplay virtually anywhere life takes you. Happy gaming!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play Xbox Game Pass games on the Steam Deck?
Not directly, but you can stream Xbox games through the cloud by installing the Xbox app for Windows or browser-based web streaming.
Does the Logitech G Cloud need to be connected online to play games?
Yes, since it streams everything over WiFi, the G Cloud requires a steady internet connection for cloud gaming.
What types of games work best on each device?
The cloud streaming focus of the G Cloud lends itself nicely to slower paced, cinematic games like RPGs and adventures. The Steam Deck’s power can better handle fast action games.
Can I install software like web browsers or productivity apps on them?
You can install additional Android apps and games onto the Logitech G Cloud if you enable developer options. The Steam Deck runs SteamOS but you can freely install software like browsers in Desktop Mode.
How long until the next hardware upgrade?
Logitech has not announced G Cloud 2 plans yet, but Valve expects to upgrade the Steam Deck hardware annually for the foreseeable future.
