I almost exclusively use desktop mode. One of the main reasons I got a steam deck was to have a Linux PC connected to my TV at all times. I watch a lot of sports via pirated streams, and those only really work well in a web browser. A raspberry pi 4 was not quick enough to keep up with it, but the steam deck is more than capable.

Currently, just when I have to use it to install anything that I can’t install via game mode, and when I need to tweak the system or game files, copy roms from my NAS, etc.

Mainly for installing things like emudeck or tailscale.

I mostly use it to set up Non-Steam Games like Diablo. Once set up, I go back to gaming mode. I once briefly considered using it to resolve a server issue for a business client (by using SSH which for who knows why is expensive as fuck on iPad), but decided against it – I was home to relax not work.

When I first got my Deck I installed several emulators for nostalgia (of course for games I own legitimate versions of), but after recently re-imaging my Deck I haven’t had the urge to do that again. I got what I needed, and may do it again some day; but for now I’m satisfied by Steam games and Diablo.

Mostly for tinkering. If I’m setting up an abandonware game or modding a game I prefer to do so in Lutris. It makes it easier to hop back and forth.

I also use desktop mode for a lot of indie games I may only be playing for small amounts of time

Hi from desktop mode!

I use a Arch Linux install (configured to have a ‘as close as possible to SteamOS 3’ experience, so I still have the usual gaming mode and desktop mode) and I use desktop mode for web browsing, programming (and related stuff), system maintenance and installing stuff.

I use Gaming Mode for gaming, ofc.

These days manually passing save game files between it and my other PCs.

Sometimes to install stuff like emulators or when needed other launchers.

I mostly use desktop mode for messing about with things like emudeck and creating and forgetting an su password.

I connect mine to work monitors via a dock/hub. I use it to browse the internet as well play some text based web games.

Mostly installing games from outside the steam shop.

Setting up emudeck

I put the Nix package manager on my Deck and use it for software development. You definitely want a BlueTooth keyboard to use it this way.

I have been using mine to read comics recently, since the screen is larger than my phone’s and the aspect ratio is about right when turned on it’s side.

There was a period of time where I was too lazy to re-hook up my main PC to everything. I just hooked up my Steam Deck instead via a USB C hub.

It was then that I realized I don’t really use my main gaming PC anymore. I just play on the Steam Deck and almost everything else is just general use most of the time.

Since then, I found I still prefer to do some tinkering on a way the Steam Deck isn’t very good at, so I been thinking of selling off my PC and buying a capable laptop to have that extra ease as I found I don’t need the extra performance anymore.

I use it all the time. For everything besides gaming, where I like having the integrated gaming mode UI instead.

Of course, the Deck is my only PC currently, which isn’t the use case that most have for it.