Well, this is coming from the perspective of someone who has a nominal Steam library but hasn’t ever had a gaming PC. I love the concept of an all-in-one system and actually have a few Android-based systems like that, but the Steam Deck seems to take it a step further.
It checks just about all the boxes I need. I would use it for Steam OS and build up my Steam library with cheap codes on sale. I would set up cloud streaming on it so I could use xCloud. I would install Windows on it so I could benefit from Play Anywhere. I would install emulators on it and play my personal dumped ROMs. I would plug it into my TV and use it like I do the Switch but with a much bigger library and with the Xbox controller I love. I would unplug it from the TV and play with it in my lap like you say while my partner watches TV.
The long and short of it is that I deal with computers for work, so when I want to play a game and unwind, I want a console experience where everything works without any cajoling or fiddling. The Deck sidesteps that neatly by being a single popular configuration for devs to target, with software that Valve are incentivized to keep polishing.
I wondered if this would be a flash in the pan type of experiment for them given some of their previous hardware efforts, but it seems like they’re in this for the long haul with the OLED refresh and allegedly working on a successor device. And the OLED is a great sign considering how much thought they appear to have put into it.
Frankly I’ve been deeply envious of PC as a gaming platform but never had the time or money to put into actually getting it off the ground. This would be a relatively simple solution for a fairly reasonable amount of money.
I’ve had my eye on the ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go for the same reason, but the compromises I would have to make wouldn’t be worth it and I don’t know that they would be committed to supporting their devices.
From what I’ve read, installing Windows on the Deck isn’t as cumbersome as I thought (or it was but has since gotten less so) and I actually got my hands on one when a friend visited this weekend. It feels better and lighter than I expected. It’s responsive and snappy. The trackpads don’t look as goofy as I thought in person, and they seem useful.
Contrary to what you might think from what I wrote earlier, I do like to tinker and set up devices. I’ve got a whole home server and theater setup that I love tinkering with, and setting up a device to be my one-stop shop for emulation, PC gaming, de factor Xbox handheld, PlayStation replacement (to bring things back to on-topic) is the kind of project that has me grinning with anticipation.
I’ve gotten every console every gen since I started earning my own money (PS2/Xbox/NGC). I’ve had just about every handheld Nintendo and Sony ever made outside of stuff like the DSi and the Game Boy Light. This would complement my Series X and Switch perfectly.
It’s entirely possible that I’m getting swept away here and some of the research I’ll do will disillusion me. It’s likely that what I find interesting here isn’t the case for everyone. Regardless, I’ve gone from vague curiosity to genuine interest with ardent fervor possibly on the horizon 
It does also help that the Android-based portable systems I mentioned could apparently cover a good chunk of the SD if I sell them.
This is me! 
