PC gaming reaches new heights as Steam Deck owner whips out handheld at 2,500ft

Now that’s a portable PC.

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“Guys, you can literally take this thing anywhere,” saysReddit user Bythionas they float through the skies at ~2,500ft above the ground clutching onto aSteam Deckin one hand. Valve couldn’t ask for better PR for its handheld PC device than this.

The Steam Deck has impressed us with its mobility—I especially love it for air travel, it’s an excellent way to kill time while 30,000 feet up. But while Bythion istechnicallyat a lower altitude, around 2,500 feet, admittedly their sky-high Deck experience (viaPCGamesN) shows off the handheld PC’s portability in a whole new light. Plus they have to worry about dropping the thing, whereas I only had to worry about accidentally kicking it under my chair while wrapped up in my little airline blanket.

They’re gliding through the air in a paramotor: essentially a motor-propelled fan strapped to the back of anyone willing to trust that thing with their life. It’s a pretty excellent-looking hobby, if you’re not terrified of heights, that is. They’re gliding close to Grapevine Lake in north Texas.

Clearly there’s not much gaming to be had while actually piloting a motorised aircraft, but the user does post another with the device turned on at least. Probably a risky manoeuvre trying to press the on button, almost flush with the Deck’s chassis, while wearing some thick gloves to stave off the winter air.

Bythion says they might try again in the springtime, when the weather warms up, and maybe we’ll see some actual gaming while at the helm then.

Steam Deck review:Our verdictAccessories for the Steam Deck:Get decked outSteam Deck availability:How to get oneSteam Deck battery life:The real battery lifeThe emulation dream machine:The ultimate emulatorThe best budget gaming PC: Price point hero

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Jacob earned his first byline writing for his own tech blog. From there, he graduated to professionally breaking things as hardware writer at PCGamesN, and would go on to run the team as hardware editor. He joined PC Gamer’s top staff as senior hardware editor before becoming managing editor of the hardware team, and you’ll now find him reporting on the latest developments in the technology and gaming industries and testing the newest PC components.

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