Time and again my wife has heard me explain that I'm an aspirational gamer. I aspire to have the free time for it - just a little bit of pure me time, but there's always too much going on.
I'm not going to pretend I'm life's victim however, both my wife and I are on an almost never ending sprint. Partially because we like to do things our way, partially because we make every effort to give our kids our attention. Partially because our time management sucks.
But those little pockets of time between being busy - 10 minutes here - 20 minutes there. Hell even the 35 minutes of train ride sandwiched between busses to and from the station. These are the times I want to capture.
I struggle to be productive on a train, partly because I'm a paranoid person who takes security seriously, and partly because I just can't concentrate on email or a document on public transport. I have long seen this as prime could get some games in time.
Back in April 2023 I wrote about my Ayaneo 2. While newer, higher powered devices have come out they like the Ayaneo suffer from two key problems - ergonomics and Windows.
I have tried really hard to make the Ayaneo 2 work for me, but the whole process of booting into Windows before loading Steam is a constant chore. Battery life is a problem too - after a morning train ride I need to ensure I charge up at work or there won't be enough power for the return trip home.
Late November 2023 I ordered an Ayn Odin 2 (what's the the v2 of devices?). Battery life and Windows problems be-gone. The Odin 2 runs Android and is a retro emulation power house. In this instance its strengths become its weaknesses. I need to be in the right mood for retro emulation, but I'm keen to power through my Steam library - first world problem, I know.
Fast forward to November 2024 and the Steam Deck (released in 2022) is finally being released in Australia. I quickly pleaded with my wife to make this my Christmas present and then I waited till late December.
Come Christmas I unwrapped my Steam Deck OLED (does OLED make it a v2 or a v1.1?)
A few immediate observations having used the Steam Deck a bit now
- The battery life is amazing. 2 days of train use without charging and I had more than 50% battery remaining.
- SteamOS puts Windows to shame. The instant-on, instant-off console like experience means I may never consider a Windows handheld again - unless they release a working "Windows for handheld" mode as the rumors keep suggesting.
- The optimisation makes the lower-spec hardware fly. The Steam Deck is quite down spec wise compared to the Ayaneo 2, using the devices side by side would never indicate this.
Giving away the main thrust of this post in the headline, what I didn't expect was the significant difference in ergonomics. Let me show you:
AYN ODIN 2
Using the left analogue stick and BAYX buttons on the Ayn Odin 2 is pretty comfortable, although your right thumb has to reach over the right analogue stick, so it's not perfect. 
Using the d-pad and right analogue stick however is a nightmare, causing an uncomfortable thumb position that fatigues very quickly. Not great when retro games tend to ask for d-pad + BAYX buttons. 
AYANEO 2
Using the left analogue stick and ABXY buttons on the Ayaneo 2 is pretty comfortable, although your right thumb has to reach over the right analogue stick, so it's not perfect, but it's less noticeable than on the Odin 2. 
Using the d-pad and right analogue stick however is a nightmare, causing an uncomfortable thumb position that fatigues very quickly. This position feels even more unnatural than on the Odin 2. 
From what I can tell, the highly sculpted "ergonomic" shapes of the Odin 2 and Ayaneo 2 play against them. They prevent shifting your grip "down" the controller if using only the d-pad or right analogue sticks.
SteamDeck
Using the left and right analogue sticks on the SteamDeck just feels natural and neutral. There's not much more to say. 
Using the d-pad and ABXY buttons on the SteamDeck also feel natural, they're just there when you need them. There is no need to curl your thumbs or reach over the analogue sticks. I have to admit I judged this d-pad and buttons out on the corners layout before I tried it but credit to Valve it works amazingly well. 
What I failed to capture is sliding your hand down the controller to rest thumbs on the touch pads. This ALSO just works due to the SteamDeck's squared off and chunky design. Without trying to look ergonomic, the SteamDeck has outperformed the other units from an ergonomic perspective.
It's the largest unit (that 7.4" screen dwarfs the Ayaneo 2's 7" screen) but manages to be the most convenient to take places, mostly due to that brilliant instant-on, instant-off operating system it's running. 
The Ayaneo 2 and Odin 2 still have their important roles to play. SteamOS can't play everything so the Ayaneo 2 serves an important role for compatibility. Likewise the Odin 2 is still my emulation power-house. Comfort be damned.