Steam deck
For the Steam Deck I’d say it depends on what you want to play. A lot of games pre-2008~ don’t have native controller support which can require some extra work in terms of mods or finding a solid community layout. If you get a dock and peripherals that doesn’t really matter a whole lot though; just worth mentioning.
I enjoy making my own controller layouts, and the community ones are usually well thought out anyway.
I feel like this was overlooked with the steam controller, and now with the deck. It’s infinitely adaptable. I’ve played hundreds of hours of factorio, and completed fallout 1/2/tactics. They certainly didn’t have controller support, but it’s got gyro and mouse control!
That’s why I mentioned the community layouts. They can be great but for old FPS or select indie games for example it can be a challenge.
You can always configure your own layout but it may not be optimal and some people not be up for the extra bit of tinkering
Console
Play on what you want and don’t judge others for their choice
PC.
It plays everything a console plays, at a higher frame rate, with more customisability, and a better control scheme with the option to use a controller if you prefer. More modding, more selection, more sales, more genres.
And you can use it to do your work and surf the net, art, and generally do anything digital.
I owned every generation of console from mega drive to xbone, which I thought wasn’t worth the purchase over the PS4. Now I don’t feel like either console offer anything over pc. You can also emulate the switch on the pc (and the steamdeck)
I regret buying my ps5. My pc can connect to the TV, use a controller, and most exclusives are being ported over anyway. I’ve barely touched it.
PC
PC
I fucking hate controllers. They suck with arthritis
I am a PC gamer but I actually prefer playing with a controller except for First Person Shooters. The analog sticks are just not as accurate as a keyboard and mouse.
PC
Prefer console for dedicated gaming and controls.
But at the end of the day I’m addicted to modding so PC wins 9/10.