Handheld gaming glossary
Every acronym and technical term used on this site, explained in plain English. No marketing fluff.
- A1 / A2
- App-Performance Classes defined by the SD Association. A2 cards guarantee 4000 IOPS random read / 2000 IOPS random write, which directly impacts how fast games load on Steam Deck. Always prefer A2 when available.
- ANC
- Active Noise Cancellation. Earbuds with ANC reduce background noise electronically. Useful for gaming in loud environments (airports, cafes).
- aptX / aptX Adaptive
- Qualcomm audio codec for Bluetooth. aptX Adaptive offers lower latency (40-80ms) than the standard SBC codec (200ms+), which matters for gaming audio.
- Black Friday
- Late November shopping period. Historically the best time to buy Amazon accessories — discounts of 20-40% are common on electronics.
- GaN (Gallium Nitride)
- Semiconductor technology used in modern chargers. GaN chargers (like Anker Nano II) are 40-60% smaller than equivalent silicon chargers while running cooler.
- HDR
- High Dynamic Range. Supported by Steam Deck OLED screens. Makes colors more vibrant and blacks deeper in supported games.
- IPS / OLED
- Screen technologies. IPS = LCD (Steam Deck LCD model). OLED = per-pixel backlight (Steam Deck OLED). OLED offers better contrast and colors but can risk burn-in on static elements over years.
- LPDDR5
- Type of RAM used in Steam Deck OLED, ROG Ally and Legion Go. Faster than LPDDR4 which is used in the original Steam Deck LCD.
- M.2 2230 vs M.2 2242 vs M.2 2280
- NVMe SSD form factors measured in mm. Steam Deck and ROG Ally use 2230 (shortest). Legion Go uses 2242. Regular laptops use 2280. They are NOT interchangeable.
- microSD vs SD
- microSD is the compact form factor. All handhelds (Steam Deck, ROG Ally, Legion Go) use microSD. The SD adapter included with most microSDs just lets you use them in a regular SD slot (camera).
- OneLink
- Amazon Associates tool that makes a single affiliate link automatically redirect visitors to their local Amazon (US, UK, DE, FR, etc.). Increases commission capture on international traffic by 10x+.
- PD (Power Delivery)
- USB-C charging standard. Steam Deck requires PD-compliant chargers above 45W. "PD 65W" means the charger can deliver up to 65W over USB-C.
- Prime Day
- Amazon's mid-July sale event for Prime members. Second-largest discount window after Black Friday. Historically great for SD cards, chargers, and audio gear.
- SteamOS
- Linux-based OS on Steam Deck. Optimized for handheld gaming, with Proton layer to run Windows games. ROG Ally and Legion Go run Windows 11 instead.
- TDP (Thermal Design Power)
- Maximum sustained heat the chip generates, in watts. Steam Deck is 15W TDP, ROG Ally X goes up to 30W. Higher TDP = more performance but shorter battery life and more fan noise.
- UHS-I vs UHS-II
- microSD speed classes. Steam Deck supports UHS-I only (maximum ~104 MB/s). Buying UHS-II cards is pointless — you're paying for speed the Deck can't use.
- USB-C PD
- Combination of USB-C connector and Power Delivery protocol. Required for charging Steam Deck. Not all USB-C cables support the full 65W the Deck can accept — cheap cables may cap at 20W or 45W.
- W-8BEN
- IRS tax form non-US affiliates fill to avoid US tax withholding on Amazon Associates payouts. Submitted once electronically at registration.