Maybe a silly question but I’m actually wondering what would give me a better experience while still talking in account the money I would save by “just” getting the backbone.
I would like to use the device for playing games while not on my pc at home and during my working weeks where I’m staying at a different place and don’t have a gaming device at all.
Steam Link wasn’t really built to stream outside of your local network. Opening ports randomly on your home Internet is not usually recommended due to security reasons and piping it through a VPN adds latency.
Personally I’d get a Steam Deck or any of the Windows handheld device instead if you travel often. Keep in mind that Microsoft Store games won’t work on the Steam Deck (except for in Windows and at that point, just get a Windows handheld).