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Can the Steam Deck outgrow the Nintendo Switch? Yes it can! Here's why!
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The Steam Deck OLED is coming... November 16th!
The Valve Steam Deck has long been a head-turner among gamers thanks to its portability and power, especially for PC gamers. But now, the Steam Deck is back and better than ever before. The new OLED version boasts a high dynamic range screen, which means that colors are more vibrant and images are sharper than yesterday's model. This feature alone makes it worth upgrading to the OLED version when it comes to some gamers, but there are other improvements as well. Just like the Nintendo Switch, you have to really want that bump up in visual clarity to shell out more green, but at the same time, it gives me a warm fuzzy feeling when I see collectors with various models of a system.
One of the most notable improvements is the longer-lasting battery. The OLED version can provide up to 8 hours of gameplay on a single charge, which is a significant improvement over the original version. This means that you can play longer without having to worry about running out of battery life.
In addition to the longer battery life, the OLED version also has faster downloads. This is thanks to the improved Wi-Fi hardware, which can download games and updates at a much faster rate than before. This means that you can spend less time waiting for your games to download and more time playing them.
Of course, all of these improvements come at a cost. The OLED version is available in two models, the 512GB version for $549.00 and the 1TB version for $649.00. This may be a bit steep for some gamers, but the improved features are definitely worth the investment for some gamers.
Parents in the market for gifts: If your teen doesn't have a Steam Deck, the upgrade could certainly be worth the investment... if you'd got it like that. It takes their existing games on PC (via their Steam account) and gives them the ability to enjoy their games on the go. If you're accustomed to buying them game multiple times throughout the year... the savings will ultimately surpass the initial investment if you're looking to get them a new system. They aren't locked behind a paywall with the Steam Deck if they want to play online. If you have internet, they have access to play online multiplayer.
If you choose to stick to discounted games... and a few new releases for the year, your gamers win because the Steam deals have a reputation of being crazy good. At the same time... I gotta keep it real, if you're big on Nintendo... you're saving some serious green if you get your hands on the Nintendo Switch Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Bundle for $299.00, but they'll make that money back with the price of the games + that paywall (although it's fairly inexpensive). By the way, you get 3 months of online play included in this bundle.
Anyway, if you're not ready to upgrade to the Steam Deck OLED version just yet, don't worry. The original version is still available at a reduced price ranging from $349.00 to $449.00. This is a great option for gamers who want to try out the Steam Deck but don't want to spend too much money.
However, if you're a true gaming enthusiast, you might want to consider the limited edition Steam Deck OLED. This version comes with a see-through shell, which gives it a unique and futuristic look. Quantities are limited, so if you want to get your hands on one, you'll need to act fast before they're all gone.
Overall, the Valve Steam Deck OLED is an improvement over the original version. With its improved screen, longer battery life, and faster downloads, it should please those who score one. Steam Deck OLED is available November 16 If you want to take advantage of the lower-priced LCD version, get it before it's gone because the existing units are the last ones Valve intends to manufacture.
You won't get a big difference between processors in the LCD & OLED versions, but the refresh rates and response times are very different... along with some additional upgrades.
The LCD version serves up 60 Hz, has the OLED version delivers 90Hz w/ <0.1 ms, but... the LCD version has a 7" screen, the OLED has a 7.4" screen. 5.0 Bluetooth is in the LCD version while 5.3 Bluetooth is in the OLED version. See more... here!
Valve Steam Deck is available now without the wait!
Valve's Steam Deck is now available without the waiting list. There is no guarantee that there won't be back orders, but this is promising.
I don't believe it's just that. I think Valve made this decision... because if gamers or their parents had to reserve a system, the Steam Deck would be a no-go option for the 2022 holiday season. - Blu
This is possible, but for Valve's sake, they should be prepared for the potential sales that pour in during the busy holidays. Before they took away the waiting list, Valve did ramp up Steam Deck production. This could mean that they are confident in their production performance to the level of what they'd need for the 2022 holidays.
If they can handle the season, we believe the Steam Deck is a great option to consider as a gift because it's a portable gaming PC, it's a handheld system, and it's also a console that you're able to connect to your TV. If this was the only reason to buy a Steam Deck, we wouldn't recommend it. Steam has a huge platform with games of various genres.
Whether you're looking for the latest AAA title or an indie gem, the Steam Deck has it at different budgets and you can use your collection of games.
Valve ramps up Steam Deck production: Your wait could be over
Say no to... price gougers.
I don't want to knock someone's hustle, but... there are literally open box units being sold for $1125.00. It's not even the 512GB model. I've even seen unopened options for $1500.00... which is nearly trip the price. Like... come on, keep your money in your pocket unless you come across a unit that makes sense and you're willing to buy from someone who isn't Valve or a reputable third-party reseller.
There are some people who kept things a bit more reasonable by selling units in a similar price range to the going price on the site. This technically defeats the purpose of reselling (unless they just don't want the device), but these are the only ones I'd entertain... if I ever went that route.
Is the Steam Deck the true Alternative to the Nintendo Switch or just a one-off?
Many people have their eye on the Steam Deck when it comes to gaming technology. This portable gaming console has impressive power in a profile that rivals the Nintendo Switch. But before you drop nearly $400 for the most basic model, take into consideration that it may not be the Switch-killer some think it to be.
What Does Steam Deck Offer?
The Steam Deck offers several fascinating developments for PC gaming by utilizing high-end consumer technology and a Nintendo-like design profile. However, unlike Nintendo’s current offering, the Steam Deck is undoubtedly more versatile in function, even working as a desktop computer when needed.
The Steam Deck comes at three price points that range from low-end to high-end PC gaming. These price points will offer different levels of performance for gamers worldwide and provide those with the money to spend, something that feels like a more premium product.
As far as practical developments go, the internal memory of the baseline $399 model is decent enough but does not compare to NVMe internal storage of the higher tier models at $529 and $649, respectively, especially for game performance.
The Nintendo Difference
The biggest reason for the Nintendo Switch’s success is not hardware but access to first-party Nintendo games. That works against the Steam Deck as a Switch competitor. The Switch is the only way to play Mario, Zelda, and Splatoon. However, many significant games in similar genres are available in the massive Steam interface.
Another consideration for the mass-market appeal of the Switch, when they can be found, is that the system is more affordable than the Steam Deck. Even the most premium version of the Nintendo Switch, the newer OLED model, is still around $50 less than even the basic Steam Deck.
While the hardware isn’t as powerful as the Steam Deck, it sometimes comes to having enough to buy a game to go with the new system. At $299 for a standard Nintendo Switch and $199 for a Switch Lite, the value proposition is quite the incentive, but don’t underestimate Steam sales for great games Valve has some work to do from the first party game standpoint, but the library is vast, and Steam Deck owners would essentially have access to that and then some.Can Steam Deck Be Upgraded?
One thing to note in favor of the Steam Deck is that it will be relatively painless to repair and replace parts. Despite the portable profile, the Steam Deck has a lot in common with PC gaming tech.
So much so that Valve has partnered with gaming tech company IFixit to provide necessary components as needed for end-users. Repairing a Switch or upgrading it is certainly not as easy.
The most significant downside for the Steam Deck compared to a gaming PC is that users cannot upgrade the Steam Deck as it currently stands. While the tech has been licensed to other companies, it may be a while before upgradable alternatives hit the market.
Steam Deck: Futureproof?
The primary question is if the Steam Deck will be a gaming device that will continue into future iterations or go in the direction of the Steam Link. We’ll get a good sense of that soon enough as this latest batch of Valve gaming tech arrives this month for the first of those who pre-ordered it.