Don't get taken to the cleaners, Steam is doubling up on Steam Deck shipments! According to Steam maker Valve wants to get out more than double the number of units on a weekly basis. Is this a sign that Valve has found a new route to cover their parts shortage? It's possible, so take this information and avoid being used by someone trying to jack up the price.
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.
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.
Sooo... this happened! What is it exactly, a Nintendo Switch Pro? Not at all, but shots have been fired because... Steam Deck may have the device that PC and non-PC gamers have been waiting for, which is the Steam Deck!
I feel like Ludacris right now: Hey Steam Deck... how ya doing? You're the device that I'm really pursuing, and I would like to get to know ya, can ya give me your specs, and hopefully I can pre-order ya... by my next paycheck... ayyy! Anyway, follow me as I eye this beautiful-looking device down.
I wish this device launched with a new Valve title, but... I have enough games to suffice.
As you see here, it has 2 thumbsticks + a D-pad + a View button (the button next to the D-pad) + the ABXY buttons + a Menu button + Quick access (just above the right speaker) + the Steam button (above the left speaker). You also get two trackpads... which someone might be wonder what those do, but there are games on Steam that require a standard keyboard and mouse in some cases... so you have the trackpads. I'd be tempted to see how these work, but I don't know... probably something I would seldom use.
On top of the Steam Deck you have the standard L1 trigger + L2 trigger + R1 trigger + R2 trigger + Volume buttons (closer to the L triggers) + Headphone Jack (next to the volume buttons) + Fan (in the middle to keep the... Steam flowing out properly) + Type C port jack (I'd have to grab a nice Thunderbolt cord) + a Status LED light + Power Button... seems to be set up nicely.
On the back, some of you might be wondering what in the heck are... these, but the device delivers L4 + L5 + R4 + R5 back triggers for pro gamers or at least those who prefer to use pro controllers. There is also an expansion slot for micro SD cards.
Here are the specs of the unit:
Processor:
AMD APU
CPU: Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz (up to 448 GFlops FP32)
All models use socketed 2230 m.2 modules (not intended for end-user replacement)
All models include a high-speed microSD card slot
Display:
Resolution: 1280 x 800px (16:10 aspect ratio)
Type: Optically bonded IPS LCD for enhanced readability
Display size: 7" diagonal
Brightness: 400 nits typical
Refresh rate: 60Hz
Touch-enabled: Yes
Sensors: Ambient light sensor
Connectivity:
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.0 (support for controllers, accessories and audio)
Wi-Fi: Dual-band Wi-Fi radio, 2.4GHz and 5GHz, 2 x 2 MIMO, IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Audio:
Channels: Stereo with embedded DSP for an immersive listening experience
Microphones: Dual microphone array
Headphone / mic jack: 3.5mm stereo headphone / headphone jack
Digital: Multichannel audio via DisplayPort over USB-C, standard USB-C, or Bluetooth 5.0
Power:
Input: 45W USB Type-C PD3.0 power supply
Battery: 40Whr battery 2 - 8 hours of gameplay
Expansion:
microSD: UHS-I supports SD, SDXC and SDHC
External connectivity for controllers & displays: USB-C with DisplayPort 1.4 Alt-mode support; up to 8K @60Hz or 4K @120Hz, USB 3.2 Gen 2
Size/Weight:
Size: 298mm x 117mm x 49mm
Weight: Approx. 669 grams
Software:
Operating System: SteamOS 3.0 (Arch-based)
Desktop: KDE Plasma
I won't say that this is the Nintendo Switch killer because Nintendo has its IPs, but... the Steam Deck has entered the arena where people are looking for some handheld action. Nintendo has occupied this space comfortably for a while with no real competitors (the PS Vita is gone), but now you have a real head-turner for people who have pre-existing libraries that they want to enjoy on a Nintendo Switch-like device. It's actually a handheld PC, that you can dock and use with a Keyboard, Mouse, and... Monitor also.
Basically, if you need a computer to do some simple things on (even using productivity or art software in Steam) you can run them in this. Actually, I won't say simple things, because if you can play a high-res game... you can run software that meets the requirements.
Nintendo was on the Wishmas List at one point, but this has to go on there, because... you get access to your Steam library in portable form. Yes, that option has been there with the Steam Link, which is why that was also recommended, but... this is just so much more. I would much rather access my ridiculous Steam library, but I say that this isn't a Nintendo Switch killer because the big N also has a large player base. So it has that side as far as a portable home game console is concerned with original IPs and the Steam Deck has the... PC audience (and others who may be interested). Will the Steam Deck dip into Nintendo Switch sales? I'm sure of it, but I'm not calling anything as far as who wins between Valve & Nintendo, because we're the actual winners when the competition is fierce.
I do think the place where Steam has the upper hand is... you don't have to wait for the games to be ported. You can play them on day 1 they're available on Steam, but you can also mod this thing... so that changes things even further. Based on an interview with Valve, I believe you can use the Xbox app on this device, and it's safe to say you can use EA & Ubisoft's platforms too. Why is it safe to say that? Easy, remember EA & Ubisoft have this nasty little habit of selling games on one platform that requires their first-party platform to be used.
I'm tired of that, and Valve + Epic Games... must change that. They must require these companies to play the games directly from their platforms rather than leading us to their app. What's the point of buying the game in one only to open it on another? It's not being stolen, let us play directly from the app we purchased it on... period. So that's why I'm sure these two platforms will run, but I had to vent.
You've seen the specs, you've seen the system, now time for the price. The Steam Deck comes in at a solid price of $399. I don't know what it feels like, but I know that I want it because it gives me access to my Steam library to play whenever I want and wherever I want. You just power it on, sign in, and... bam (as long as your game is ready to roll and doesn't require an update)!
You actually have 3 tiers in terms of the device:
$399
64GB eMMC internal storage
Carrying case
$529
256GB NVMe SSD internal storage
Faster storage
Carrying case
Exclusive Steam Community profile bundle
$649
512GB NVMe SSD internal storage
Fastest storage
Premium anti-glare etched glass
Exclusive carrying case
Exclusive Steam Community profile bundle
Exclusive virtual keyboard theme
Now that you've seen the prices, you see why this thing is turning head... even if the higher models are a few hundred more. It would be DOA starting at $999 because you can buy a PC and call it a day or just get a Switch, but this is a price that makes some of us think twice. By the way, don't be a sucker buying from some scalper trying to cash in on your thirst for a Steam Deck, there are people reserving units that they're selling online for thousands of dollars (I've seen one for over $4000). That's nuts!
Overall, the Steam Deck grabbed my attention, and... I truly see it as a device where I would log a good amount of time on because I more so play games on Steam. If this thing takes off, I strongly suggest that Valve creates more first-party games... or funds teams to do so. I also think it's sweet that I don't have to go and dump money into building a new game library.
.gif)
