Valve rarely makes moves unless it knows it is going to make waves. This makes the recently announced Steam Deck so exciting. The new handheld is promising to play just about your entire Steam library on the go.
Even though it was only just announced, a lot of important information regarding the device has already been released. Read on to find answers to the most vital questions you might have regarding the upcoming machine. The Steam Deck might not be for everyone, but there is definitely an audience who are ecstatic to have their Steam catalog with them on a handheld.
There Are Three Different Models
Steam Deck is launching with three different models:
- $399 for 64 GBs of memory
- $529 for 256 GBs of memory
- $649 For 512 GBs of memory
All versions come with a carrying case to make bringing it around easier. Another thing of note is the more expensive models will load faster than the base model. While expensive relative to the Nintendo Switch, the cost is not bad considering the power behind the Steam Deck.
While the cheapest model does not include an SSD, it has a slot where you can upgrade to one.
It Runs Of Steam OS
Since Steam Deck is basically a PC, it runs on Steam OS, which is based on Linux. Considering the device is coming from Valve, it only makes sense for this to be the default operating system.
If you do not like Steam OS, you will be able to run Windows on it if you prefer. It is nice for Valve to give consumers the freedom to install an entirely different OS.
Releases In December, But That Doesn't Mean You Will Get
The device is scheduled for a December release. However, this does not mean you will be able to simply go to the store and purchase it come this holiday season. For several months, only those who reserved a Steam Deck will receive it.
You can currently only pre-order, or reserve, the Steam Deck through Valve. They started on July 16th, but only for people who purchased something on Steam before June. Sunday the 18th they became open to everyone. There is a queue, so you might not get yours right away.
It Is Extremely Customizable
Like many things associated with PC, consumer freedom is the name of the game. Steam Deck is customizable and allows you to do just about anything you want with it. As previously mentioned, you can even install a completely different OS.
This also means you won't be restricted simply to Steam games either. If you have titles on GOG or play a lot of Blizzard games, it should not be an issue to play them on Steam Deck.
It Has 16 Gigs Of RAM
Steam Deck comes with 16 gigs of RAM, aka Random Access Memory. This is no small amount and will go a long way towards having powerful titles run smoothly on the software.
To put this into some perspective, the PS4 has eight gigs of RAM and the Xbox Series S has ten. The current-generation consoles both have 16 gigs of RAM. This does not mean Steam Deck will be able to run games on the same level, but it will definitely be more capable than Nintendo Switch.
Battery Life Will Be Between Two And Eight Hours
One of the biggest questions regarding new handheld devices is battery life. It is especially concerning with this particularly beefy machine. Valve has already said the device's battery will last anywhere between two and eight hours.
Different games will use different amounts of power, so it makes sense for there to be a six-hour discrepancy between the lowest and highest amount of time. Unfortunately, it is not ideal for long train rides or plane trips.
The Screen Is A Seven-Inch LCD Screen
The screen is absolutely vital for those who care about the optimal gaming experience. Steam Deck's screen is a seven-inch LCD display. The resolution is 1280X800; enough for a small screen on a handheld.
It is a slight improvement over the Nintendo Switch, whose screen is just over six inches with a resolution of 720p. The more expensive options will have a glare-resistant screen as well.
USB C Port And A Dock For More Connectivity Options
Steam Deck has a single USB C Port. For more options, there will also be a dock with more connectivity features. The dock will include more USB ports and even and an Ethernet port for a direct Internet connection.
While this may seem counter-productive to the portability of the handheld system, it gives players more options and freedom while playing at home. After all, it is not the first handheld system to give the option to play at home. This peripheral is sold separately.
It Is 29.8 CM Wide And Includes Mouse Support
At 29.8cm wide, it is a particularly large handheld. The buttons on the device seem odd at first, but those who have had hands-on time say it feels great. The higher placement of the analog sticks reminds one of the Nintendo Wii U, but it is ultimately more comfortable than lower sticks.
There is also a tracking pad for using the mouse. It also has a separate mouse and keyboard support for anyone wishing for something closer to a desktop experience.