Thursday, September 23rd 2021
Valve Steam Deck FAQs Shed More Light on the Hot New Portable Console
Valve today put out frequently asked questions (FAQs) that shed light on many aspects of Steam Deck, the elusive new portable game console. Steam Deck is one of the first mass-market handheld consoles based on the PC architecture (if you don't count the various smartphones based on Intel Atom chips), or x86-based tablets. It turns out that Valve engaged in some segmentation between the storage-based variants. All three capacity variants feature optically-bonded glass IPS LCD touchscreens with 10-point multi-touch, but the 512 GB variant has an additional anti-glare treatment.
Steam Deck combines Linux-based custom operating system, along with the Steam UI and DRM platform, although it is possible to play non-Steam games through the Proton translation layer software. You can add games to your library just like on Steam on desktop. The Steam software itself has a custom UI optimized for the console, which replaces the Big Picture mode of conventional Steam desktop. Just like on regular Steam, the Steam Deck console lets you launch and play a game without an Internet connection, unless the game requires it.
MicroSD is the key removable storage media for this console, and Steam Deck formats cards in the ext4 file-system, along with casefolding. It can read off cards with exFAT. The console supports boot from microSD. Also supported is dual-boot, just like on PC. End-users will also have access to the UEFI setup program of the console.
You can use a Steam Deck like a game controller for your PC, via Remote Play. The console's controlls feature two LRA haptic motors, one under each of the trackpad. The console does not support external GPUs. You can use PC VR headsets with Steam Deck, but Valve says that the console isn't optimized for VR experiences. The company also revealed that performance is consistent between on-battery and plugged-in power modes, and that plugging in won't improve performance in any way. The charging cable is 1.5 m (4'9") long.
If you've already reserved your Steam Deck, you cannot change its variant. You'll have to cancel and reserve again (which will push you at the back of the queue).
Source:
Steam Deck
Steam Deck combines Linux-based custom operating system, along with the Steam UI and DRM platform, although it is possible to play non-Steam games through the Proton translation layer software. You can add games to your library just like on Steam on desktop. The Steam software itself has a custom UI optimized for the console, which replaces the Big Picture mode of conventional Steam desktop. Just like on regular Steam, the Steam Deck console lets you launch and play a game without an Internet connection, unless the game requires it.
You can use a Steam Deck like a game controller for your PC, via Remote Play. The console's controlls feature two LRA haptic motors, one under each of the trackpad. The console does not support external GPUs. You can use PC VR headsets with Steam Deck, but Valve says that the console isn't optimized for VR experiences. The company also revealed that performance is consistent between on-battery and plugged-in power modes, and that plugging in won't improve performance in any way. The charging cable is 1.5 m (4'9") long.
If you've already reserved your Steam Deck, you cannot change its variant. You'll have to cancel and reserve again (which will push you at the back of the queue).
24 Comments on Valve Steam Deck FAQs Shed More Light on the Hot New Portable Console
I've already said it once, but I believe it bears repeating. This is the only device in the last 10 years that I can remember actually being excited about.
I've never pre-ordered ANYTHING in my life and I literally threw my $5 at Steam to get in line for one....:).
I ordered the porridge that wasn't too hot and wasn't too cold...but j-u-s-t right(256GB model) - for my budget.
:),
Liquid Cool
Otherwise it's nice to see this shaping up as expected - BIOS access, dual (triple?) boot options, etc. At least now we have firm confirmation that the people claiming this was "locked down like a console", full of proprietary solutions, etc., were wrong.
And next year I will simply buy the Alder Lake-U version of it (on Windows 11), which maxes out at 2 big cores + 8 little cores with a 96EU Xe-LP iGPU and LPDDR5 support, while retaining the PCIe 4.0, Wi-Fi 6/E and Thunderbolt 4 compatibility.
Xe-LP and Xe-HPG chips will share the same drivers stack according to Intel which is a good news for every Intel based handheld devices when it comes to drivers support.
Your happy with twice the price, I'm not, this is my type then eh.
And I don't much care if you're present setup or next ISN'T a valve steam deck ,why would anyone in this thread.
Don't worry, not replacing you anytime soon, you are such a cute little bugger that runs my basic windows/linux on the go need.
(rip my time waste on trying to make it run macos)
With mSD booting, that lil x4 pcie 3.0 m.2 slot is calling to fulfill this clear, and flagrant challenge.
Seems it was about owning a GPD Win 3 handheld gaming PC then anything related to the Steam deck.
never pre-ordered anything
Linux OS..? just take my money, lol
this thing is a PC 1st, portable console 2nd
can't wait to have fun with this thing
so many possibilities...