Steam Deck Officially Arrives on February 25th to First Customers

[AleksandarK]

Valve's highly anticipated handheld gaming console, Steam Deck, officially arrives on February 25th. According to the newest information from Valve, the company plans to start sending our Steam Deck units to customers who first pre-ordered their units on February 25th, and the arrival time should be three days. That means that on February 28th, customers will have Steam Deck in their hands. Regarding press units for reviewers, the company has already started shipping review units to select media partners. The review embargo for Steam Deck is also set to February 25th, so that marks the date when we can see the full potential of AMD's custom Van Gogh SoC.

As a general reminder, the Van Gogh SoC features four Zen 2 cores with eight threads, running at a 3.5 GHz frequency. The graphics side is powered by eight RDNA2 CUs clocked at 1.6 GHz, meaning that the chip can support some decent handheld gaming. The base model starts at $399, while the top-end configuration costs up to $649, carrying more extensive memory/storage options.


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[user556]

The top model is also only one to feature anti-glare display.

 

[Space Lynx]

I predict people will miss freesync more than they expected. Especially on lower end hardware where you will get dips in frames, etc. Instead of smooth scene transitions it will be tearing, etc.

 

[TheDeeGee]

The top model is also only one to feature anti-glare display.

Doesn't it also have a glass display instead?

 

[user556]

It's a touchscreen, all models will be glass. EDIT: Here we go, "All models have a glass screen (optically bonded IPS LCD). The 512 GB model's screen has an additional anti-glare etched treatment applied to it.", from - https://www.steamdeck.com/en/faq

 

[Arcdar]

shipments will vary a lot....

I preordered the biggest version very close to the opening of the pre-order and it still shows Q2-2022 already for me. But we'll wait and see

 

[ixi]

Nintendo switch 2, where are you when you are needed the most... Good for AMD. Another console in their pocket.

 

[NC37]

If only they had opted for a standard size M2 card instead of that tiny one only OEMs use. I'd have gladly gotten a base model and swapped in a 1TB right away. Now, I'll wait till they get decently priced storage options.

 

[Nordic]

I can't wait to get mine in q2. Part of me wants enough people to drop out of line so I get mine sooner.

 

[Franzen4Real]

shipments will vary a lot....

I preordered the biggest version very close to the opening of the pre-order and it still shows Q2-2022 already for me. But we'll wait and see

Same, I preordered mine the day after they were live and it has shown Q2 the whole time.

 

[hardcore_gamer]

Hopefully, mine will arrive at least in early March - can't wait to play Elden Ring on the go:

 

[Deleted member 24505]

This will hurt sales of high end/gaming phones i bet

 

[TheoneandonlyMrK]

This will hurt sales of high end/gaming phones i bet

I can't see that to be honest, not initially, you ever tried getting an addict off CSR 2, not easy.

 

[sam_86314]

Can't wait. Hoping mine becomes available earlier than Q2.

I predict people will miss freesync more than they expected. Especially on lower end hardware where you will get dips in frames, etc. Instead of smooth scene transitions it will be tearing, etc.

I've personally had nothing but problems with Freesync. Maybe I just use cheap monitors with crappy ranges.

I'll have it working just fine, and then I decide to play an older game at a low resolution and Freesync completely freaks out. I get a black screen until I exit the game and disable Freesync in my monitor's OSD.

 

[Cutechri]

I reserved the top model but I'll probably be buying it way later. Hope those rewards like the Steam community profile bundle remain and aren't limited.

 

[Nordic]

Steam :: Steamworks Development :: Steam Deck Verified Test Requests

In preparation for the upcoming Steam Deck release, we've spent the last several months testing thousands of titles in the Steam back catalog for our Deck Verified program. Up until now, we've been prioritizing the titles heuristically, based on playtime and interest from Deck reservation...

steamcommunity.com

Over the last few weeks, the number of verified titles has been increasing. A lot of the game titles seemed random and niche. Turns out there was a reason.

Up until now, we've been prioritizing the titles heuristically, based on playtime and interest from Deck reservation holders.

With the amount of verified games currently being few in number, looking at the currently verified titles gives us a look into the kind of games those interested in a steam deck enjoy.

https://steamdb.info/instantsearch/?refinementList%5Boslist%5D%5B0%5D=Steam%20Deck%20Verified

 

[LabRat 891]

Pre-ordered/reserved the base model; primarily to drive a second generation unit (FreeSync, better screen, better upgradability, etc.).
I've been wanting the entire concept that the SteamDeck exemplifies, since I was a kid. I'll support my dream, even if another is actually building it.
I will be modding it, already had a few ultra low power SSDs lined up to try in it. (I've had success with 'improvised EMI shielding' on PCIe devices in the past)

 

[Space Lynx]

Pre-ordered; primarily to drive a second generation unit (FreeSync, better screen, better upgradability, etc.).
I've been wanting the entire concept that the SteamDeck exemplifies, since I was a kid. I'll support my dream, even if another is actually building it.
I will be modding it, already had a few ultra low power SSDs lined up to try in it. (I've had success with 'improvised EMI shielding' on PCIe devices in the past)

I'm glad some people like it, I just don't see myself ever leaving the house/desk often enough to justify it. For example, if I lived in Wash State like you do, if I go out, I either want to be out with friends or out hiking/enjoying nature. I guess it could be nice to play some steam games in bed, but eh, I try not to lay in bed longer than necessary these days, life is short.

 

[Nordic]

I'm glad some people like it, I just don't see myself ever leaving the house/desk often enough to justify it. For example, if I lived in Wash State like you do, if I go out, I either want to be out with friends or out hiking/enjoying nature. I guess it could be nice to play some steam games in bed, but eh, I try not to lay in bed longer than necessary these days, life is short.

I want the steam deck to play steam games in bed. I am not shamed to admit that. That will be my use for it 99% of the time. I will travel with it too, but I don't travel often.

@LabRat 891 they did intentionally make it difficult to take apart, or at least it seems that way. Besides the ssd, what do you want to be upgradable?

 

[Space Lynx]

I want the steam deck to play steam games in bed. I am not shamed to admit that. That will be my use for it 99% of the time. I will travel with it too, but I don't travel often.

@LabRat 891 they did intentionally make it difficult to take apart, or at least it seems that way. Besides the ssd, what do you want to be upgradable?

there is no shame in that, sorry if it came across that way. everyone is in different phases of their lives, i am at a unique phase in mine where i am trying to limit game time and get out more is all. someday i will return lol

 

[Adam Krazispeed]

If only they had opted for a standard size M2 card instead of that tiny one only OEMs use. I'd have gladly gotten a base model and swapped in a 1TB right away. Now, I'll wait till they get decently priced storage options.

im doing thi. idc waht valve says... ill take the steam deck apart and swap out the pci-e x1 eMMc m.2 disk for a 2230 m.2 1TB gen3 x4 NVMe i already have lol.. i got teh drive befroe im evn geting my $399 model lol I do have a WD 1TB Gen3 x4 NVMe 2230 SSD 1TB ready to go in my steam deck once i get my bas model lol.... i cant wait, im putting windows 10 on mine , i dont want steam os, il try it tho, but if my games that use EAC dont work, Teh division 2.. ill go to win 10 on my 1TB nvme ssd 2230 drive when i swap it in... and i dont care if this ssd effect the wifi performacne like vlve said it could,, i wont use wifi as i can plu into my iphone over usb and still use my phones 4G internet so no biggy, and im onna use windows 10 x64 nyway so i know the usb modem iphone connection will still work, idk about SteamOS 3.0 on teh deck. but i know win10 will..... and ill have a 1TB of NVMe ssd storage Gen3 x4 speed HAHAHAHAHHA

lol me too, i wanna be able to ply the division 1 & or 2 while laying in bed lol.... so im not setting t my desk uncomfortably,, which is alot lately.. i wanna be more comfortable then grinding gear n that game wont be as bad...

I reserved the top model but I'll probably be buying it way later. Hope those rewards like the Steam community profile bundle remain and aren't limited.

if you paid the $5reserveation fee u have to pay whe tehy send ur email or i beliee if you dont they may send to next person in line? idk...im sure that is the case tho. u will have a time limit to place ur order if you et teh email to get ur reservation.. i gotta make sure my $400 is saved up by next month and keep it just in case i can get mine , fingers crossed

 

[Cutechri]

if you paid the $5reserveation fee u have to pay whe tehy send ur email or i beliee if you dont they may send to next person in line? idk...im sure that is the case tho. u will have a time limit to place ur order if you et teh email to get ur reservation.. i gotta make sure my $400 is saved up by next month and keep it just in case i can get mine , fingers crossed

I reserved pretty late. By that time I'll be good enough. Even if I don't pay, I can wait, I don't care that much. I honestly want the exclusive profile more than the Deck itself and I just hope that perk doesn't go away with time.

 

[Nordic]

there is no shame in that, sorry if it came across that way. everyone is in different phases of their lives, i am at a unique phase in mine where i am trying to limit game time and get out more is all. someday i will return lol

I work outdoors with lots of field work in nature. While I used to go hiking a lot, now I want to stay in when I have time off. Different phases. No one here is trying to sell you a Deck.

 

[Space Lynx]

I work outdoors with lots of field work in nature. While I used to go hiking a lot, now I want to stay in when I have time off. Different phases. No one here is trying to sell you a Deck.

I never said anyone was trying to sell me a deck, I forgot we live in 1984, I will make sure to be silent on all opinions moving forward.