Steam Deck Hardware Reviews

[sepheronx]

It doesn't look bad but for the price, I don't think so. It could be cheaper but then I know they can't.

 

[Kanan]

It doesn't look bad but for the price, I don't think so. It could be cheaper but then I know they can't.

It's already less than half the price of "competing products". Aya Neo costs 1350$ and is overall worse it seems. It's a small handheld PC for a low price, people expect too much.

 

[Assimilator]

Can't get excited for it. Why try playing games on POS hardware, and then people will realize that they suck at Linux

A-fucking-men.

 

[sam_86314]

Can't get excited for it. Why try playing games on POS hardware, and then people will realize that they suck at Linux

That's the neat part tho, you can put whatever OS you want on it.

Maybe I happen to be squarely in the target audience for this. I only really play older games and emulation. Modern "AAA" games just don't excite me after CP2077.

I look forward to playing modded Skyrim, Dragon's Dogma, and BOTW on the go.

In other news, GN released a teardown of it.

 

[londiste]

Can't get excited for it. Why try playing games on POS hardware, and then people will realize that they suck at Linux

Have you tried Steam Big Picture and Linux support lately? They have made pretty massive inroads into getting the gaming experience to work seamlessly (and without keyboard/mouse).

POS hardware is relative. When you are gaming on 7" 1280x800 screen that POS hardware often enough becomes sufficient. The iGPU on my 5600G can play games on reduced detail levels quite decently and Steam Deck hardware is in the same ballpark. Valve is not a complete newcomer in making controllers as well, so the thumbsticks and the whole controller part of deck seems to be decent enough so far.

Plus, Valve can control a lot in software. The effort for properly marked controller support has been there for a while, optimized settings for games were on the way etc.

 

[Splinterdog]

Linus: "The most innovative gaming PC in 20 years..."
It's a console, not a PC.
Mind you, it does look nice with some very good hardware.

 

[Kanan]

Now watched the GN video, a pretty solid all around review. Generally the device seems to be well made. Could not hurt for it to be faster, but this is all you can get in a small device for 500 bucks. The next Steam Deck could be way better, there are some big upgrades coming for APUs.

 

[sepheronx]

It's already less than half the price of "competing products". Aya Neo costs 1350$ and is overall worse it seems. It's a small handheld PC for a low price, people expect too much.

Compared to that competition, yes, it's cheaper. I guess I'm just looking at it wrong since I am comparing to what I got for a laptop for about $150 more. I know, this is more of a console than anything.

 

[Kanan]

Compared to that competition, yes, it's cheaper. I guess I'm just looking at it wrong since I am comparing to what I got for a laptop for about $150 more. I know, this is more of a console than anything.

Yep, you have to think about the package. Including software.

 

[TheoneandonlyMrK]

Can't get excited for it. Why try playing games on POS hardware, and then people will realize that they suck at Linux

Kinda hard to get excited about a portable, playing AAA games when you're base point is probably a 3080/3090 you mean?!.

Didn't Your Mods and others have a thread not long ago about Elitist opinions and people being shity to others about lower spec hardware.

I have no words but I'll try.

"Why try playing games on POS hardware"

Some of us don't work from home ?! Or travel lots.

And POS, ,, perspective, yours differs.


"and then people will realize that they suck at Linux"

Like the fail here is big, it's windoze compatible, and Steam OS isn't redhat, it's a polished easy to use OS.

 

[Nordic]

Can't get excited for it. Why try playing games on POS hardware, and then people will realize that they suck at Linux

Edit: Not my meme. I borrowed it from reddit.

 

[Kanan]

Kinda hard to get excited about a portable, playing AAA games when you're base point is probably a 3080/3090 you mean?!.

Didn't Your Mods and others have a thread not long ago about Elitist opinions and people being shity to others about lower spec hardware.

I have no words but I'll try.

"Why try playing games on POS hardware"

Some of us don't work from home ?! Or travel lots.

And POS, ,, perspective, yours differs.


"and then people will realize that they suck at Linux"

Like the fail here is big, it's windoze compatible, and Steam OS isn't redhat, it's a polished easy to use OS.

I agree, everything has its place. This device is nice, if you can accept a few downsides, and also on the small screen you don't need highest settings to enjoy it, that is only needed for big screens. I can totally see myself using this, playing on the couch or on the go, especially. And I have a semi-highend pc. Elitism is unnecessary.

 

[Nordic]

Like the fail here is big, it's windoze compatible, and Steam OS isn't redhat, it's a polished easy to use OS.

As someone hyped about the steam deck, we do not know this yet. The few previews released were forbidden from going over the software because it isn't ready yet. Both Linus, Phawks, and developer reports say that the software doesn't feel ready yet. Valve has been providing daily software updates trying to get ready for the 25th. There has also been the persistent rumor that the Deck was delayed from December not because of hardware shortages but to give them more time on the software.

I have a lot of faith that Valve will make a polished and easy to use interface where mainstream people won't need to fiddle with a Linux terminal. I am not sure if they will do that by the 25th. The hardware is fantastic for this form factor and exceeds my personal expectations. Software is likely where Valve will fall short.

 

[sam_86314]

I agree, everything has its place. This device is nice, if you can accept a few downsides, and also on the small screen you don't need highest settings to enjoy it, that is only needed for big screens. I can totally see myself using this, playing on the couch or on the go, especially. And I have a semi-highend pc. Elitism is unnecessary.

Also, for people who aren't interested in many newer games, the Steam Deck will be more than adequate.

One of my favorite games of all time is Dragon's Dogma, and that'll run on anything. Even my passively cooled Latitude 5179 Tablet can run it acceptably.

Having an open portable device with decent controls that can comfortably max that game and many other older titles while still having enough power for some newer ones is appealing to me.

As someone hyped about the steam deck, we do not know this yet. The few previews released were forbidden from going over the software because it isn't ready yet. Both Linus, Phawks, and developer reports say that the software doesn't feel ready yet. Valve has been providing daily software updates trying to get ready for the 25th. There has also been the persistent rumor that the Deck was delayed from December not because of hardware shortages but to give them more time on the software.

I have a lot of faith that Valve will make a polished and easy to use interface where mainstream people won't need to fiddle with a Linux terminal. I am not sure if they will do that by the 25th. The hardware is fantastic for this form factor and exceeds my personal expectations. Software is likely where Valve will fall short.

Of course, as I've said before, if the software isn't good enough, you can put whatever you want on it.

 

[Kanan]

Of course, as I've said before, if the software isn't good enough, you can put whatever you want on it.

That's a big if, I mean simply don't be a early adopter if you are afraid of risking it, or afraid that sw will suck. I don't think it will. I saw Linus fiddling around with the Deck months ago and it was fine.

And otherwise I agree

I wanna add that the only issue was and still is the game support itself, not the OS per se. They are trying to get a lot of Windows games working on a Linux based device, that's probably the major reason for the hold up.

 

[Deleted member 24505]

So I watched the LTT video, he does multiple technical mistakes, eg comparing Steam Deck, which is just another different form factor PC/laptop to a traditional completely new console like PS5 and then says it has "way more launch games", which is a bit ridiculous. And generally exaggerates what it technically is. It's nice and good, but not the "greatest device in 20 years" (his words). Otherwise he says that some buttons could be suboptimal and the screen is good. In general the video is way too hyped up, a typical influencer video, I don't like that, it feels like manipulation.

I'm currently watching the GN video, which is way more normal, journalistic/criticial-like, it'll probably be better.

Edit: some clarifications.

Not a fan of LTT, reminds me of a puppy that just found a nice bone

This will be added to the list of steams abandoned stuff in 6mths, steam controller anyone, or steam link.

I will wait for a while after release to find out how reliable it is. Should have been called Gabegear though, even kinda looks like one.

 

[Nordic]

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

At the moment of me posting this, there are 151 titles verified on the deck with more being added every day. Please keep in mind that non "verified" does not mean the game is unplayable. There are an additional 118 games marked playable but are not yet verified too.

Valve has been verifying games based on a heuristic of those who reserved a deck. Developers can also request that their game be verified.

 

[Kanan]

This will be added to the list of steams abandoned stuff in 6mths, steam controller anyone, or

I really dont get why people are so negative. This device is basically a lot more important to Valve than anything else, because it promotes Steam, selling games? I don't think it will fail. It's too polished for that.

 

[Deleted member 24505]

I really dont get why people are so negative. This device is basically a lot more important to Valve than anything else, because it promotes Steam, selling games? I don't think it will fail. It's too polished for that.

Let's wait and see. It might take off like a rocket, or not. I quite like the idea, I just want to wait and see on reliability, and support for any problems, it is the first gen after all and we all know they are never spot on at first release.

 

[W1zzard]

Have you tried Steam Big Picture and Linux support lately?

Why would I? I already have the optimal platform

When you are gaming on 7" 1280x800 screen

Yeah why would you? POS hardware includes "screen"

Or travel lots

That's the only time I have time to read a book, with paper. So yes, it's not for me. It is for you. Buy two, save more

It's too polished for that

I had to lol, let's talk again in 6 months

Elitist opinions and people being shity to others about lower spec hardware

True, true

 

[Chomiq]

I agree, there's no reason to get excited about it, hardware and performance is not good enough for 2022.

 

[TheoneandonlyMrK]

Why would I? I already have the optimal platform


Yeah why would you? POS hardware includes "screen"


That's the only time I have time to read a book, with paper. So yes, it's not for me. It is for you. Buy two, save more


I had to lol, let's talk again in 6 months

Buy two?! Am I pushing this like Tom's, f#@£ no, I wouldn't advise buying one until reviews are out and never two ,but since you would rather troll enthusiasts then test it ,for reviews of This I'll go elsewhere.

 

[W1zzard]

Don't mean to troll anyone, I'm just too far from the target audience of this and don't get it. Not trying to review Tiktok either

 

[Deleted member 24505]

6mths of heavy gaming will cook it, going by the GN review, ram ic 4 will be fried, they did the best they could with the cooling, but didn't want to make it too fat, so imo it is just adequate.

 

[sam_86314]

Don't mean to troll anyone, I'm just too far from the target audience of this and don't get it. Not trying to review Tiktok either

What if another mod is interested in reviewing it and has the technical know-how?

While GN did a great video on the more technical stuff, I'd still love to see TPU's take on it.