On July 15, Valve formally revealed its long-rumored handheld gaming PC, known as the Steam Deck. It’s Valve’s reply to the rising crop of handheld PCs just like the GPD Win 3, in addition to consoles just like the Nintendo Change, and the rising curiosity from players to have entry to high-quality video games on the go.
Whereas firms like Google and Microsoft have been dipping their toes into the waters of cloud gaming, Valve was constructing this. A machine that comes with custom-designed {hardware} like a {custom} AMD GPU, high-quality buttons, three choices for storage and extra.
There’s loads to know in regards to the Steam Deck and practically as a lot that’s nonetheless a thriller. However the curtains have lastly been lifted on Steam’s handheld gaming answer. In the event you’re on this machine and need to study extra about it, this information will stroll you thru every part there’s to know thus far.
There are nonetheless some unknowns, after all. And we’ll deal with that because it comes up on this submit. However, proper from the get-go there’s already a variety of element.
How a lot does the Steam Deck price?
That can rely on which mannequin you select. There are three out there fashions, all of which differ solely by the quantity of storage they’ve, and how briskly that storage is. You do get a couple of additional goodies although if you buy both of the 2 dearer fashions. These nevertheless don’t have any affect on the machine’s efficiency.
The Steam Deck begins at $399. This can get you the 64GB mannequin. You’ll be able to up that to $529 if you need the 256GB mannequin, and if that also isn’t sufficient, then $649 will web you the 512GB mannequin.
The one factor that’s value noting is that the storage on the 64GB mannequin is eMMc. Whereas the opposite two fashions have NVMe SSDs for the storage. In order that’s the place the pace comes from. That can translate to loading video games quicker.
When will the Steam Deck launch?
Replace: November 10, 2021
Valve has formally confirmed in the present day that the launch of the Steam Deck has been delayed till early 2022. Because of provide chain points brought on by the chip scarcity, parts couldn’t make it to manufacturing services in time to fulfill the preliminary deliberate ship dates.
Steam Deck is delayed by two months. Be taught extra right here https://t.co/BOxpdrMGIr pic.twitter.com/5txJxSoJu9
— Steam Deck (@OnDeck) November 10, 2021
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Introducing Steam Deck: highly effective, transportable PC gaming beginning at $399. Designed by Valve, powered by Steam. Delivery December 2021.
Be taught extra at https://t.co/ZOTx3KUCVK and reserve yours tomorrow. #SteamDeck pic.twitter.com/jcgbaKfT9c
— Steam (@Steam) July 15, 2021
Replace: January 13, 2022
Valve has assured clients that the Steam Deck remains to be on observe to ship ultimately of February of this 12 months. Which is when consumers who’re within the first wave of shipments can anticipate to see their models present up.
Pleased January! We’ve a small replace for you in the present day – tl;dr – we’re nonetheless on observe to ship in February.
Test it out right here: https://t.co/pQXC101JCV
— Steam Deck (@OnDeck) January 13, 2022
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Replace: January 26, 2022
Valve has now formally confirmed the launch date for the Steam Deck. It would start delivery the primary wave of models on February 25, with emails to position the order going out to reservation holders shortly after 10AM that morning.
Steam Deck launches on February twenty fifth, 2022! 🎉https://t.co/6WKynbibkv pic.twitter.com/Un54Jwdq1H
— Steam (@Steam) January 26, 2022
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Formally it begins delivery December of 2021. So it’ll be out later this 12 months. Valve has not given an actual date for launch but although. So whereas it begins delivery in December, it’s unclear precisely when in December. Presumably, Valve will need to begin delivery these out in time for them to be underneath the tree as presents through the vacation.
Nevertheless, Valve additionally states that delivery will go within the order reservations have been obtained. So remember the fact that your individual order might arrive after December of this 12 months. Because it simply will depend on how briskly you have been to make the reservation.
Can I pre-order the Steam Deck?
Sure, it is possible for you to to pre-order the Steam Deck. Valve is just permitting those who reserve the {hardware} to pre-order although, for now no less than. Reservations start on July 16, 2021 at 10AM PST. Whereas there could or is probably not restricted inventory, you’ll nonetheless need to reserve the mannequin you need as quick as you may. So you’ve gotten a greater likelihood at getting it shipped out as early as doable.
Valve hasn’t formally introduced when pre-orders go stay. However it would notify anybody that reserves the unit when orders can be found so you may make the acquisition.
Can I reserve multiple Steam Deck?
No. Valve will solely enable one Steam Deck reservation per particular person. So you’ll solely be capable of buy one through the reservation interval. You’ll be able to nevertheless purchase multiple ultimately, as soon as the Steam Deck is accessible for common buy. Sadly, Valve has not confirmed when that’s. So that is your solely likelihood to get one in the intervening time. As common buy isn’t going to be out there till someday in 2022.
Do I would like a Steam account to order/buy the Steam Deck?
You possible gained’t want a Steam account to buy one once they’re out there for common buy. However for the reservations, a Steam account goes to be required. Valve can be making it a requirement that for the primary 48 hours of the reservation interval, the Steam account should be in good standing. And that account will need to have bought a sport previous to June of 2021.
That is an effort to curb the unauthorized resellers utilizing bots that may inevitably attempt to snatch these up. With this requirement in place, Valve is making an attempt to make sure that anybody who needs a Steam Deck for themselves, and to not resell, could have the chance to order a unit.
Do I would like a Steam account to make use of the machine?
Sure and no. The Steam Deck runs on SteamOS 3.0. And it performs video games by means of Steam. So out of the field you will want to have a Steam account (which is free), be signed into it on the machine, and have bought video games to play them. Except the video games you’re making an attempt to play are free, wherein case you simply have to have an energetic account.
However, should you have been to put in Home windows on the machine, and have been planning to forego Steam altogether, you then wouldn’t want a Steam account for that. That stated, it’s manner simpler to simply join a Steam account and use the model of SteamOS that the Steam Deck runs on. Particularly with the compatibility for Home windows and Linux video games due to Proton and Steam Play.
What number of buttons does the Steam Deck have?
There are 5 buttons on either side for the R and L inputs. The R1/L1 and R2/L2 inputs on high, the R3 and L3 inputs on the entrance, after which 4 paddle buttons on the again of the unit for the R4/L4 and R5/L5 inputs.
There’s additionally the D-pad, the left and proper thumbsticks, a Steam button, a Fast Entry button, an Choices button, the ABXY buttons, and a contact pad on either side of the machine. There’s additionally the ability button and quantity buttons on the highest. It even has a gyro for movement controls.
What sort of audio does the Steam Deck help?
It helps each wired audio by means of a 3.5mm port, in addition to Bluetooth audio for a wi-fi expertise should you choose it. There are additionally two front-firing Hello-Fi audio system should you don’t really feel like connecting headphones or exterior audio system.
Does it help expandable storage?
It definitely does! The Steam Deck has a built-in microSD slot. The one factor Valve appears to focus on about utilizing this for storage is that the cardboard must be a high-speed microSD card. So meaning you in all probability can’t use simply any previous card. Make certain to do your analysis and get one that may be capable of ship. Lest your video games load so gradual you overlook what you have been doing.
Valve sadly doesn’t affirm what the max restrict is on expanded storage. Having stated that, the Steam Deck ought to help microSD playing cards as excessive as they may go. The most important playing cards out there are 1TB, however these typically run for round $200. So placing that a lot expanded storage within the machine gained’t be low cost.
How does the Steam Deck cost?
It makes use of a USB-C port on the highest of the machine and comes with a USB-C charging cable and adapter to maintain it topped up.
Are you able to play video games with exterior controls?
The Steam Deck will help exterior controls. So you may plug in a mouse and keyboard and play video games that manner if you want. You will have the Dock accent although to plug in wired peripherals. If you wish to use Bluetooth wi-fi peripherals, then you may join them to the Steam Deck with out the Dock accent.
How a lot does the Dock accent price and when does it launch?
Valve hasn’t stated how a lot the Dock will price or when will probably be out there. As of now the Dock nonetheless doesn’t have a particular launch date, however it’s deliberate to launch inside the subsequent few months.
Do you want the official Dock to attach the Steam Deck to a TV?
No. Valve says that this operate will work with out the Dock. Because the USB-C port on the unit helps knowledge, HDMI, and ethernet capabilities. So, when you’ve got the precise cables, you may nonetheless plug this right into a TV or monitor with out the Dock.
Nevertheless, the Dock does have further connection capabilities. There are two USB 2.0 ports, one USB 3.1 port, an ethernet port, an HDMI 2.0 port, and a DisplayPort 1.4. So that you’ll want the dock if you wish to join wired peripherals.
You need to nevertheless be capable of join wi-fi peripherals with out the Dock. Because the Steam Deck helps Bluetooth.
The place is it going to be out there?
Valve is promoting the Steam Deck within the US, the UK, Canada, and Europe when reservations open on July 16. Valve says it would share details about further areas sooner or later.
What are the tech specs?
Essentially the most notable specs on provide embrace a 7-inch LCD display screen that has a 60Hz refresh price, and a 400 nits brightness. The display screen can be touch-enabled.
As for the inner {hardware}, the Steam Deck is operating a {custom} AMD APU. Designed particularly for this machine. It has 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, 64GB, 256GB, or 512GB storage choices, expandable storage by means of a high-speed microSD card slot, HD haptics, Bluetooth 5.0 for controller, keyboard and mouse, accent, and audio help, and a Twin-Band WiFi radio that helps each 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies.
There’s additionally a 40Whr battery, it weighs round 669 grams, and its dimensions are 298mm x 117mm x 49mm.
How lengthy does the battery final?
Valve says that the battery on the Steam Deck will final anyplace from 2 – 8 hours. Relying on the varieties of video games you play and what different options it’s possible you’ll be utilizing. Different components that may affect battery life embrace the connection of Bluetooth peripherals, in addition to how brilliant you’ve gotten the show turned up.
However, all that apart, the max battery life is 8 hours earlier than it must be recharged. So it’s in all probability a good suggestion to maintain the charger with you when away from house.
Does it help all of Steam’s options?
The Steam Deck will help a variety of Steam options that you’ve got in all probability come to know and love in regards to the platform. This consists of Steam Chat, notifications, cloud saves, Distant Play for if you wish to join the Steam Deck to your gaming PC for higher efficiency, the Steam Retailer, and the Group the place you may entry information and every part else you will discover within the Group on Steam’s PC shopper.
There’s a common search function
Valve needs to make navigating this factor as simple as doable. And that features discovering what you’re searching for. Whether or not that’s a sport in your library, a dialog with a pal, the buddies listing and extra.
So, there’s a common search operate that can assist you observe down these issues. Straightforward peezy proper? And, whenever you open your video games library, you may filter titles similar to you’ll on the Steam PC shopper. With choices for filtering by put in titles, all titles, favorites, and collections. You may as well type video games alphabetically if you need.
You’ll be able to droop and shortly resume video games as you see match
Valve built-in a droop and fast resume function for these moments the place it is advisable pause your sport. And utilizing it couldn’t be easier. All you must do is press the ability button as soon as and it goes into sleep mode routinely. Press it once more to wake the Steam Deck again up and the sport will even be proper on the spot the place you left off.
Will the Steam Deck help all of my Steam video games?
To play a sport on the Steam Deck, it would must be supported by SteamOS natively, or on the very least be supported by Proton and Steam Play. You’ll be able to examine extra about which titles with Proton and Steam Play by heading to ProtonDB. This implies there’s a likelihood that a few of your video games gained’t be supported by this machine. Nevertheless, anticipate all the main titles to work. Valve has already proven off main video games like DOOM Everlasting, Hades, Management, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Ni No Kuni II and lots of extra engaged on the transportable PC.
The touchdown web page additionally reveals titles like Scarlet Nexus, Ghost Runner, Responsible Gear Try, Portal 2, No Man’s Sky, Dying Stranding, Ace Fight 7, and It Takes Two. Principally most main titles might be playable. However there are positively going to be some odd outliers that gained’t be. So preserve that in thoughts.
Can I set up different sport shoppers on it?
Sure. Valve says that it is possible for you to to run third-party software program on this machine. Although you will have to put in Home windows on it to get that software program to work. Some software program, just like the Epic Video games Retailer and emulators for consoles could be put in with out messing with SteamOS.
Does Valve provide non-compulsory equipment for it?
Aside from the official Dock, there’s additionally a carrying case for the Steam Deck, which you’ll be able to see in the primary picture on the high of this submit. That being stated, all three fashions do include a carrying case. So whereas that’s an adjunct, it’s bundled in so that you don’t have to purchase it.
Valve additionally states that the 512GB mannequin comes with premium anti-glare etched glass. Although it’s unclear if that is referring to a glass display screen protector that goes on high of the show, or the show itself.
Can you purchase substitute components?
Initially, it was unclear if Valve would provide shoppers the power to purchase substitute components for the Steam Deck. Particularly after it warned customers in a teardown video to not open up their Decks.
However Valve not too long ago confirmed that it’ll provide substitute components for the hand-held and that you just’ll be capable of purchase from iFixit.
