Steam Deck is what APUs were made for. They just didn't know it.

We might have to agree to disagree on this, but I think you treat it too much as a tech demo. The fact that it can run FOTM AAA games fluidly in a 15W envelop is probably very impressive, but a bit anecdotal; those games are better suited for home theater anyway. The major advantage of this unit is its attractive price, already huge library and promise of forward and backward compatibility. There are no shortage of games that are perfectly fit for a small screen/(whatever control) in the steam library. In the end this is still a machine that has to make compromises. The value you can get out of it depend on your capacity to leverage its strengths and alleviate its weaknesses. Constantly trying to use it in the breaking point scenario is actually doing the opposite.

I think people should just treat the Deck as a new console by a new company but with advantages. It has limited games that works well on it. Like a new console, devs don't target it yet. Like a new company entering a market, they have gaps and virtually no support from companies. But their main advantage is that they can have existing games that can work already flawlessly and if you already use Steam on your PC, you don't have to buy your games again.

5:30 PS Vita was pretty far ahead of its time. Sixaxis controls, front and rear touch, OLED screen...

If you only just yet think about buying a Steam Deck than you don't have to worry about the software, by the time you will get one they probably already announced a Steam Deck 2. xD

Wait until game compatibility is ironed out?! There are literally hundreds of launch titles that work great on Deck right now! Show me any other gaming system that had that kind of library at launch. It’s pure insanity to me that reviewers are criticizing that. 🤦‍♂️

Steam Deck uses an operating system called SteamOS. On SteamOS applications are installed using packages called Flatpak, which are equivalent to APK on Android. In desktop mode you can browse, search, install, or remove those applications using an app called Discover.

I was debating on getting one, I travel for work alot & have been debating on getting a laptop but I didn't wanna spend $800-$1000 for God of War, Dying Light 1 & 2, FS19 & FS22 stuff like that, this may be exactly what I'm looking for.

Confused about your comments regarding gyro control. The very thing that would be the first comparison for this device, the Switch, has that. I can aim arrows in breath of the wild just by moving the device. Is this somehow different from the switch's version?

It's a consolised portable pc with an amazing starting lineup of games that already work, with a great chance many other games will work inthe future. Not to mention most of gaming history via emulation back to 8bit era. Compared to hardware launches it phenomenal...

Cant wait to finally get mine

Hey, I know the Steam Deck has a broadcast function similar to the handheld/home console switch from which the Nintendo Switch derives its name. Was that feature tested out at all?

Thanks for a good, fair review. I've got my $650 model on reserve and I can't frigging wait to get mine! I like it a bit more than you do, but everyone's different

Thanks man!

Would have wanted to see a few benchmarks and more of that good stuff. Definitely thinking about getting one, especially at these prices compared to the Aya, and others out there

Most of us have no options but to wait especially since a lot of Q1 Preorders got delayed to Q2

just ordered 1 today. This probably won't ship within the next 3-4 months if buy now anyway. By that time, many things will get fixed.

It also has impressive control config options, same as the vastly underated and amazing Steam controller.

Informative review, thanks~

I’m playing Witcher right now on it and I cannot believe how good it is. My hands are huge so when I bought the switch back in 2017 I was so disappointed…I tried like hell to use it and it was just frustrating. This things layout is perfect, even the back paddles are perfectly placed. It definitely has its limitations but for the price it’s incredible.

I have three kids, I commute to a full time job 2-3x a week, and I have a controller for my phone. Which currently sits unused because I don't have enough time to go through and debug the issues with the games I really want to play.

Not even mentioning the recommended 30fps target setting being readily available to improve battery life and not even testing that core feature seems like a pretty blatant omission. This review is basically judging the Steamdeck negatively for giving optionality even though the 30fps mode is basically the default recommendation for people who expect games to work as they are.

On ebay right now there's some selling for 1.5k FOR THE RESERVE PLACEMENT

It's better to reserve now and wait anyway because of the amount of orders processing

Excellent review - this was really helpful

It seems like a good replacement for both a desktop PC and a handheld console, but if you use a gaming laptop for both work and play then it won't replace it. So one option would be to use a lightweight laptop with long battery life for work on the go and Deck for games and as a desktop replacement. Since Deck runs Linux, if you need Windows-only apps like MS Office or Adobe Creative Cloud then you can use them on the laptop, but use the Deck for other work or for leisure.

For running emulators for retro games this seems like a killer!

Fix the battery issue and I'm in. It drains the battery even while it's plugged in!

They did say they would push updates to make battery life better and stuff like bugs too

I have to unfortunately wait for 5 months. Wished i ordered sooner

Reserve one and wait since that is what will happen anyway. By the time you can buy it plenty of software kinks will be polished, games will be made to run properly and the community will have some more nice ways to enjoy the deck. If by any chance you don't want to buy it when you get the email, no harm done anyway. Its ok to cancel your order especially if you are ahead of me on the queue ;)

The more people to buy one means more in the future! Also software is being patched to work seamlessly for the future!

Can I play Microsoft exclusives on it like fallout New Vegas 2 and es6?

Trick question: To buy one is to wait for one

This ginger is the gingerest ginger to ever ginger as a ginger

I'm buying one just in case they don't make another. Look at the steam controller.

Loved this review, lots of good information. I do think yall should invest in a pop filter for that mic tho.

This was a very good review. Good info and to the point

Its a PC, valve will release the steam OS and windows software, drivers etc for steam deck in time, the battery life is to be expected depending on the games and day to day use (that's normal)... The only thing is the CPU, the current custom CPU in the steam deck is sufficient but will struggle for some AAA games, software and other uses depending on user... If AMD's next or future gen rdna 2 igpu graphics have the performance of desktop 1650 or at high settings, 1080p 30-60 FPS in both handheld & desktop mode while keeping up to 40w ... and also keeping the manufacturing costs less than or up to a thousand USD, Its more than enough for any pc handheld device.. good thing ifixit will have replacement parts for steam deck later this year.. it's easier for valve this way despite may affect the service warranty for valve hardware products... their hardware support and service center is not like pc OEMs e.g. Asus, Acer..

What I am actually waiting for for a long time, is a VR headset with steamdeck technology.... Playing Half Life VR without having to buy a 2500€ setup!

The fact that a twin stick shooter of all things doesn't work concerns me--it was advertised as basically just being a PC with a built-in game controller. Maybe my hopes of playing stupidly compicated strategy games in public was overambitious, but a twin-stick?

Your eyes are hypnotizing

You need to add steam has a lot of discounts and sales for games. This makes steam a much better option than Nintendo, lest you are after the Nintendo games.

No command line? 🥺

why is the whole review based on comparing the deck to the switch? a full fat PC hendheld vs an old ARM-based Nintendo device?

Interested, but there is no way I’m touching this until it’s had some of its kinks worked out

Why on earth was the review based on the Switch, they are basically polar opposites in terms of markets. It felt like this was a "how does it compare to the Switch" rather than an actual review.

My dude looking like he wants talk to the manager.

Buy one or wait? LOL. If you place an order now via Steam, you'll be lucky to see delivery in late 2023, so...............plenty of time to think about it.

We calling GUIs gooeys now? Must have missed the memo on that one

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I bet the fan noise if nowhere near to that of a PS4

Great review, Sam. That was succinct and helpful!

Why didn't they call it the "Steam Engine"?

Editorializing a direct comparison to the Switch was a poor approach for this review.

Will it run Tarkov? :P

Buy one or wait? Either way you have to wait

Feels like a psvita successor

So at $500+ its better to save up for a GPU for your gaming PC than getting a steamdeck for at least 6 months?

The win 3 and Onexplayer, with tdp up to 50 watt (Steam Deck is 15 watt) and thunderbolt support, probably have more power

Eh. Not surprised. Handhelds will never be amazing. Especially when it comes to battery life, speakers....etc. I'll stick with my Quest 2, its not perfect but the virtual gimmick is fun.

I painfully modded my toshiba satellite into console form factor to make it portable gaming buddy. Gt525m is a big pain. 12 fps on gta V with upgraded fan (300% larger) Steam deck would be my saver. Unfortunately its not available in Asia. So im getting Aya Neo

See mobile/portsble gaming needs a boost IMO. Its such a wasted space and besides the ports of KOTOR and i guess the GTA games there isnt many decent single player games on mobile even. Or even FPS games ect. All of the ones you find are like COD mobile or PUBG where its 10 real players and 90 bots in a "battle royale" or they are pay to play idle trash games. Or just .io clone games. So while phones keep getting better and better and new gaming phones drop. There is just nothing in the gaming space for actual games and true gaming experiences it seems. Lets hope the strong backbone of games Steam already has can give portable gaming a much needed boost that shows devs games don't have to be souless ad farms.

The deck is not a specific competitor to the switch, why would you base the review around that?

Comparing a portable N64 to the portable gaming PC shouldn't even be a thing! I can play any switch game with my $130 smartphone I can't play any real full PC games on my phone.

I an surprised it doesn't have an OLED screen, most phones have those since 2018

Look.. I can be a paid comment too! "Good review! To the point and well said!" Ars is a joke, The language alone.. "Tech Culture Editor" lmao Then comparing it to the Switch. oof..

Why has this been filmed in a 12 year old's bedroom?

So, it’s a portable gaming handheld, that isn’t really that portable and needs to be tethered to a power source most of the time? That’s kinda expected tbh, just what I thought it would be, which is a shame, since this isn’t as portable as the hype makes it to be. This is like the first model of the Switch, constantly needed to be charged.

1 hour battery

I don't really think this is in competition with the switch at all..?

+$200 for some memory? Can’t I just get a Micro SD for like $40.

#ItIsSoWorthItInTheLongRun!

no... its wait and buy one... even if you want it today, you are waiting anyways.

Does anyone also think the Editor Sam Machkovech looks like an android with those white circles in his pupils? 😐 Anyway, interesting video. The main advantage (over a Switch) seems to be the massive amount of supported games, even if we assume that half of the Steam library won't work properly. The short battery life can perhaps be improved by forcing a 30 FPS cap.

It's crazy there's a handheld with nearly the same graphical fidelity as the PS5 Street Fighter 6 - Ryu Theme Guitar MV - EX Plus Alpha kzfaq.info/get/bejne/hsmfnJWK1dnNips.html King of Fighters 15 Nameless theme Guitar MV kzfaq.info/get/bejne/o59nnbai3a_LYKs.html Gundam Hathaway Main Theme Guitar MV (Senkou) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/mcVha7aWqcXXiX0.html

This video is misleading, Valve has literally told it's consumers that tinkering with the Steam Deck will not only void your warranty but make the device a fire hazard due to voltage regulations on parts that they use... that's not openness that's hostile design.

The controller design is probably the most ugly thing that has arrived since Atari Jaguar.

first?

Software looks half baked and game compatibility seems bad. Pair that with an anemic battery life of 87 minutes under full load, and the Steam Deck just doesnt seem worth it right now. Cancelling my preorder and will wait for software improvements or 2nd gen.

This guy is a clown. Waiting for the best gaming device on the planet says a guy that has one. Yes please listen to him and don't order one, that gives the rest of us a chance of getting one quicker. 🤣🤣🤣

Why does people continue to compare the Steam Deck to the switch… saying it’s the “switch killer”. The purpose and the objective for the switch is to be able to play Nintendo branded games. Yes the Deck can be an awesome emulator but that’s not the point lol.

It's kinda crazy that people still don't get how unbelievable this device is and are still sat on a fence deliberating over stupid things. Make no mistake, the steam deck has pretty much revolutionized portable PC gaming and runs AAA games flawlessly. No other portable device comes anywhere close to what the steam deck does at the price range it's at, literally nothing competes. Laptop gaming? that's a thing of the past as far as I'm concerned.

Impressive; a new, expensive, and hard to find small PC runs games better than a much less expensive five old machine. Maybe don't compare it to the Switch so heavily because it's not a Switch. Oh wow, it runs Control better. I can do that comparison too - Switch runs Breath of the Wild better.

The screen on the steam deck looks like total trash.

Your lighting setup is too severe and distracting buddy. I had to stop watching after a minute.

Less face footage, more device you're REVIEWING footage please.

what the hell is that can i see ur manager haircut

I think Nintendo oled model is the best than steam deck

I would not buy it just because it is a Steam Product. I have had a long running problem with Steam and their dictatorial game site, so no thanks, i don't care how good a gaming console it is!

Your comb-over isn't hiding that you're going bald. You can do better.

Oh, The war beggins in my country, I think that a good moment to buy a steam deck before net will be shutted.