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 so much to know in regards to the Steam Deck and almost as a lot that’s nonetheless a thriller. However the curtains have lastly been lifted on Steam’s handheld gaming resolution. For those who’re on this machine and need to study extra about it, this information will stroll you thru the whole lot there may be to know to date.

There are nonetheless some unknowns, in fact. And we’ll tackle that because it comes up on this publish. However, proper from the get-go there’s already a variety of element.

How a lot does the Steam Deck price?

Steam Deck pricing

That may rely upon which mannequin you select. There are three obtainable fashions, all of which differ solely by the quantity of storage they’ve, and how briskly that storage is. You do get a number 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 in order for you 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 may translate to loading video games sooner.

When will the Steam Deck launch?

Replace: November 10, 2021

Valve has formally confirmed right this moment that the launch of the Steam Deck has been delayed till early 2022. Attributable to provide chain points brought on by the chip scarcity, elements couldn’t make it to manufacturing amenities in time to fulfill the preliminary deliberate ship dates.

Finish of Replace –

Replace: January 13, 2022

Valve has assured prospects that the Steam Deck remains to be on monitor to ship in the long run of February of this 12 months. Which is when patrons who’re within the first wave of shipments can count on to see their models present up.

Finish of Replace –

Replace: January 26, 2022

Valve has now formally confirmed the launch date for the Steam Deck. It’ll start delivery the primary wave of models on February 25, with emails to put the order going out to reservation holders shortly after 10AM that morning.

 

Finish of Replace –

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 below the tree as items throughout the vacation.

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Nonetheless, Valve additionally states that delivery will go within the order reservations have been obtained. So take into account that your personal 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 might or will not be restricted inventory, you’ll nonetheless need to reserve the mannequin you need as quick as you may. So you have got a greater probability at getting it shipped out as early as potential.

Valve hasn’t formally introduced when pre-orders go dwell. However it can notify anybody that reserves the unit when orders can be found so you may make the acquisition.

Can I reserve a couple of Steam Deck?

No. Valve will solely permit one Steam Deck reservation per particular person. So you’ll solely be capable of buy one throughout the reservation interval. You’ll be able to nevertheless purchase a couple of finally, as soon as the Steam Deck is on the market for normal buy. Sadly, Valve has not confirmed when that’s. So that is your solely probability to get one in the meanwhile. As normal buy isn’t going to be obtainable till someday in 2022.

Do I want a Steam account to order/buy the Steam Deck?

You seemingly received’t want a Steam account to buy one after they’re obtainable for normal 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 recreation previous to June of 2021.

That is an effort to curb the unauthorized resellers utilizing bots that can inevitably attempt to snatch these up. With this requirement in place, Valve is attempting to make sure that anybody who needs a Steam Deck for themselves, and to not resell, may have the chance to order a unit.

Do I want a Steam account to make use of the system?

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 have to to have a Steam account (which is free), be signed into it on the system, and have bought video games to play them. Except the video games you’re attempting to play are free, during which case you simply must have an energetic account.

However, in case you have been to put in Home windows on the system, and have been planning to forego Steam altogether, you then wouldn’t want a Steam account for that. That mentioned, it’s method simpler to only 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 because of Proton and Steam Play.

What number of buttons does the Steam Deck have?

There are 5 buttons on all sides for the R and L inputs. The R1/L1 and R2/L2 inputs on prime, 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 all sides of the system. 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 in case you want it. There are additionally two front-firing Hello-Fi audio system in case you don’t really feel like connecting headphones or exterior audio system.

Does it help expandable storage?

Steam Deck Expandable Storage

It actually does! The Steam Deck has a built-in microSD slot. The one factor Valve appears to spotlight about utilizing this for storage is that the cardboard must be a high-speed microSD card. So which means you in all probability can’t use simply any outdated card. Make sure that to do your analysis and get one that can be capable of ship. Lest your video games load so sluggish you overlook what you have been doing.

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Valve sadly doesn’t affirm what the max restrict is on expanded storage. Having mentioned that, the Steam Deck ought to help microSD playing cards as excessive as they’ll go. The largest playing cards obtainable are 1TB, however these usually run for round $200. So placing that a lot expanded storage within the machine received’t be low-cost.

How does the Steam Deck cost?

It makes use of a USB-C port on the highest of the system 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?

Valve Steam Deck 5

The Steam Deck will help exterior controls. So you may plug in a mouse and keyboard and play video games that method 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?

Steam Deck Official Dock

Valve hasn’t mentioned how a lot the Dock will price or when it will likely be obtainable. As of now the Dock nonetheless doesn’t have a particular launch date, however it’s deliberate to launch throughout the subsequent few months.

Do you want the official Dock to attach the Steam Deck to a TV?

Valve Steam Deck 6

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 have the appropriate cables, you may nonetheless plug this right into a TV or monitor with out the Dock.

Nonetheless, the Dock does have extra 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 obtainable?

Valve is promoting the Steam Deck within the US, the UK, Canada, and Europe when reservations open on July 16. Valve says it can share details about extra areas sooner or later.

What are the tech specs?

Steam Deck Tech Specs

Probably the most notable specs on supply embody 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 interior {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 sorts of video games you play and what different options you might be utilizing. Different components that may affect battery life embody the connection of Bluetooth peripherals, in addition to how brilliant you have got 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 residence.

Does it help all of Steam’s options?

Valve Steam Deck 3

The Steam Deck will help a variety of Steam options that you’ve in all probability come to know and love in regards to the platform. This contains 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 Neighborhood the place you may entry information and the whole lot else you’ll find within the Neighborhood on Steam’s PC consumer.

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There’s a common search function

Valve needs to make navigating this factor as straightforward as potential. And that features discovering what you’re searching for. Whether or not that’s a recreation in your library, a dialog with a buddy, the buddies listing and extra.

So, there’s a common search operate that can assist you monitor down these issues. Simple peezy proper? And, while you open your video games library, you may filter titles identical to you’d on the Steam PC consumer. With choices for filtering by put in titles, all titles, favorites, and collections. It’s also possible to type video games alphabetically in order for you.

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 you want to pause your recreation. And utilizing it couldn’t be less complicated. All you need to 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?

Valve Steam Deck 4

To play a recreation on the Steam Deck, it can should be supported by SteamOS natively, or on the very least be supported by Proton and Steam Play. You’ll be able to test extra about which titles with Proton and Steam Play by heading to ProtonDB. This implies there’s a probability that a few of your video games received’t be supported by this system. Nonetheless, count on 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 moveable PC.

The touchdown web page additionally exhibits titles like Scarlet Nexus, Ghost Runner, Responsible Gear Attempt, Portal 2, No Man’s Sky, Demise Stranding, Ace Fight 7, and It Takes Two. Mainly most main titles will likely be playable. However there are undoubtedly going to be some odd outliers that received’t be. So maintain that in thoughts.

Can I set up different recreation shoppers on it?

Sure. Valve says that it is possible for you to to run third-party software program on this system. 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 may be put in with out messing with SteamOS.

Does Valve supply elective equipment for it?

Apart from the official Dock, there may be additionally a carrying case for the Steam Deck, which you’ll be able to see in the primary picture on the prime of this publish. That being mentioned, 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 prime of the show, or the show itself.

Can you purchase substitute components?

Initially, it was unclear if Valve would supply shoppers the flexibility 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 just lately confirmed that it’ll supply substitute components for the hand held and that you simply’ll be capable of purchase from iFixit.

You should buy the components from iFixit’s web page immediately. There are at the moment 21 totally different components that may be changed.



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