On July 15, Valve formally revealed its long-rumored handheld gaming PC, referred to 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 avid gamers to have entry to high-quality video games on the go.
Whereas corporations like Google and Microsoft had 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 lots 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 all the pieces there’s 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 numerous element.
How a lot does the Steam Deck value?
That may depend upon 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 number of further goodies although if you are going to buy both of the 2 costlier fashions. These nevertheless don’t have any impression on the machine’s efficiency.
The Steam Deck begins at $399. It will get you the 64GB mannequin. You possibly can 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 price 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 velocity comes from. That may translate to loading video games sooner.
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. As a result of provide chain points attributable to the chip scarcity, parts couldn’t make it to manufacturing services in time to satisfy the preliminary deliberate ship dates.
Steam Deck is delayed by two months. Study 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, moveable PC gaming beginning at $399. Designed by Valve, powered by Steam. Transport December 2021.
Study 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 prospects that the Steam Deck continues 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 items present up.
Blissful January! We’ve a small replace for you in the present day – tl;dr – we’re nonetheless on monitor 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 can start transport the primary wave of items 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 transport 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 transport in December, it’s unclear precisely when in December. Presumably, Valve will need to begin transport these out in time for them to be beneath the tree as presents through the vacation.
Nevertheless, Valve additionally states that transport will go within the order reservations had been obtained. So remember that your personal order might arrive after December of this 12 months. Because it simply is dependent upon how briskly you had 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 people 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’ll be able to. So you may have a greater probability at getting it shipped out as early as potential.
Valve hasn’t formally introduced when pre-orders go stay. However it should notify anybody that reserves the unit when orders can be found so you can also make the acquisition.
Can I reserve multiple Steam Deck?
No. Valve will solely permit one Steam Deck reservation per particular person. So you’ll solely be capable of buy one through the reservation interval. You possibly can nevertheless purchase multiple ultimately, as soon as the Steam Deck is accessible for normal buy. Sadly, Valve has not confirmed when that’s. So that is your solely probability to get one in the intervening time. As normal 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 doubtless received’t want a Steam account to buy one after they’re out there for normal buy. However for the reservations, a Steam account goes to be required. Valve can also 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 making an attempt to make sure that anybody who needs a Steam Deck for themselves, and to not resell, can 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 via Steam. So out of the field you’ll need to have a Steam account (which is free), be signed into it on the machine, and have bought video games to play them. Until the video games you’re making an attempt to play are free, wherein case you simply have to have an lively account.
However, when you had been to put in Home windows on the machine, and had been planning to forego Steam altogether, then you definitely wouldn’t want a Steam account for that. That mentioned, it’s manner 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 due to Proton and Steam Play.
What number of buttons does the Steam Deck have?
There are 5 buttons on both sides 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 both sides 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 via a 3.5mm port, in addition to Bluetooth audio for a wi-fi expertise when you desire it. There are additionally two front-firing Hello-Fi audio system when you don’t really feel like connecting headphones or exterior audio system.
Does it help 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 previous card. Be certain 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 had been doing.
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 may go. The largest playing cards out there are 1TB, however these typically 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 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’ll be able to plug in a mouse and keyboard and play video games that manner if you want. You’ll need the Dock accent although to plug in wired peripherals. If you wish to use Bluetooth wi-fi peripherals, then you’ll be able to join them to the Steam Deck with out the Dock accent.
How a lot does the Dock accent value and when does it launch?
Valve hasn’t mentioned how a lot the Dock will value or when it will likely be out there. As of now the Dock nonetheless doesn’t have a selected 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?
No. Valve says that this operate will work with out the Dock. Because the USB-C port on the unit helps information, HDMI, and ethernet capabilities. So, if in case you have the fitting cables, you’ll be able to 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. For the reason that 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 should share details about further areas sooner or later.
What are the tech specs?
Essentially the most notable specs on provide embody a 7-inch LCD display screen that has a 60Hz refresh fee, and a 400 nits brightness. The display screen can also be touch-enabled.
As for the inner {hardware}, the Steam Deck is working a {custom} AMD APU. Designed particularly for this machine. It has 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, 64GB, 256GB, or 512GB storage choices, expandable storage via 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 chances are you’ll be utilizing. Different components that may impression battery life embody the connection of Bluetooth peripherals, in addition to how shiny you may have 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?
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 Neighborhood the place you’ll be able to entry information and all the pieces else you could find within the Neighborhood on Steam’s PC consumer.
There’s a common search characteristic
Valve needs to make navigating this factor as straightforward as potential. And that features discovering what you’re on the lookout for. Whether or not that’s a recreation in your library, a dialog with a pal, the buddies checklist and extra.
So, there’s a common search operate that will help you monitor down these issues. Simple peezy proper? And, whenever you open your video games library, you’ll be able to filter titles similar to you’d on the Steam PC consumer. With choices for filtering by put in titles, all titles, favorites, and collections. You may as well type video games alphabetically in order for you.
You possibly can droop and rapidly resume video games as you see match
Valve built-in a droop and fast resume characteristic for these moments the place it’s essential pause your recreation. And utilizing it couldn’t be less complicated. All it’s a must to do is press the ability button as soon as and it goes into sleep mode robotically. 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 recreation on the Steam Deck, it should must be supported by SteamOS natively, or on the very least be supported by Proton and Steam Play. You possibly can verify 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 machine. Nevertheless, count on the entire 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 Try, Portal 2, No Man’s Sky, Loss of life Stranding, Ace Fight 7, and It Takes Two. Mainly most main titles might be playable. However there are undoubtedly going to be some odd outliers that received’t be. So preserve 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 machine. Although you’ll 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 optionally available equipment for it?
Apart from the official Dock, there’s additionally a carrying case for the Steam Deck, which you’ll see in the principle picture on the high 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 high of the show, or the show itself.
Can you purchase substitute elements?
Initially, it was unclear if Valve would provide shoppers the power to purchase substitute elements for the Steam Deck. Particularly after it warned customers in a teardown video to not open up their Decks.
However Valve lately confirmed that it’ll provide substitute elements for the hand-held and that you simply’ll be capable of purchase from iFixit.
You should buy the elements from iFixit’s web page immediately. There are at present 21 totally different elements that may be changed.