Fancy a handheld Linux PC that runs Windows apps, sports a custom AMD Zen APU and a touch screen?
- Reference: 1626415927
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2021/07/16/steam_deck_portable_gaming_pc/
- Source link:
The "Steam Deck" boasts an AMD "accelerated processing unit" (APU) that incorporates four Zen cores that run at between 2.4GHz and 3.5GHz, plus an AMD RDNA 2 GPU and a substantial 16GB of RAM.
A dock - which will be sold separately - connecting via the device's sole USB-C port provides an RJ45 Ethernet socket, single USB-C and USB-A connectors, DisplayPort, and HDMI sockets to connect the machine to the wired world. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth handle the wireless side of things.
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The seven-inch touch screen offers 1280x800px resolution at 400 nits brightness. The included battery can hold 40 watt-hours of energy.
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The Steam Deck. Click to enlarge
The device runs SteamOS 3.0, based on Arch, plus the KDE desktop. Steam assures developers that their PC games won't need to be ported, because the Steam Deck uses the Proton Windows compatibility layer for Linux.
The device ships with either 64GB of EMMC storage, or NVMe SSDs with 256GB and 512GB options.
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It bristles with input options: D-pads, trackpads, thumb sticks, and buttons galore are all present because the purpose of the device is running PC games wherever you feel like playing them.
Steam boasts that the device is a PC, so will also allow its users to "Browse the web, watch streaming video, do your normal productivity stuff, install some other game stores, whatever".
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The device will emerge in time for Christmas, priced at US$399 for the 64GB model, $529 for 256GB and $649 for the 512GB machine. A microSD card offers a cheaper way to increase storage, albeit with the kind of performance that won't generally impress gamers.
Steam suggests the device will deliver "several hours of play time for most games" and stretch to seven or eight hours of use with "lighter use cases like game streaming, smaller 2D games, or web browsing". As power flows in over USB-C, batteries offer an obvious path to energy augmentation.
[6]Beijing bans merger of Tencent gaming outfits Huya and DouYu, to prevent a monopoly
[7]Tencent uses facial recognition to enforce China’s curfew on gaming kids
[8]India’s ban on Chinese apps eases just a little as PUBG blasts back onto Google Play, maybe Korean Stock market too
Steam will start taking advance orders for the device on July 18th, but only for buyers in the USA, Canada, European Union, and the United Kingdom. Customers will be required to pay a reservation fee.
+Comment
Steam's reason for being is gaming. But The Register can't help but admire this device's potential for other applications – what a drone controller it could make with the output of an on-board camera streaming to its screen. The presence of wired Ethernet also suggests uses well beyond entertainment.
It's also just nice to see a portable PC concept that escapes the clamshell form factor.
The device's specs won't challenge many gaming-suitable laptops, but on screen size alone the Steam Deck has most smartphones beat. That it can apparently run full PC games is another advantage over smartphones.®
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[1] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2YPFYw94sQIXW3rsGiE1z3wAAAIk&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[2] https://regmedia.co.uk/2021/07/16/handout_steam_deck.jpg
[3] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44YPFYw94sQIXW3rsGiE1z3wAAAIk&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
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[6] https://www.theregister.com/2021/07/14/chinas_regulatory_watchdog_said_no/
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2021/07/08/tencent_facial_recognition_gaming_curfew/
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2021/06/18/pubg_evades_india_china_app_ban/
[9] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Sounds interesting...
As I can't enjoy the pictures & the article doesn't mention, does it include a headphone jack so I can plug in headphones & not annoy those around me when I fire up a particularly ear wormy game of Lemmings?
I first heard about this from an article in a different RSS feed, but they were more interested in the fact that you could install a different *nix to it, could wipe it & install Windows if you wanted to (but nobody wanted to), and asking if it could run Crysis.
I just think it sounds like an interesting way of carrying around a computer with more potential (and fewer security issues than) a typical smartphone. It would need a keyboard (because entering text on a D-pad might take far too long), but otherwise I envision this as a potentially useful device for activities other than (and including) games.
Re: Sounds interesting...
Yup, headphone jack on front next to a pair of volume buttons.
Re: Sounds interesting...
Already using Bluetooth keyboard and mouse for the tablets, so that's covered. It's the other contollers and displays that have definite appeal. Serious appeal as those alone are a significant chunk of change right there. Drones, IoT, ...
Valve hardware and a bad track record
The battery life sounds a big hurdle here, but I think a bigger issue is the poor track record Valve have with abandoning their hardware efforts.
Remember Steam Machines being touted?
And the Steam Link devices... I had one. Pretty good. But no longer made or supported.
The Steam Controller too, a decent pad... Abandoned.
Buyer beware. Their corporate structure, being so... fluid... Doesn't make me think they have a dedicated hardware division.
Re: Valve hardware and a bad track record
I was logging inn to say this, it's got 'Abandonware' written all over it.
However at least in this instance you would still have a half decent device that could be put to a plethora of other tasks should you have the need and know how. I'm guessing a lot of gamers wouldn't so this could make a tempting used buy.
I am intrigued
My biggest caution is the controller part of it, the triggers and sticks.
I've had my fair share of controllers, and a sizeable chunk tend to develop issues with these components. Some after little use and some after mild use (that is to say playing excessive amounts of Rocket League). On a controller it's not too much of a hurdle. I feel alright opening that up to give some required maintenance of whatever sort I have laying around, but with a more expensive and advanced machine I'm not sure I'd feel quite so eager to engage in home-repair.
I could see myself forking over the cash, but I hope to see some information on replacement ease for these wear and tear parts. The machine won't last forever, but from my experience the computer bits won't be outdated before the controller bits will break - and that would suck.
For a Switch the controllers are separate entities - that doesn't seem to be the case with the Deck.
Also a note on the reservation fee - that fee counts towards the purchase price, so it's mostly there to ensure that you're serious about it and discourage fake reservations, as per the Deck FAQ:
"Does the reservation fee count towards my Steam Deck purchase price?
Yes."
Re: I am intrigued
Also a note on the reservation fee - that fee counts towards the purchase price
I think "deposit" would be a less confusing term.
Re: I am intrigued
It is an intriguing concept. Suppose one day there would be an Android phone maker innovative enough to start making a phone that can be used as a Chromebook in a dock. Technology is no obstacle anymore to make such a device. Companies could save considerable expenses in IT.
Re: I am intrigued
Samsung have offered their "Dex" concept for a while. I don't know how many people use it.
Wonder if I can expense one of these...?
USB to serial converter or AirConsole + Putty + wireles keyboard.
Will make DC upgrades FAR less boring...
No mention of those this is copying like the Aya Neo
Steam are the biggest to enter this market and do this type of form factor but hardly the first, there have been several of these over the years from different companies, this is just the latest
https://www.ayaneo.com/
A full PC running windows... that is a portable as a switch. More expensive now not a kickstarter but a friend of mine bought one and loves it.
My wallet is worried
If I can find confirmation it'll run Portal, Portal II & KSP my wallet needs to be more than worried. I've been looking for a portable way to play those for years.
Re: My wallet is worried
The Portals - guaranteed. They've had SteamOS/Linux versions forever and its way within this device's power.
KSP - I really couldn't see any reason why not.
Deffo worth putting down the reservation fee, I think, especially as if you don't buy the console when it's released, you get the fee back into your Steam wallet anyway.
Re: My wallet is worried
For Science. You Monster.
Re: My wallet is worried
According to protondb.com KSP is Native under Linux/SteamOS, so it should run.
Looks like...
Reminds me of the Atari Lynx from the early 90s. Got a bit nostalgic for a moment there.
Does it have a SIM slot?
If it does, my wallet may go into hiding.
(See previous commentard regarding wallet)
Nintendo Clone?
Looks like they trying to break into Nintendo's hand-held market.