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 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 so much to know concerning 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 answer. Should you’re on this machine and need to be taught extra about it, this information will stroll you thru every part there may be to know to date.
There are nonetheless some unknowns, after all. And we’ll tackle that because it comes up on this put up. However, proper from the get-go there’s already numerous element.
How a lot does the Steam Deck price?
That can depend upon which mannequin you select. There are three accessible 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 are going to 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. It will get you the 64GB mannequin. You possibly can up that to $529 if you need the 256GB mannequin, and if that also isn’t sufficient, then $649 will internet 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 velocity comes from. That can translate to loading video games sooner.
When will the Steam Deck launch?
Replace: November 10, 2021
Valve has formally confirmed as we speak 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, elements couldn't make it to manufacturing services in time to fulfill 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. Delivery 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 clients that the Steam Deck remains to be on observe to ship ultimately of February of this yr. Which is when patrons who're within the first wave of shipments can count on to see their models present up.
Joyful January! We now have a small replace for you as we speak – 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 can start transport 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 transport December of 2021. So it’ll be out later this yr. 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 below the tree as presents through the vacation.
Nonetheless, Valve additionally states that transport will go within the order reservations had been acquired. So remember the fact that your individual order might arrive after December of this yr. Because it simply will depend on 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 barely permitting those who reserve the {hardware} to pre-order although, for now a minimum of. Reservations start on July 16, 2021 at 10AM PST. Whereas there might or might not be restricted inventory, you’ll nonetheless need to reserve the mannequin you need as quick as you'll be able to. So you could have a greater likelihood at getting it shipped out as early as potential.
Valve hasn’t formally introduced when pre-orders go stay. However it can 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 permit one Steam Deck reservation per individual. So you'll solely be capable to buy one through the reservation interval. You possibly can nevertheless purchase multiple ultimately, 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 likelihood to get one in the meanwhile. As normal buy isn’t going to be accessible 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 once they’re accessible 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 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 would like 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 via Steam. So out of the field you will want 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, for those who had been to put in Home windows on the system, and had been planning to forego Steam altogether, then you definitely wouldn’t want a Steam account for that. That stated, 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 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 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 assist?
It helps each wired audio via a 3.5mm port, in addition to Bluetooth audio for a wi-fi expertise for those who desire it. There are additionally two front-firing Hello-Fi audio system for those who don’t really feel like connecting headphones or exterior audio system.
Does it assist 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 most likely can’t use simply any previous card. Be certain to do your analysis and get one that can be capable to ship. Lest your video games load so gradual you neglect what you had been doing.
Valve sadly doesn’t verify what the max restrict is on expanded storage. Having stated that, the Steam Deck ought to assist microSD playing cards as excessive as they are going to go. The largest playing cards accessible 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?
The Steam Deck will assist exterior controls. So you'll be able to plug in a mouse and keyboard and play video games that method if you want. You will want 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 price and when does it launch?
Valve hasn’t stated how a lot the Dock will price or when it is going to be accessible. 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 perform will work with out the Dock. Because the USB-C port on the unit helps knowledge, HDMI, and ethernet capabilities. So, in case you have the appropriate cables, you'll be able to 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 must nevertheless be capable to join wi-fi peripherals with out the Dock. Because the Steam Deck helps Bluetooth.
The place is it going to be accessible?
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?
Essentially the most notable specs on provide embrace a 7-inch LCD display that has a 60Hz refresh price, and a 400 nits brightness. The display can also 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 via a high-speed microSD card slot, HD haptics, Bluetooth 5.0 for controller, keyboard and mouse, accent, and audio assist, 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 kinds of video games you play and what different options it's possible you'll be utilizing. Different elements that may affect battery life embrace the connection of Bluetooth peripherals, in addition to how vibrant you could 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 most likely a good suggestion to maintain the charger with you when away from residence.
Does it assist all of Steam’s options?
The Steam Deck will assist a variety of Steam options that you've most likely come to know and love concerning 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 Group the place you'll be able to entry information and every part else you'll find within the Group on Steam’s PC shopper.
There’s a common search function
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 chums checklist and extra.
So, there’s a common search perform that can assist you observe down these issues. Straightforward peezy proper? And, if you open your video games library, you'll be able to filter titles similar to you'll on the Steam PC shopper. With choices for filtering by put in titles, all titles, favorites, and collections. It's also possible to type video games alphabetically if you need.
You possibly can droop and rapidly resume video games as you see match
Valve built-in a droop and fast resume function for these moments the place you should pause your recreation. And utilizing it couldn’t be less complicated. All it's important 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 assist all of my Steam video games?
To play a recreation on the Steam Deck, it can have to be supported by SteamOS natively, or on the very least be supported by Proton and Steam Play. You possibly can 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 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 plenty of extra engaged on the moveable 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. 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 purchasers on it?
Sure. Valve says that it is possible for you to to run third-party software program on this system. Although you might 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 will be put in with out messing with SteamOS.
Does Valve provide non-compulsory equipment for it?
Aside from the official Dock, there may be additionally a carrying case for the Steam Deck, which you'll be able to see in the principle picture on the high of this put up. 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 protector that goes on high of the show, or the show itself.
Can you purchase alternative elements?
Initially, it was unclear if Valve would provide shoppers the power to purchase alternative elements 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 alternative elements for the hand held and that you simply’ll be capable to purchase from iFixit.
You should buy the elements from iFixit’s page straight. There are presently 21 totally different elements that may be changed.