https://www.steamdeck.com/en/
Price seems steep (419 - 679 EUR :lol: )
Quote from: Syt on July 15, 2021, 12:18:22 PM
https://www.steamdeck.com/en/
Price seems steep (419 - 679 EUR :lol: )
It does seem steep.
But I guess when you consider you're buying a a full-fledged gaming PC in a handheld form factor it makes more sense. But certainly a Nintendo Switch is much cheaper.
It supports remote play, obviously, but I wonder how powerful it is by itself. In the promo thing for connecting it to a screen they show CK3. But Doom Eternal ... seems a bit questionable. And the battery life seems pretty low:
QuoteSteam Deck's onboard 40 watt-hour battery provides several hours of play time for most games. For lighter use cases like game streaming, smaller 2D games, or web browsing, you can expect to get the maximum battery life of approximately 7-8 hours.
I got burn once, GabeN. Not getting me again.
*Steam Link & controller owner*
I can do that already with Shadow and a phone controller.
Quote from: Grey Fox on July 15, 2021, 12:35:34 PM
I got burn once, GabeN. Not getting me again.
*Steam Link & controller owner*
They suck?
I've heard both are pretty good. Link in particular has tempted me in the past.
Quote from: Tyr on July 15, 2021, 03:53:27 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on July 15, 2021, 12:35:34 PM
I got burn once, GabeN. Not getting me again.
*Steam Link & controller owner*
They suck?
I've heard both are pretty good. Link in particular has tempted me in the past.
No, they are fine products on their own but Valve totally abandoned them.
Controller is hard to master but can be awesome if you learn the pads.
Link is fine but Valve now supports streaming on almost all Android devices there is no need for it.
Yeah I regularly stream games via Steam's interface from my gaming PC to my puny laptop and it works very well.
Can't say I'm going to buy this product but we'll see where things are in a couple years.
Thinking about this... the idea seems good, though I'm sure there already are other companies making it already?
15 years ago or so I had a console called a GP32, it was awesome. It was a complete flop in terms of first party software but it had an excellent mod scene so in essence I used it as an all purpose portable emulator for anything up to 16 bit.
Even just that but for more recent consoles would be nifty.
The battery life is the problem with this valve one though. Game Gear echos.
I broke down and got one of these things. Has its limitations but a pretty fun device overall.
There is a full linux computer running underneath, so in addition to playing steam games, you can easily set it up to play: xbox game pass, gog store games, epic store games, probably others. If you are into retro emulation, you can set up emulation station or even set up ROMS to play directly from the UI. It's also possible to set up ps+ streamed games as well, though I haven't tried and thus can't verify for 100% certain. The ability to play console game streams is nice as controller-designed games tend to play well on the deck.
Easy to hook up keyboard and mouse as well, which significantly expands the list of playable games. PDX games can be played although not ideal with screen size. Of course, you can hook to a monitor.
Battery life is poor but it can be plugged in with an adapter (included) or into an external battery.
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on December 23, 2022, 11:19:44 AMI broke down and got one of these things. Has its limitations but a pretty fun device overall.
There is a full linux computer running underneath, so in addition to playing steam games, you can easily set it up to play: xbox game pass, gog store games, epic store games, probably others. If you are into retro emulation, you can set up emulation station or even set up ROMS to play directly from the UI. It's also possible to set up ps+ streamed games as well, though I haven't tried and thus can't verify for 100% certain. The ability to play console game streams is nice as controller-designed games tend to play well on the deck.
Easy to hook up keyboard and mouse as well, which significantly expands the list of playable games. PDX games can be played although not ideal with screen size. Of course, you can hook to a monitor.
Battery life is poor but it can be plugged in with an adapter (included) or into an external battery.
You can indeed stream PS 4/5 games via PS Remote Play. I've used it to play Ghost of Tsushima this way.
You can also stream games via Steam Remote Play or Moonlight or whatever service you use from a beefier desktop PC to your Steam Deck. It's how I play Red Dead Redemption 2 with very high graphical settings on. It looks gorgeous on the Deck and because it's streamed it doesn't knock the battery life out.
The Steam Deck is a very versatile little handheld gaming PC.
That sounds pretty tempting.
How easy or complicated is it to set up the non-Steam streaming stuff?
And could you run heavily modded skyrim on the thing do you think?
Game pass streaming was easy to set up, as were other "stores" like epic.
PS+ is more involved - I tried to set it up over this weekend and failed.
Have not run skyrim on the deck. Obviously any mods that can be run through steam would work. Otherwise, you could set up the mods through "desktop" mode - but keep in mind it is a linux environment.
At least for me I find myself gaming more often than before. It's a lot easier to roll up onto the couch next to my wife and play a computer game while she's watching Netflix, or play something in bed before I fall asleep.
I've been using Game Pass cloud streaming a lot to play Pentiment. Works great on my network but ymmv.
I also installed Battle.net and Diablo 2 Resurrected works great. All in all it's a charming and flexible little device.
Have you used it for emulators Minsky? Supposedly the Wii U version of Zelda Breath of the Wild works great on it and if I can get that working I may never buy another game system ever again :P
I did set up some emulators - mostly to play a couple old PSX games I have disks for but are not available on the PS+ library. There is some set up time but there are plenty of videos on youtube to run you though the process. I would expect just about any console game should work pretty well because the control system is easy to replicate.
The 10 percent of is mightily tempting, though it's still expensive. And I'm not sure I actually would use it that much.
Edit: the biggest pro would be what monk mentioned: sitting in the same couch as my better half
The whole not having to wait for the computer to boot up and getting out of my computer room for once thing would be nice for me.
I bought a nvidia shield for the latter but the setup each time I want to play means I generally don't.
I'll just come out and say that the Steam Deck has completely changed the way I play video games. I never sit down at my desktop or laptop to play games anymore. Everything is done on the Steam Deck. It's incredibly flexible. Hell, I'm playing the PS4 version of God of War on my Steam Deck via streaming Remote Play. And last weekend I installed the Diablo 4 beta on the Deck and it played great after Blizzard's servers got their act together.
It's very good and I'm considering never having to build or buy another desktop pc ever again.
Thanks, I'll keep that in mind when I consider this some more.
For some games it's less ideal. Paradox games can be difficult to read because the screen is small compared to a normal monitor, though this isn't an issue if you use a dock to connect it to a full monitor or TV. Sometimes game launchers, like Paradox's or EA's, break the game they're supposed to run and they won't run until the studio patches it or some intrepid Linux power users fix it. You have to be able to deal with the extra few steps that are sometimes required to get a video game to run on a Linux box. It's a tinkerer's device, with the good and bad all that entails. It's often just plug and play but sometimes it just isn't. And of course you have to relearn how to interact with some games using a controller and gyro/trackpad control system, though Steam Input is extremely powerful and there are lots of user-made control profiles that are easily downloaded over SteamOS.
Seeing a lot of reporting lately on the ROG Ally and other Steam Deck immitators.
Anyone encountered them in the wild?
Have to say I'm not tempted. I've a habit of going for alternative brand versions of the market leader and usually suffer for it. A big problem a lot of them seem to have is that the deck allows for very efficient sleep state and resume like the switch whilst they don't.
Quote from: Josquius on May 22, 2023, 10:24:33 AMSeeing a lot of reporting lately on the ROG Ally and other Steam Deck immitators.
Anyone encountered them in the wild?
Have to say I'm not tempted. I've a habit of going for alternative brand versions of the market leader and usually suffer for it. A big problem a lot of them seem to have is that the deck allows for very efficient sleep state and resume like the switch whilst they don't.
As someone with a Steam Deck I'll say that the pause/resume function of the Steam Deck is incredible and I can't imagine a proper handheld gaming device without it. It's perfect for a parent of small kids.
I don't think the ROG Ally has touchpads, making it impossible to play games requiring mouse input, like CK3 or Stellaris. Both are perfectly playable on Steam Deck.
saw a comparison today:
going by memory:
- the ally has a nicer screen
- is more powerful
- can by connected to GPU (useful for casting to bigger screens)
- is windows 11 from the get go
- iirc, it's memory is a bit faster too
however:
- it's quite a bit more expensive (700 vs 300 for the base model)
- battery life my not be that good due to it using more power
- less buttons/touchpads
- no way of knowing if a game will run on the machine (steam deck has the verification thing)
I'm probably forgetting some stuff though.
Ally does seem to have better specs but I haven't run into any performance issues with the Deck and I think the superior controls are significant benefit.
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on May 22, 2023, 12:23:51 PMAlly does seem to have better specs but I haven't run into any performance issues with the Deck and I think the superior controls are significant benefit.
Yup. Steam Input and the ability to download anyone's community steam input profiles is really good QoL and makes otherwise daunting control inputs a breeze.
I'd say, if I were only interested in playing the latest graphics-intensive AAA games on very high settings via a controller on PC, then I'd buy a ROG Ally. Otherwise the SD is probably the better buy.
Doesn't the Ally support Steam natively?
the deck is between 10 and 20% off during the summer sale. fyi
Quote from: Crazy_Ivan80 on June 30, 2023, 09:58:51 AMthe deck is between 10 and 20% off during the summer sale. fyi
Thanks. :)
But sold out and unavailable. Think it went quick.
I am increasingly tempted to get one and their sale price is heavily promoted on the steam front page... Yet they remain out of stock for the past week :lol: :mad:
Quote from: Josquius on July 06, 2023, 12:44:03 PMI am increasingly tempted to get one and their sale price is heavily promoted on the steam front page... Yet they remain out of stock for the past week :lol: :mad:
I ordered mine after your penultimate post and it got delivered yesterday. Which is like 3 weeks earlier than I expected it.
Logistics, cause why not.
Quote from: Crazy_Ivan80 on July 06, 2023, 03:27:10 PMQuote from: Josquius on July 06, 2023, 12:44:03 PMI am increasingly tempted to get one and their sale price is heavily promoted on the steam front page... Yet they remain out of stock for the past week :lol: :mad:
I ordered mine after your penultimate post and it got delivered yesterday. Which is like 3 weeks earlier than I expected it.
Logistics, cause why not.
Just order it Jos and join us fellow Steam Deck enjoyers.
I can't. It's out of stock and no ability to order.
Quote from: Josquius on July 06, 2023, 03:38:41 PMI can't. It's out of stock and no ability to order.
It's probably more fall out from Brexit. :D
Not sure to what extent is feasible to change your region for a bit cause on our side of the channel delivery times have gone back down to the 1 to 2 weeks range.
Quote from: Crazy_Ivan80 on July 07, 2023, 02:01:15 AMNot sure to what extent is feasible to change your region for a bit cause on our side of the channel delivery times have gone back down to the 1 to 2 weeks range.
I thought about it. Get it delivered to a friend's place and arrange something to get it... but the only people I'd really be able to do that with are in Switzerland, where it isn't available. And it'd involve effort and I'm really not that desperate to get one at the minute.
QuoteIt's probably more fall out from Brexit. :D
Probably is yeah.
Doing a bit of research seems to be the current big thing for scalpers in the UK too.
Quote from: Josquius on July 07, 2023, 05:07:51 AMQuote from: Crazy_Ivan80 on July 07, 2023, 02:01:15 AMNot sure to what extent is feasible to change your region for a bit cause on our side of the channel delivery times have gone back down to the 1 to 2 weeks range.
I thought about it. Get it delivered to a friend's place and arrange something to get it... but the only people I'd really be able to do that with are in Switzerland, where it isn't available. And it'd involve effort and I'm really not that desperate to get one at the minute.
QuoteIt's probably more fall out from Brexit. :D
Probably is yeah.
Doing a bit of research seems to be the current big thing for scalpers in the UK too.
I see the one for £459 is now available.
Thanks.
I recently basically emptied my main account on a car I don't want so I'm going to be super conservative on spending for a month or two. Also the northerner in me says anything but the cheapest is a bad deal since the HD can be swapped out.
Shall keep tabs however and will see if my mind changes a month or two down the line.
Quote from: Josquius on July 29, 2023, 02:11:54 PMThanks.
I recently basically emptied my main account on a car I don't want so I'm going to be super conservative on spending for a month or two. Also the northerner in me says anything but the cheapest is a bad deal since the HD can be swapped out.
Shall keep tabs however and will see if my mind changes a month or two down the line.
I think Valve have begun selling Certified Refurbished Steam Decks at a big discount and I believe they're available in the UK.
Quote from: FunkMonk on August 11, 2023, 12:20:27 PMQuote from: Josquius on July 29, 2023, 02:11:54 PMThanks.
I recently basically emptied my main account on a car I don't want so I'm going to be super conservative on spending for a month or two. Also the northerner in me says anything but the cheapest is a bad deal since the HD can be swapped out.
Shall keep tabs however and will see if my mind changes a month or two down the line.
I think Valve have begun selling Certified Refurbished Steam Decks at a big discount and I believe they're available in the UK.
Funk, thanks for the heads-up.
Discounts of £70, £90 and £110 for the three models according to this page:
https://store.steampowered.com/sale/steamdeckrefurbished (https://store.steampowered.com/sale/steamdeckrefurbished)
A 20 percent discount or so. Pretty good deal I guess.
It is tempting. Anyone replaced the ssd in one? I read some stuff online saying to get the cheapest and a seperate larger, faster, ssd and it works out cheaper and better... But also read some stuff saying its not a simple operation.
I've just added memory via the microSD but that's it.
Haven't run out of space yet, but that's of course dependent on what you want to install.
I gave in and got one.
So far not done much. Played 80 Days a bit. Finicky controls.
Having to keep the whole thing on to update :lol:
Looking forward to hopefully getting time for some quick pick up and play games
Quote from: Josquius on August 31, 2023, 09:38:36 AMI gave in and got one.
So far not done much. Played 80 Days a bit. Finicky controls.
Having to keep the whole thing on to update :lol:
Looking forward to hopefully getting time for some quick pick up and play games
:cheers:
It's a very versatile little machine. I was playing a modded Diablo 2 hooked up to my desktop monitor the other day. Then I disconnected it from the USB dock and continued playing on the couch.
At this point, I've transitioned to full bore fanboy. It does steam games obviously, but also GOG and Epic. Game Pass - to the deck. PS plus - run on deck. Specs starting to struggle - no problem, just run GeForce Now through the deck. Kids have their PS5, I ignore the TV and just Remote Play it through Deck. Retro stuff - deck. Just for shits and giggles I broke out a keyboard and mouse and loaded a Combat Mission game. Valve said unsupported, but it ran just fine. The only thing I like better than playing games on the Deck is screwing around with it to figure out what else I can run through it.
If my experience is in any way illustrative, it's a genius move by Valve even if the hardware is breakeven - in recent years, I used to meh through the annual Steam sale and pick up a cheap title or two; this year I've added close to 20 and my wishlist now has over 80 games on it.
You sure are make it sound tempting...
I've not been able to get anything non steam working yet. Been wanting to get a ps2 emulator going to play the newish racing lagoon translation.
It is a bit of a faff with the secondary os. But mostly lack of time on my part.
The pick up and play 30 mins stolen where I can factor is grand for certain types of game.
Quote from: Josquius on December 08, 2023, 03:16:28 AMI've not been able to get anything non steam working yet. Been wanting to get a ps2 emulator going to play the newish racing lagoon translation.
It is a bit of a faff with the secondary os. But mostly lack of time on my part.
The pick up and play 30 mins stolen where I can factor is grand for certain types of game.
https://pimylifeup.com/steam-deck-ubisoft-connect/#:~:text=This%20is%20because%20all%20of,to%20Valve's%20Proton%20compatibility%20layer.
that's the guide I used to get ubisoft uplay to work on the deck.
Got GOG to work but don't remember how
need to make work of EA Play or whatever it's called nowadays
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on December 08, 2023, 01:53:54 AMAt this point, I've transitioned to full bore fanboy. It does steam games obviously, but also GOG and Epic. Game Pass - to the deck. PS plus - run on deck. Specs starting to struggle - no problem, just run GeForce Now through the deck. Kids have their PS5, I ignore the TV and just Remote Play it through Deck. Retro stuff - deck. Just for shits and giggles I broke out a keyboard and mouse and loaded a Combat Mission game. Valve said unsupported, but it ran just fine. The only thing I like better than playing games on the Deck is screwing around with it to figure out what else I can run through it.
If my experience is in any way illustrative, it's a genius move by Valve even if the hardware is breakeven - in recent years, I used to meh through the annual Steam sale and pick up a cheap title or two; this year I've added close to 20 and my wishlist now has over 80 games on it.
This has been my experience exactly. It's kind of insane that I now play games exclusively on this little handheld PC. I used mine on a 4 hour flight last week. Perfect for trips, especially if you have a small power bank in your carry-on bag.
There's an upgraded OLED version now with better hardware and longer battery life. I think the original Steam Deck is now selling at steep discounts.
Quote from: Josquius on December 08, 2023, 03:16:28 AMI've not been able to get anything non steam working yet. Been wanting to get a ps2 emulator going to play the newish racing lagoon translation.
It is a bit of a faff with the secondary os. But mostly lack of time on my part.
The pick up and play 30 mins stolen where I can factor is grand for certain types of game.
For emulation stuff, I use the guides from Retro Game Corps. They have online guides and youtube videos. The youtube video on steam deck walks you through the process. Main guide is here (video is embedded): https://retrogamecorps.com/2022/10/16/steam-deck-emulation-starter-guide/
Basically you go to desktop mode and install EmuDeck off the discovery store. The EmuDeck installation process is self-guiding, but the Retro Game Corps video provides more explanations. The EmuDeck installation sets up the whole file folder structure for you and you just dump your Bios and ROM files into the appropriate folders. The guide and the video also tells you how you can add individual emulated games as separate icons in game mode but personally I don't bother with that and just access everything through Emulation Station.
Definitely makes it easier if you use keyboard and mouse for the install process.
I think I'll get the Steam Deck one day, and maybe the GeForce subscription too.
I just have to make sure I have the available time to figure out how to get my janky Skyrim lists going on the deck before I take the plunge.
that would probably be helped by Bethesda stopping to fuck up everything when trying to push pay-for-mods again
Quote from: Crazy_Ivan80 on December 10, 2023, 06:20:34 AMthat would probably be helped by Bethesda stopping to fuck up everything when trying to push pay-for-mods again
True enough, though I'm locked at 1.5.97 and haven't updated since.
One other thing I've noticed. If you play regular modern-ish steam games through the Deck, the battery drains quite quickly as power output is high, in the 20+ watt range. However, if you stream the exact same game through the Deck using e.g. GFN, Game Pass, Remote Play, etc. - it only uses about 5-8 watts and battery life goes way up. Same holds for running emulators. I guess this is an obvious point but I didn't realize the impact until I compared it with the performance overlay running - the same game went from about 2 hours estimated gametime on battery to around 6 hours.
I'm considering getting a dock for easier playing on the tv than faffing sound with unreliable steam link from my desktop.
Anyone know if there's any value to paying 100 quid for an official one rather than just a supposedly compliant one for 30 quid?
Even steams official help pages seem to suggest anything works.
I got a cheap one under $30 and it works fine
Good deal on a dock from ugreen: https://www.ugreen.com/collections/docking-station-1/products/ugreen-6-in-1-usb-c-docking-station-with-4k-60hz-hdmi