Steam Deck: First Anniversary
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Steam Deck: First Anniversary
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Re: Steam Deck: First Anniversary
#2Ultimate? umm.. I almost purchased one as a Christmas gift for myself, but after doing some research I decided to spend the money on PS5 games instead:
• The Deck's screen is not OLED, which is pretty dumb in 2023, especially when they have a "nano-texture" option for glare reduction; why not also provide an OLED option??
• By default it's Linux, and runs Windows games via Proton, resulting in some weird emulation bugs (like physics lag even when everything else seems to be running correctly).
• If you install Windows, apparently Microsoft doesn't allow you to get updates (on W11) because of the Deck's lack of a "TPM".
• There is no higher performance profile for docked mode, and apparently a dock doesn't come in the box.
• The haptics aren't so hot.
• Valve is almost as infamous as Google for abandoning their hardware and projects. Until there's a Deck 2 with substantial upgrades, it's hard to foster long-term confidence.
It DOES seem pretty attractive as a one-stop hub for retro emulation, but it's far from being the "ultimate gaming platform". For anyone who really wants portable "PC" gaming, a laptop would be a much better choice. Heck even an M2 MacBook + Windows VM would do.
♥ Wishlist for a Deck 2:
• Fix all the above criticisms. Can leave Windows out if Proton becomes better.
• Some Deck-exclusive features and API so that it can be an independent platform in its own right, instead of just a mobile PC. Maybe things like the advanced haptics of the PS5 controller.
--
I really wish Sony would reenter the handhelds market. The Vita was and still is an amazing device, and they could make an ever better one with the lessons learned from the Vita's failure and the success of the Switch/Deck, combined with new tricks like the awesome haptics of the DualSense/PSVR2.
Re: Steam Deck: First Anniversary
#3I know a few people who have the Deck and enjoy it, but "ultimate gaming platform" seems like a stretch. I look forward to Valve continuing to improve and iterate on the platform, though I haven't owned a device exclusively or even predominantly for gaming in about 10 years, so I probably won't ever buy one. Still, the knock-on effects for the rest of the Linux ecosystem are positive.
Re: Steam Deck: First Anniversary
#4I was a little bit down on the steam deck compared to most glowing reviews but I'm still extremely impressed with what they've achieved. Gaming on Linux has been massively accelerated as a result.
Does anyone know of any other companies jumping into gaming handhelds as a result? does Microsoft see the Steam Deck and SteamOS as an existential threat of any kind? as they obviously dominate PC gaming currently.
Re: Steam Deck: First Anniversary
#5I love mine. It's rekindled my interest in PC gaming. Previously I was buying games I had on Steam to play on Switch and now I've started to do the opposite. The fact that suspend works is amazing. Often just alt-tabbing or accidentally hitting the Windows key would cause a game to be unrecoverable in Windows, let alone sleep but it just works. It's really easy to customize controls PER GAME which is awesome when the devs do something dumb and only let you A&B to jump and attack and not A&X.
Its also pretty good as a mini PC when paired with a dock.
That said it's still a PC and you will occasionally run into little foibles. Docking is not as smooth as a Switch, at least with my monitor the resolution isn't quite right when plugging in and I have to quit to get it to use the whole thing. Sometimes there will be minor issues even in verified games like them not actually using the correct controller layout or occasionally borked sound on resume for whatever reason. But still, it's great. Favorite PC by a mile even if my desktop will curb stomp it visually.
Re: Steam Deck: First Anniversary
#6I don’t think they know what “Ultimate” means…
Re: Steam Deck: First Anniversary
#7Ultimate? umm.. I almost purchased one as a Christmas gift for myself, but after doing some research I decided to spend the money on PS5 games instead: • The Deck's screen is not OLED, which is pretty dumb in 2023, especially when they have a "nano-texture" option for glare reduction; why not also provide an OLED option?? • By default it's Linux, and runs Windows games via Proton, resulting in some weird emulation bu…
I’m on the other side. Almost bought a PS5. Or to be more accurate, wanted to buy a PS5, but they were insanely behind with shipping and the little stocks there were got bought up by resellers. Then once Sony managed to get stocks up somewhat, they jacked up the prices (something I don’t recall any other console manufacturer ever doing).
I bought a steam deck instead and I’ve been playing basically all I would’ve been playing on the PS5 I wanted to get, plus it’s a nice emulation machine and I’m also catching up on my PC backlog.
Compatibility is great in my experience, sleep mode is incredibly convenient, and the only real complaint I have is battery life is basically awful for modern games. You’ll be recharging after any modest length session.
Re: Steam Deck: First Anniversary
#8Ultimate? umm.. I almost purchased one as a Christmas gift for myself, but after doing some research I decided to spend the money on PS5 games instead: • The Deck's screen is not OLED, which is pretty dumb in 2023, especially when they have a "nano-texture" option for glare reduction; why not also provide an OLED option?? • By default it's Linux, and runs Windows games via Proton, resulting in some weird emulation bu…
I did purchase one. Full access to my complete steam library on a device that can be carried around. Plays well. A little heavy at first compared to a switch, but I quickly got used to it. Gyroscopic aiming makes shooters playable. It has the flat mouse trackpad things from the steam controller that make using a mouse with games very nice. Valve will only continue improving wine over time, and if the steam deck is popular enough, you'll see titles account for it as well.
Re: Steam Deck: First Anniversary
#9I was a little bit down on the steam deck compared to most glowing reviews but I'm still extremely impressed with what they've achieved. Gaming on Linux has been massively accelerated as a result. Does anyone know of any other companies jumping into gaming handhelds as a result? does Microsoft see the Steam Deck and SteamOS as an existential threat of any kind? as they obviously dominate PC gaming currently.
Well we recently got the Logitech G-Cloud and the Razer Edge. Although both are Android devices. There's plenty of Asian companies like Aya, GPD and Onexplayer putting out handheld gaming PCs.
Re: Steam Deck: First Anniversary
#10I'll be the minority here and say for me it is the current ultimate gaming machine. I love that it runs Linux. It's convenient, runs my already purchased library of games and is consumer friendly for modding. On the other hand my PS5 is gathering dust.