Valve Steam Deck • Hacker News Board

Re: Valve Steam Deck

#311

Post by alpaca128 » Thu, Jul 15, 2021, 6:06 PM UTC

dantondwa wrote: post #184

And so, this is what Proton was for. Hope this is a success, as the success of Linux as a gaming platform is strictly linked to the success of this. It does look very appealing: it could become a Switch with the whole PC library available. Damn cool.

I hope so too, and I think this time Valve has a much higher chance of success. When they launched the Steam machines it was almost guaranteed to fail. The Linux ecosystem wasn't there yet and the prices weren't competitive.

But now with Proton most problems I have are caused by hardware/driver incompatibilities. Which is exactly what Valve can get rid of by launching their own hardware which is actually built and tested primarily for Proton. That's why I'm really hoping this takes off. I'd honestly have preferred a stationary device, but now that the Switch is the only serious portable console they might be able to build a market there. Especially as people can just keep using their Steam library.

Re: Valve Steam Deck

#312

Post by mastrsushi » Thu, Jul 15, 2021, 6:06 PM UTC

xaduha wrote: post #154

mrpippy wrote: post #70

CPU: AMD APU Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz (up to 448 GFlops FP32) GPU: 8 RDNA 2 CUs, 1.0-1.6GHz (up to 1.6 TFlops FP32) RAM: 16GB LPDDR5 Display: 7", 1280x800, 60Hz OS: SteamOS 3.0 (Arch-based), KDE Plasma desktop Storage: Onboard 64GB eMMC/256GB NVMe/512GB NVMe, microSD slot

AMD has its hands in all kinds of console pies. Best Intel has in this area are Compute Element things, last heard about in that KFC Console.

They really have this level of Moxie that gives Intel Jeb Bush vibes.

Re: Valve Steam Deck

#313

Post by ericcholis » Thu, Jul 15, 2021, 6:06 PM UTC

AceJohnny2 wrote: post #133

Curious what the battery life will be. Bummer the charging port is on top. That's inconvenient if you're playing and charging at the same time. Still, an exciting device!

40Whr battery. 2 - 8 hours

Re: Valve Steam Deck

#314

Post by traspler » Thu, Jul 15, 2021, 6:07 PM UTC

modeless wrote: post #156

I don't see any mention of VR. I wonder if they will support plugging in a Valve Index. Seems like it should be possible through the dock. Oculus headsets wouldn't work though, since they don't support Linux. Unless you can install Windows on this thing somehow... Edit: Yes you can install Windows: https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/steamdeck/faq This might be a good companion for an Oculus Quest headset. $299 for Qu…

I‘m not sure this delivers enough performance for decent PC level VR but you can install Windows, they say you are free to reinstall whatever OS you want.

Re: Valve Steam Deck

#315

Post by dbreunig » Thu, Jul 15, 2021, 6:07 PM UTC

Nearly 70% heavier than the Switch. That's a deal breaker for me, sadly.

Re: Valve Steam Deck

#316

Post by panzagl » Thu, Jul 15, 2021, 6:07 PM UTC

Forbo wrote: post #27

Shadonototro wrote: post #13

Finally a linux gaming console Now valve, for the love of god, PUSH NATIVE LINUX GAMING, proton only as a way to supplement the library.. Reduce your steam tax for the companies that provide a native linux build I will not buy this if your main selling point is "proton" As for the price, 419€.. very bad marketing, 399€ would have been perfect... you got greedy for 20€, that'll hurt sales

It looks like it is $399 USD, so the price point may mostly be a conversion thing. Edit: Just looked up the conversion rate, right now 399 USD is 288 GBP? Weird. The mid tier is 529 USD, so something like 382 GBP. Upper tier is 649 USD, or 468 GBP.

VAT?

Re: Valve Steam Deck

#317

Post by azhenley » Thu, Jul 15, 2021, 6:07 PM UTC

Reminds me of a modern take on the Sega Game Gear!

Re: Valve Steam Deck

#318

Post by rowanG077 » Thu, Jul 15, 2021, 6:07 PM UTC

Damn this hardware in a laptop form factor would be awesome. I really want to buy it but I hardly game...

Re: Valve Steam Deck

#319

Post by manojlds » Thu, Jul 15, 2021, 6:07 PM UTC

frompdx wrote: post #290

I think the Switch gets this type of handheld play right by having detachable controllers. I never use my Switch with the controllers attached to the side. Instead I use a separate pro controller when playing handheld mode. Maybe this doesn't matter if you can still use a separate controller. Beyond that, it's not clear to me what this will support. If I can play Fallout, any of them, I will seriously consider buying…

It's also funny that all the games on the screen are available on the Switch.

Re: Valve Steam Deck

#320

Post by AnIdiotOnTheNet » Thu, Jul 15, 2021, 6:08 PM UTC

frompdx wrote: post #290

I think the Switch gets this type of handheld play right by having detachable controllers. I never use my Switch with the controllers attached to the side. Instead I use a separate pro controller when playing handheld mode. Maybe this doesn't matter if you can still use a separate controller. Beyond that, it's not clear to me what this will support. If I can play Fallout, any of them, I will seriously consider buying…

The website is pretty clear: this runs SteamOS 3.0, which is Arch Linux with a KDE Plasma desktop. You can run anything you want on it, including switching out the OS if you want, and it uses standard PC peripherals.

In other words: your wireless XBox controller (or whatever) should work fine and you can play Fallout whatever as long as it is supported by Proton or you put Windows on the thing.