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Valve have announced the very Switch-like Steam DeckThe portable PC dream is real, folks!
The portable PC dream is real, folks!
Rumours about Valve making a portable PC called theSteamPalwere flying about the internet just a couple of months ago, but this evening the dream of a fully portable PC has finally come true. Meet theSteam Deck, which will be shipping this December with prices starting at £349 / $399.
There will be three storage models available. The entry-level Deck starting at £349 / $399 will come with 64GB of eMMC storage, but there will also be a middle £459 / $529 version with a 256GB NVMe SSD inside it, and a top-tier £569 / $649 model with a 512GB NVMe SSD. All the other underlying hardware is the same, though, and there won’t be any difference in frame rates or graphics quality between the three models. You’ll also be able to add your own microSD cards to all three models to expand its storage even further, although Valve haven’t yet stated if there’s a maximum size capacity it supports.
The Steam Deck may be using a different version of Steam compared to your desktop, but the experience should feel very familiar. The Steam Deck supports Steam Chat, which you’ll be able to activate at the touch of a button, as well as Remote Play, allowing you to stream games from your home PC directly to the Deck. You’ll also be able to use the Steam store to buy new games from the Deck, and cloud saves are supported, too - allowing you to pick up where you left off from your desktop.
Valve Announces the Steam Deck, a $400 Handheld Gaming PCWatch on YouTube
Valve Announces the Steam Deck, a $400 Handheld Gaming PC
I’m trying really hard to rely all the facts here, but gosh darn it, this isthe actual dream, folks, and I cannot tell you how exciting this all is. It’s the literal Steam Switch I’ve been waiting for!
Valve are also making a special dock for the Deck (which I’m now dubbing the DeckDock) so you can connect it up to a gaming monitor and use just like a normal PC. You’ll also be able to browse the web, install other PC software and all the usual productivity stuff, according to Valve. Heck, Valve even mention being able to install other game stores on it, too, those rascals. Alas, you’ll have to buy it separately, as it’s not going to be included as part of a bundle.
For now, though, consider me extremely excited. As a reminder, the Steam Deck will begin shipping to the US, Canada, the EU and UK in December 2021, with more regions to follow in 2022, and if you want to make sure you’re first in line, then make sure you visit itsSteam pageon Friday July 16th at 10am PT / 6pm BST when reservations open.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to fantasise about which of the hot new PC games coming out this month would make agreatfirst Steam Deck experience…
Top 10 New PC Games For July 2021Watch on YouTube
Top 10 New PC Games For July 2021
