Valve launches the Steam Deck. The handheld gaming console runs on SteamOS 3.0, capable of playing games from Steam.
The console was announced last year, and now it’s finally available for orders in select markets.
For those not familiar with the device, the Steam Deck is a handheld console, built to play games from Steam. It has a large 7-inch touchscreen IPS display, along with a d-pad, two analog sticks, trigger buttons on the shoulders, and ABXY buttons. There also are programable buttons at the back, and in front, and perhaps its most interesting feature — two square touchpads.
On the hardware side, the console is powered by an AMD APU based on the Zen 2 architecture and a GPU based on the RDNA2 architecture. It has 16GB LPDDR5 RAM and three storage options — 64GB eMMC, 256GB NVMe SSD, and 512GB High-Speed NVMe SSD. All models come with a microSD card slot.
The Steam Deck runs on Valve’s own SteamOS 3.0, based on Arch Linux. Not all games are compatible at this point, but there are already a handful available. You can check their compatibility page for details.
The console also has a dock accessory (sold separately) that allows users to connect peripherals such as a monitor, keyboard, and mouse. The dock comes with a USB-C port, a Display Port, HDMI, a USB-C power port, an ethernet port, a USB-A 3.1, and two USB-A 2.0.
As for the price, Steam Deck is priced at USD 399 (around ~Php 20,500) for the 64GB variant, USD 529 (~Php 27,200) for the 256GB variant, and USD 649 for the 512GB variant. The handheld gaming console is coming to select regions, starting in the US, Canada, the UK, and other countries in Europe.
Also Read: New Nintendo Switch with OLED display announced
Unfortunately, no Steam Deck yet for the Philippines. But hopefully, it gets picked up by local gaming stores.
Steam Deck specs
| Display | 7-inch Touchscreen IPS Display, 1280 x 800, 16:10 Aspect Ratio, 60Hz Refresh Rate, 400 Nits |
| Processor | AMD APU Zen 2 |
| GPU | 8 RDNA2 CUs |
| RAM | 16GB RAM, LPDDR5 |
| Storage | 64GB eMMC / 256GB NVMe SSD / 512GB High Speed NVMe SSD MicroSD Card Slot |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi AC MIMO, Dual Band, Bluetooth 5 |
| Controls | D-pad, ABXY Buttons, Thumbsticks, 2x Square Trackpads, L/R Triggers, L/R Bumpers, View & Menu Buttons, 4x Grip Buttons, Dedicated Steam Button |
| Others | Stereo Speakers, Dual Mics, USB-C, 3.5mm Headphone Jack |
| OS | SteamOS 3.0, Arch Linux |
| Battery | 40Whr Battery up to 8 hours of Gameplay, 45W Charging |
