The Nintendo Switch (OLED model) wasn't the "Pro" upgrade many expected it to be with 4K support and new internals but before its announcement, other handhelds aimed to take the role of the "Switch Pro". The AYA NEO and GPD Win 3 are among those devices shooting for that nickname since they are able to run recent AAA PC games on the go, given that they are handheld gaming PCs. Their efforts and popularity, although niche, enticed companies like Lenovo and Tencent to make similar concepts or patents; indicating that these indie companies might have more serious competition in the future.

It seems like this will indeed be the case and these handheld gaming PC manufacturers will need to brace themselves as Valve is itself entering this market with a Valve-branded handheld gaming PC. This news was actually reported back in May and today we have the official confirmation. In a Steam post today, Valve revealed the Steam Deck, an AMD-based handheld gaming PC that is expected to begin shipping in December 2021 in select regions.

The software giant partnered with AMD to create a custom APU for the handheld that is said to be "optimized for handheld gaming". "It is a Zen 2 + RDNA 2 powerhouse, delivering more than enough performance to run the latest AAA games in a very efficient power envelope," reads the announcement.

It will run on SteamOS 3.0 (Arch-based) and there will be several models of the Steam Deck, which differ on the storage capacity, with the base model starting at $399. However, every model will include a microSD slot for additional storage capacity. For more details about the models available and their price, refer to the image below:

You can find additional specs details in the images below (click/tap to enlarge):

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And just like the AYA NEO and GPD Win 3, the Steam Deck will also have a dock which will be sold separately. This accessory will provide ports for external displays, wired networking, USB peripherals, and power. More details about the dock's pricing will be announced at a later date but you can find some specs details in the thumbnail below:

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Valve says that the Steam Deck will start shipping this December to the United States, Canada, the European Union and the United Kingdom, with more regions coming in 2022. However, to be able to purchase one, you will need to book a paid reservation which will let you pre-order when the time comes. This reservation fee will also count towards the Steam Deck purchase price.

"The main reason for reservations is to ensure an orderly and fair ordering process for customers when Steam Deck inventory becomes available," writes Valve in the announcement FAQ. "The additional fee gives us a clearer signal of intent to purchase, which gives us better data to balance supply chain, inventory, and regional distribution leading up to launch."

Reservations for the Steam Deck will open Friday July 16th, 10am PDT. For more details about the new handheld gaming PC, head to the source link and official Steam Deck website linked below.

Are you interested in getting one?

SOURCE
Steam Deck Official Website

 

[Prior22]

How can anyone call this a switch killer? The switch has tons of games you can’t play on any other platform.

This device simply allows you to play PC games on the go. So there’s no exclusivity.

 

[Jayro]

The face buttons are in a terrible location. Same thing for the dpad. Why put them in those spots?

Also how can anyone call this a switch killer? The switch has tons of games you can’t play on any other platform.

This device simply allows you to play PC games on the go. So there’s no exclusivity.

Install Windows on it, and you can literally play Switch games on it.

 

[wolffangalchemist]

Imagine installing Windows to this thing, and then firing up Yuzu (or that other forgettable Switch emulator) and playing Switch games at full speed. That's a dream come true, and definitely worth the price for the 256GB model.

i have doubts about full speed on 4 cores 8 threads on a APU. maybe though... i haven't really dabbled with Yuzu at all so i don't know how far along it is as a emulator.

 

[Tom Bombadildo]

Imagine installing Windows to this thing, and then firing up Yuzu (or that other forgettable Switch emulator) and playing Switch games at full speed. That's a dream come true, and definitely worth the price for the 256GB model.

I do love playing Switch games on my GPD Win 3. Finally, a way to enjoy Switch games but on the go!!

 

[The Real Jdbye]

It looks nice. I like the inclusion of trackpads as the Steam Controller works so well for mouse/kb games, although they look a bit small, and aren't concave like the Steam Controller's which might make them harder to use.
That screen bezel is gigantic for 2021, feels like a lot of wasted space but maybe it's so packed on the inside a larger screen just wouldn't fit.
I wonder if the cheapest model has an empty NVMe slot that can be populated, or if the boards are different, or if the SSD is soldered on (probably the latter sadly, seeing as how that's the popular thing to do these days)
That price looks pretty good. 64 GB is uselessly small though. Sure you can expand the storage with a microSD but microSDs are laughably slow when it comes to random read/write performance. The experience on the base model with only slow eMMC and MicroSD storage is probably going to be about equivalent to a mechanical HDD. And nobody wants that. Spend the extra, don't go for the base model.
Of course it isn't available here in Norway, we get shafted by Valve once again. The Valve Index still isn't available here.

Runs SteamOS 3.0, supposedly its now based on Arch Linux for some reason.
Game support thus relies on Linux and Proton support.

Apparently they said in a livestream that its not locked down and you can install Windows if you feel like it. Have no source except a friend watching a stream for that one.

It says on the reservation page that you can install other OSes.

 

[WhiteMaze]

I'm going to defend Nintendo here. The Switch OLED is the best system by far and ..

*laughs histerically*

*wipes tear of laughter*

Nah just joking, how do I pre-order this thing?

 

[Tom Bombadildo]

i have doubts about full speed on 4 cores 8 threads on a APU. maybe though... i haven't really dabbled with Yuzu at all so i don't know how far along it is as a emulator.

It'll do it no problem. Switch emulation is quite "easy" to run for the most part, and with Zen 2 cores there's no doubt something like Yuzu would be mostly playable. My GPD Win 3 manages quite well for most games, I've been playing Skyward Sword HD on it 60fps no problems. Yuzu can only utilize 6 threads anyways, so 4c/8t is going to be just fine.

 

[Prior22]

Install Windows on it, and you can literally play Switch games on it.

With anywhere near the compatibility and reliability of an actual Switch?

Plus once a new game is released for switch how long does it take for the emulator to gain
Compatibility?

 

[WG481]

Just a thought, but wouldn't this mean ports of other games would be easier to play on a console similar to their original.

By that I mean I'm nerding out about how this could be used with Persona 4 Golden to at least somewhat feel like a PS Vita.

 

[wolffangalchemist]

It'll do it no problem. Switch emulation is quite "easy" to run for the most part, and with Zen 2 cores there's no doubt something like Yuzu wouldn't be mostly playable. My GPD Win 3 manages quite well for most games, I've been playing Skyward Sword HD on it 60fps no problems. Yuzu can only utilize 6 threads anyways, so 4c/8t is going to be just fine.

so i imagine overall game compatibility would be the deal breaker if anything then,well.. that and i can't see online play being very possible through emulation at this point in time with how Nintendo is with hacked switches.

 

[Wickedchew]

just hate the directional buttons,,not a fan,,

 

[wolffangalchemist]

Just a thought, but wouldn't this mean ports of other games would be easier to play on a console similar to their original.

By that I mean I'm nerding out about how this could be used with Persona 4 Golden to at least somewhat feel like a PS Vita.

there is no reason this should not play Golden, it's just a pc.. erm modern laptop with a game pad built in. however ports from console would have to come pc side per dev since this is really just a very portable computer, that and run on Linux through proton.

 

[WG481]

there is no reason this should not play Golden, it's just a pc.. erm modern laptop with a game pad built in. however ports from console would have to come pc side per dev since this is really just a very portable computer, that and run on Linux through proton.

Thank you for the clarification.
I meant it would be fun to play Golden as if I was on a PS Vita (which I sadly do not have).

 

[anhminh]

 

[RedBlueGreen]

>working with anticheat vendors for proton support
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Seriously this'll be a big dub for Linux gaming

The problem is a lot of stuff like Battleye probably won't cooperate. They kick VM users because they claim something like "90% of cheaters were using VMs", when people are still bypassing their crap because client side anti-cheat just isn't effect. People bypassed Vanguard a while ago, and people have been cheating in EAC and Battleye games for ages. For PC gaming in big games they should always be using server-side anti-cheat unless the game uses p2p traffic and only uses a server for matchmaking and account/purchase validation.

Imagine installing Windows to this thing, and then firing up Yuzu (or that other forgettable Switch emulator) and playing Switch games at full speed. That's a dream come true, and definitely worth the price for the 256GB model.

You could also do that through proper desktop Linux distro too. Yuzu is open-source like most emulators. The real question is hoe accurate Yuzu is, because if accurate enough that most functions work properly but not so accurate that it emulates slowdown it might actually be better than playing on real hardware.

 

[Wickedchew]

hope they revised the directional button,, like test if they can do hadouken or shoryuken on it..it will be a buy day one for me if it is

 

[ertaboy356b]

Hope this forces GPD and other similar products to give competitive pricing.

With this, I can play Lewd Games on the go without exposing myself on a big ass monitor lol

 

[FFTfanatic]

How can anyone call this a switch killer? The switch has tons of games you can’t play on any other platform.

This device simply allows you to play PC games on the go. So there’s no exclusivity.

From a mass market consumer perspective, "Switch killer" is probably overdoing it, but in terms of spec and capability / versatility, this stomps on Switch for only 50 bucks more. It will definitely take a slice of the demand from those consumers whose main interest was playing multiplats natively on the go without being tethered to streaming.

Additionally, as mentioned by another user above, it can emulate Switch (admittedly to varying degrees of compatibility / success). Plus it can emulate other systems, in greater number and to a greater degree than a modded Switch.

Finally, believe it or not, PC exclusives *do* exist, particularly in the RPG and strategy genres. The library of this thing dwarfs that of Switch.

 

[Wickedchew]

Hope this forces GPD and other similar products to give competitive pricing.

With this, I can play Lewd Games on the go without exposing myself on a big ass monitor lol

wait..there is lwed games on steam?

 

[the_randomizer]

You really out here complaining about the price Mr. "I already have a Series X, PS5 and PC"?

Wow, you sure showed me by calling me out. Thanks anyway, but I have enough to deal with without having to listen to condescending whiny bullshit attitudes like yours.

Piss off.