Will you pre-order a Steam Deck?
Valve’s idea factory never runs out of steam.
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Valve has decreed that it’s bringing the Nintendo Switch experience to PC via itsSteam Deck, which is essentially a very chunky handheld computer for PC gamers. It’s packing serious specs: Powerful AMD processors, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage… depending onwhat model you get. If you go for the cheapest option (which is still an eye-watering $400), you’ll only get 64GB of eMMC internal storage. That is roughly enough storage to store one-fourth of a Call of Duty: Warzone.
Here’s the question: Do you plan onpre-ordering a Steam Deck? The promise of having access to your Steam library anywhere via a Switch-like system is alluring. However, the Deck’s actual form factor looks a bit closer to a chunky Wii U tablet than a Switch, and the pricing model is steep. What’s your stance?
Don’t forget Valve’s history. Steam Machines, the limited love for Steam controllers, and similar attempts at slam-dunking the hardware market haven’t quite panned out, and Valve doesn’t always bother playing the long game with supporting its experiments. Are you ready for the risk of investing in a Steam device, at a minimum buy-in of $400 (not counting your local sales tax, if applicable), just for it to potentially become a really high-tech paperweight if Valve decides the product isn’t panning out adequately?
In terms of positives going for the device, though, make no mistake: It’s impressive. You can useWindows 11on it or theLinux-based OS it comes without of the box. Conceivably, you canrun just about anythingif you want to badly enough, including games from Epic’s launcher, EA’s Origin, or Ubisoft’s Ubisoft Connect (formerly Uplay).
Thishandheld gaming PCcould either be a total flop orrevolutionize mobile PC gaming, taking Nintendo’s idea and bringing it to everyone who doesn’t care exclusively about Mario.
Whatever your thoughts on the device are, be sure to vote in the poll and drop some comments.
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Robert Carnevale is the News Editor for Windows Central. He’s a big fan of Kinect (it lives on in his heart), Sonic the Hedgehog, and the legendary intersection of those two titans, Sonic Free Riders. He is the author ofCold War 2395. Have a useful tip? Send it to robert.carnevale@futurenet.com.
