The Nintendo Switch has given manufacturers ideas. Valve offers the Steam Deck, a portable console with impressive features that allows you to run very demanding games on the go. Do you want to fall for this machine and want to know as much as possible about it before going to checkout? Follow us !
Before the ASUS ROG Ally was made official, it was Valve that opened the ball for portable consoles with certain power. Its Steam Deck combines the power of a gaming PC with the mobility of a Nintendo Switch, an inevitable comparison. This machine runs under SteamOS 3.0 and allows you to install other operating systems such as Windows.
The Steam Deck provides a quality gaming experience by making turn your favorite AAAs in nomadic mode just like indie games. Just draw from your Steam library but also from Epic Games, GOG or Origin! It is also possible to play it on an external screen via a docking station sold separately.
You want to fall for the Steam Deck but you still have questions about it? Good news, we offer you an ultra-complete summary of what you need to know about Valve’s portable console to whom we owe Steam, Half-Life, Left 4 Dead, Counter Strike or Team Fortress 2.
Read > Steam Deck 2: Valve does not plan to release a new console for several years
?What are the features of the Steam Deck?
Unlike a Nintendo Switch with more modest characteristics which relies on great exclusives like Zelda Tears of the Kingdomwhich allows you to import your horses from Breath of the Wild, the Steam Deck is intended for AAA. Although you can, of course, play indie titles. Valve’s portable console gets big features to manage resource-intensive games.
- Processor : AMD APU with Zen 2 architecture
- CPU : Quad-core Zen 2 clocked at 2.4 GHz or 3.5 GHz in boost mode
- Graphics chip: RDNA 2 with 8 compute units clocked from 1 to 1.6 Ghz
- RAM: 16 GB LPDDR5
- Internal storage: 64 GB eMMC, 256 GB NVMe SSD and 512 GB NVMe SSD depending on the model chosen from the 3 available
- Storage expansion: microSD
- Screen : 7-inch LCD with 1280 x 800 pixel resolution and 60Hz refresh rate
- Boutons : dual analog sticks, D-Pad, trigger buttons, trackpads, ABXY buttons
- Son : built-in stereo speakers
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 et Bluetooth 5.0
- Ports : 3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C with DisplayPort 1.4 support and USB-A 3.1 port
- Autonomy: between 2 and 8 hours depending on use via the 40 watt-hour battery
- Operating system : SteamOS 3.0 based on Linux but you can install other ecosystems like Windows, for example
- Dimensions : 298 mm x 117 mm x 49 mm
- Weight : 669 grams approximately
A docking station lets you to play on an external screen, like the Nintendo Switch. This accessory is sold separately.
For the moment, the Steam Deck is equipped with an LCD screen while some players were hoping for OLED. Valve explained itself recently on this decision not to opt for this technology with rather understandable and relevant reasons.
?What games are available on the Steam Deck?
The Steam Deck is intended to manage titles available on Steam. Just log in to your account to install and then play your titles with the possibility of importing your backups from the cloud, of course. This means that you can resume your progress from the Steam Deck after starting a game on PC and vice versa, for example.
It is also possible to install other shops like the Epic Games Store, GOG or Origin. The Steam Deck runs on SteamOS, a Linux-based ecosystem. You can run Windows titles on Linux.
Independent games and third-party software can also be installed via executable files on official developer sites or third-party platforms.
The other advantage of the portable console, is to be able to put it on standby and then resume its game at any time (as on the Nintendo Switch, for example).
To read > Steam Deck vs. Nintendo Switch OLED: what are the differences between the two portable consoles?
?️How do I fix my Steam Deck if something goes wrong?
Outside of Valve service available at this address, it is possible to repair your Steam Deck yourself thanks to a partnership with iFixit to receive replacement parts. Just surrender at this address. 3D plans are also available to print the elements you need.
Knowing that the Steam Deck’s iFixit Repairability Score is 7 out of 10the repair goes smoothly if you have the basics.
?What are the Steam Deck accessories?
The Steam Deck comes with several accessories. All are sold separately apart from the mains adapter which allows the portable console to be recharged via an electrical outlet.
- Dock : This parking dock is an accessory that allows the Steam Deck to be connected to a television. It comes with additional ports like USB ports, Ethernet ports and video outputs. This product is sold separately at a price of 99 euros at this address.
- Carrying case: This accessory allows you to transport the Steam Deck while protecting the portable console against shocks. There are spaces for the various accessories or microSD cards.
- microSD memory card: The Steam Deck has a microSD card slot that you can purchase separately to expand the storage of the handheld console.
- Wireless Controller: If the Steam Deck has built-in controls, you can add a gamepad. For example, the separately sold Steam Controller that works wirelessly with the handheld console.
Read > Steam Deck: Xbox Cloud Gaming and Stadia arrive on the portable console via Microsoft Edge
? What is the price of the Steam Deck?
To order the Steam Deck, you can go through the official Valve website at this address or turn to a reseller. The starting price is 419 euros and depends on the storage space you choose. Each version comes with its advantages and accessories.
| Storage | 64 Go | 256 Go | 512 Go |
| Prix | 419 euros | 549 euros | 679 euros |
| Benefits | – Carrying case included | – Carrying case included – Faster storage – Exclusive Steam Community Profile Bundle |
– Carrying case included Fastest storage – Glass with premium anti-reflective treatment – Exclusive Steam Community Profile Bundle – Exclusive virtual keyboard theme |
On the Steam site, delivery times vary between 1 to 2 weeks.
