Valve introduces Steam Deck

[Belvedere]

Here is an interesting development, nearly a year ago I wrote the following post:

... to me the hardware is nothing special, other companies have already launched to market similar handhelds (GDP, Aya Neo) What may be more important for Valve as a measure of success is seeing far more people adopting Linux and using Proton well beyond the numbers of the install base of the Steam Deck. Plus Valve taking this first step may give incentive to other big name hardware manufactures to develop their own handheld PCs or even work in partnership with Valve to develop their own clones of the Deck, the more offer there is in the market the more affordable and accessible it'll become to the general public.

Recently a company called Anbernic who had only focused on making Android/mobile chip based handhelds for retro gaming will introduce their first X86_64 handheld, the Win600

What makes this release particularly interesting is that it will ship with either Windows 10 or SteamOS right out of the box, and this is not some ISO rip of SteamOS without Valve's knowledge, Valve is officially collaborating with Ambernic to ensure full compatibility with the devise when it launches.

EDIT: Unfortunately this ended up not being true, the handheld will ship with Windows and the SteamOS demonstrated in the unit is indeed a "HoloISO" download, athird party rip of SteamOS 3 so not all functions as in the Steam Deck are available.

Here is a demo from the company's own Youtube channel:

This is a move that benefits both Valve and any company that may want to venture into making their own handheld PCs. It increases the number of players that'll use SteamOS 3.0 far beyond the number of Decks sold, hence more Steam costumers and the hardware manufacturer benefits by having access to a free operating system that is designed specifically for handheld PCs and is far more lightweight, efficient and accessible than Windows could possibly hope to be.

EDIT 2: Valve is yet to release a publicly available version of SteamOS 3.0.

While this product is not on par with Steam Deck's specs, it is a more affordable entry point for people who want to get into PC gaming but aren't able to get their hands on a Deck (or PCs in general) due to price or availability.

This is why I've insisted to look beyond the Deck hardware itself and instead focus on the software side of Valve's endeavor which is to put SteamOS and by extension Linux into people's hands and show that there exists PC gaming beyond the Windows desktop.

 

[Stasi]

Windows 10 or SteamOS right out of the box, and this is not some ISO rip of SteamOS without Valve's knowledge, Valve is officially collaborating with Ambernic

That's pretty interesting and like you said benefits both companies and the consumer.

There were a few posts up thread about one of the other Chinese handheld companies (GPD I think?) having a nuclear meltdown and shitting all over valve claiming their device is better than the deck. What a retard move. Should have approached valve for collaboration instead, it would only benefit their sales if they were able to add "officially SteamOS compatible" to their marketing for new devices. I can only only guess that the deck itself is a massive loss leader and valve are more interested in growing the OS and install base in the handheld market so are open to collaboration in the hardware space.

 

[TheDarknessGrows]

Any word on that competitor to the Steam Deck? They are really expensive but looked better. Don't remember the name though.

 

[Stasi]

Any word on that competitor to the Steam Deck? They are really expensive but looked better. Don't remember the name though.

This one?

The other big alternatives I can think of are GPD and Aya Neo. Lots of videos on YouTube of both being reviewed.

 

[Syikeblade]

Here is an interesting development, nearly a year ago I wrote the following post:



Recently a company called Anbernic who had only focused on making Android/mobile chip based handhelds for retro gaming will introduce their first X86_64 handheld, the Win600

View attachment 3440384

What makes this release particularly interesting is that it will ship with either Windows 10 or SteamOS right out of the box, and this is not some ISO rip of SteamOS without Valve's knowledge, Valve is officially collaborating with Ambernic to ensure full compatibility with the devise when it launches.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=WQ8a_YTuF8U:610
Here is a demo from the company's own Youtube channel:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=MnzAwklg-eQ
This is a move that benefits both Valve and any company that may want to venture into making their own handheld PCs. It increases the number of players that'll use SteamOS 3.0 far beyond the number of Decks sold, hence more Steam costumers and the hardware manufacturer benefits by having access to a free operating system that is designed specifically for handheld PCs and is far more lightweight, efficient and accessible than Windows could possibly hope to be. While this product is not on par with Steam Deck's specs, it is a more affordable entry point for people who want to get into PC gaming but aren't able to get their hands on a Deck (or PCs in general) due to price or availability.

This is why I've insisted to look beyond the Deck hardware itself and instead focus on the software side of Valve's endeavor which is to put SteamOS and by extension Linux into people's hands and show that there exists PC gaming beyond the Windows desktop.

How much do these cost compared to steam deck?

 

[Daddy's Little Kitten]

 

[TheDarknessGrows]

This one?
https://youtube.com/watch?v=Bcfy6DaY5W8The other big alternatives I can think of are GPD and Aya Neo. Lots of videos on YouTube of both being reviewed.

That is not it, but that looks neat. I will see if I can find it when I get home.

Okay home...
@Stasi I think it was the Ayaneo line of systems.

 

[Belvedere]

That's pretty interesting and like you said benefits both companies and the consumer.

There were a few posts up thread about one of the other Chinese handheld companies (GPD I think?) having a nuclear meltdown and shitting all over valve claiming their device is better than the deck. What a retard move. Should have approached valve for collaboration instead, it would only benefit their sales if they were able to add "officially SteamOS compatible" to their marketing for new devices. I can only only guess that the deck itself is a massive loss leader and valve are more interested in growing the OS and install base in the handheld market so are open to collaboration in the hardware space.

GDP got egg on their faces because they tried to unfavorably compare the performance of the Deck to their own products by using videos form other Youtubers without accreditation and when called out about this shady behavior they blocked the creators who criticized them

I think the whole reason Valve made the Deck was to showcase that indeed there is a market and demand for such a device and they are willing to provide the software support for it. I believe that Valve would be all too happy not having to produce a successor for the Deck if manufacturers pick up the slack and cover the hardware part of that equation. Valve can just focus on making SteamOS as compatible to as many hardware configurations others may come up with over the coming years, this is why they are so open to share their work with others.

This is also an effort for Valve to secure their future by separating themselves from their dependency in Windows and by extension Microsoft. MS is showing signs that they want Windows to be a walled garden where users ideally only buy software and games directly from the Microsoft Store. That's comes in direct competition with Steam's business model as an digital retail store.

Any word on that competitor to the Steam Deck? They are really expensive but looked better. Don't remember the name though.

There are several: Aya Neo, X One Player and GDP Win 3, but as mentioned, all of these cost upwards of $1200+ so not sure how they are "competition" when the most expensive model of the Deck is half of that. Hopefully over time big name manufactures can get into the game and start producing their own versions of these handheld PC's and over time the prices ranges become more varied as there is more competition and development in this sector. (Provided the damn chip shortages get resolved).

How much do these cost compared to steam deck?

I checked Anbernic's website and the base model (128Gb) was on pre-sale for $299 and it is already sold out. If they wish to stay competitive they should stay below the $349 even for the 256Gb model, otherwise it starts getting close in price to the base Deck model.

 

[Stasi]

There are several: Aya Neo, X One Player and GDP Win 3, but as mentioned, all of these cost upwards of $1200+

This is the main issue for me with the competition, some of these devices look good and perform better than the deck but the cost is astronomical in comparison.

I'm still going to try getting the deck, if it ever becomes available. My estimated availability keeps getting pushed back, last I checked it was Q3 2022

 

[Maurice Caine]

This is also an effort for Valve to secure their future by separating themselves from their dependency in Windows and by extension Microsoft. MS is showing signs that they want Windows to be a walled garden where users ideally only buy software and games directly from the Microsoft Store. That's comes in direct competition with Steam's business model as an digital retail store.

This would be a terrible move and ultimately would kill Windows. Maybe land a few antitrust lawsuits.

 

[Dr. Geronimo]

This is the main issue for me with the competition, some of these devices look good and perform better than the deck but the cost is astronomical in comparison.

I'm still going to try getting the deck, if it ever becomes available. My estimated availability keeps getting pushed back, last I checked it was Q3 2022

They just announced that production was doubled. What was the model and region you reserved? Also can you tell me the exact time you ordered? Look for the reservation email if you can't remember.

 

[Stasi]

They just announced that production was doubled. What was the model and region you reserved? Also can you tell me the exact time you ordered? Look for the reservation email if you can't remember.

I ordered the 512gb model in the UK. I'll need to dig through my emails but to be fair I was fairly late to reserve mine (end of last year or start of this year) so was never going to be among the first people to get it but IIRC when I ordered it still said Q1 which then changed to Q2 and then Q3.

 

[Dr. Geronimo]

I ordered the 512gb model in the UK. I'll need to dig through my emails but to be fair I was fairly late to reserve mine (end of last year or start of this year) so was never going to be among the first people to get it but IIRC when I ordered it still said Q1 which then changed to Q2 and then Q3.

Right now UK512 is the most fucked. 512s were the most popular one by a wide margin so they're going the slowest. Currently they've fulfilled orders 2 1/2 hours after preorders launched.

Source. https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/comments/vrb75r/comment/ieuytsp/

 

[Belvedere]

This is the main issue for me with the competition, some of these devices look good and perform better than the deck but the cost is astronomical in comparison.

I'm still going to try getting the deck, if it ever becomes available. My estimated availability keeps getting pushed back, last I checked it was Q3 2022

It seems that AYA realized that to compete they have to market more affordable handhelds as well so they are going to launch a variety of models under the Aya Neo Air moniker featuring multiple types of SoCs and specs that will range in the lower end from $249 and higher tiers that match the Deck in price.

Low end Aya Neo

Mid and high end Aya Neo

And there is yet another company that makes Android handheld that is going to also throw their hats into the ring with a x86 version as well:

Ayn Loki

This is becoming a very competitive market which is going to give a lot of choices for a lot of people to get into PC gaming on the go. It can only get better if Valve finally releases SteamOS 3.0 for everyone to use on these devices.

This would be a terrible move and ultimately would kill Windows. Maybe land a few antitrust lawsuits.

Way too many government offices, businesses and boomer normies across the world use Windows because it is what they always have used and for a variety of technical and economic reasons don't want to use anything else. Microsoft has weathered in the past an anti trust lawsuit due to its near monopoly in the PC space back in 2001 and their dominance as the default OS in desktops PCs hasn't changed after all these years,

 

[Maurice Caine]

Way too many government offices, businesses and boomer normies across the world use Windows because it is what they always have used and for a variety of technical and economic reasons don't want to use anything else. Microsoft has weathered in the past an anti trust lawsuit due to its near monopoly in the PC space back in 2001 and their dominance as the default OS in desktops PCs hasn't changed after all these years,

Yeah but outright refusing Steam to work is something unprecedented.

 

[Stasi]

It seems that AYA realized that to compete they have to market more affordable handhelds as well so they are going to launch a variety of models under the Aya Neo Air moniker featuring multiple types of SoCs and specs that will range in the lower end from $249 and higher tiers that match the Deck in price.

I had a closer look at those links, those devices look pretty good to be hones. I'm most interested in finding out what the hell the AMD Mendocino chip is, there doesn't seem to be much information out about it but the price jump between that and the 5000u and 6000u Ryzen chips is significant (at least 2x the price).

Its an RDNA2 chip so should in theory be better than older Vega Ryzen stuff and absolutely cream anything intel can muster but who knows. I'll keep an eye out for review videos when they hit the market. A $300 handheld that is on par with even older Vega 10 lets say in graphics performance would still be pretty bloody impressive.

 

[Belvedere]

Yeah but outright refusing Steam to work is something unprecedented.

I don't think Microsoft would take such a drastic measure, it is more of a issue of MS having a overwhelming advantage by having an App Store imbedded within the operating system itself and having ads promoting their own content directly to the user in the Windows desktop environment.

It is Valve realizing MS is too much of a monolithic giant with power and control over a vital element in which Valve business relies on; the OS where the overwhelming majority of PC gaming takes place. The Steam Hardware Survey of June 2022 shows that more than 96% of people using Steam do so in Windows. Even with the most charitable of views and intentions, Valve has to play by the rules of Microsoft's sandbox.

This is why I believe Valve is thinking long term and developing their own operating system as an eventual exit strategy to appeal to PC gamers to switch to Linux as a viable alternative to the ever bloating and intrusive nature of Windows but it is going to take years for this strategy to work and for this to sink in the PC gamer's mindset.

 

[ZMOT]

I think the whole reason Valve made the Deck was to showcase that indeed there is a market and demand for such a device and they are willing to provide the software support for it.

that's pretty much what gabe said in the interview:

Yeah but outright refusing Steam to work is something unprecedented.

that's why it won't happen. what's gonna happen it will run worse and worse, and over time you gonna have to jump through all kinds of hoops to get it running where going with the windows store, which is coincidentally pre-installed and right on your desktop is simply faster and more convenient. sound familiar? because that's exactly how we got the aids of ie6 spreading everywhere.
blocking steam over night would generate too much of a backlash and bad PR, that's why they boil the frog slowly.

Way too many government offices, businesses and boomer normies across the world use Windows because it is what they always have used and for a variety of technical and economic reasons don't want to use anything else. Microsoft has weathered in the past an anti trust lawsuit due to its near monopoly in the PC space back in 2001 and their dominance as the default OS in desktops PCs hasn't changed after all these years,

most normies have no fucking clue how any of this works, you could give them mint, say it's the new windows version and they would be none the wiser.

companies have different requirements, the software that generates their money needs to run (and that's mostly a windows version, if not DOS), their employees need to be able to work with it, preferable without any lengthy and costly re-training, and if shit breaks they need a phone number to scream at. linux can provide all of that just fine via VMs etc, office suits and other software works pretty similar anyway (just look at any mail program), there are plenty of companies offering support. MS just provides that in one convenient package and it's much easier to find someone to fix windows shit (down to the employees themselves).

 

[Nauseated Courgi]

that's why it won't happen. what's gonna happen it will run worse and worse, and over time you gonna have to jump through all kinds of hoops to get it running where going with the windows store, which is coincidentally pre-installed and right on your desktop is simply faster and more convenient. sound familiar? because that's exactly how we got the aids of ie6 spreading everywhere.
blocking steam over night would generate too much of a backlash and bad PR, that's why they boil the frog slowly.

Okay, but the average person perfers to use any other web browser. Even to this day, you'd be hard pressed to find anyone that uses internet explorer (or "Microsoft Edge" as it likes to call itself these days) as much as they would Chrome or Firefox. They're just far superior alternatives.

I imagine it'd be the same case for the windows store. Sure, it's there, but why would the average PC player want to use that over Steam?

 

[TheJelqster]

Just got my Deck email, very cool