Valve Announces Steam Deck As Portable SteamOS + AMD Powered Portable PC

[drakonas777]

I see some of you are missing the point. The idea behind this device is to be "handheld PC" capable of running AAA titles. Anything except x86 is not an option. RISC-V would be instant commercial failure since the only use case would be retro games emulation. ARM, on the other hand, would somewhat work only in a tandem with Android, so you could market it like a "Android Game Console", but it would not get a lot of traction, since everyone has a smartphone now and demand for something like Android "with game pads" is super niche. And no, Valve will not go ARM/RISCV/PPC for it in the future, not unless whole AAA game industry goes this route, because they do not have enough gaming IP and studios to push non-x86 gaming handheld via exclusive games like Nintendo does.

Anyway. Deck's hardware/software choices are very good in my mind. Only two shortcomings I could mention are: a) potential proton compatibility issues; b) 8 CUs of RNDA2 in near future potentially can be insufficient even for 720p in a case of AAAs. That's all basically.

[AHOY]

as soon as you find out that KDE/Plasma did put in security holes means autostart of virus/trojan horse if you plug in a usb stick...

as soon as you find this out and connect the dots that its the evil side who run KDE/plasma and they make CLA war

you will never touch KDE/plasma again.

Preach, brother. I installed KDE and now my ovaries are full of spike proteins.

[scirocco]

You have just answered yourself, its likely that they went for Arch precisely because they are relying on sooner updates specifically from the kernel. They are using AMD graphics which means graphics driver improvements are tied to the linux Kernel version. Arch is arguably the best distro for this usecase, its incredibly fast when it comes to testing changes from upstream as soon as they are released as stable and they have a huge amount of users to test.

Fedora would have been another contender but unfortunately they married to Gnome and tbh Gnome is kinda bad (particularly if you look at memory usage which matters for a device like this).

Actually since gnome 40, gnome is a bit ligher on the memory then kde, fresh boot with standard install of kde on arch, my kde is 750mb, while my gnome 40 is 700 mb.

[user1]

Actually since gnome 40, gnome is a bit ligher on the memory then kde, fresh boot with standard install of kde on arch, my kde is 750mb, while my gnome 40 is 700 mb.

I have no idea why is memory usage on Arch different compared to other distros, as someone also posted before. I've used Manjaro KDE, Opensuse Tumbleweed KDE, Kubuntu and all of them consistently used 520-550 MB on cold boot. When I tried Ubuntu, it used 1.3 GB. I haven't tried any other Gnome distros, but I've seen Fedora Gnome and Manjaro Gnome also use 1.3 GB.

[Citan]

Maybe but this would be concerning if its a primary factor because they should pick the DE that is best for the users, not what Valve happens to use internally. Those are 2 very separate things, i.e. a highly customized DE for development/engineering is not the same thing that general users want for a gaming platform

Well, then it's a good thing they DID pick the DE that is best for the users then. XD
Reliable, default experience close enough to the latest Windows so that users can get their marks quick (also, JFYI, the "icon taskbar" on Linux largely predates Windows 7 but that's offtopic), but highly configurable so Valve could make tweaks related to "gaming platform" without too much headache.

And a lot of great applications provided fully integrated (although I doubt Valve would preinstall them, but we'll see I guess).

This I somewhat agree with but TBH its a pretty minor point considering you are going primarily spend almost all of your time in SteamOS on this thing. Hooking it up to a display and using it like a computer is nice but in reality its a gimmik/perk and not the main point of the device

Not for me, by far. Currently I do everything on a laptop, which is, well, nice, but I feel compelled to always carry it with me wherever I go. This kind of peripheral would be enough to do some streaming, listen to audio confs / podcasts on the move, and remotely connect to some servers for light ssh administration in emergency. And plugged into a screen and keyboard, it would offer twice or thrice the processing power of my current laptop, which was a high-end one in 2017.

My only constraint would be, for my own development purposes, to actually learn how I could programmatically start and stop server processes "depending on context" so it doesn't drain battery when I'm using it for gaming or whatnot. I guess it would be easy with containers. ^^
Paired with a remote free cloud for data and system backup, I'd finally have a light weight, compact all-in-one device including for gaming (I really don't care about being in 720 on the go). Maybe I could finally put a dent in my gaming backlist while taking subway or train. XD

[Citan]

no. I'm stuck on the fact that a piece of hardware is going to preform in real world scenarios in the same ballpark as a piece of hardware from 2015 and yet offering no real incentive other than a different library of games. the steam deck is the worst parts about consoles with little of the good. in comparing to the switch, which is a direct competitor in terms of price, and size.

Double bullshit, big time.
Performance will be necessarily better if only because one can actually adjust graphical rendering with game options.
Also, while I recognize that custom hardware with paired custom toolset and instructions can lead to awesome performance per raw power...
You are saying a hardware with low-range, 1/4 quantity of DDR4 and maybe 1/5 of the raw processing power of Steam Deck would "provide comparable performance"? LOL.

As for "no real incentive other than a different library of games"?
- Access to every productivity app you want (at least Linux native ones. I'm dubious on how easy it would be installing MS Office / Photoshope / Autocad / whatever else compared to classic Linux distro, patience and sweat from admin).
- Access to games that largely expands beyond just steam (Linux native and fully ported games, Gog ported games, hardware emulators).
- Multiplayer without added cost for online (hello Nintendo online) or local (broad compatibility of devices, so each player can bring whatever gamepad he loves), or network (it's a Linux behind after all).
- Unrestricted communication tools (Discord, Mumble, own Steam, Gog, whatever you like).
- Unrestricted multimedia tools (Vlc, free access to whatever streaming / download sources you like to use).
- Ability to use as a mobile PC (something urgent to do, like a mail? Tactile keyboard may suffice, otherwise you can plug usb keyboard or pair any bluetooth device) or a full PC (put on desktop, plug usb hub which connects screen and peripherals, you're set).

I may come as irrespectful here, but honestly, did you plug your brain before reading about this machine?
There are interrogations and potential causes of failure: actual compatibility of steam games on Linux -and traditional proprietary apps!!- without any action required from user, build quality, autonomy and perfs matching what's announced, quality of ongoing software support and hardware replacement...
But on paper this is an absolute beast.

I wouldn't consider buying this without egpu support. the apu is simply to weak gpu wise for modern TVs many of which you can get 4k for cheap. and docking it IS an advertised usecase. and comparing to switch isn't even fair considering the age of the two systems.

Doing so would have probably condemned the machine.
First, it would have required very extensive R&D effort to find proper external case, and ensure compatibility.
Second, it would have added on production cost to cater for likely 0, 01% of target audience, for a device that will be already clearly sold at no profit (or so little) at least for upcoming 2 years.
Third, it would have sent a very bad message to general audience, giving a vague feeling like "we think integrated power won't be enough sooner than later so we plan ahead".
Fourth, it would have ultimately be wasted investment, because if one really is in the mindset of using an external gpu, it means (s)he has both the space and the treasury (especially the latter) to buy high-end ultraportables with support for egpu, like the very recent (and VERY PROPRIETARY sadly) 13'' Asus ROG Flow.
On which installing Linux should prove easy enough if you want it.

[kpedersen]

Actually since gnome 40, gnome is a bit ligher on the memory then kde, fresh boot with standard install of kde on arch, my kde is 750mb, while my gnome 40 is 700 mb.

700mb is absurd! There are desktop systems requiring a 10th of that and with at least double the functionality.

Even the Windows NT 4.x shell (20mb) puts this to shame in terms of functionality.

[Citan]

That does not change the fact that for a Workstation OS, KDE is simply to broken, to heavy and too buggy for being the default. No reputable workstation linux distro ships KDE by default. Thats not fanboyism

Hahahahahahahaha. Ha.

Thanks for the free laugh, it's always good for morale.

You seem like a nintendo fanboi. .

Guy accuses someone to be a fanboy...

You claimed that Nintendo games are excellent, which is a huge lie. Nintendo games are bad, it is just that they make crappy underpowered consoles so their games get no competition.

And follows with that.

This thread is filled with self-unaware clowns it seems XD
Thanks for distracting and providing us with stress-relieving laughs.

[doomie]

...
Doing so would have probably condemned the machine.
First, it would have required very extensive R&D effort to find proper external case, and ensure compatibility.
Second, it would have added on production cost to cater for likely 0, 01% of target audience, for a device that will be already clearly sold at no profit (or so little) at least for upcoming 2 years.
Third, it would have sent a very bad message to general audience, giving a vague feeling like "we think integrated power won't be enough sooner than later so we plan ahead"...

Also if they want any devs to make Deck-hardware-specific optimizations, which they AND WE do want, having non-standard hardware throws that out the window. Sometimes for user experience, less is actually more. Sounds like the guy just wants a gaming laptop.

[Quackdoc]

Double bullshit, big time.
Performance will be necessarily better if only because one can actually adjust graphical rendering with game options.
Also, while I recognize that custom hardware with paired custom toolset and instructions can lead to awesome performance per raw power...
You are saying a hardware with low-range, 1/4 quantity of DDR4 and maybe 1/5 of the raw processing power of Steam Deck would "provide comparable performance"? LOL.

Flops, is a relatively good indicator of gpu performance not perfect, but good enough for most cases. you can find benchmarks of similar spec'd systems and compare them with Swtich benchmarks, Ive checked doom eternal and Witcher myself, and while I realize those are the top tier for optimization on the switch, they do not preform drastically different. in most cases you can bump a few settings. running at 1080p still needs a 50% res scale for similar graphics quality, which puts it into the same ballpark as the switch. I don't care about anything else, I care about ingame preformance, and this does not feel like a couple generations ahead, it feels like a generation.

As for "no real incentive other than a different library of games"?
- Access to every productivity app you want (at least Linux native ones. I'm dubious on how easy it would be installing MS Office / Photoshope / Autocad / whatever else compared to classic Linux distro, patience and sweat from admin).

its a portable gaming console does this matter to the majority of people? no. maybe for a couple of people that want the portability of a GPD but don't need the keyboard.

- Access to games that largely expands beyond just steam (Linux native and fully ported games, Gog ported games, hardware emulators).

this is exactly what I said. different games library

- Multiplayer without added cost for online (hello Nintendo online) or local (broad compatibility of devices, so each player can bring whatever gamepad he loves), or network (it's a Linux behind after all).

I will concede this point. I personally don't mind paying for nintendo's craptastic service to play with my friends. but I guess that would matter for some.

- Unrestricted communication tools (Discord, Mumble, own Steam, Gog, whatever you like).
- Unrestricted multimedia tools (Vlc, free access to whatever streaming / download sources you like to use).

this matters to the vast minority of people. particularly the communication tools. sure their might be a few people who would like discord on switch, but I doubt for many it's an important factor. Same with multimedia tools, as long as it has a player that can play the majority of videos people don't care what they use. I do wish we had things like netflix on the switch. but I doubt we will get controller friendly streaming apps anytime soon for the deck, but I would love to be proven wrong on this one. (well outside of running android in a VM on the deck, but on the flip side you can dualboot switch with android by modding)

- Ability to use as a mobile PC (something urgent to do, like a mail? Tactile keyboard may suffice, otherwise you can plug usb keyboard or pair any bluetooth device) or a full PC (put on desktop, plug usb hub which connects screen and peripherals, you're set).

see comment about GPD. I doubt this is a great portion of people thinking about this or the switch.

I may come as irrespectful here, but honestly, did you plug your brain before reading about this machine?
There are interrogations and potential causes of failure: actual compatibility of steam games on Linux -and traditional proprietary apps!!- without any action required from user, build quality, autonomy and perfs matching what's announced, quality of ongoing software support and hardware replacement...
But on paper this is an absolute beast.

Doing so would have probably condemned the machine.
First, it would have required very extensive R&D effort to find proper external case, and ensure compatibility.
Second, it would have added on production cost to cater for likely 0, 01% of target audience, for a device that will be already clearly sold at no profit (or so little) at least for upcoming 2 years.
Third, it would have sent a very bad message to general audience, giving a vague feeling like "we think integrated power won't be enough sooner than later so we plan ahead".
Fourth, it would have ultimately be wasted investment, because if one really is in the mindset of using an external gpu, it means (s)he has both the space and the treasury (especially the latter) to buy high-end ultraportables with support for egpu, like the very recent (and VERY PROPRIETARY sadly) 13'' Asus ROG Flow.
On which installing Linux should prove easy enough if you want it.

1.5 tflops is not a beast in PC computing. thats about as much as the original PS4. and yeah, its the best PC has to offer interms of this form factor, but its NOT a beast by any means. this is advertised as an device you can plug into your TV and its targeting 720p - low 1080p. the switch could do it as 4k TVs weren't all that popular at the time. but now is different. nearly everyone I know, and every TV sold in all the shops in my large town, are 4k. the specs are downright anemic for the use case, regardless of cost.

you don't need an external case, you don't even need to ensure compatibility or advertise eGPU support. Thunderbolt/USB4 is all that is needed. and maybe it would have driver up costs a bit to implement, or maybe even a lot. but its a shit ton better than misleading your potential customers. the steam deck WILL NOT do 1080p60 at high settings for many games. hell I doubt it will be the majority excluding indie or Graphically simple games.

It shouldn't cost too much to implement, they don't need their own egpu solution. but at least the option would be there. Thankfully it turns out that infact, the deck DOES have an nvme m.2 slot and it is not soldered. so now we still have an avenue to go.

but for the vast majority of people thinking about buying either the deck or the switch, the deck is a lot less compelling than I hoped it would be.