nor will eMMC. I really still think this think should be considering streaming-forward but I kind of get why they’re being cagey about that (the problem is that if it were exclusively a streaming device they could’ve done it at like $200 and I’m not convinced that this is worth the difference)
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I was surprised by that too. The only mention of streaming in the FAQ was of the device streaming to something else.
Considered as a streaming device, the battery life and probably screen quality and weight is terrible compared to my existing iPad + 8BitDo controller setup, so it seems more like a pure Switch imitator after all.
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It’s a much better product than the GPD Win 3 ($799) and Aya Neo ($699) if you’re comparing apples to apples.
I wonder if the SSD is user serviceable in which case you could get the $399 model and put a terabyte in for $100 more.
I think the primary customer for this does not already own a PC or tablet.
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the 64gb model is 50 bucks more than the OLED Switch
fuck man, I’ll wait for load times for that kind of deal
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Oh, a neat footnote: the analogs have capacitive sensors in them like the Oculus controllers so you can e.g. only engage gyro when your right thumb is on the stick like the previous feature on the Steam controller.
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64 gig model feels like it’s targeting the kind of weirdo who would buy a switch to play a bunch of indie games
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At launch, the Steam brand and the better specsheet will have no traction with this kind of person compared to Nintendo. It’s only if this becomes a smash hit that this type of customer may come in as a late adopter a few years from now.
For now I find it appealing personally for travel because I find the Switch hardware underwhelming and having to maintain a separate game library on a more expensive and limited Nintendo store isn’t great. I’ve been using my Switch less and less for this reason.
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Yeah, I could see it becoming my prime portable indies device, as the Vita and Switch were but gradually assumed more and more compromises.
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They’re probably ecstatic that the Nintendo Switch (OLED Model) is what it is, at least
Maybe production for this allows them to ship a controller with a screen in it for your streaming use case
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I was actually sorta interested in this… until the reveal. The thumbstick placement on the Steam deck is astonishingly bad, all of the videos of people using it look hella uncomfortable. Do they not have any ergonomics people at Valve??? Love too hold my entire handheld console from the top, daintily, like a handkerchief.
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the steam controller ergonomics were similarly aggressive-but-good, I’d reserve judgment there
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I own a Steam Controller and it’s atrocious. The deep wells and lack of thumbsticks make playing any traditionally-controller game a fucking nightmare.
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I gotta say, if my laptop died and I were in the market for a new “Gaming PC” I’d very much consider one of these. I have another laptop for productivity.
wonder how long until you can slap crt_emudriver on that thing
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the APU is capped at 15W and you need a maybe-proprietary dock in order to do display out… eeesh folks idk
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To expand on this:
Modern controller ergonomics (which I happen to like) emphasize either staggered thumbstick placement (high left/low right, like a 360) or both mid-low (like a PS4). They’re like that because it allows you to grip the controller with the palm of your hand comfortably, using your thumbs and fingers as pressure, and spread out your hand across the device for even holding.
The Steam Deck’s thumbstick placement directly next to the triggers means you’re going to be holding the controller not with your whole hand, but exclusively with your fingers; pushing up on the back of the controller with the tips. Not only is that an uncomfortable position prone to slippage, it’s also the literal exact position that exacerbates my latent carpal tunnel.
Shame too because I really want a mobile Steam device, this thing is literally my exact jam, but they fucked up the controller design so bad AGAIN that I’m just not gonna bother.
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upon further reflection having dual trackpads (where the sticks or buttons should be) is an absolutely bonkers design decision
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I think this is bad copywriting - by “when docked” they mean when connected to a USB-C dock. On the spec sheet there’s no such caveat.
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They are very committed to the notion of trackpad-as-mouse being the primary way you engage with games on Steam hardware - even ones with native gamepad support - and it’s the dumbest fucking shit in the world.
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Even better, dual virtual haptic trackball, the input method suited to nothing
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