Valve's new Steam Deck handheld is priced at $400

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Valve's new Steam Deck handheld is priced at $400

Valve will start shipping a new handheld gaming device called the Steam Deck in December 2021.

Valve says that the device is a powerful AMD processor that can run the latest AAA games. The powerful black rectangle features a 7-inch touchscreen with 1280x800 resolution, a Steam Controller-like trackpad, and full-size analog sticks.

Software-wise, the Steam Deck runs on a new version of SteamOS, the Linux-based operating system that Valve hoped to make a living room staple when Steam Machines were in circulation. However, this does not mean that the Steam Deck will be limited to Linux games. Valve claims that Proton's compatibility software has been greatly improved and works with anti-cheat systems. Simply put, you will be able to play Windows games that are not officially supported by Linux.

You'll also be able to mess around with the Steam Deck -it's not a closed box- and even use it as a normal PC by connecting it to your monitor and peripherals. Browse the web, stream videos, do your usual productive tasks, install other game stores, and much more," says Valve. An optional USB-C docking station will provide a DisplayPort and HDMI output, an Ethernet adapter, and three USB ports.

If you want, you can even kick SteamOS off the device and install Windows or something else.

We don't think people should be tied to a particular address or set of software that they can install," Valve designer Lawrence Young told IGN. If you buy Steam Deck, it's a PC. You can install whatever you want on it, you can connect any peripherals to it. It's probably better to think of it as a small PC with a controller attached than a game console.

Vapor Deck Hardware Specifications

These are the specifications of the PDA, according to Valve:

    • Processor: AMD Zen 2 4c/8t, 2,4-3,5 GHz (up to 448 Gflops FP32)
    • GPU: 8 RDNA 2 CU, 1,0-1,6 GHz (up to 1,6 teraflops FP32)
    • RAM: 16GB DDR5
    • Storage: 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB versions; expandable with microSD cards
    • Display: 7″ diagonal touchscreen LCD with 1280 x 800 (16:10) resolution, 60 Hz
    • Audio: Stereo speakers that Valve says are "powerful," a 3,5mm stereo jack, two microphones, USB-C/Bluetooth multi-channel output.
    • Controls: Dual capacitive touchscreen analog joysticks, D-pad, face buttons, analog triggers, bumpers, assignable grip buttons, "view" and "menu" buttons, gyroscope.
    • Trackpads: There are two, and Valve claims they have "55% more latency than the Steam Controller."
    • Wireless: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
    • Wired Connection: USB-C with DisplayPort 1.4 Alternate Mode support; up to 8K at 60Hz or 4K at 120Hz, USB 3.2 Gen 2
    • Battery: 40Wh, "2-8 hours of play"
    • Size: 298 x 117 x 49mm (11,7 x 4,6 x 1,8in)
    • Weight: Approx 1,47lbs (669g)

Valve claims that the Steam Deck has more than enough performance to run the latest AAA games with very efficient power consumption. I wouldn't expect it to perform particularly well with graphically demanding games at 1080p or higher, but it should suffice on its own 1280x800 screen. Promotional material includes footage of people playing Doom Eternal, Control, and Jedi: Fallen Order. We look forward to testing Steam Deck with these and other games as soon as we have them. (Of course, we'll make sure we can run Crysis on it, but I really wonder how it's going to deal with something like Hunt: Showdown.)

One possible disappointment is the battery life. Valve claims that the Steam Deck's battery will last a few hours while playing most games, and a maximum of 8 hours in light use cases like game streaming, small 2D games, or web browsing. At a minimum, it should last two hours when it comes to resource-intensive games. Let's hope there's a plug in your seat on the plane.

The quick sleep/resume feature will allow you to pause the Steam Deck and put it to sleep, then quickly wake it up and play again when you're ready. (For example, when you plug it in).

Vapor Deck Price and Availability

The price of the Steam Deck is $399 for the 64 GB version. There's also a 256GB version for $529 and a 512GB version for $649. The two more expensive versions also feature faster NVMe storage, and in all three versions you can increase storage capacity via a microSD card.

Valve executive Gabe Newell said the Steam Deck price choice was painful, but in the end the device should be powerful enough to perform well.

We believe that if we get it right, we'll sell them in the millions of units, which will certainly create a product category that we ourselves and other PC manufacturers will be able to participate in," Newell said. And that will benefit us in the long run. That's the framework we're thinking about.

Starting this Friday at 10am PST, Steam decks will be available to pre-order on Steam for a $5 deposit. Valve plans to start distributing them in December. It depends on where you live, though: Devices will ship to the United States, Canada, the European Union, and the United Kingdom in December 2021, with other regions shipping in 2022.

Full information and specifications for the Steam Deck can be found on the Steam Deck website.