Valve Unleashes Their Switch-Killer The Steam Deck

Well this was very unexpected. Valve has released information for their new portable Gaming PC device called the Steam Deck. It has a similar look and aesthetic as Nintendo’s popular Switch which just got a new OLED model. Portable PC gaming has been quite a task that not many hardware makers could really master. Over in China, however, the GP Win has been the best we’ve seen when it comes to portable PC gaming. But that device is very expensive. The Steam Deck’s entry version starts at $399.99 which is less than buying a high-end laptop. Not only that, you can dock this thing and play on TV’s much like the aforementioned Nintendo Switch.

This is definitely a huge disruption to the handheld/console hybrid space that Nintendo has dominated for a few years now. If you want to get your hands on a Steam Deck, pre-orders start tomorrow. You can check out the specs and other features below:

Speeds and Feeds

Compute

ProcessorAMD APU
CPU: Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz (up to 448 GFlops FP32)
GPU: 8 RDNA 2 CUs, 1.0-1.6GHz (up to 1.6 TFlops FP32)
APU power: 4-15WRAM16 GB LPDDR5 RAM (5500 MT/s)Storage64 GB eMMC (PCIe Gen 2 x1)
256 GB NVMe SSD (PCIe Gen 3 x4)
512 GB high-speed NVMe SSD (PCIe Gen 3 x4)
All models include high-speed microSD card slot

Controls and Input

Gamepad controlsA B X Y buttons
D-pad
L & R analog triggers
L & R bumpers
View & Menu buttons
4 x assignable grip buttonsThumbsticks2 x full-size analog sticks with capacitive touchHapticsHD hapticsTrackpads2 x 32.5mm square trackpads with haptic feedback
55% better latency compared to Steam Controller
Pressure-sensitivity for configurable click strengthGyro6-Axis IMU

Display

Resolution1280 x 800px (16:10 aspect ratio)TypeOptically bonded LCD for enhanced readabilityDisplay size7″ diagonalBrightness400 nits typicalRefresh rate60HzTouch enabledYesSensorsAmbient light sensor

Connectivity

BluetoothBluetooth 5.0 (support for controllers, accessories and audio)Wi-FiDual-band Wi-Fi radio, 2.4GHz and 5GHz, 2 x 2 MIMO, IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac

Audio

ChannelsStereo with embedded DSP for an immersive listening experienceMicrophonesDual microphone arrayHeadphone / mic jack3.5mm stereo headphone / headset jackDigitalMultichannel audio via DisplayPort over USB-C, standard USB-C, or Bluetooth 5.0

Power

Input45W USB Type-C PD3.0 power supplyBattery40Whr battery. 2 – 8 hours of gameplay

Expansion

microSDUHS-I supports SD, SDXC and SDHCExternal connectivity for
controllers & displaysUSB-C with DisplayPort 1.4 Alt-mode support; up to 8K @60Hz or 4K @120Hz, USB 3.2 Gen 2

Size and Weight

Size298mm x 117mm x 49mmWeightApprox. 669 grams

Software

Operating SystemSteamOS 3.0 (Arch-based)DesktopKDE Plasma

Official Dock

Sold seperately. Specifications subject to change.

Expansion

Peripherals1 x USB-A 3.1 Port
2 x USB-A 2.0 PortsNetworkingEthernetExternal displaysDisplayPort 1.4
HDMI 2.0

Power

InputUSB-C Power Delivery passthrough inputDeck connection6″ USB-C captive cable with low profile 90° connector

Size and Weight

Size117mm x 29mm x 50.5mmWeightApprox. 120 grams

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