valve reveals new and interesting details of the Steam Deck, its portable video game console that is available for pre-order now and will start shipping later this year. So if you're interested in the device, you'll want to know things like whether or not it will support dual booting or whether it can be used as a PC gamepad.
New details of Valve's Steam Deck
Little by little, the date on which Valve will begin to ship the first units of its Steam Deck is approaching, that portable gaming device that they presented months ago and that since July 16 admits to being reserved.
Until they arrive, what the company has done is answer a series of questions that some users were asking themselves. So it's the perfect time to know these details that will make this Steam Deck may or may not become one of the products of the year.
Support for multiple user accounts
While the Steam Deck can be seen as a personal gaming device, that doesn't mean that some people don't want to share it. The problem is that they do not want the data of their respective user accounts to be affected.
Well, unlike other devices like the iPad, the Steam Deck will allow login with different accounts, it will keep the data separate and each user will only be able to access the titles they have in their game library. Of course, if you are going to share it, then it is better to opt for the model with the largest storage capacity.
Support for games not available on Steam
Despite the fact that the Steam game catalog is very extensive, there may be titles that you are interested in playing on the Steam Deck. Well then, you will be able to add new games thanks to a button "Add a game" like the one that exists in the desktop version.
Those titles that are not compatible with the version of Linux on which SteamOS is based will run thanks to Proton.
Will it be necessary to always have an internet connection?
This is a question that many users ask today, because even though it is normal and highly recommended, you do not always have an Internet connection. So, will the Steam Deck be playable when you don't have internet?
Well, as Valve explains, the Offline mode will allow you to launch games that you have already installed and do not necessarily require a connection. That is, those online multiplayer or similar titles cannot be played logically. But many other games with story mode can be played without Wi-Fi.
Using the Steam Deck as a PC Controller
Spend at least 400 euros on a device to use it as pc gamepad It's not that it's the smartest thing in the world, but if you want to do it, you can. The Steam Deck will give the option through Remote Play to function as a PC game controller. So, not bad if you want to take advantage of its controls to play at home on your desktop computer.
Virtual reality goggles on the Steam Deck
Technically the Steam Deck could use virtual reality glasses. Because its hardware is basically that of any PC, plus its operating system also allows and supports this type of accessory. Even so, Valve does not recommend it and it is logical, because its power is not the same as that of those PCs that are normally used for this type of experience. So don't expect much in this regard, at least with this first generation of product.
Steam Deck and dual boot support
The Steam Deck will use SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system. Of course, it will not be the only operating system that you can install and use. You will also have the option of using others such as Windows 11, although the best thing will be the possibility of enjoying a dual boot.
Thanks to dual boot, when you turn on the console you can decide if you want to start SteamOS or Windows 11, for example. Thus, if we said before that games not available on Steam could be executed via Proton, in the event that these cannot be executed either, you could install Windows and then play it.
When does the Steam Deck go on sale?
As you can see, these new details added the section of steam deck questions and answers They are outlining much more what could be one of the devices of the year in terms of games. We will have to see logically what the live experience is like, but for now everything looks very good.
Regarding the sale, the device can be reserved from July 16 and the first units will begin to be shipped from December 2021. That is, by the end of this year we will be able to clear up doubts about the potential of this game console. laptop.
About the prices, according to the storage capacity that varies between 64, 256 and 512 GB, the Steam Deck will cost 419 euros, 549 euros and 679 euros respectively.