Valve doesn't usually release too many products at the hardware level, but when it does, it manages to get as much attention as possible. It is true that on some occasions it does not manage to end with a happy ending (see the Steam Controller), but on this occasion, it seems that we are facing an incredible product that could give a lot to talk about.
Steam Deck, the most powerful portable console
At first, we might think that we are facing the most direct competition from the Nintendo Switch, and the truth is that seeing everything it offers, some users may be tempted to bet on this platform instead of Nintendo's. But let's not forget that Nintendo has a very peculiar vision and that Switch has a chameleonic ability to transform itself into a desktop console and a portable console, something that Steam deck Does not offer. But let's get to the interesting stuff.
Introducing Steam Deck: powerful, portable PC gaming starting at $399. Designed by Valve, powered by Steam. Shipping December 2021.
Learn more at https://t.co/ZOTx3KUCVK and reserve your tomorrow. #SteamDeck pic.twitter.com/jcgbaKfT9c
- Steam (@Steam) July 15, 2021
Valve's proposal is a console that hides inside an AMD processor designed between both brands and based on the architecture Zen 2 and RDNA 2, which comes accompanied by 16 GB of LPDDR5 RAM. The console will be available in versions with 64, 256 and 512 GB of storage, so depending on the model we can install more or less games.
The device had been rumored for quite some time, and today we can finally put a face to it with the official images that the manufacturer has shared. We can see how it has a style similar to Switch, although the dimensions are larger, basically because it has more voluminous grips where it places large triggers and several lower buttons with which to have more shortcuts at hand.
The presence of two frontal trackpads is striking, which will allow greater precision when playing shooters, although it remains to be seen exactly how comfortable the control is in this regard.
With Steam as a library
The idea of this console is that it is capable of running triple AAA games in the same way that a gaming laptop could, something that will perform quite well if we take into account that the maximum resolution of the screen of 7 inches is 1.280 x 800 pixels. This resolution will help make the rendering and processing of the graphics lighter than it could be if we played in 4K, of course. Of course, the screen will be of type LCD, so the new OLED model Switch will be superior in this regard.
All the games will be installed from the Steam store, so you will be able to have a very large library if you previously played on PC.
How much does the Steam Deck cost?
The price that Valve has established for its Steam Deck is 419 euros, and it will officially go on sale next December, so it will arrive just in time for the Christmas period. The prices of the different models are as follows:
- 64GB: $419
- 256GB: $549
- 512GB: $679
The console can be reserved from tomorrow, July 16 at 19:00 p.m. (in Spain) and shipments will begin to take place in December (exact date still to be confirmed). Unfortunately, its launch will be limited to the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and the European Union, and it will not be until 2022 when the regions are expanded.