Steam Deck - Dec 2021 - $399, $529, and $649
07-16-21, 09:38 AM
#26
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Steam Deck - Dec 2021 - $399, $529, and $649
The main problem is that unless I'm missing something it's only portable as long as you have wifi available (or a really good hotspot, I guess depending on what games you're playing). Would've been the perfect pandemic system, though. 
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John Pannozzi (07-17-21)
07-16-21, 09:42 AM
#27
DVD Talk Hero
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Re: Steam Deck - Dec 2021 - $399, $529, and $649
^ I'm pretty sure the games install directly on the hardware so you can play offline without wifi. It would be a huge misstep if you always had to be connected for some reason.
Or is it only bad when MS does it?
Or is it only bad when MS does it?
07-16-21, 09:44 AM
#28
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Steam Deck - Dec 2021 - $399, $529, and $649
Steam does offer an offline mode, so... *shrug*
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John Pannozzi (07-17-21)
07-16-21, 09:48 AM
#29
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Steam Deck - Dec 2021 - $399, $529, and $649
Oh is there an offline mode? I've only ever used Steam on a PC which is always online, so I never knew that.
My main gripe is trying to play something like NBA 2k on the Switch, which requires online for almost everything and is a pain and a half.
My main gripe is trying to play something like NBA 2k on the Switch, which requires online for almost everything and is a pain and a half.
07-16-21, 09:48 AM
#30
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Re: Steam Deck - Dec 2021 - $399, $529, and $649
Exactly. It's installed on your system but you would need wifi if you were playing an online game. Just like digital game on a Switch - - except with the ability to still play your digital games on other systems easily.
07-16-21, 09:51 AM
#31
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Steam Deck - Dec 2021 - $399, $529, and $649
It seems like there is an extra step when using offline mode, at least in the current iteration in that you need to enable it while you're online. So if it's compatible you just have to make sure you boot into offline mode (hopefully it's just a toggle or something) so it can check your license before leaving the house.
Now I'm curious which PC games require an always online connection anyway (like 2k does).
Now I'm curious which PC games require an always online connection anyway (like 2k does).
07-16-21, 09:56 AM
#32
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Re: Steam Deck - Dec 2021 - $399, $529, and $649
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John Pannozzi (07-17-21)
07-16-21, 10:52 AM
#33
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Steam Deck - Dec 2021 - $399, $529, and $649
I want to wait on reviews before deciding too. It interests me, but it is a bit pricey for something I’m only casually interested in. I probably would go with the lowest tier personally, even though one of the higher priced ones would be nice due to the better screen.
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John Pannozzi (07-17-21)
07-16-21, 01:02 PM
#34
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Steam Deck - Dec 2021 - $399, $529, and $649
So knowing nothing about this (as evidenced by my inane questions in this thread) I did more research on just how this linux OS can run games. The answer is Proton, but there are some hiccups with anti cheating stuff that they're still working out:
https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news...m-deck-2995562
Also the page is dead.
edited to add:
Oh, back up for preorder.
https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news...m-deck-2995562
Also the page is dead.
edited to add:
Oh, back up for preorder.
07-16-21, 01:05 PM
#35
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Steam Deck - Dec 2021 - $399, $529, and $649
And if the Proton/Wine/DXVK doesn't work out, you can always toss Windows on the thing.
07-16-21, 01:22 PM
#37
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Re: Steam Deck - Dec 2021 - $399, $529, and $649
Me too
07-16-21, 01:54 PM
#38
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Steam Deck - Dec 2021 - $399, $529, and $649
https://www.protondb.com/ is a good resource to determine whether the game you want to play will run under Linux.
07-16-21, 02:28 PM
#39
DVD Talk God
Re: Steam Deck - Dec 2021 - $399, $529, and $649
07-16-21, 02:36 PM
#40
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Re: Steam Deck - Dec 2021 - $399, $529, and $649
Just got a reservation in for the 256 at last.
07-16-21, 02:39 PM
#41
Moderator
Re: Steam Deck - Dec 2021 - $399, $529, and $649
Me too, after 90 minutes of hitting the buttons over and over ago. It's a shitshow, but it beats buying a PS5.
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K&AJones (07-18-21)
07-16-21, 02:55 PM
#42
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Steam Deck - Dec 2021 - $399, $529, and $649
The 512 must be the most popular, the availability of that (if you can get a preorder in now) is now Q2 2022
07-16-21, 03:19 PM
#43
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Re: Steam Deck - Dec 2021 - $399, $529, and $649
How do you find your availablility?
And I'm surprised that the 512 would be the most popular. It's so much more expensive than the base model, I just couldn't in good conscience spend that much. Felt like the 256 was a good compromise.
And I'm surprised that the 512 would be the most popular. It's so much more expensive than the base model, I just couldn't in good conscience spend that much. Felt like the 256 was a good compromise.
07-16-21, 03:55 PM
#44
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Steam Deck - Dec 2021 - $399, $529, and $649
Edit: Also, the allocation of production may mean Valve is making less of the highest end, so just because it's availability it farther out doesn't mean it's necessarily selling more than the other models.
07-16-21, 04:39 PM
#45
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Steam Deck - Dec 2021 - $399, $529, and $649
True, it's not necessarily an indicator but it's also not hard to believe.
You can see it on this page where you preorder:
https://store.steampowered.com/steamdeck
(64GB is Q1 2022, 256GB is Q2 now, 512 has been Q2 for a while)
It won't show you the availability if you already reserved one but just open an incognito window. It's basically just a heads up to know approximately where in line you are.
Apparently there was a way to see the reservation queue numbers early (not sure how accurate this was):
You can see it on this page where you preorder:
https://store.steampowered.com/steamdeck
(64GB is Q1 2022, 256GB is Q2 now, 512 has been Q2 for a while)
It won't show you the availability if you already reserved one but just open an incognito window. It's basically just a heads up to know approximately where in line you are.
Apparently there was a way to see the reservation queue numbers early (not sure how accurate this was):
07-17-21, 04:34 PM
#46
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Steam Deck - Dec 2021 - $399, $529, and $649
If you are willing to put in a little bit of effort, the 256GB version makes more sense than the 512GB version. The NVMe is replaceable, so $120 more to still only be at 512GB is awful when you can get a 1TB for NVMe for $120.
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John Pannozzi (07-20-21)
07-17-21, 04:50 PM
#47
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Steam Deck - Dec 2021 - $399, $529, and $649
https://gamerant.com/steam-deck-internal-ssd-upgrade/
A follow-up email was reportedly sent asking whether or not the M.2 SSD slot would be included in all SKUs of the Steam Deck. Newell replied to this email, too, stating simply, "yes." In other words, all three Steam Deck SKUs will have an internal M.2 2230 SSD slot allowing for users to replace/expand the game's storage...There's a big catch, though, or even three big catches. First, the slot is internal, placed behind EMI and thermal shielding, and replacing it is "unsupported" and could potentially void a user's warranty. That's reported to have been confirmed via Valve coder Pierre-Loup Griffais on Discord, though it hasn't been verified. Replacing/upgrading the Steam Deck's internal storage is possible, but is only going to be a good choice for those experienced with PC alterations.
The second big catch is that M.2 2230 SSDs aren't actually very easy to come by. In fact, they're capped at 512GB, which can cost around $300....
As for the third catch, replacing the Steam Deck's internal storage would ultimately require users reinstall SteamOS on the Device. A new storage solution means starting over blank.
The second big catch is that M.2 2230 SSDs aren't actually very easy to come by. In fact, they're capped at 512GB, which can cost around $300....
As for the third catch, replacing the Steam Deck's internal storage would ultimately require users reinstall SteamOS on the Device. A new storage solution means starting over blank.
Then again, paying $399 + $300 for a 512GB M.2 2230 SSD is actually more than just buying the model that comes with a 512GB SSD included, which is only $649. I did find a 512GB M.2 2230 SSD for only $200 on Amazon, but one wonders about the difference in benchmark speeds between that and what Steam Deck will come with, and even then you're risking breaking a $400 device to save $50.
https://smile.amazon.com/SanDisk-SN5.../dp/B082MS2KBB
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John Pannozzi (07-20-21)
07-17-21, 09:06 PM
#49
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Steam Deck - Dec 2021 - $399, $529, and $649
They're going for compactness, so it makes sense they'd use the smallest M.2 form factor.
I wonder if the RAM will be in a slot as well. If so, probably single-slot SODIMM. But even laptops have the RAM soldered to the board nowadays.
I wonder if the RAM will be in a slot as well. If so, probably single-slot SODIMM. But even laptops have the RAM soldered to the board nowadays.
07-17-21, 09:10 PM
#50
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Re: Steam Deck - Dec 2021 - $399, $529, and $649
I'm terrified I will miss the email somehow. Wish I could just pay for it now and wait for it to ship.
