Valve confirms Steam Deck starts shipping late February

27 January 2022
Valve will send out weekly invites to those who reserved the console.

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  • ?
  • Anonymous
  • 70d
  • 28 Jan 2022

Anonymous, 27 Jan 2022Will it finally break the duopolies on both desktop (Win-Ma... moreOh, come on. It's just a PC running a Linux by default because if it comes with a Windows license, the price will be higher. It doesn't even available at retail. It's just a niche product.

    Anonymous, 27 Jan 2022Will it finally break the duopolies on both desktop (Win-Ma... moreNo chance.
    From a monetary standpoint, Valve pales in comparison to Google, MS, and Apple. In terms of market share and hardware point, it still pales. So let's look at the software side of things.

    In mobile:
    iOS sells the highest numbers, when it comes to a single device. And it also generates the highest profit. It's around 20% (or less) market share worldwide, but most of that comes from really affluent states. This isn't likely to change, nor does Apple wish it to, the ecosystem is closed source.

    Android is open source, but it spearheaded (or monopolotised) by Google Services. It's everywhere. There's really no alternative to these two options, since we lost the likes of MS, Nokia, Samsung, Palm, Blackberry and other popular operating systems. The next best alternative is probably JingOS which runs on the JingPad A1 by a company called JingLing. It's a Linux Distribution, open-source operating system, and quiet good from what I can see (and they might benefit heaps if Tizen gets open-sourced, and the project gets funding from the Huawei or Chinese Gov). It could then get critical mass/adoption in China, then Russia, then India, Indonesia and Brasil... those markets will then influence surrounding areas. But I don't think the chances of this is that high.

    In x86.
    Again, here Apple sells the most amount of laptops compared to other OEMs. But it is not as big of a victory as iOS. Still, this latest macOS should be recognised for being very optimised, especially with its semi-native code, Swift, Metal, and running on the M1-lineup of processors.

    MS basically rules this space. Windows is basically a monopoly here. Not much needs to be said.

    The next best alternative is again Linux Distro. However, there's too many variants, too much fragmentation, and it sucks at doing a few key things. Valve needs to launch the SteamDeck first. If it becomes a great hit, and it attracts some development frenzy, that's a good start. It could evolve further down the track. And the best way forward I can think of, is if Valve partners with a talented and creative company that makes great UI, and then they collaborate further with The Debian Project. If they can make it the "new" Standard Linux Distro, to sort of become the "Google of Android". Then have partner companies and the community working on it, so that they curb the duplication-of-work (forks of forks) that's been happening for decades. The chances of it is even lower than JingOS evolving and getting critical mass in China.

      • Jane
      • 3PL
      • 28 Jan 2022

      Goal, 28 Jan 2022Nah can't enjoy anything with all that Microsoft crap ... moreYou do realize Steam Deck will be running Linux, right?

        • G
        • Goal
        • Ggm
        • 28 Jan 2022

        Nah can't enjoy anything with all that Microsoft crap and bloatware. Linux is much better.

          • ?
          • Anonymous
          • 70d
          • 27 Jan 2022

          Anonymous, 27 Jan 2022Well, it's a gaming-focused "pc" that is not... moreIt doesn't come with a Windows license to keep the price acceptable. If you want to get the most out of it, you should install Windows.

            I lost interest in it and I put my $5 pre-order payment for it. I can just play emulators on my phone. Seems to peak with GameCube any way. Steam Deck is just another large device to carry around and charge. But it's still a great deal for ones still interested in it as most other ones go for at least $800+ minimum.

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • Q%m
              • 27 Jan 2022

              Joe Mama, 27 Jan 2022My reservation says expected delivery after Q2. Am I gonna ... moreno. you get pay when you're the next one in queue to get one.

                • J
                • Joe Mama
                • 4Hy
                • 27 Jan 2022

                My reservation says expected delivery after Q2. Am I gonna be able to pay earlier?

                  • ?
                  • Anonymous
                  • sUS
                  • 27 Jan 2022

                  Kangal, 27 Jan 2022So excited about this device. I'm was super happy wit... moreWill it finally break the duopolies on both desktop (Win-Mac) and mobile (Android-IOS)? It feels crippling to use the non-Apple ones as time goes by since both are trying to ape Apple's operating systems.

                    • ?
                    • Anonymous
                    • sUS
                    • 27 Jan 2022

                    Anonymous, 27 Jan 2022It's just a PC.Well, it's a gaming-focused "pc" that is not Windows-based and that isn't backed by a literal-who company like those other chinese handheld consoles.
                    Should it prove to be successful, it might open the gates to gamers being slowly weaned off Windows and Valve hedging themselves against MS should the current relationship turn sour.

                      • ?
                      • Anonymous
                      • 70d
                      • 27 Jan 2022

                      Anonymous, 27 Jan 2022I don't game but I'm fascinated by this device.It's just a PC.

                        • ?
                        • Anonymous
                        • fC6
                        • 27 Jan 2022

                        I don't game but I'm fascinated by this device.

                          I'm sure we will see the latest AMD r7-6800u SoC (15W) be included in their competitors, which will be neat. Imagine a compact GPD Win 4, with that above processor. At least this time they won't just be expensive this time, but have decent graphical capability (above PS4 level).

                          And remember, this thing can play millions of Windows games, from your legacy titles, to nostalgic flash games, to indie titles, and Modern AAA-games. It will even play the Latest AAA-games, after some tweaking (eg 720p/30fps/Low Settings). Just that alone makes this worth it.

                          But wait, there's more!
                          Let's not forget about emulation. This can do it all, from the early Atari to: MAME, Sega, S/NES, GB/A, N64, DS, PS1, Dreamcast, PSP, PS2, 3DS, GameCube, Wii, Xbox. I should also mention that it can also run Android Apps through a compatibility-layer (or a possible dual-boot option). And with some work and luck it will also handle the harder stuff like the Xbox 360, PS3, WiiU, and Switch emulation. That's unreal.

                            So excited about this device.
                            I'm was super happy with the GPD Win 1 and GPD Win 2, but we never had competitors in this space. It's only recently become more populated, yet the latest devices are just way too large. Or they're way too expensive yet quite weak graphically.

                            Again, this device is phenomenal.
                            Not only is its specs, but its price, and the fact that Valve single-handedly is crafting a Linux ecosystem. It's just mind blowing.

                              • ?
                              • Anonymous
                              • tZ4
                              • 27 Jan 2022

                              Nahh... I rather buy Switch than this 😎

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